How often to water a true lily
Iowa State University Extension says to water an Easter lily when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch, and to water until it flows out the bottom of the pot, then let it drain before it goes back into its decorative cover. Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County says the same: wait until the soil feels dry to the touch before watering, and do not overwater.
A pot wrapped in decorative foil is easy to leave standing in water, so lift it out and let it drain each time.
Light and humidity
Both extension sources want bright light without direct sun. Iowa State gives daytime temperatures of 65 to 70°F with slightly cooler nights, and Nebraska gives 65 to 75°F by day. Keep the plant away from drafts and from drying heat sources such as appliances and heating ducts.
Nebraska adds that removing the yellow anthers, the pollen-bearing pods in the center of each flower, prolongs the life of the blossoms. Iowa State says to do it before the pollen starts to shed, which also prevents the pollen staining the petals.
Humidity: Not covered by the extension sources; keep it away from drafts and heat vents.
Why is my true lily dying?
The extension sources cover how to keep the plant, not what goes wrong with it. The thing to know about a lily in a house is the risk to a cat, set out in the pet section below.
Remove flowers as they wither. Iowa State says that after flowering the plant can be discarded or saved and planted outdoors in the perennial garden.
How to propagate a true lily
The sources do not describe making more plants from a pot. They describe what to do after the bloom if you want to keep the plant: Nebraska says to plant the Easter lily outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked, in a sunny site with well-drained soil, with the top of the bulb 6 inches below the surface.
Do not cut the stem back until it dies down in the fall, and after the soil surface freezes in late fall, mulch it and leave the mulch until new growth begins in spring.
Is a true lily safe for pets and children?
- cats
- Toxic. Source: ASPCA, Lily (Lilium species).
- dogs
- Non-toxic. Source: ASPCA, Lily (Lilium species).
- People, including children
- Not covered by our source. The ASPCA assesses animals only, so this page makes no claim about people. If a child eats part of any houseplant, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US).
This is the dangerous one. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) cause sudden kidney failure in cats — even pollen, vase water or a single leaf can be fatal. If a cat has had ANY contact, treat it as an emergency and call a vet immediately. The ASPCA lists true lilies as non-toxic to dogs; the danger is to cats.
Keeping it alive when you share a home
In a shared household, a lily needs everyone to know it is a danger to the cat, because a bouquet or a pot that a housemate brings home as a gift is exactly how it arrives.
Because the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats, do not keep it in a home with a cat, and tell visitors who bring flowers. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs. A peace lily is a different plant with its own listing, so look it up on its own page.
If you use Family Greenhouse for this, sharing plants with a household explains who sees what and who gets reminded.
The honest bit
My take: if you share your home with a cat, do not bring in an Easter lily, however well it would do on your table. There is no care tip that makes it a safe plant for a cat.
The ASPCA lists lily (Lilium species) as toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs, with kidney failure as the sign for cats. Its separate listing for Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) names vomiting, inappetence, lethargy and kidney failure in cats, says death is possible, and says cats are the species known to be affected. Purdue University’s veterinary college says the entire lily plant is toxic to cats, including the pollen and the water in a vase, that early signs can appear within minutes up to 12 hours, and that kidney failure develops within 24 to 72 hours. If a cat has had any contact, call your vet or a poison hotline immediately. For dogs, the ASPCA lists lily as non-toxic, and Purdue, quoting the FDA, says a dog may have minor stomach upset but does not develop kidney failure. The pet-safety page for lily shows the listing, and the free pet-safe checker covers your other plants.
True Lily FAQ
- How often should I water an Easter lily?
- When the soil surface feels dry to the touch, then until water runs out of the bottom, letting it drain before it goes back in its cover. Do not overwater. That is the advice of Iowa State University Extension and Nebraska Extension.
- What do I do with an Easter lily after it blooms?
- Remove the spent flowers, then either discard it or plant it outdoors in a sunny, well-drained spot as soon as the ground can be worked. Do not cut the stem back until it dies down in the fall.
- Is a peace lily or a calla lily a true lily?
- No. A peace lily is a different plant with its own care guide and its own ASPCA listing. This guide covers the true lily, the genus Lilium.
- Is a true lily toxic to cats and dogs?
- The ASPCA lists Lily (Lilium species) as toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists Lily (Lilium species) as non-toxic to dogs.