The short answer: trim lily stems at an angle, keep the water fresh, and let the buds open at their own pace. As each bloom opens, you can remove the pollen-covered anthers so the pollen does not stain petals or fabric. If you have a cat at home, keep lilies out entirely, because they are dangerous to cats. Lilies are a generous flower with a few habits of their own, and this guide covers those.
For general advice on any cut flower, see our guide on how to keep a bouquet fresh longer. This one is just about lilies.
Why lilies open slowly, and why that is good
A lily stem carries several buds, and they do not open all at once. The lowest buds usually open first, and the ones higher up follow over the next several days. So a stem that looks closed on the day it arrives is at the start of its display, not behind schedule. Our guide on how long cut flowers last explains how that compares with other flowers.
Leave the small green buds on the stem. Many of them will still open in the vase, though the smallest at the very top may stay closed. That is normal.
The first hour with your lilies
- Unwrap them gently. Open blooms bruise easily, and the petals mark where they rub together.
- Strip the low leaves. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water. Lily leaves break down quickly in water and cloud it.
- Trim the stems. Cut about 2 cm off at an angle with a sharp blade, then move them straight into water.
- Choose a heavy vase. Tall lily stems with several blooms can be top-heavy. A wide, heavy vase keeps them from tipping over, especially when they are fully open.
- Mix in flower food if a packet came with your bouquet, following the directions on the packet.
Pollen: how to remove it, and how to get it out
This is the question people ask most about lilies. The orange or brown anthers at the centre of each bloom are full of pollen, and it stains petals, tablecloths, clothes and hands.
- Remove the anthers early. When a bloom opens, the anthers are firm and only just starting to shed. Pinch them off with a tissue, or snip them with small scissors, and drop them straight into the bin.
- Do not rub a stain. If pollen lands on fabric, rubbing pushes it into the fibres. Lift it off first, with sticky tape or a dry cloth, shake the fabric outside, and then wash it as usual. Lay it in the sun to dry if you can.
- Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands before you touch the petals or anything pale.
Removing the anthers does not harm the flower. The petals stay just as lovely, and the bloom may even look tidier.
Lilies and cats
True lilies, including Asiatic, Oriental and Easter lilies, are highly toxic to cats. Even a small amount of pollen, or water from the vase, can cause serious kidney damage. If you know the person you are sending flowers to has a cat, choose something else. Our roses are one alternative. If a cat may have touched a lily, call a veterinarian right away. Dogs are less at risk, but it is still wise to keep them away from the vase.
Scent, and where to put them
Oriental lilies, including the well-known Stargazer, have a strong perfume that fills a room. Asiatic lilies have little or no scent. That matters in a small space, a hospital room or a home where someone is sensitive to fragrance, so ask yourself where the bouquet will go before you choose. In a warm room, the scent gets stronger and the blooms open faster. If you want your lilies to last, keep the vase in a cool spot, away from direct sun and heat vents.
As the blooms finish
Because the flowers on a stem open at different times, the lowest blooms will fade while the upper ones are at their best. Snip or pinch off each one as it fades, and the stem will keep looking fresh. Fading blooms also drop petals, so removing them early saves tidying up. Trim the stem and refresh the water every two or three days as you go. A stem with no blooms left can come out altogether, and the rest of the bouquet will look tidier for it.
Choosing lilies to send
Lilies suit a sympathy tribute, an anniversary or any time you want a large, generous bouquet. Browse our lily bouquets and arrangements, and if you are not sure about scent or pets, call our Mississauga studio at 905-677-9999. Every order is hand-arranged by our florists and includes a free handwritten card, and delivery is free on orders over $50.