How to Plant Foxtail Lily Bulbs

Overview

Foxtail lilies--also called desert candles--are perennial bulbs that are not actually true lilies (Lilium), but members of the Eremurus family. Foxtail lilies bloom during the spring and sometimes early summer, and at full maturity, they can grow to be 3 to 7 feet tall. Foxtail lilies are considered hardy bulbs, best planted in the fall in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 9.

Step 1

Select a sunny area to plant your foxtail lily bulbs and enrich the top 12 inches of soil with organic matter, such as compost or humus. Use a garden rake or tiller to do this.

Step 2

Dig holes for your foxtail lily bulbs so that the tops are 6 inches beneath the soil. Space bulbs about 12 inches apart.

Step 3

Cover the bulb with soil and lightly pack it down with your hands.

Step 4

Water the bulbs with an inch or two of water. Then cover the area with 2 to 4 inches of mulch, especially in zones 6 and 7 to keep them warmer during the winter months.