There are many different kinds of lilies, and most produce colorful, showy flowers on long green stems. Lilies of all types are very popular for weddings and funerals, as well as in bouquets put on display. With time, attention, and care, a gardener can grow them from lily seeds. When planting lily seeds, one should plan on caring for the plant for at least 18 months before flowers will bloom. The seeds should be planted indoors and require water, sunlight or fluorescent light, and warmth to germinate and grow.
Using lily seeds to grow this type of plant is a time-intensive project, but well cared for plants tend to thrive and will reward a gardener with several seasons of blooming. For the best results, the seeds need to be started indoors in a pot that is four to six inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimeters) deep. A rich potting soil should be used for planting. After putting some in the bottom of the pots, the seeds should be added, at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) apart, and then covered by 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) of soil.
After planting the lily seeds, they should be watered regularly. The soil the seeds are planted in should be moist, but not wet. Over-watering can cause the seeds to rot and never germinate. Seeds planted in good soil with adequate water typically sprout within 14 days.
The pot containing the lily seeds needs to placed in an area with a lot of light. This can be a window sill with direct sunlight, or an overhead fluorescent light can be used. If there is not a window that receives direct sunlight all day long, the plant can grow well with a combination of sunlight and indoor plant lighting. At this stage, the pot should also be kept in a warm area of the home.
As the seedlings grow, a diluted fertilizer should be used every two weeks to feed the plant. When leaves begin sprouting, the lily seedling can be transplanted outdoors to a garden. Such seedlings should be placed at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) apart. Weeds should be kept away from the seedlings, and the plants can benefit from a layer of mulch around them. After the lily plants have been moved outdoors, they still require regular watering and should be given a liquid fertilizer once a month. It generally takes 18 months from sowing for lily seeds to bloom flowers.