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Yes, you can plant foxtail lilies in spring, and it’s actually a fantastic time to get these dramatic, towering blooms into your garden.
While many gardeners lean toward fall planting, planting foxtail lilies in spring works beautifully if you time it right and handle their fleshy roots with care.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can plant foxtail lilies in spring without sacrificing those glorious flower spikes, the short answer is a resounding yes.
The key is understanding that these beauties, also known as Eremurus, have specific needs that differ slightly from your average bulb.
In this post, we’ll dig into why spring planting foxtail lilies is totally doable, how to pull it off successfully, and what mistakes to avoid so your garden still gets that wow factor.
Let’s get those spires ready to soar.
Why You Can Plant Foxtail Lilies In Spring
Planting foxtail lilies in spring is not a gardening faux pas, it’s a practical option with a few important caveats.
The biggest concern with spring planting foxtail lilies is that their roots, which look like starfish or octopus tentacles, are prone to drying out and can be easily damaged.
However, when you plant foxtail lilies in spring, you’re taking advantage of warming soil that encourages quick root establishment before the summer heat arrives.
Here’s why spring can work in your favor.
1. Soil Temperature Is On Your Side
Foxtail lily roots hate sitting in cold, wet soil, which is a common issue with fall planting in heavy clay or rainy climates.
When you plant foxtail lilies in spring, the soil has had time to warm up and drain more effectively.
This warmth signals the roots to wake up and start growing rather than sitting dormant and risking rot.
A spring planting gives those spider-like roots a gentle, encouraging environment to anchor themselves.
2. You Avoid Winter Heaving
Fall-planted foxtail lilies can suffer from frost heaving, where repeated freeze-thaw cycles push the crowns out of the ground.
By planting foxtail lilies in spring, you completely sidestep that winter rollercoaster.
The crown stays snug in the soil, and you don’t have to play detective in March, wondering if your roots have been exposed.
This alone makes spring planting foxtail lilies a safer bet for gardeners in colder zones.
3. Immediate Growth Momentum
Foxtail lilies are eager growers once they sense warmth.
When you plant foxtail lilies in spring, they don’t waste time sitting in a cold storage state.
Instead, they push out roots quickly and then focus on producing those tall, bottlebrush-like flower stalks.
You might even see blooms in the same season if you plant early enough and the roots are plump and healthy.
How To Plant Foxtail Lilies In Spring Successfully
So you’re ready to plant foxtail lilies in spring, but you want to do it right.
The process isn’t complicated, but it does require a bit of finesse because these roots are delicate.
Follow these steps to give your foxtail lilies the best shot at thriving.
1. Choose The Right Time In Spring
Don’t rush out the moment the snow melts.
You should plant foxtail lilies in spring once the soil is workable and the danger of hard frost has largely passed.
Aim for when daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) and the ground isn’t muddy or waterlogged.
If you plant too early in cold, damp soil, you risk the same rot problems as fall planting.
Late spring, think April or May depending on your region, is often the sweet spot.
2. Inspect And Soak The Roots
When your foxtail lily roots arrive, they might look dry and brittle.
Before you plant foxtail lilies in spring, give them a good soak in lukewarm water for a few hours.
This rehydrates the fleshy roots and makes them more flexible and less likely to snap during planting.
Discard any roots that feel mushy or smell rotten, as those are already compromised.
3. Dig A Wide, Shallow Hole
Foxtail lilies have a unique root structure that spreads horizontally rather than deep.
When you plant foxtail lilies in spring, dig a hole that’s about 6-8 inches deep but quite wide, around 12-18 inches across.
Create a small mound of loose, gritty soil in the center of the hole.
Place the crown on top of this mound and spread the starfish-like roots outward and downward, like you’re tucking in a spider.
Cover with soil, but make sure the crown sits just 2-3 inches below the surface.
Don’t bury it too deep, that’s a classic mistake.
4. Provide Sharp Drainage
The number one killer of foxtail lilies is wet feet.
When you plant foxtail lilies in spring, mix in plenty of grit, coarse sand, or perlite into the native soil.
If you have heavy clay, consider planting on a slight slope or in a raised bed.
Good drainage is non-negotiable because those thick roots will rot quickly in soggy conditions.
Common Spring Planting Mistakes To Avoid
Even though you can plant foxtail lilies in spring, a few missteps can turn your planting session into a flop.
Being aware of these pitfalls will save you from disappointment.
1. Watering Too Much Right Away
Yes, you soaked the roots, but that doesn’t mean you should drown them after planting.
When you plant foxtail lilies in spring, water them in once gently to settle the soil.
Then, let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.
Overwatering in spring, especially when the weather is still cool, is a direct invitation for rot.
2. Planting In Full Shade
Foxtail lilies are sun worshippers.
If you plant foxtail lilies in spring in a shady spot, they’ll produce floppy, weak stems or no blooms at all.
Choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Full sun is non-negotiable for those iconic tall spikes.
3. Forgetting To Mark The Spot
After you plant foxtail lilies in spring, the area might look bare for a few weeks.
You might forget exactly where you put them, especially if you’re planting other spring annuals nearby.
Mark the spot with a small plant label or a ring of pebbles.
This prevents you from accidentally digging them up later when you’re adding summer perennials.
4. Fertilizing Too Aggressively
Foxtail lilies are not heavy feeders, and they dislike rich, manure-heavy soil.
When you plant foxtail lilies in spring, skip the fertilizer entirely at planting time.
You can top-dress with a very light, balanced fertilizer once you see new green shoots emerging.
But too much nitrogen will just produce lush foliage at the expense of those majestic flowers.
So, Can You Plant Foxtail Lilies In Spring?
Yes, you can plant foxtail lilies in spring, and it’s an entirely viable path to a stunning summer display.
Planting foxtail lilies in spring works best when the soil is warm, the roots are pre-soaked, and drainage is sharp.
You avoid winter heaving and get immediate growth traction, which is a huge plus.
Just remember to give them full sun, shallow planting, and scant water until they’re established.
So if you missed the fall window, don’t stress.
Grab those roots this spring, pamper them with sandy soil and sunshine, and you’ll be rewarded with towering candles of color that make your garden look like a meadow from a fairytale.
Happy planting, and may your foxtail lilies stand tall.