How to Take Care of a Stargazer Lily: We Knew You Wanted to Know

Stargazer lilies do well in full sunlight, where at least six hours of exposure in a day is necessary. Depending on the temperature, the plant will thrive or fall to its demise, producing awkward-looking stems that droop and die quickly. Maintain exposure temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees F, and you should be able to grow this beauty in the pink of its health. If you go for a partially-shaded spot, be sure that it receives adequate sunlight throughout the day, before afternoon approaches. The best time to pot these plants is during late fall or early spring.

The depth of the holes should be at least six inches deep and spaced apart from other bulbs, at a distance of 6 inches, again. Be sure to remove any obstructions from the bulb's path that may interfere with its growth. Stargazer lilies grow as planned in well-drained loamy or sandy soil. Sprinkle a little fertilizer into the hole, enough to fill the bottom but not so much that you have a hole-full of it.

Place the bulb carefully into the hole with the shoot facing upwards, and replace the earth over it. Even out the soil, gently patting around the area once it's covered. Use equal parts of a water-soluble fertilizer containing phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, every two weeks; the plant will need the necessary nutrients to help it grow. Mix half a teaspoon of it in a gallon of water, and use it in place of plain water. During fall, cover the layer of bulbs with mulch to protect them from the freezing cold. If you grow it in the spring, this won't be necessary.

When the stargazer lily sprouts, add a little more fertilizer to encourage it to grow a little more, before switching to regular water. Water the soil only if it is dry to the touch, but don't go overboard and drench it or it'll rot or kill the plant. Use a stick support of some sort to help the flower grow in an upright position, without having to droop from the weight of the flowers. Be sure it doesn't hinder the lily's growth in any way, by being tightly wound to the flower. Clip the stamen from each open bloom if you don't want its pollen to scatter, and prune the flower depending on how you see fit. Only water the plant to a point where the soil is kept moist, not saturated.