How to grow lilies and are they toxic when kept indoors?

The lily flower meaning refers to the lily's symbolism of a century of harmony and a happy family, and of great love, carrying a meaning of deep blessings. Lilies are deeply loved for their quiet and understated character, so how do you grow lilies? Are they toxic when kept indoors?

1. Growing environment

1. Soil

Lilies have a fairly well-developed root system. To avoid affecting the roots' absorption of nutrients, choose a pot that is as large as possible and not too shallow. You can buy ready-made potting soil on the market, or mix garden soil, sandy soil and leaf mould in equal proportions, then add a base fertilizer to make potting soil. Repot every other year and replenish the fertilizer. The soil should be on the acidic side, and calcareous soil must especially be avoided.

2. Water

Humidity is best kept at around 80%, and should not fluctuate too much. Do not water excessively; simply keep the potting soil moist. There is more rain in summer, so take care that water does not accumulate and cause root rot.

3. Temperature

It will grow normally at ordinary room temperature. Keep the temperature between 16 and 23 degrees. In winter, when the temperature is too low, move it indoors to care for it and do not let it drop below 5 degrees. In summer, the highest temperature must not exceed 30 degrees; make sure there is good ventilation. Temperatures that are too high or too low will stop its growth, and it will only resume growing above 10 degrees.

4. Light

Lilies like a sunny, well-lit environment. Prolonged shade will cause poor flower bud differentiation, affecting flowering and slowing growth. Give it plenty of light every day. At noon in midsummer the sun is too strong, so provide shade to avoid burns caused by reflected sunlight.

5. Fertilizing

Lilies do not need a large amount of fertilizer. Applying a light fertilizer once every two weeks to about 20 days is enough. The flowering period consumes a fair amount of nutrients, so additional fertilizer is needed to provide enough nutrients for flowering. You can choose a fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium.

2. Propagation methods

1. Seed propagation: Collect the seeds and store them well, then sow them the following spring. After sowing, they will sprout in about 20-30 days. During the seedling stage, shade them, and by early autumn they can be divided and replanted.

2. Cutting propagation: After digging up the bulb, break off the scales, let them dry, then insert them into prepared soil and water them a certain amount. They will take root in about a month and a half.

3. Common diseases

1. Leaf spot: Brown spots appear on the leaves and can turn the whole leaf black and kill it. Once discovered, remove the diseased leaves immediately and spray with zineb wettable powder.

2. Bulb rot: Brown lesions appear on the bulb, and in severe cases it becomes rotten. After the disease appears, it can be sprayed with zineb.

4. Are lilies toxic when kept indoors?

1. Lilies are not toxic. However, this does not mean they are suitable for keeping indoors.

2. Lilies give off a special substance whose effect is similar to that of a stimulant. Although the amount is fairly small, if it accumulates over a long period and the ventilation is poor, it can easily make a person's nerves become excited. This state has both advantages and disadvantages. If you are working, then this state is naturally more beneficial. But if you want to rest, or have obvious symptoms of insomnia, then it is of no benefit. Moreover, it can also cause symptoms of “flower drunkenness”, which is bad for human health.

Also, relatively speaking, its floral scent is quite strong. If it is kept indoors, over time it will very likely make people feel uncomfortable. In severe cases, it may even cause nausea, agitation and similar symptoms.

In addition, its pollen grains are relatively large, and quite large, so keeping it indoors is bad for human health. This is especially true for people allergic to pollen.

5. Points to note

1. If you want to keep it indoors, then it must not be placed in the bedroom, as it may cause insomnia and reduce sleep quality. It should also not be placed on the dining table, as it affects appetite.

2. Remember to ventilate regularly and frequently air out the scent of the flowers.