Short answer
Oriental lilies are not true houseplants. They are bulbs that grow in cycles, and most do best outdoors in the garden or in a pot on a patio. They can, however, be enjoyed indoors for a while, typically as a potted plant in bloom or as cut flowers. Treat an indoor oriental lily as a seasonal display, not a long-term resident.
Important safety note: true lilies, including oriental lilies, are considered extremely dangerous to cats. If you share your home with a cat, the safest choice is to keep lilies out of the house entirely. Details are below.
Indoors: what works and what does not
Lilies need strong light to grow sturdy stems and open their buds. A bright windowsill with several hours of sun is the usual recommendation. In a dim room the stems stretch, lean toward the light and may drop buds.
Indoor conditions also come with dry air and heat from radiators, which can shorten the life of the flowers. Cooler rooms generally help blooms last longer.
Because lilies need a dormant, cool period and then a full growing season to rebuild the bulb, they are not suited to staying inside year-round.
Care for potted lilies
- Pot: Use a deep pot with drainage holes, since lily bulbs root deeply. Many guides suggest planting the bulb with several centimeters or a few inches of soil above it, but check the instructions for your variety.
- Soil: Free-draining potting mix. Bulbs sitting in wet soil can rot.
- Water: Keep the soil lightly moist during growth, without leaving water standing in the saucer.
- Feeding: A balanced liquid fertilizer during active growth is commonly recommended.
- Support: Tall varieties may need a stake once buds form.
Fragrance and pollen
Oriental lilies are known for strong perfume, which some people find lovely and others find overwhelming in a closed room. The anthers also shed orange pollen that stains fabric and skin. Many people remove the anthers as the flowers open, which also reduces the pollen that cats could brush against. Use gloves or a tissue, because the pollen is hard to clean up.
After blooming
Once the flowers fade, deadhead them so the plant does not spend energy on seed. Keep the stem and leaves while they are green, as they feed the bulb. When the foliage yellows, reduce watering. In many climates the pot can then be moved outdoors or planted in the garden, and bulbs can return the following summer if they are hardy in your region. Overwintering outdoors in pots needs frost protection in colder areas.
How many bulbs per pot, and how often do lilies bloom?
For a fuller display, several bulbs are commonly grouped in one large pot, spaced so they do not touch, often in odd numbers. Lilies typically bloom once per season, not repeatedly. Asiatic and oriental lilies generally flower at different times, with orientals usually later in summer, so the “how many times a year” answer is usually once.
Lilies and cats
All parts of true lilies, including petals, leaves, pollen and even the water in a vase, are considered highly toxic to cats. Even small exposures, such as licking pollen off fur, have been associated with serious kidney damage. Symptoms can include vomiting, drooling, lethargy and loss of appetite.
If a cat may have touched or eaten any part of a lily, contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal poison service immediately. Do not wait for symptoms. Lilies are also considered mildly to moderately harmful to dogs and can irritate people if eaten, so keep them away from children as well. Note that some plants with “lily” in the name, such as peace lily (see peace lily vs. sensation plant), are different plants with a different kind of risk, but it is wise to be cautious with any of them around pets.
Related reading
If you want a bulb that feels more at home on a windowsill, consider amaryllis, though it also needs to be kept away from pets.
FAQ
Are lilies indoor or outdoor flowers? Mostly outdoor plants that can be enjoyed indoors temporarily.
How do I grow lilies? Plant bulbs in well-draining soil, give bright light, water moderately and let the foliage die back after blooming.
Is an oriental lily safe with pets? No. Keep it away from cats entirely.