How to Plant Voodoo Lily
Voodoo lilies stink--literally. The plant, a tuberous perennial native to the Balkans, produces a flower called a spathe. From inside the spathe rises the spadex, which can grow to 53 inches. The spadex is where the flower's odor comes from--the plant needs to attract flies to pollinate. The odor lasts for only a few hours on one day, however, and then you can get back to enjoying your voodoo lily. The best time to plant is from late May until mid-June. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Potting soil
- Pot (twice the width and length of the tuber)
- Voodoo lily tuber
Instructions
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1
Fill the pot 3/4 of the way to the top with potting soil. Water the soil until it is moist, but not soggy. Allow the water to drain before planting the tuber.
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2
Dig a 3-inch-deep hole in the soil and insert the tuber with the shoot--the pointed projection--facing up. Plant the tuber sideways if there is no shoot or you cannot determine where it is.
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3
Cover the tuber with soil, leaving just the tip of the shoot exposed.
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4
Water the tuber well and keep the soil moist. Cut back watering to once a week when new growth appears.
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5
Place the voodoo lily in a shady location and fertilize it every three weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer.
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Tips & Warnings
When the voodoo lily blooms, usually in late winter, there will be a three- or four-hour period during which it will emit a pungent odor. Move the plant away from your home when it is about to bloom.
