It’s Spring again, and what better way to celebrate than with a little Lily love? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the lily flower’s meaning, their significance and how to incorporate these stunning blooms into your home, garden or as thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
What are lily flowers?
Lilies are flowering plants that grow from bulbs, and around 100 different species are grown worldwide.
The flowers are large and often, but not always, fragrant. Although you might think of them as mostly white, they actually come in a whole variety of other colours, including our favourite pink.
In Australia, lilies can grow in all climatic regions and typically bloom from spring to autumn.
The blooming process is absolutely stunning!
That is why we like to send our lily bouquets out while the flower buds are still closed so your grateful recipient can enjoy the fragrance and beauty of the blooms for longer. On request, we can also send them open, just call us and we can organise that for you.
Lily flowers definition
The lily flower definition is rooted in its botanical name, Lilium, which originates from the Latin word for “pure.” This etymology reflects the flower's association with purity and elegance across many cultures. Belonging to the Liliaceae family, true lilies are flowering plants that grow from bulbs and produce stunning trumpet-shaped blooms. Whether adorning a bouquet or blooming in a garden, the lily flower's meaning transcends borders as a symbol of beauty and grace.
What do lilies symbolise?
The meaning of lily flowers has varied across time and cultures, but purity, renewal and transformation are recurring themes. In ancient Greece, lilies were associated with Hera, the goddess of marriage and motherhood, symbolising fertility and devotion. Christian traditions link lilies with the Virgin Mary, representing innocence and spiritual growth.
Today, the flower symbolism of the lily extends to love, remembrance and hope, making it a popular choice for weddings, funerals and celebratory bouquets.
Different colours for different sentiments
What do the different colours of lilies mean? The lily flower's significance becomes even richer when you consider its colours:
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White lilies — Purity, innocence and renewal, often chosen for weddings or religious ceremonies.
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Pink lilies — Love, admiration and compassion, making them ideal for romantic or celebratory occasions.
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Yellow lilies — Joy, gratitude and happiness, perfect for brightening someone’s day.
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Orange lilies — Passion, energy and confidence, often used to convey enthusiasm and warmth.
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Red lilies — Deep love and desire, embodying bold and romantic expressions.
By understanding each lily flower’s meaning, you can select the perfect bouquet to convey your message.
Why do we send lilies?
Lilies are the perfect choice of bouquet for so many different occasions because of the various lily flower meanings across regions and cultures:
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In the East, lilies have generally been thought to bring good luck so are often given as wedding flowers.
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In the Western world, you will often see white lilies at weddings as well or given to a new parent on the birth of their child as they represent purity, commitment and rebirth. For the same reason, white lilies are also a popular funeral flower.
A stunning bouquet of pink lilies is a symbol of femininity, admiration and love. This makes pink lilies a perfect choice for a friend or female family member who might just need a little bit of TLC.
As mentioned, some lilies have a beautiful perfume that may not be suited to a get well situation. In this instance, you may want to consider the beautiful unscented tiger or LA lilies.
How to care for Lilies?
In total, lilies have a vase life of around 10-14 days so follow these handy hints to ensure you get the most out of your beautiful blooms:
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Before popping your lillies into a vase, it’s best to trim between 3 - 5 cms off the ends of the stems, on an angle to allow the cut ends to drink up as much water as possible.
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Fill your vase about three-quarters of the way, add the flower food, place your flowers in the vase and you are ready to watch your flowers entertain you!
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When lilies have opened and bloomed, they can shed pollen through their stamens, the yellowy-orange bits in the centre of the flower.
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To avoid staining, just pinch off the stamens as they start to appear.
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Every two to three days, you should re-trim the stems, give them a quick rinse and change the vase water adding a few drops of bleach to the water every time. Sounds odd but it works!
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Finally, keep your blooms out of direct sunlight and away from drafty zones like window sills or heat sources like radiators to enjoy your lilies for longer.
Want to send a beautiful bouquet of lilies today?
Not to worry our expert team of florists has created some fresh arrangements with all occasions in mind.
Our Garden of Memories, filled with scented blooms is perfect to celebrate any beautiful moment.
Something a little more sophisticated?
Go for the Garden Rose and Lily Vase, our premium vase arrangement which features giant, creamy cabbage roses with perfumed white oriental lilies and seasonal foliage is the perfect choice for any occasion!
Another option is our stunning Perfumed Lily and Rose Vase in a soft, flowing design, featuring pretty pink perfumed lilies and long stemmed dusty pink roses. With its soft feminine touch it's a great choice to celebrate a birthday, say thank you, or even just because.
Looking for a romantic gift with a difference? How about our Pure Love Flower Vase that features one dozen long stem red roses, perfumed white oriental lilies and a selection of seasonal foliages.
Don’t forget to sign up to our Flower Lovers Club. It's free! Our members receive a 10% discount on all online purchases as well as seasonal promotions, specials & competitions. Join today & start saving!
Give someone a lily bouquet from Flowers For Everyone today
Lilies are more than just beautiful blooms — they carry deep lily flower significance that makes them the perfect gift for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, expressing sympathy or simply brightening someone’s day, lilies convey a message of purity, love and admiration.
At Flowers For Everyone, we handcraft each lily bouquet with care, ensuring their elegance and fragrance leave a lasting impression. Shop our lily bouquets in a variety of styles to suit every occasion, and pair them with one of our stunning flower vases to create a timeless keepsake.
Celebrate with the timeless beauty of lilies
Let the universal charm and lily flower meanings speak for you. Browse our collections today to find the perfect lily bouquet and create a moment they’ll cherish forever. Shop now to brighten someone’s day with Flowers For Everyone!
Explore our curated bouquets and full range of flowers for even more gifting inspiration.