Flower library · Vase and office
Lily
Cut lilies are tall stems carrying several large trumpet or star-shaped flowers. Asiatic lilies are unscented and come in bright colours; Oriental lilies are larger and strongly fragrant. They open over several days, so a single stem can stay in bloom for up to two weeks.
Lilium hybrids (Asiatic and Oriental) · Asiatic lily · Oriental lily · Lilium
Season
Year round from polyhouses and imports; best quality in the cooler months.
Vase life
10–14 days in a vase
Colours
White, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Red, Bicolour
Grown in
Lilies in India are grown mostly in polyhouses in the cooler hills, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and the Nilgiris, and in some polyhouses near Pune and Bengaluru. Most growers use imported bulbs, and a share of cut stems is imported.
01
How to pick fresh
Family Liliaceae
- aEach stem carries three to six buds or flowers, with narrow leaves along the stem. Asiatic flowers face upward or outward and have no scent; Oriental flowers are larger, often speckled, and fragrant.
- bBuy stems with one bud showing colour and the rest closed. Buds that are coloured and swollen open reliably at home.
- cBuds should be firm and plump. Small, green buds at the top of a stem may not open.
- dLeaves should be green and firm with no yellowing. Yellow lower leaves mean the stem is old.
- eCheck open flowers for brown petal edges and loose pollen; both show the stem has been open for some days.
02
Keeping it fresh
- Recut 2–3 cm off each stem at an angle and remove leaves below the waterline.
- Pull off the orange anthers as each flower opens, using a tissue. This prevents pollen stains on petals, clothes and tablecloths and helps the flowers last longer.
- Change the water every two days and recut the stems each time.
- Keep lilies away from fruit bowls, since ethylene from ripening fruit shortens their life.
- Lilies are highly toxic to cats. All parts, including pollen and vase water, can cause kidney failure. Do not keep lilies in a home with cats.
03
Where it is used
- Oriental lilies are used in living rooms and entrances where their fragrance can spread.
- Asiatic lilies are used in offices and dining tables, where scent is unwelcome.
- Weddings and events use lilies in large arrangements and bridal bouquets.
- They are a common choice in corporate gift bouquets and condolence arrangements.
- The home Weekly Flower Subscription includes orchids and lilies.
04
Lily in your city
Pune's mild weather suits lilies, and stems usually open all their buds over a week or more.
Delhi's summer heat opens lilies quickly and shortens vase life, so keep them in a cool room and change water daily.
Indore's dry summers make buds open fast, so buy stems with most buds closed.
Chandigarh is close to hill growers, and its cool winters give lilies a long vase life.
Mumbai's humidity can spot lily petals, so remove anthers early and keep the vase in an airy room.
Bangalore's mild climate gives lilies a long vase life.
Hyderabad's heat shortens lily life, so keep them out of the sun and change water every day in summer.
Ahmedabad's dry heat makes lilies open and fade fast; buy stems with closed buds and keep them cool.
Kolkata's humidity can cause spotting on open flowers, so keep the room ventilated.
05
Get it delivered
06
Questions
How long do lilies last in a vase?
About ten to fourteen days, since the buds open one after another. Each open flower lasts around four to six days.
Should I remove the pollen from lilies?
Yes. Pull off the anthers with a tissue as each flower opens. Lily pollen stains fabric and petals, and removing it helps the flower last longer.
Are lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. Lilies of the Lilium genus are highly toxic to cats. Eating a small amount of any part, including pollen or vase water, can cause kidney failure. Keep lilies out of homes with cats.
How do I get lily pollen stains out of clothes?
Do not rub the stain. Lift the pollen off with sticky tape, then let the fabric dry in sunlight, which often fades the stain. Wash as normal afterwards.
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