Easter lilies growing in biochar-amended soil, symbolizing sustainable gardening.

Biochar for Healthier Lilies: A Sustainable Gardening Solution

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how biochar enhances Easter lily growth, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional substrates."

Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.) are a beloved symbol of spring, with millions sold each year. Traditionally, these lilies are grown in peat-based substrates, which provide the necessary drainage and aeration for healthy root development. However, the use of peat moss comes with significant environmental concerns.

Peatlands, the source of peat moss, are fragile ecosystems that play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and biodiversity. The harvest and development of these lands contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and a decline in unique habitats. As awareness of these issues grows, gardeners and researchers are seeking sustainable alternatives.

One promising solution is biochar, a charcoal-like material produced from biomass pyrolysis. Biochar has gained attention for its ability to improve soil health, reduce the need for fertilizers, and sequester carbon. Studies have shown that incorporating biochar into container substrates can positively impact plant growth. Now, the question is: can biochar effectively replace peat moss in Easter lily cultivation?

What Makes Biochar a Great Choice for Easter Lilies?

Easter lilies growing in biochar-amended soil, symbolizing sustainable gardening.

A recent study published in The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology explored the potential of biochar as a container substrate for Easter lilies. Researchers Yanjun Guo, Genhua Niu, Terri Starman, and Mengmeng Gu investigated how different concentrations of biochar in a commercial substrate affected the growth and development of these iconic plants.

The study used a split-plot design, with varying fertigation regimes as the main plot and biochar percentages as the subplot. Easter lilies were grown in Sunshine Mix #1, a commercial substrate, amended with biochar at concentrations of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% by volume. These plants were then fertigated under four different regimes: constant feeding at 200 or 300 mg L⁻¹ N, or at every third watering with 200 or 300 mg L⁻¹ N.

Here’s a summary of the key findings:

No Negative Interactions: The combination of different fertigation regimes and biochar percentages didn't negatively impact growth.
Consistent Growth: The number of days to full flower, flower count, total shoot dry weight, leaves, and leaf gas exchange rates remained unaffected by either fertigation or biochar percentage.
Enhanced Stem Quality: Plants grown in 80% biochar showed the best ratio of stem length with green leaves to total stem length.
Improved Foliage: Constant feeding resulted in higher SPAD readings, indicating better foliage greenness.

In essence, the study demonstrated that biochar can be used as a significant component of peat-based container substrates for Easter lilies without compromising their growth and development. In fact, up to 80% biochar could be incorporated without adverse effects.

Ready to Embrace Biochar in Your Garden?

The study’s findings open the door to more sustainable gardening practices, reducing our reliance on peat moss and promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives like biochar. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, consider incorporating biochar into your Easter lily cultivation for healthier plants and a greener planet.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/14620316.2018.1444514, Alternate LINK

Title: Growth And Development Of Easter Lily In Response To Container Substrate With Biochar

Subject: Horticulture

Journal: The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Yanjun Guo, Genhua Niu, Terri Starman, Mengmeng Gu

Published: 2018-03-06

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is biochar, and how is it relevant to Easter lilies?

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance created through the process of biomass pyrolysis. This method involves heating organic materials, such as wood or plant matter, in the absence of oxygen. In the context of Easter lily cultivation, biochar serves as a sustainable alternative to peat moss, improving soil health and reducing environmental impact.

Why is the use of biochar significant for the Easter lily cultivation process?

The significance of biochar in Easter lily cultivation stems from its ability to act as a sustainable alternative to peat moss. Peat moss harvesting contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the destruction of peatlands, crucial ecosystems for carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Using biochar reduces reliance on peat moss, promoting more eco-friendly gardening practices, and lessening the environmental footprint of Easter lily production.

What are the implications of using biochar in the cultivation of Easter lilies?

The implications of integrating biochar into Easter lily cultivation are multifaceted. Primarily, it allows for the reduction of peat moss use, mitigating its associated environmental concerns. Secondly, it enhances the quality of the substrate, potentially improving plant growth. The study demonstrated that even up to 80% biochar can be incorporated without negative effects on the Easter lilies. Therefore, this shift towards biochar represents a move towards more sustainable gardening methods and supports practices that protect ecosystems and lessen carbon emissions.

How was the research on biochar and Easter lilies designed?

In the study, researchers utilized a split-plot design. The study used a commercial substrate, Sunshine Mix #1, and different concentrations of biochar (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% by volume) and varying fertigation regimes. The varying regimes included constant feeding at 200 or 300 mg L⁻¹ N, or feeding at every third watering with 200 or 300 mg L⁻¹ N. This design allowed for the assessment of how these different variables affected the growth and development of the Easter lilies.

What were the key findings of the study regarding biochar's impact on Easter lilies?

The key findings of the study include that combining different fertigation regimes and biochar percentages did not negatively affect growth. The number of days to full flower, the flower count, the total shoot dry weight, the number of leaves, and leaf gas exchange rates were also unaffected by either fertigation or biochar percentage. Plants grown in 80% biochar showed the best ratio of stem length with green leaves to total stem length. Constant feeding resulted in higher SPAD readings, indicating better foliage greenness. These results collectively demonstrate that biochar can be incorporated into the Easter lily substrate without hindering their development and could improve their overall quality.