No matter when Easter lands on the calendar, the delicate blooms of the Easter lily perfectly announce the holiday’s arrival. That’s not by chance.
Lilium longiflorum, also called trumpet lily, is endemic to Japan’s southern islands and naturally blooms there in fields from April to June. In its native country, it is called teppo-yuri (gun lily). In American gardens, the Easter lily is a late summer bloomer. The ones we see around Easter are the result of a well-orchestrated greenhouse production that assures beautiful, fresh flowers just in time for the holiday, no matter if it falls in March or April. This year, Easter Sunday is April 20.
Easter lilies arrived in America and were used for Easter holiday decorations in the 1880s. Before that, any flower that graced a holiday display was referred to as an “Easter lily.”
The trumpet lily certainly fits the bill in announcing the triumphant resurrection of Jesus, with its trumpet-shaped petals. The fragrant flower is symbolic of renewal and hope.
Once introduced to America, white Easter lilies became the iconic holiday decoration. Most of the potted lilies are tossed in the trash after the flowers fade, but they can bloom again if you plant the bulbs with the remaining green foliage outside in the ground (cut off the spent blooms).
Here are some tips for getting the utmost enjoyment of your Easter lily, whether it’s cut or potted.
POTTED EASTER LILY CARE
- Sit the pot where it will get lots of indirect sunlight.
- Water thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Make sure water can drain easily from the pot.
- When the flowers open, snip off the pollen-producing anthers to prolong the bloom and prevent a mess.
- Be gentle with the flower petals as they bruise easily.
- As flowers wither, remove them from the plant.
CUT FLOWER CARE
- Freshly clip the stems.
- Remove the pollen-filled anthers.
- Remove leaves below the water line.
- Place in a vase of fresh water. If flower food was included, mix it in.
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Change the water every few days.
GARDEN TRANSFER
- After the blooms fade, transfer the bulb with the remaining foliage to an outdoor spot with good drainage, morning sun, and afternoon shade.
- Plant bulbs about 6 inches deep and, if planting more than one, about 4-6 inches apart. The hole should be roomy enough for the roots to easily spread.
- Give the freshly planted bulbs plenty of water once in the ground.
- Add a couple of inches of mulch over the area to help keep in moisture.
- When the above-ground portion of the plant turns brown, clip it off.
Easter lilies are perennial bloomers. The next time they pop up will likely be closer to summer the following year.
