Lilies as Cut Flowers // How to Harvest, Condition, Process, & Store Lilies + Best Lily Varieties!!!

The best stage to cut lilies is when they are in colored bud stage, before they have fully opened.

It is best to cut lilies in the early morning or late evening.

Lilies should be cut using clean sharp snips.

Removing the pollen anthers from lilies extends their vase life and prevents the pollen from staining petals and other fabrics. Lily pollen is also toxic to cats.

The vase life of cut lilies can be extended by changing the water every two to three days, giving them a fresh cut at a 45-degree angle, using floral preservative, and keeping them in a cool location out of direct sunlight.

Lilies should be gradually cooled down before being placed in a floral cooler to prevent cold damage to the buds. The cooler should be set to 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit and lilies should only be stored for 7 to 10 days to avoid yellowing of the leaves.

The best varieties of lilies for cutting include Asiatic, double Asiatic, double Oriental, Oriental, OT (Oriental x Trumpet) and LA (Longiflorum x Asiatic) lilies. These varieties have different characteristics such as fragrance and petal arrangement that make them great for cutting.