How Long Do Stargazer Lilies Take to Sprout?

Stargazer lilies produce 6- to 8-inch blooms and a delightful fragrance. The blossoms are red with a white border. Stargazers are one of the most expensive flowers that florists sell, according to the Iowa State University Extension.

Geography

Stargazer lilies grow in a variety of climates in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9. They need full sun and well-drained soil.

Planting the Bulbs

Buy from a plant nursery that has cold-treated the Stargazer bulbs, which increases the likelihood of the plant blooming during the first summer. Plant the bulbs immediately and at least 8 inches apart. If you buy frozen bulbs, thaw them before planting.

Sprouting

Several factors determine when the bulbs will sprout, such as the density of surrounding bulbs, amount of sunlight, temperatures and planting time. These particular bulbs never go dormant, so they'll begin to sprout roots when you plant them. It takes up to 3 weeks for the plant to sprout through the ground.

Fun Fact

Stargazer lilies make excellent cut flowers. Remove the anthers, which contain the pollen, and the flowers will live longer in a vase.

Plant Stargazer Lilies

Fall is the ideal time to plant "Stargazer" lilies in the ground. If the weather turns nasty in the fall before you can get your lilies in the ground, you can wait until spring to plant them. If your soil forms a solid ball or drizzles mud when squeezed, it is too wet to be worked. Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches. If transplanting, wait until the foliage has turned yellow before uprooting the plants. This allows the foliage to provide energy to the bulb and leads to a stronger plant the following year. Lily bulbs are made up of numerous scales.