Easter Lily, a Herald of Spring

The Easter lily (Lilium wallichianum) is a member of the Liliaceae (lily) family, and its species name means "long-flowered." Their pure-white or sometimes light pink, 5 to 9-inch, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers borne on stiff, 24 to 36-inch stems grow from perennial bulbs, hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8. Native to the northernmost islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago in southern Japan and the mainland seacoast and small islands of the eastern part of Taiwan, they were cultivated originally in Japan and China. Discovered in 1777 by Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg, they were introduced to England in 1819 and to America in 1888. By the 1880s, they were grown commercially in Bermuda and shipped for sale to the United States, but by the early 1900s, Japan became the dominant exporter of Easter lilies to the United States. In 1941, due to World War II, Japan ceased to export lilies, and the United States began to grow them commercially. Today, 95% of the bulbs grown for potted Easter lilies are produced by approximately ten growers in a small coastal region along the California-Oregon border.

Growers are required to force the bulbs to provide blooming lilies in time for the Easter season. Forcing is a method of growing plants that makes or causes them to flower at a different time than they would under normal conditions. This is achieved by simulating natural growing conditions to initiate flower buds at a desired time, in this case, Easter. Easter lily bulbs require around a six-week period of cold temperatures in order to bloom. Once the bulbs are cooled, they are forced by adjusting greenhouse temperatures to speed the development of flower buds.

Care In Your Home

When purchasing a potted Easter lily from a store, select one with dense foliage along the entire stem and no signs of disease, such as wilted, yellowed, or dark spotted leaves or pests, such as insect eggs, webs, or holes chewed in the leaves. Look for plants with many buds in different stages of development, with only one or two open flowers. This will prolong the blooming time in your home.

Once home, remove any protective plastic or paper sleeves around the plant. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, but instead, set it in an area of indirect light, away from drafts. To prolong blooming, the ideal daytime temperature is between 60 and 65°F, with slightly lower temperatures at night. They prefer even moisture. Never allow the plant to sit in standing water, and if the pot has a foil wrapper, either remove it or poke holes in it to allow water to drain.

As the flowers begin to open, you may remove the yellow anthers holding the pollen. Pollen removal extends the flower's bloom life and prevents the pollen from staining the flower and anything around the plant. As the flowers die, pinch spent blooms where they attach to the stem.

Care In Your Garden

When planting in your garden, you may choose to plant your potted lily or purchase bulbs. You may plant your potted lilies any time after the risk of frost in the spring through fall. If planting in spring, acclimate the plant to the outside temperatures before planting it in the ground. They prefer well-drained, rich, organic soil and full sun to part shade. If planting bulbs, plant them 4–6 inches deep and 12–18 inches apart in the fall, with the growing points facing upward.

Easter lilies bloom naturally from July to August, and as they grow, they may require staking. If cutting flowers for arrangements, remove no more than one-third of the stem. Allow leaves and stems to turn yellow before cutting back to provide energy for the next year's blooms. Cover in the fall with a layer of mulch and remove the following spring to allow new shoots to sprout.

An Important Word of Caution

Easter lilies, as well as many other types of lilies, are highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant, even the pollen, are poisonous and may cause kidney failure and death if ingested. Contact your veterinarian immediately if a cat has eaten or licked any part of an Easter lily. For treatment to be effective, it must be initiated no later than 18 hours after exposure. Early symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, disorientation, loss of appetite, and lethargy.