Easter Lily
The Plant of
Purification & Positivity
The Easter Lily is the traditional time-honored flower of Easter. The large, trumpet-shaped, fragrant, pure white flowers make a warm gift that embodies the very essence of the celebration of Easter. Easter Lilies are cherished flowers that are meaningful in your homes, churches, and gifts to loved ones that serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating.
Easter Lily Care Line Classification
Care Information
Place in a bright location. Near a sunny window is ideal, but tolerates a wide range of light levels.
Light
Temperature
Moderate home temperatures are preferred: 65-70°F daytimes, and 60-65°F nights. Avoid excessively cold or hot areas.
Water
Prefers moderately moist soil. Water thoroughly when soil feels dry to the touch. Remove wrap or decor before watering. Allow excess water to drain before returning to container.
The Easter Lily: Deep Dive
Season
Spring/Easter
Care
Place the plant near a bright window, just out of reach of the direct rays of the sun. Water the plant often enough to keep the soil lightly moist and use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks. Best to take off wrap/container and place in a sink before watering to allow it to drain from the bottom of the pot. Once pot has drained, replace to original spot.
Home to Garden
After the bloom fades away, leave the pots in the sun and warm location, continuing to water and fertilize, until the existing foliage turns yellow and withers. After the leaves have died, cut the stems down to soil level, remove bulbs from the soil, and put them in a paper bag. Store in a dark, cold location such as a basement or garage (40-45 degrees) or place in the refrigerator (free of fruit that release ethylene gas).
Plant bulbs a few weeks before your area's first frost date to allow for some root growth. A rule of thumb to follow: bury them twice the depth of the bulb to keep the plant firmly in the ground during the heaving of freeze/thaw cycles throughout the colder months. Setting the bulbs a little deeper in the ground also means the plant effectively uses the soil as support for the next season's stem, whereas if they're planted too shallow, they may require more staking.
Water after planting. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Flower Meaning
White flowers often symbolize purity and innocence. For Christians, this purity and innocence is associated with Christ. Lilies also have religious significance from being mentioned in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments.
Fun Facts
The Easter lily is native to the southern islands of Japan. The current U.S. production began after a World War I soldier, Louis Houghton, brought a suitcase full of hybrid lily bulbs to the south coast of Oregon in 1919. Houghton distributed the bulbs freely to horticulture friends and neighbors. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the source of bulbs from Japan was abruptly cut off. The value of lily bulbs skyrocketed
Lilies, often called the “White Robed Apostles of Hope”, were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s crucifixion. Tradition has it that beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours on the cross. Churches continue this tradition, surrounding their alters and crosses with Easter lilies to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and hope of everlasting life.
