Light
Grow flax lily in full shade if you live in a region with very hot, dry summers and in partial shade if you landscape in an area with milder summers.
Soil
The main requirement for the soil of flax lily is that it should be well-draining. Though it prefers sandy or loamy soil, it is hardy enough to handle even poor soil with ease.
Water
Flax lily tolerates drought well once it is mature. Until then, keep it in well-drained soil and water it a few times each week. If the plant begins to droop or brown, cut back on the water.
Temperature and Humidity
Flax lily needs higher temperatures, up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, to truly thrive. As a houseplant, the flax lily can handle temperatures of down to 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but don’t be surprised if it remains a foliage plant and doesn’t produce many blooms at lower temps. High humidity will also help these plants thrive. Keep in mind that these temperatures are ideal for growth; however, the plant is winter hardy enough to come back, year after year, even when winter temperatures dip to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
Feed flax lily in spring before the appearance of new growth with the same kind of fertilizer (suited to acid-loving plants) that you would use for azaleas.
Types of Flax Lily
Variety in the world of flax lilies comes mainly in the form of cultivars with variegated foliage:
‘Variegata’ has green leaves with white margins.‘Silver Streak,’ likewise, sports white leaf edges.‘Yellow Stripe’ is more interesting. On its foliage, light green, dark green, white, and yellow bands alternate.
Pruning
Flax lily needs pruning only about once every five years to help ensure it continues to bloom and present lovely foliage. Prune the lilies back to the crown during the fall, when the foliage has begun to brown a bit.
Propagating Flax Lily
Flax lily spreads in a clumping habit through rhizomes. Propagation by division is the easiest way to spread this plant around your garden. During the fall, gently dig up the flax lily. Take care to separate the rhizomes into clumps, dividing the plant cleanly with your fingers or a sharp knife. Since the plant is already acclimated to the area, you can plant the divisions immediately and water them well.
How to Grow Flax Lily From Seed
Flax lily grows through spreading rhizomes, so division is the best way to grow this plant.
Potting and Repotting Flax Lily
Flax lily does very well in containers. When initially potting flax lily, choose a pot that has excellent drainage. Terracotta works well, as it pulls water into the material as well as offers good drainage. Good potting soil is plenty for flax lily to thrive, as long as it remains well-drained. Too much water will lead to rotting of the plant. Repot the lily when the rhizomes fill up the pot and the plant begins to show signs of struggle, such as browned or stunted leaves. Flax lily divides well, so you can simply divide them into similarly sized pots as the initial one, eventually leading to a plethora of houseplants for beautifying your home or giving away to lucky friends and family.
Overwintering
Flax lily doesn’t need much in the way of help for overwintering when grown in zones 9, 10, or 11. Expect the foliage to die back in winter and spring back when the temperatures warm up. Flax lily grown in containers are easy to overwinter, as you simply bring them indoors and let them enjoy the warmth of the home during the colder months.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Flax lily is susceptible to diseases such as leaf spot and powdery mildew, but you can lower the chances of such infestations through generous spacing, by avoiding overhead watering, and by watering in the morning (so that the soil has a chance to dry before night falls).
