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Flower profile

Lilac

Quick facts

Botanical name: Syringa vulgaris. In SAF's language of flowers, lilac means first love.

Basket arrangement of purple lilac and tulips
Photo: Kesler / Floral Design Institute

Lilac at a glance

Meaning
first love
Colors
  • Lilac
  • Purple
  • Lavender
  • Blue
  • Pink
  • White
  • Cream
Season
Mid- to late spring.
Special care
Buy stems with about half the florets open. Strip all leaves below the water line; most florists remove nearly all foliage so water goes to the flowers. Re-cut woody stems and keep in deep, fresh water with flower food (SAF general care).
Size
A large spring-flowering shrub with cone-shaped clusters up to 8 inches long of small, sweetly fragrant flowers
Also called
Common lilac, French lilac

About lilacs

A large spring-flowering shrub with cone-shaped clusters up to 8 inches long of small, sweetly fragrant flowers. Cut lilac is a short-season treat; forced stems extend availability.

How to make lilacs last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For lilacs. Buy stems with about half the florets open. Strip all leaves below the water line; most florists remove nearly all foliage so water goes to the flowers. Re-cut woody stems and keep in deep, fresh water with flower food (SAF general care).
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Lilacs as a potted plant

Garden shrub: needs cold winters, sun and well-drained soil; prune after bloom.

Questions about lilacs

What does the lilac mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the lilac stands for "first love".

What colors do lilacs come in?

Lilacs come in lilac, purple, lavender, blue, pink, white and cream.

How do you care for lilacs?

Keep lilacs cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For lilacs: Buy stems with about half the florets open. Strip all leaves below the water line; most florists remove nearly all foliage so water goes to the flowers. Re-cut woody stems and keep in deep, fresh water with flower food (SAF general care).

Where can I buy lilacs?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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