5 frequently asked questions about lilies answered
Lilies are some of the most-loved flowers around, due to their bright blooms and distinctive fragrance. They’re known to add a touch of elegance to any bouquet and are synonymous with purity and grace.
That being said, their rich variety of colours makes fresh and fragrant lilies ideal for a range of occasions. Whether they’re chosen to express love, gratitude or deepest sympathies, you can rest assured that lilies will be received well.
To help you decide whether they’re the flower for your occasion, we’re running through everything you need to know about lilies.
When should you plant lily bulbs?
Lilies are flexible flowers and can be planted any time from early autumn through to spring. Ideally, autumn is the best time to plant lily bulbs as it gives the roots enough time to settle in before the cold winter hits. This will give your lilies every chance of full bloom in the summer.
What is the meaning of a lily?
Throughout history, many different cultures have loved lilies, so when it comes to the meaning of a lily there isn’t necessarily one answer. Most people agree that lilies were first recognised in Greece, where Greek mythology suggested that they were sprouted from the milk of Hera - the queen of the Gods. This connection linked the lily to rebirth, motherhood, and fertility and made it a sought after bloom.
Since these noble beginnings, the lily has always been held in high esteem. In the East, lilies are thought to bring good luck and are commonly chosen as wedding flowers in China. Meanwhile, in the West, the lily has evolved from being associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity to being a common Sympathy Flower. Today, lilies are often given to represent mourning and purity, with many believing that they represent the innocence of the soul following death.
Whilst lilies are a classic funeral flower, their variety of bright and uplifting colours means that their meaning is really versatile. Their range of hues and tones can adjust their meaning with white denoting purity, red meaning passion, and pink signalling prosperity. With so many different meanings, you just can’t go wrong with lilies.
Are lilies poisonous to pets like cats and dogs?
Yes - lilies are known to be highly toxic to cats, so if you have any feline friends in your home, we recommend that you don’t have lilies around.
When it comes to dogs, you will probably want to steer clear of lilies too. Although deadly lily poisoning is rare in dogs, there are lots of other reactions that can occur if they get their paws on your fresh bouquet.
Although it’s true that there are varieties of lilies that are non-toxic to dogs (The Pruvian, Tiger Lily and Easter Lily to name a few), they can still cause nasty digestive reactions if eaten by a curious canine. To avoid any upset tummies, we have crafted a selection of pet friendly blooms that are perfect for those with pets.
How to care for a peace lily?
Peace lilies are loved for their glossy leaves and elegant white flowers. In recent years they’ve become a bit of a cult houseplant because of their easy-going nature.
When it comes to caring for your peace lily, remember that they’re tropical plants that are comfortable on a forest floor. For this reason, your lovely peace lily will thrive in high humidity and low sunlight (but if you want bright-white blooms, the more sunlight the better!)
Day-to-day care is pretty simple with a peace lily. She’s a hardy sort and only requires enough water to keep the soil moist. Temperatures above 16 degrees are ideal for peace lilies. And once you’ve found a spot that suits, the maintenance is minimal for such a beautiful bloom.
What do you do when lilies have stopped flowering?
You can expect your lilies to bloom once a season, but when that time is over you will need to take away the faded flower. Simply snip the dead flowers from the plant once it’s stopped flowering so that it doesn’t continue to waste energy trying to make seeds.
When taking the flower off, be sure to protect the leaves as these need to stay intact to provide nourishment for next season’s blooms.