Skip Nav
Love It. Save Your Favorites Now.
10 Fascinating Facts About Lilies

Facts About Lilies

10 Fascinating Facts About Lilies

Facts About Lilies
Image Source: Shutterstock

It's no secret that lilies are beautiful, but there are many other essential facts about these popular flowers you may not know. Not to fear! We've collected all the must-know info for you. Keep reading to learn it all.

Lilies Have Lots of Imposters

Lilies Have Lots of Imposters
Image Source: Shutterstock

While many flowers bare the word "lily" in their name, not all are actually related to true lilies. Imposters include the popular lily of the valley and calla lily — yup, neither is actually a true lily! Only the 108 genera within the lily family are really lilies.

1 / 10

They Come in a Variety of Colors

They Come in a Variety of Colors
Image Source: Flickr user Kate Ter Haar

Lilies naturally occur in a range of stunning colors, including delicate white, sunny yellows, vibrant oranges, pretty pinks, and even purples.

2 / 10

They Have Medicinal Purposes

They Have Medicinal Purposes
Image Source: Flickr user Pro Flowers

Besides just brightening your mood with their beauty, lilies are used in Asian culture to treat depression and certain types of toxicity.

3 / 10

Lilies Are Social

Lilies Are Social
Image Source: Shutterstock

These flowers love friends and do best when planted in groups of three to five similar-type bulbs.

4 / 10

They're Poisonous to Cats

They're Poisonous to Cats
Image Source: How Sweet It Is

Keep these stems away from your feline! If cats ingest lilies, they can suffer from kidney failure and even death.

5 / 10

They Symbolize Purity

They Symbolize Purity
Image Source: Shutterstock

While the color of the lily can tweak the meaning, lilies are predominantly said to symbolize purity, modesty, and refined beauty. It was even common during the Victorian era for women and girls to wear and pose with lilies.

6 / 10

They Come in Many Sizes

They Come in Many Sizes
Image Source: Shutterstock

Lilies can grow between two to six feet tall. That's quite a range!

7 / 10

Lilies Are Seriously Popular

Lilies Are Seriously Popular
Image Source: Shutterstock

These flowers aren't just pretty and sweet smelling; they're also world-renowned! Lilies are consistently listed among the top five most popular flowers on the planet.

8 / 10

They Flower in Late Spring Through Summer

They Flower in Late Spring Through Summer
Image Source: Flickr user eric.ray

Expect to see these lovely flowers bloom for about two to three weeks between June and August.

9 / 10

They Need TLC in a Bouquet

They Need TLC in a Bouquet
Image Source: Shutterstock

These delicate flowers can have a long vase-life if you remove the pollen and keep them out of direct sunlight.

10 / 10
Best Flower Delivery Services For Valentine's Day 2025
Valentine's Day
The Best Flower Delivery Sites to Order From This Mother's Day
by Haley Lyndes 5/07/25

From Our Partners

Now You Know

Love Is Blind: Where Do Those Engagement Rings Come From?

Fashion

Everything to Know About the "Love Is Blind" Engagement Rings

by Sarah Wasilak 2/19

shopping

Oprah's Favorite Things List Has Major Gems, Including an Under-$100 Air Fryer

by Balim Tezel 11/06/25

Fitness

Paralympians Earn the Same Pay For Medals as Olympians, but Is It Enough?

by Karenna Meredith 8/29/24

health

How Often Should We Be Getting COVID Vaccines?

by Alexis Jones 8/23/24

Food

Pumpkin Spice Season Is Back Aug. 22

by Lauren Mazzo 8/21/24

Beauty

The Exact Red Lipstick Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Swears By

by Alaina Demopoulos 8/20/24

health

What to Know About the Latest Mpox Outbreak, According to MDs

by Alexis Jones 8/16/24

health

Céline Dion Promised Her Children She’d Live: “They Already Lost a Parent.”

by Sara Youngblood Gregory 6/11/24

Latest Home & Garden
We're Hiring! Write For Us Advertise With Us Accessibility Contact Archives
Power Your Happy
Terms Privacy Policy
©2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.