Lilies come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes and they have the reputation for being the perfect flower to add a touch of class and sophistication to any room. But don’t get lilies confused with calla lilies, water lilies, or lilies of the valley—those are just, shall we say, adjacent flowers with no actual relation to lilies other than being flowers with “lily” in their name. The lilies we’re talking about here are part of the genus Lilium.
Of the 90 “true lily” species, the most popular are tiger lilies, stargazer lilies, Easter lilies, Casablanca lilies, lollipop lilies, peace lilies, and Madonna lilies, just to name a few. While they come in nearly every look and variety, from elegant trumpet-shaped bulbs to fiery, show-stopping blooms, one thing you can always guarantee from lilies is that they’ll always turn heads with their unique style and grace.
So let’s say a fresh bouquet of lilies that just arrived on your doorstep or—even better—they were given to you by a handsome love interest (do your thing, girl!) Don’t run off and display them for all your friends and loved ones to ogle at just yet. Before you show off that Bouq, let us give you the down-low on lily care. That way, they’ll stay at tip-top attractiveness for up to one week in your home. Thank us later!
But before we get into that, let’s talk about the meanings and symbolism behind your brand spanking new Bouq of lilies. Knowing a few interesting tidbits will definitely boost their overall allure.
Lily Symbolism
In Ancient Greece, lilies were greatly revered and said to have sprouted from the spilled milk of Hera, the queen of the Greek gods. In Christianity, lilies are said to represent the purity of the Virgin Mary.
Specific types of lilies also carry their own meanings. Peruvian lilies, also known as alstroemeria, symbolize friendship and devotion while stargazer lilies signify sympathy, wealth, and prosperity.
Lilies also carry other meanings based on their color:
- White lilies symbolize innocence and virtue.
- Yellow lilies symbolize excitement, joy, and thankfulness.
- Red lilies symbolize passion.
- Orange lilies symbolize confidence and pride.
- Pink lilies symbolize prosperity and good fortune.
How to Care for Lilies
Now that you know what your lilies mean, it’s time to learn proper lily care (including indoor peace lily care), so your Bouq will live a long and happy life. Well…long in flower years, that is. And it only takes minimal time and effort. Just remember to be very gentle with your lilies—they are delicate creatures!
Prep Your Lilies
Your gorgeous Bouq of lilies just stepped foot in their new home. Great! But before you go tossing them immediately into a vase you need to make sure to prep them. So grab a squeaky clean vase and some sharp scissors or garden shears and let’s get down to business.
- Trim 1-2 inches off the bottom of your lilies’ stems at a 45-degree angle while holding them underwater (this will promote water absorption.)
- Remove any foliage or leaves that might have been under your vase’s waterline as it could result in the spread of harmful bacteria that your lilies definitely won’t like.
- Fill 3/4 of your clean vase with room temperature water.
- Drop in the floral preservatives that came with your Bouq.
- Arrange your lilies as desired.
Find the Perfect Spot for Your Vase of Lilies
Of course, we know you want to display those stunning new lilies in the showiest place possible. That’s understandable, and we encourage it! Just make absolutely sure they are kept away from direct sunlight and hot or cold drafts. These things could dehydrate your lilies and believe us; they do not want that.
Also, keep them away from your adorable feline friend at all times as lilies are highly poisonous to cats!
Recondition Every Two Days
Lilies, like every other flower, always need clean water to sip on. And, hey, who are we to blame them? Nobody likes bathing in, swimming in, or drinking dirty water. Whether you have white rose lilies or stargazer lilies, every two days change their water. Also, trim their stems again as you did in the prepping stage. This will keep them beautiful and healthy for as long as possible. And that’s a win in our books!
Remove All that Pesky Pollen
Nobody’s perfect, and for lilies, this imperfection comes in the form of yellow buds of pollen that stick to the stamens that surround their central pistil—the long, pointy thing in the center of the bloom. Not only can these annoying little things destroy your lily’s cute petals, but they can also stain your clothes. So to avoid a fashion disaster, excommunicate those stamens. Martha Stewart will show you how!
As you can see for yourself, indoor lily care is a straightforward and stress-free affair, and by doing it properly, you pretty much guarantee that your newly obtained flowers will live a long and healthy life in their new home.
If you don’t happen to have a pretty Bouq of lilies just yet, head over to The Bouqs Co. and grab one that’s handcrafted by one of our artisan florists. You or your loved one will absolutely love it!
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