The Easter Lily: Why Lilies Fill Churches at Easter

There’s something special about the sight of elegant white lilies arranged around an altar. In many churches, these blooms are known as Easter Lilies - a symbol of hope, renewal, and joy. At Kimberley's, we're lucky to have a wonderful and unique customer base: the church florists. At significant times of the year they place orders for stems and foliage to decorate their churches with, creating displays that elevate the whole space and tell a story of celebration and faith. At Easter time, lilies are on the order books.

There are various types of lily flowers, but at Easter we commonly see two types being used to create displays:

  • Longi lilies (Lilium Longiflorum)
  • Arum lilies (Zantedeschia)

Why Longi lilies are so popular in churches at Easter

Longi lilies are a favourite for Easter church flowers for a few simple reasons:

  • Classic trumpet-shaped blooms. They have an instantly recognisable lily shape, which some say resembles an angel's trumpet, that feels right at home in churches at Easter. 
  • Soft fragrance. Many people associate their scent with spring and celebration. We love having lilies in our shop - it smells glorious!
  • Great for statement arrangements. A few stems can fill a space and bring a real sense of occasion to an altar or entrance display.

A quick note: lilies can drop pollen as they open. If you’re arranging them near pale fabrics or stone, you can gently remove the anthers (the pollen-bearing tips) once the flowers open to help keep everything tidy.

Another beautiful option: Arum lilies

If you’re looking for a traditional 'Easter lily' look, Arum lilies are a lovely alternative.

  • They look pure and timeless. Their clean white spathes suit traditional church interiors beautifully.
  • They’re naturally architectural. Even a small number can create height and impact, perfect for altars, lecterns, and window ledges.
  • They symbolise renewal. White lilies have long been associated with new life and the Easter message.
  • They work well in mixed arrangements. Pair them with fresh foliage, spring branches, or softer seasonal flowers for a fuller display.

How to keep lilies looking fresh

Lilies can last well when they’re prepared properly. Here are a few practical tips to help you get the best from them:

1) Condition them as soon as you can

  • Unwrap your lilies and remove any packaging straight away.
  • Fill a clean bucket or vase with fresh, cool water.
  • Place the stems in water promptly, especially if they’ve been out of water during transport.

2) Trim the stems correctly

  • Use sharp scissors or a knife.
  • Cut 1–2 cm off the bottom of each stem at a slight angle.
  • Re-cut every couple of days if you can (especially for warm church interiors).

3) Keep the water clean

  • Change the water every 1–2 days.
  • Rinse out the container to reduce bacteria (this makes a big difference to vase life).

4) Choose the right spot in the church

  • Keep arrangements away from radiators, direct sunlight, and draughts.
  • If the church is warm for services, consider placing displays in a cooler area overnight if possible.

5) Handle gently

  • The blooms can mark if squeezed or rubbed.
  • When arranging, support the stem rather than gripping the flower.

Ordering church flowers from Kimberley's The Florist

If you’re planning church flowers for Easter (or any significant date!), we’d love to help.

Helpful details to include

To make ordering easy, it helps if you can tell us:

  • The date you need the flowers for, and do you need the flowers to be open or still in bud?
  • What you'll be decorating - an altar, pulpit, lectern, or a full church display? This helps us determine what stem lengths to go for.
  • Your colour preferences - classic whites? Spring pastels?
  • Your budget and rough quantities needed. We can select a mixture of stems to help create full displays without going over budget.

If you’re one of the church flower teams we supply, thank you! Your displays bring so much beauty to your community, and we’re always honoured to play a small part in them. If you’d like advice on quantities or what pairs well with lilies, just ask - we’re always happy to help. 

The Easter Lily: Why Lilies Fill Churches at Easter

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