Do lilies have a strong scent? What to know before buying
Yes, some lilies have a strong scent, especially Oriental and trumpet lilies, while many Asiatic lilies have little or no noticeable fragrance. The variety, number of open flowers and size of the room all affect how intense a bouquet smells. If fragrance matters to the recipient, choose by lily type rather than colour.
At Pyat Tsvetov (5 Flowers), customers often ask whether a lily bouquet will perfume an entire room or feel too strong beside a bed. Our experience in Saint Petersburg flower shops since 2011 has made this a practical part of choosing a gift: the recipient's space and preferences matter as much as the flowers' appearance. When ordering from abroad for someone in Russia, check those preferences before choosing a strongly scented bouquet.
Which lilies smell strongest, and which have less fragrance?
Oriental lilies are usually the first group to consider when someone describes a rich, sweet lily perfume. Trumpet lilies can also be intensely fragrant, whereas many Asiatic varieties offer bright colour with little noticeable scent. Hybrid lilies vary, so a broad label or a photograph cannot reliably tell you how powerful their fragrance will be. Ask about the particular variety being considered, especially if low fragrance is an important requirement.
White does not automatically mean fragrant, and pink does not automatically mean mild. Flower colour, bloom size and double petals are not dependable shortcuts for judging scent; a pollen-free flower is not necessarily fragrance-free either. Calla lilies are botanically different from true lilies and generally have little noticeable fragrance, although they create a different bouquet shape. Our guide to lily varieties, scent levels and vase life gives further context for comparing the flowers.
Why a bouquet can smell stronger after delivery
A bouquet containing mostly closed buds may have a modest scent when it arrives, then become much more fragrant as the flowers open. Several open blooms release fragrance into the same space, so their combined effect can be substantial even when a single stem seems pleasant. Some lilies also smell more noticeable at particular times of day, including the evening. Judge the likely effect of the fully open bouquet rather than relying only on its scent at the door.
A small, poorly ventilated room concentrates fragrance more noticeably than a spacious room with normal air circulation. Warm conditions can make scent more apparent and can also shorten the flowers' display life. Put the vase away from radiators, direct sun and other heat sources, and choose a position that leaves the recipient comfortable. Moving fragrant lilies farther from a chair or desk may help, but it will not turn a strongly scented variety into a low-scent flower.
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Choosing lilies for a home, workplace or thoughtful gift
For someone who enjoys perfumed flowers, lilies can make a generous birthday, anniversary or thank-you gift. Their associations vary with culture, occasion and personal experience: some people connect white lilies with remembrance, while others see them as elegant celebratory flowers. If you are sending a bouquet to Russia from abroad, use what you know about the recipient rather than treating any flower meaning as universal. A free card with your own words can make the intended message clear.
For a shared office, bedside table or small flat, fragrance deserves particular attention because people cannot always move away from it. Someone who experiences scent-triggered headaches may prefer flowers with little noticeable fragrance, even if they like the appearance of lilies. If sending flowers to a hospital or care setting, check the institution's flower rules first. For a recipient whose preferences are unknown, a lower-scent choice reduces the chance that the bouquet will be uncomfortable to keep nearby.
Cats require a separate decision: true lilies and daylilies are highly toxic to them, and exposure to pollen or vase water can be dangerous. Do not send these flowers to a home with cats, even if the recipient plans to put the vase on a high shelf. Calla lilies also pose a pet hazard and should not be treated as a cat-safe alternative simply because they are different plants. If a cat may have contacted or ingested any part of a true lily, seek veterinary help immediately.
Caring for lilies without trying to hide their scent
Start with a clean vase, recut the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool and remove leaves that would sit below the waterline. Use flower food according to its instructions if you have it, and keep the water clean by changing it regularly and washing the vase when needed. Check the water level daily because a vase can empty faster than expected. Keep the arrangement in a cool position away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit, and remove faded flowers as the bouquet develops.
Removing the pollen-bearing anthers can help prevent stains, but it does not reliably reduce fragrance because pollen is not the source of the flower's perfume. As each bloom opens, gently lift off the anthers with a tissue, avoiding contact with clothes, upholstery and the petals. If dry pollen falls on fabric, avoid rubbing it or immediately wetting it; gently lift loose grains with adhesive tape where the material allows. Do not spray the flowers with perfume or cleaning products to mask their smell.
If the scent becomes uncomfortable, move the bouquet to a larger, ventilated space away from where people sit or sleep. Avoid cutting away petals or adding household chemicals to the vase in an attempt to deodorise the flowers. A strongly fragrant lily will remain fragrant while it is open, so placement offers only limited control. For arrangements that include other flowers, our advice on keeping roses and lilies in the same vase explains the care considerations.
Ordering flowers to Russia when scent matters
Begin with the recipient's preferences, the room where the bouquet will stand and whether there are cats in the home. Browse the bouquets catalogue, but do not treat a bouquet title or photograph as proof of a particular scent level. If lilies are being considered, ask about their type and explain whether you need little noticeable fragrance. Questions can be discussed by phone on 8 (812) 507-67-05; a specific variety should not be assumed available without checking.
We deliver flowers across Russia, with city delivery costing 500 RUB. For remote districts and suburbs, the operator confirms the delivery price when confirming the order. Online checkout uses CloudPayments; customers ordering from abroad should check the payment options displayed at checkout rather than assume that every foreign card will be accepted. The delivery and payment information is a useful reference when arranging a gift from another country.
Delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender. A card with your text is free, so include your name in its message if you want the recipient to know who sent the flowers. For a gift where the choice of lilies has a personal meaning, a short, specific message is usually more helpful than relying on flower symbolism alone. Keep the wording focused on the occasion and your relationship with the recipient.
Timing the delivery and planning for opening buds
In large cities, express delivery is available in 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed. You can also arrange delivery at an exact time with a tolerance of plus or minus 30 minutes, choose a window of 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21, or pre-order 1–30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg, delivery is available around the clock. When ordering from another time zone, state the intended date and time clearly so the delivery arrangement matches the recipient's day.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, so choose a time when they are likely to be available. If they are absent, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with the sender's consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge. For lilies intended for an event, explain when the flowers will be displayed, because bud development affects both appearance and scent. Individual blooms open at different rates, so do not plan around every bud opening at one precise hour.
Frequently asked questions
Do all lilies have a strong scent?
No. Oriental and trumpet lilies are often strongly fragrant, while many Asiatic lilies have little or no noticeable scent; the particular variety matters.
Does removing lily pollen stop the smell?
No, removing the pollen-bearing anthers does not reliably stop the fragrance. It mainly helps prevent pollen stains, since the flower's perfume does not come from its pollen.
Can I keep fragrant lilies in a bedroom?
If you enjoy their scent, placement is a matter of comfort, but open blooms can feel overpowering in a small bedroom. Choose a lower-scent variety or move the vase elsewhere if the fragrance disturbs sleep or triggers a headache.
Are low-scent lilies safe around cats?
No: low fragrance does not reduce the toxicity of true lilies to cats. Avoid them in homes with cats and seek immediate veterinary help if exposure is suspected.
How can I choose lilies for someone in Russia?
Check whether the recipient enjoys fragrance, has space for the bouquet and lives with cats. Ask about the particular lily type before ordering, and check the options displayed in CloudPayments at checkout if paying from abroad.
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