Skip to content
Florist Directory Search

Flower profile

Lily

Quick facts

Trumpet-shaped flowers grow to a 6-inch diameter. Stems grow to 3 feet long, carrying four to eight blossoms. Sparse foliage is dark green.

Lilies

Lily at a glance

Colors
  • White
  • Yellow
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Orange

Many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal.

Vase life
Because blooms open at various times, most lilies live one to two weeks
Special care
To prevent pollen from staining petals or clothing, remove stamens.
Size
Trumpet-shaped flowers grow to a 6-inch diameter
Also called
Asiatic lily, Oriental lily

Attention Cat Lovers

According to the ASPCA, lilies are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestion of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result. The Society of American Florists recommends keeping lilies out of the reach of cats. It is important to note that lilies do not pose a problem for other pets or humans.

About lilies

Trumpet-shaped flowers grow to a 6-inch diameter. Stems grow to 3 feet long, carrying four to eight blossoms. Sparse foliage is dark green. Because blooms open at various times, most lilies live one to two weeks. Colors include white, yellow, pink, red and orange; many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal.

How to make lilies 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 lilies. To prevent pollen from staining petals or clothing, remove stamens.
  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 →

Lilies as a potted plant

Also called: lily, Easter lily. Long, narrow leaves cover a single stem. At the top, they divide into three to seven stems, each with a single bud. Open flowers are six-pointed, white and trumpet-shaped. The fragrant blooms can last seven days to three weeks.

Keep plants watered regularly and keep soil well drained. Plants in bloom need a lot of water and prefer a well-lit location out of direct sunlight. Remove the yellow anthers to prevent staining of white petals. To reflower the next season, continue to water it until foliage matures, then plant outside in late spring.

Questions about lilies

What colors do lilies come in?

Lilies come in white, yellow, pink, red and orange. Many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal.

How long do lilies last in a vase?

Because blooms open at various times, most lilies live one to two weeks. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for lilies?

Keep lilies 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 lilies: To prevent pollen from staining petals or clothing, remove stamens.

Are lilies safe around pets?

According to the ASPCA, lilies are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestion of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result. The Society of American Florists recommends keeping lilies out of the reach of cats. It is important to note that lilies do not pose a problem for other pets or humans.

Where can I buy lilies?

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

More flowers

All flowers A to Z →