Elegant, long-lasting lilies (Lilium spp.) can be the royalty of any flower border. They also grow well in pots and make superb cut flowers. Unfortunately, if youre planning a special event with lilies, they can be prima donas when it comes to making an appearance. Use temperature, light and water to encourage lilies, whether cut or potted, to open.
As a gardener and florist, I often get asked how to get those stubborn lily buds to open up. We all love the elegant blooms of lilies in bouquets and gardens, but sometimes they can be frustratingly slow to reveal their beauty.
In this detailed guide, I’ll share all my tips and tricks for getting lily flowers to open quickly – whether still on the plant or cut for arrangements. With the right care, you can coax those tight buds to burst open so you can enjoy their gorgeous petals sooner.
Why Lily Buds Stay Closed
Before jumping into opening techniques, it helps to understand what causes lily buds to stay tightly closed in the first place. Here are the main reasons:
-
Cold Temperatures – Lilies prefer warm conditions. Cool weather will delay blooms opening up.
-
Insufficient Light – Without enough sunlight exposure, the buds don’t get the signal to fully open.
-
Underwatering – Dehydration tells the plant to conserve resources by keeping flowers closed.
-
Age of Buds – Younger, undeveloped buds tend to remain closed longer than mature buds
-
Genetics – Some lily varieties and cultivars just naturally open slower than others.
So by providing adequate warmth, hydration, and sunlight, those stubborn buds should release their petals without delay!
Tips for Opening Lilies on the Plant
Getting lily blooms to open while still on the plant starts with meeting the basic needs of your lilies. Here are my top tips:
-
Site in Full Sun – Give lilies at least 6 hours of direct sunlight if possible for fastest opening.
-
Pinch Off Old Blooms – This encourages new, younger buds which tend to open quicker.
-
Water Thoroughly – Prevent soil drying out. Water when the top few inches become dry.
-
Fertilize – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to nourish the plants.
-
Remove Pollen – Wipe pollen daily so anthers don’t stain petals as they unfold.
-
Stake Tall Stems – Prevent toppling from rain or wind which causes damage.
-
Monitor for Pests – Watch for aphids, mites, and other pests that slow growth.
With proper care in the garden, your lily buds should burst open readily!
Quick Tricks for Cut Lily Stems
Getting cut lilies to open their petals quickly is all about controlling temperature and hydration. Try these tricks:
-
Use Warm Water – Place stems in 85-100°F water. Change water daily to keep it warm.
-
Provide Bottom Heat – Set the vase on a heating pad on low or a warm surface.
-
Keep in Warm Area – Ideal air temperature is 70-80°F. Avoid AC vents.
-
Recut Stems – Trim 1-2 inches off and remove leaves and pollen. Recut every few days.
-
Use Flower Foods – These have sugars and antibacterials to improve water uptake.
-
Keep in Low Light – Bright light stresses cut blooms. Use moderate indirect light.
-
Mist Buds – Lightly mist unopened buds daily to hydrate them.
-
Tent the Vase – Traps warmth and humidity to hasten opening.
With a little TLC, those stubborn cut lily buds should open their petals quickly!
Fastest Opening Lily Varieties
While all lilies can be encouraged to open faster, some naturally open quicker than others. Here are top picks:
-
Asiatic Lilies – Early bloomers that open fast. ‘Tiny Padhye’ and ‘Ceb Dazzle’ are speedy.
-
LA Hybrids – Good bud count and reasonably fast opening times.
-
Oriental Lilies – Typically open faster than fragrant hybrids. ‘Sorbonne’ is a winner.
-
Trumpet Lilies – Big, showy blooms open faster than many hybrids.
-
Longiflorum Lilies – Popular Easter Lilies open earlier than most hybrids.
For the most impatience-friendly lilies, focus on these types and fast-opening cultivars.
Should You Force Lily Blooms Open?
While you can hasten lily flowering, avoid forcibly pulling apart unopened petals or buds. This can cause damage. Just use proper conditions to naturally coax those blooms open. Your patience will pay off in longer-lasting flowers.
Enjoy Lilies Bursting Into Bloom
Don’t settle for stubborn tight lily buds that never fully open. Give cut or planted lilies warm temperatures, bright indirect light, and adequate water. Pay attention to variety selection too. With the right care, you’ll soon enjoy vibrant, gorgeous lily blooms indoors or in your garden.
Getting Buds to Open on Cut Stems
Gathered BloomsMore Like This
Lily bulbs grow all year in a continual cycle of growth, bloom, recession and gathering, building new tissue and bulblets to support new plants. Hardy lilies grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, although some species grow in more limited ranges. Your lilies will bloom beginning in spring throughout the summer — cut the stems in the morning and leave at least one-third of the stem. Start bulbs indoors about 60 days before youll want to bring them into flower.
How to get Lillies to open faster
FAQ
How do you force lilies to open?
To open lilies Lilies open quicker in warm and humid environments. To open the flowers you can also roll the petals to loosen them.
What to do if your lilies won’t open?
- putting them in boiling water
- gently prying them open slightly to encourage opening
- covering them with cello and putting them in the sun to create a greenhouse affect
How do you get lilies to bloom?
Lily plants need six to eight hours of full sun to thrive, whether they’re living indoors or out. Some varieties can handle light shade, but for the best blooms, pick a sunny spot. If your lilies don’t get enough sun, they will start to lean toward a sunnier spot.
How to speed up flowers opening?
Applying Direct Heat Another method uses direct heat to open closed and semi-closed flowers. Examples include putting cut stems into very warm (or even hot) water and leaving the bucket near a window for direct sunlight. Even worse, some florists set the bucket of flowers in a hot car until the flowers open.
How do you open a lilies Bud?
To hasten bud opening, make a new cut 1 inch or more up the stem to open new capillaries to carry water upward. Plunge the stems immediately into lukewarm water — 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit — and keep the vase at least one-half full at all times. Keep the lilies away from direct sunlight but place them near a window so they get plenty of light.
How do you open lilies faster?
Here’s a Trick to Help Open Lilies Faster Take the Bunch and cut it using a bunchcutter or flower knifeThen LAY the bunch on a Table at RoomTemperature after cutting
How do you get cut lilies to open their petals?
Getting cut lilies to open their petals quickly involves manipulating the temperature and water conditions. Here are some tricks to try with cut stems: Use warm water. Place stems in 85-100°F water and keep water warm by changing it out at least daily. Provide bottom heat.
How do you keep lilies from opening up?
If it’s too hot or too cold, they will take longer to open up. Third, make sure that the soil is moist but not soggy. Water your lilies regularly (about once a week), and mist them daily if possible. This will help them stay hydrated and prevent them from taking too long to open up. fourth , try using a little bit of sugar water .
Can you harvest lilies before they open?
Certain flowers, like lilies, can be harvested before they open to extend their lives as cut flowers. Once in the water, the buds will open over the next week. But if you need the cut flowers for a special occasion, you can’t always wait for Mother Nature to get around to it.
Do cut lilies open faster?
One of the most popular lilies that gardeners in the United Kingdom often force to open is cut lilies. One can expect their cut stem lilies to open upon arrival indoors and after being in the water. However, you might want them to open faster, which you can do by cutting an inch up the stem from an angle.