By flower · all year
Lilies: elegance that lasts two weeks
The lily is the flower of elegant bouquets, of Mother’s Day in Argentina and of farewell wreaths. What it means, how long it lasts and an important warning if you have a cat.
- Scientific name
- Lilium spp.the Madonna lily is Lilium candidum
- Season
- All yeargreenhouse-grown; outdoors in summer
- Meaning
- Purity and elegancealso respect
- Vase life
- 10 to 14 daysthe buds open in turns
What it means to give lilies
The lily conveys purity, elegance and respect. It is a large, trumpet- or star-shaped flower that fills a room with just a few stems. Depending on the color:
- White: peace, purity and remembrance. It is the classic Madonna lily of weddings and sympathy bouquets.
- Pink: affection and admiration; a popular choice for Mother’s Day.
- Orange and yellow: energy, joy and gratitude.
- Red: passion, in romantic bouquets that want to move beyond the rose.
There are two big groups: Oriental lilies, with huge flowers and an intense scent, and Asiatic lilies, smaller and with hardly any scent. If the person is sensitive to smells or the bouquet is going to a small room, ask for Asiatic ones.
When lilies are given
| Date | What is celebrated and why | Flower | Color | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Sunday of October | Mother’s Day Argentina celebrates mothers in spring, on the third Sunday of October, so it coincides with the best flower season of the southern hemisphere. | Roses and lilies | Pink | Argentina |
| every year | Mother’s Day (Día de las Madres) In Mexico it has been a fixed date since 1922, when the newspaper Excélsior promoted the celebration. Serenade, family lunch and a bouquet that can’t be missing. | Roses and carnations | Pink | Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador |
In Argentina, Mother’s Day falls on the third Sunday of October, in the middle of the southern spring, and bouquets of roses and lilies are the best sellers. Lilies are also common for anniversaries, openings and formal visits.
Lily season
Almost all florist lilies are greenhouse-grown, so they can be found all year round. According to the seasonal table, these are the months when they are most plentiful:
- Spain: out of local season (greenhouse-grown or imported).
- Mexico and Central America: March, April, May.
- Argentina, Chile and Uruguay: May, October, November, December.
Important warning: toxic to cats
Every part of the lily is toxic to cats: the petals, the leaves, the pollen and even the vase water. A small amount, such as licking pollen that has fallen on their fur, is enough to cause kidney failure that can be fatal. If there’s a cat in the home the bouquet is going to, choose roses, sunflowers or tulips. If you think a cat has touched a lily, call the vet right away.
How to care for a bouquet of lilies
- Buy stems with closed buds and one or two starting to open: they will open in turns over two weeks.
- Remove the anthers as soon as the flower opens, using a tissue. The pollen stains terribly and the flower lasts longer too.
- Cut the stem at an angle and remove the lower leaves.
- Clean water every two or three days, away from direct sun.
- Remove spent flowers from the stem so the energy goes to the new buds.
If a pollen stain gets on your clothes, don’t rub it or wet it: lift it off with sticky tape and leave the garment in the sun.
Remind me 3 days before
Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to give lilies?
Purity, elegance and respect. White is associated with peace and remembrance; pink with affection and admiration; orange with energy.
What is the difference between a lily and a Madonna lily?
The Madonna lily (azucena in Spanish) is a specific species of lily, Lilium candidum, white and very fragrant. In practice, many Spanish-speaking florists call any white lily an azucena.
Are lilies toxic to cats?
Yes. Every part of the lily, including the pollen and the vase water, can cause severe kidney failure in cats. If you have a cat, it’s better to choose another flower.
How do you remove lily pollen?
Pull off the anthers (the orange tips of the stamens) with a tissue as soon as the flower opens. That way it won’t stain clothes or tablecloths and the flower lasts longer.
Are lilies given at funerals?
Yes, the white lily is one of the most common flowers in wreaths and sympathy bouquets, along with the chrysanthemum and the white rose.
