When to Plant Lilies in Alaska

Lilies (Lilium spp.) are among the most impressive summer-blooming bulbs, delivering bold, upward- or outward-facing trumpet blooms on tall stems from June through August. Asiatic hybrids are the most cold-hardy, earliest to bloom, and easiest to grow; Oriental hybrids bloom later with intensely fragrant, larger flowers. Orienpet (OT) hybrids combine the hardiness of Asiatics with the fragrance and size of Orientals. True lilies (not to be confused with daylilies, which are Hemerocallis) form scaly bulbs that persist and multiply underground, returning reliably each year with increasingly large clumps.

Alaska spans USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Click your county for exact Lilies planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Lilies Planting Calendar for Alaska

▸ Zone 3b ~135 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 10 · First frost: September 22 · 135 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	May 24	May 24 – Jun 7
Bloom	August 16	Aug 16 – Oct 11

▸ Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	May 20	May 20 – Jun 3
Bloom	August 12	Aug 12 – Oct 14

▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	May 15	May 15 – May 29
Bloom	August 7	Aug 7 – Oct 9

▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	May 9	May 9 – May 23
Bloom	July 18	Jul 18 – Oct 10

▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	May 2	May 2 – May 16
Bloom	July 11	Jul 11 – Oct 10

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	April 10	Apr 10 – Apr 24
Bloom	June 19	Jun 19 – Sep 25

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 15
Bloom	June 10	Jun 10 – Sep 30

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 1
Bloom	May 27	May 27 – Sep 16

▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	March 8	Mar 8 – Mar 22
Bloom	May 17	May 17 – Sep 6

Growing Tips for Alaska

Plant bulbs in fall (preferred, September–October) or spring, setting them 3 times their diameter deep (typically 4–6 inches) with the pointed end up. Lilies need excellent drainage — they will rot in wet or heavy clay soils. Site with full sun on stems and blooms but cool, shaded soil at the base (ground cover or shallow-rooted annuals at their feet is ideal). Remove spent blooms but leave stems and foliage until they yellow naturally, as the bulb needs the foliage to photosynthesize and rebuild energy stores. Red lily beetle is a serious pest in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; inspect plants regularly and hand-pick adults and larvae. Never plant Oriental or Asiatic lilies near cats — all Lilium species are highly toxic to cats. Year 2+ bulbs produce the most stems and largest blooms.

Lilies in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lilies in Alaska?

Planting dates for Lilies in Alaska depend on your USDA zone. Alaska spans zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Alaska for planting?

Alaska contains USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

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