Depends. What kind of lily are you referring to?

Lainey

Hi My lilliums they are spreading and i would like to transplant some. I know its to late for spring cause they are going to flower soon. I planted 3 and now i have 8 so i need to know when to transplant. Do you think i would damage the frist crop of lilliums Thank you Anna

Hi Anna
It's best to plant lilies in the Fall so they can get their roots established some prior to the spring season, (excepting non cold-hardy lilies grown as annuals). While I have carefully transplanted lilies in the early spring (when the sprout is just a few inches tall) even then you risk damage. If your lilies are close to flowering - transplant shock could very well harm the buds. Even after flowering you want the foliage to feed the bulbs and make them as strong as possible for next season.

A little crowding won't hurt them for now. Just mark each with a plant stake so if you forget to transplant until after the foliage dies down you'll still be able to find the bulbs.

If the transplanted lily was large enough to bloom this year, it will bloom next year.

-Helen