Do Lilies Have a Strong Scent? What to Know Before You Send Them

Yes, some lilies have a strong scent, especially Oriental and trumpet lilies, but others have very little fragrance. Asiatic lilies are usually a better choice if you want the shape of a lily without a powerful perfume. The variety matters more than the colour, so ask which type is in the bouquet before choosing.

A fragrance that feels lovely in a spacious room can be overwhelming beside a bed or on a small desk. If you are sending flowers to someone in Russia, think about where they will keep them and whether you know their preferences. Here is how to judge lily scent, care for the stems and choose a bouquet that suits the recipient.

Which lilies smell strongest?

Oriental lilies are known for a pronounced, sweet, sometimes spicy fragrance. A few open flowers can make their presence noticeable throughout a room, although individual varieties differ. Trumpet lilies can also be strongly scented. If the recipient enjoys fragrant flowers, these groups are worth discussing, with the understanding that scent strength varies between cultivars.

Asiatic lilies generally have little or no noticeable fragrance, making them a useful starting point for someone who likes lilies but dislikes perfume. Hybrid groups need a more careful answer: LA lilies, for example, can have a light scent, while OT lilies can be much more fragrant. A label that simply says “lilies” does not tell you enough to judge.

White does not automatically mean fragrant, and pink does not automatically mean stronger. Both scented and low-scent lilies come in different colours, so a photograph cannot reliably answer the question. Our guide to Oriental and Asiatic lilies explains the distinction; when choosing a bouquet, ask about the actual lily type rather than relying on its appearance.

Why the fragrance changes as the bouquet opens

A bouquet delivered with mostly closed buds may smell quite mild at first. As the flowers open, their fragrance becomes easier to notice, and several blooms opening together can change the character of a room. Judge the likely effect by the type of lily and the number of buds, rather than by how the bouquet smells while it is still tightly closed.

Some fragrant lilies smell more noticeable in the evening, though the pattern depends on the variety. Room conditions also affect your experience: warmth can make fragrance more apparent, while a small enclosed space allows it to build up. You cannot reliably predict an exact scent level or an exact opening day from a photograph.

Think about the bouquet over several days. One open stem on a reception table may be welcome; multiple stems gradually opening beside someone's usual seat may feel excessive. For a scent-sensitive recipient, choosing a low-scent type from the outset is more dependable than planning to move a strongly scented bouquet around once every flower has opened.

Bouquets we can deliver

Bouquet of 1 yellow sunflowers

$13

Bouquet of 1 white lilies

$19

Bouquet of 1 pink lilies

$19

Bouquet of 3 gerberas mix

$21

Match the scent to the person and the room

Before sending fragrant lilies, consider whether the person enjoys scented flowers, perfume or scented candles. Enjoying one does not prove they will enjoy another, but a known dislike of strong smells is a useful reason to choose cautiously. If you do not know their preference, a bouquet with little fragrance is usually the more considerate option for a surprise.

Bedrooms, shared offices and small flats deserve particular thought because the recipient may have limited space to move a vase. Strong floral smells can be unpleasant for people with fragrance sensitivity and may trigger symptoms in some people with migraine or asthma. Do not describe a low-scent bouquet as allergy-free: fragrance and pollen are different considerations.

For a hospital visit or delivery, check the ward's flower policy before ordering; some wards restrict flowers altogether. For a shared workplace, consider colleagues as well as the recipient. If the occasion has religious or family customs attached, ask about those preferences too. Lilies have different associations across cultures, so their meaning should not be reduced to a single universal message.

Can you reduce the smell of lilies you already have?

You can reduce how much fragrance you notice, but there is no dependable home treatment that turns a strongly scented lily into an unscented one. Move the vase into a larger, ventilated room, away from the bed, dining table or desk where you spend long periods. Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, which can also shorten their display life.

Removing the pollen-bearing anthers helps prevent pollen stains, but it does not switch off the flower's perfume. If you remove them, do so gently as each bloom opens, before loose pollen spreads. Avoid brushing the anthers against petals, clothes or upholstery. Do not spray the flowers with household products or add perfume to disguise the smell.

Distinguish floral fragrance from stale vase water. If the smell is sour or unpleasant near the waterline, wash the vase, replace the water and remove submerged leaves. Recut the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool and use cut-flower food according to its instructions. These steps support vase hygiene; they will not remove the natural scent of an Oriental lily.

Care, pollen and the essential warning for cat owners

Give lily stems a clean vase and enough fresh water, checking the level daily as the flowers drink. Remove foliage that would sit below the waterline and refresh the water regularly. Leave enough space for opening blooms so their petals are not pressed against a wall or neighbouring flowers. Handle open flowers carefully, particularly when arranging or moving the vase.

If dry lily pollen lands on fabric, avoid rubbing it or wetting it immediately, which can push the stain further into the fibres. Carefully lift loose pollen with adhesive tape where the fabric allows, then follow the item's care instructions. Removing anthers before they shed can make everyday handling easier, but it does not make lilies safe for pets.

True lilies, including Oriental and Asiatic lilies, are extremely toxic to cats; daylilies are dangerous too. Pollen, plant material and vase water can all be involved in exposure, so a high shelf is not a reliable precaution. Choose a bouquet without lilies for a home with cats and discuss other ingredients as well. If a cat may have been exposed, contact a veterinarian immediately rather than waiting for symptoms.

How to choose and send a lily bouquet to Russia

Start with the recipient's needs, then look through the bouquets catalogue. Say whether you want a pronounced fragrance, very little scent or a bouquet without lilies, and mention any cats in the home. Contact a manager on WhatsApp for help choosing and to agree the address, delivery time and card text. You can also arrange a photo of the bouquet before delivery.

We deliver flowers across Russia. City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs, the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. Express delivery in large cities takes 1–2 hours after order confirmation. You can also agree an exact time with a tolerance of ±30 minutes, choose a 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21 window, or pre-order 1–30 days ahead. When ordering from abroad, state the intended date and time in the recipient's city.

Delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender, and a card with your text is free. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival. If they are absent, we agree a second delivery that day or handover to a neighbour or concierge with your consent. Online checkout uses CloudPayments; check the payment options displayed there, as acceptance of every foreign card is not guaranteed. See delivery and payment for delivery information.