Lilies – symbolism, varieties and care tips

Q: Are lilies toxic to cats?

Yes, all lilies of the genus Lilium and Hemerocallis (daglilje) er ekstremt giftige for katter. Selv små mengder pollen eller vann fra en liljevase kan forårsake nyresvikt and i verste fall døden. Ha aldri liljer hjemme hvis du har katt.

Q: How do you remove pollen from lilies?

Fjern støvbærerne (de oransjegule pollenknappene) med en gang liljene åpner seg. Bruk et papir eller hansker – pollenet setter flekker på klær and møbler and er svært vanskelig å fjerne.

Q: How long do lilies last in a vase?

Orientalske liljer holder seg 7–10 days, mens asiatiske kan holde up to 14 days med riktig stell. Bytt vann annenhver dag and plasser dem kjølig and unna direkte sol.

Few flowers can match the lily (Lilium) when it comes to drama and fragrance. With its magnificent flower heads and intense aroma, it dominates any room – and has a symbolism as rich as its history.

Classic lily – single flower in natural light — Classic lily

White lily – purity and elegance in bouquet — White – purity

Red lily – passion and drama — Red – passion

Pink lily arranged in home setting — Pink – admiration

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The History and Symbolism of the Lily

For over 3,000 years the lily has been cultivated, and it appears in art and religion from ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire. Within Christianity, the white lily (Madonna lily) is the symbol of the Virgin Mary's purity and innocence. In France, the lily became a royal emblem – fleur-de-lis – a stylised lily motif still used in heraldry.

What do the different colours mean?

White lily: Purity, innocence and sanctity. Common at weddings and funerals.
Orange lily: Pride, trust and passion.
Pink lily: Admiration and budding love.
Yellow lily: Joy, gratitude and the bright side of life.
Red lily: Love and enthusiasm.

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Popular lily varieties

Oriental lily: Large, fragrant and spectacular – the classic favourites at the florist. Popular varieties are 'Stargazer' (pink/white) and 'Casa Blanca' (pure white).
Asiatic lily: Subtle fragrance, but intensely colourful. Hardier and with longer vase life. Popular cut flower.
LA-hybrid: Cross between Longiflorum and Asiatic lily. Large bloom, strong stem and good vase life.
Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium): Orange-red with dark spots – wild and dramatic.

How to care for lilies in a vase

Cut the stems at an angle and remove the white lower part if visible.
Remove the stamens (the yellow-orange pollen tips) immediately – pollen stains clothes and furniture.
Change the water every other day – lilies are vulnerable to bacteria.
Place them in a cool location away from direct sunlight.

Quick overview – lily vase life

Variety	Vase life
Oriental lily	7–10 days
Asiatic lily	up to 14 days
LA-hybrid	10–14 days

You can easily order flowers with lilies throughout the UK. Also read our care advice to keep your bouquet fresh.

⚠️ Life-threatening to cats! All lilies of the genus Lilium and Hemerocallis (day lily) are extremely toxic to cats. Even small amounts of pollen, flowers, leaves or water from a lily vase can cause kidney failure and in the worst case death. Do not have aldri lilies at home if you have a cat – choose a different flower instead.

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Frequently asked questions about lilies

Are lilies toxic to cats?

Yes, all lilies of the genus Lilium and Hemerocallis (day lily) are extremely toxic to cats. Even small amounts of pollen or water from the vase can cause kidney failure. Never have lilies at home if you have a cat.

How do you remove pollen from lilies?

Remove the stamens (the orange pollen tips) as soon as the lilies open. Use paper or gloves – the pollen stains clothes and furniture and is very difficult to remove.

How long do lilies last in a vase?

Oriental lilies last 7–10 days, whilst Asiatic lilies can last up to 14 days. Change the water every other day, trim the stems at an angle and place them in a cool location away from direct sunlight.