Lilies: Varieties, Fragrance, Safety, and Style
Lilies are majestic, fragrant, and sometimes dangerous. Here is the complete guide to the different types, their scent levels, toxicity concerns, and how to use them well.
Lilies are one of the most architecturally powerful of all cut flowers. A single stem with several buds will open over the course of a week, providing a continuously changing display. They are also intensely fragrant in many varieties, one of the most important floral safety concerns for cat owners, and available in a bewildering number of types. Here is what you need to know.
The main lily families
Lily safety: the cat warning
This cannot be overstated: all true lilies (Lilium species) are severely toxic to cats. Every part of the plant, including the pollen, the water in the vase, and even fallen petals, can cause acute kidney failure in cats within 24 to 72 hours. If you own a cat, do not have true lilies in your home. The alternative is Alstroemeria, which is visually similar, long-lasting, and safe for cats.
Lily care and safety
- Do not have true lilies in a home with cats: the risk of acute kidney failure is real and rapid
- Remove pollen stamens immediately to prevent staining: lily pollen stains are extremely difficult to remove
- Buy lilies in tight bud for maximum display life: they open sequentially over 7 to 10 days
- Remove spent blooms as each flower fades to direct energy to remaining buds
- Keep away from direct sunlight: lilies last longer in a cool, bright location
- Change vase water every two days and re-cut stems for best results
Fragrance: managing lily scent
Oriental lily fragrance is powerful enough to cause headaches for some people when flowers are kept in a small, enclosed space. In a large, well-ventilated room, the scent is magnificent. In a bedroom or small office, it can be overwhelming. A practical approach: buy Oriental lilies for living rooms and hallways with good airflow, and choose Asiatic or LA hybrids for smaller spaces where fragrance could become overpowering.
“A white Oriental lily in a tall clear vase is one of the most dramatic things you can put in a room. Its fragrance travels. Its presence commands.”
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