The crown imperial is a total showstopper with its unique shape and vibrant colors. When it’s in full bloom, it brings a gorgeous exotic vibe to any backyard. That’s why it’s so frustrating when your plant barely flowers or, even worse, doesn’t bloom at all. If you’re staring at a flowerless stem, here’s a look at what might be going wrong.
Common Culprits for No Blooms
For crown imperial bulbs to push out new growth and those iconic blossoms in the spring, they actually need a bit of a “cold snap.” These plants are hardy, but if you dig the bulbs up to keep them in a warm house over winter, or if you bring your potted plants indoors, you’re actually throwing off their natural growth cycle. If your crown imperial didn’t get its winter “chill time,” it likely won’t have the energy to produce flowers.
Typical Location Issues:
- Not enough sunlight
- Lack of winter cold
- Nutrient deficiencies
The spot where you planted them matters a lot. Check to see if your crown imperial is getting enough sun or if neighboring plants are “stealing” all the nutrients from the soil. These plants also hate “wet feet.” If your soil is too packed down and doesn’t drain well, the bulb will struggle. Try loosening the soil and adding a layer of sand for drainage to help water flow away during heavy rain.
Watch Out for Lily Leaf Beetles
Sometimes the problem isn’t the soil or the weather—it’s uninvited guests. Once you’ve planted your crown imperial, keep an eye out for the lily leaf beetle. These are bright red little bugs that show up around March. They love to hang out on young plants and lay their larvae on the underside of the leaves. This infestation weakens the plant so much that it just doesn’t have the strength to bloom.
If you catch them early, you can usually just pick them off by hand. A pro tip: hold a bucket under the leaves and gently tap them so the beetles fall right in. If you’re dealing with a full-on invasion, you might need to pick up an organic spray at your local garden center to get things back under control.
