To get those stunning, show-stopping blooms from your Blood Lily, you’ve got to make sure she’s well-fed and has a comfortable home. That means a little repotting action every now and then! The sweet spot for this is between February and April, right as she’s waking up from her winter nap. Here’s the lowdown on how to repot this exotic beauty and keep her happy.
Springtime is Repotting Time
When picking out a new pot, don’t go overboard! If the container is too big, your Blood Lily will spend all her energy growing roots instead of those gorgeous flowers. Aim for a pot that leaves about an inch and a half (4 cm) of space between the bulb and the rim.
If the current pot still fits well, you don’t even have to do a full move. You can simply scrape off the top layer of soil and refresh it with some new substrate. It’s a great way to give her a boost without disturbing the bulb. For soil, a high-quality, compost-based potting mix for flowering plants works wonders.
How to Repot Your Blood Lily
Once your plant finishes its winter dormancy, it’s time to get to work. Just remember to be gentle—you don’t want to bruise the bulb!
Here’s your step-by-step guide:
- Carefully lift the bulb out of its old pot.
- Gently shake off any loose, old dirt.
- Get your new pot ready with a bit of fresh soil.
- Place the bulb in its new home with care.
- Fill in with soil, but here’s the trick: leave the very tip of the bulb exposed.
- Give it a good drink of water and move it to a warm, bright spot.
When planting, always make sure about a quarter of the bulb is peeking out above the soil line. Also, hold off on the fertilizer for about six weeks after repotting; the fresh soil already has all the nutrients she needs to get started!
Don’t Split the Bulbs Too Often
Repotting is also the perfect time to divide your plant if you want to grow some “babies.” You can do this by gently detaching the small offset bulbs from the main mother bulb—just make sure you only pick the ones with strong shoots.
A word of caution: don’t get too click-happy with the dividing! If you do it too often, the shoots will get weak and you might find that your lily stops blooming altogether. Once you’ve divided them, give the plant at least three years of peace before trying it again.
If you’re feeling extra patient, you can also try propagating by seed. Just harvest the seeds in the spring and get planting!
