How to Propagate Spider Lilies

Divide spider lilies at the end of their growing season, in late summer and early fall. At this time, there should still be foliage left on the bulbs, but the plant is going dormant and will take little damage from being interrupted. Dig up the bulbs of an established spider lily plant and carefully lift them up out of the soil. Locate the natural divisions in the bulbs, where individual bulbs are marked with a seam. Each side of the seam should be growing individual roots and stems.

Use a knife to slice each bulb at this division, or twist the bulbs with your hands to break them apart. Replant one of the bulbs at the old site, and water it with 2 inches of water to help it re-establish. Always plant bulbs with the stems facing upward and out of the soil.

Prepare a new site for the new spider lily bulbs. Choose a site that gets full sun and good drainage and amend it to a depth of 1 foot with a mixture of half quick-draining soil and half compost. This mixture will give the new spider lily the good drainage and nutrition it requires. Plant the new bulbs 4 inches into the soil, so that the bulb is fully covered and any foliage rises above ground level. Water the new bulb with 2 inches of water.

Put the new spider lily on the same watering schedule as your old spider lilies, and mulch it for the winter with 2 inches of organic mulch. Expect it to bloom and start growing in the spring, when all your other spider lilies wake up.