How Much Do Easter Lilies Cost?

Last Updated on January 22, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Few flowers represent the promise of spring better than the regal yet delicate Easter lily. Their trumpet-shaped white blooms and sweet fragrance are iconic symbols of renewal and hope coming into the Easter holiday each year.

As one of the most popular seasonal flowers, Easter lilies adorn churches, grace centerpieces, and are gifted as potted plants. This makes understanding Easter lily costs helpful for planning floral budgets.

This article will overview factors impacting pricing, typical costs for lilies from various sellers, care requirements, and more. Read on to learn tips for affording these glorious springtime flowers without breaking the bank!

How Much Do Easter Lilies Cost?

A single cut Easter Lily flower stem costs anywhere between $8 and $15, depending on where you buy it from.

Typically, you can find Easter Lilies flower stems in big box stores for prices ranging from $2 to $5 less per stem than what you might find in smaller retail stores. Additionally, for those looking for longer-lasting options, potted plants can be an attractive choice with costs between $15 to $30, offering both variety and potential cost savings in the long run.

For those seeking ready-made arrangements with Easter Lilies, cut flower arrangements can start at $20 and vary depending on factors like size, quality, seasonality, and supply availability.

These pricing fluctuations reflect the dynamic nature of the floral market, where factors like flower type, size, and current demand can influence the cost of floral products.

When it comes to purchasing flowers, exploring wholesale options through flower markets can be a cost-effective choice, potentially offering significant savings per stem compared to retail prices.

In the weeks surrounding Easter each year, bulk buyers and shoppers should budget:

• $15 – $30 for a potted Easter lily plant – Typically between 12 to 24 inches tall from soil to top of bloom. Better quality bulbs and those with multiple stems cost more.
• $8 – $15 for a single cut Easter lily flower stem – Includes one bloom and some foliage. Price varies based on length and bulb quality.
• $20 – $35 for a small vase arrangement with 3 Easter lily stems – A concise yet beautiful centerpiece option.
• $35+ for an elaborate Easter lily floral arrangement with 6+ stems – A showstopping bouquet for home, office, or church display.

Ordering Easter lilies closer to the holiday means paying premium seasonal prices. But buying 2 or more weeks before/after Easter can save 30% or more as inventory clears and demand drops. This makes preplanning ideal for major cost savings.

For frugal shoppers, grocery store or box store stems often run at just $5 per stem, but usually lack selection and longevity compared to professionally cared-for florist lilies. Commercial growing focuses solely on cost efficiency over quality.

Meanwhile, wholesale clubs like Costco offer exceptional deals on potted Easter lilies for $12 – $25 in early spring. Shop here before stock sells out for the best value around the holiday itself.

Whole Blossoms offers Easter Lily Flowers with 3+ blooms. The prices are as follows: 10 Stems for $103.49, 20 Stems for $184.49, 30 Stems for $256.49, and 40 Stems for $301.49.

The Home Depot sells a 1.75 Qt. Easter Lily Annual Plant in a 3-Pack for $24.98 after a $25 discount on the total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card.

New Prague Floral sells Easter Lily Double Baskets, with single plants available in-store for pick up with a bow for $14.99.

What is the Significance of Easter Lilies?

Native to Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, the Easter lily or “Lilium longiflorum” offers huge, fragrant white flower blooms on straight green stems. Their ethereal elegance carries rich symbolism rooted in history:

• Purity and virtue
• Hope and rejuvenation
• Spiritual passion and the resurrection of Christ

The Easter lily bulb was originally brought to England in the 1820s by an amateur botanist who transported it from the Ryukyu Islands. The species became popularized in England as a highly prized conservatory plant grown by Victorian gardeners.

By the 1880s, Bermuda growers started cultivating Easter lilies as well to ship as cut flowers to North America. Their large, delicately curved flowers exuding sweet perfume especially suited the joyous Easter holiday celebrating rebirth and revival.

Beyond longstanding religious significance, their timely floral arrival announcing spring simply brings widespread joy after winter dormancy. It’s why Easter lilies commonly:

• Adorn Easter church altars and services
• Accent Easter dinner tables as statement centerpieces
• Become treasured floral gifts between loved ones

Factors Affecting the Price of Easter Lilies

Several variables influence retail and wholesale Easter lily pricing each year:

• Size – This includes factors like bloom diameter, stem length, and the number of flower buds. Larger, longer stems with 6+ buds demand higher pricing.
• Quality – Symmetry and perkiness of the trumpet-shaped flowers plus vibrancy of coloration impacts perceived value. Prime, flawless blooms cost more.
• Source – Buying through a floral shop versus a mass retailer involves higher care and handling expenses passed onto buyers.
• Season – Peak availability centered around Easter itself drives prices down based on supply meeting higher demand.

Commercial growers also charge substantially more for Easter lily bulbs and cuttings than standard lilies due to intensive year-round production needs:

• Precise greenhouse temperature regulation
• Careful spectral lighting manipulation to induce flowering
• Regular foliar fertilization and soil nutrient monitoring
• Coordinated harvesting and shipping for timely Easter arrivals

This labor-intensive approach ensures Easter lilies hit perfect seasonal timing but increases costs passed onto consumers. It makes them one of the most meticulously cultivated flowers in the industry.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Carnations, Orchids, or Tulips.

Saving on Easter Lilies

For Easter flower buyers focused exclusively on price…Big box stores like Walmart and grocery chains carry basic Easter lilies at the lowest upfront cost, often $5 per stem. However, rock-bottom pricing means sacrificing variety, personalized arrangements by a designer florist, and longevity, meaning blooms fade faster.

Instead, directly supporting local florists is advisable for longer-lasting, florist-quality stems even if costs exceed $25 per arrangement. The week before Easter demand means paying a premium.

Yet small businesses also need community support, and their artistry, customer care, and ability to specially design lily pieces all have value.

Getting Easter lilies wholesale through flower auction markets and direct partnerships with domestic or international growers requires large order minimums that can seem impractical. However, costs per stem then drop precipitously to as low as $2 – $5 per stem.

For churches, events planners, or neighbors collectively arranging Easter decorations, splitting bulk Easter lily orders this way means substantial per-stem savings even after factoring in shipping expenses. Just be sure to account for timing and expedited transportation – these flowers stop for no one!

Easter Lily Care Costs

To enjoy Easter lilies past the holiday, budget additional supplies:

• Fertilizer – $8 all-purpose plant food
• Potting mix – $10 potting soil bag
• Planter pot – $5 – $15 decorative container

Caring for potted lilies properly allows them to re-bloom annually for 3+ years. Extend your investment through:

• Watering when just partly dry
• Placing in indirect sunlight
• Removing faded flowers
• Repotting in breathable containers

With attention, Easter lilies become a perennial gift.

Perfect for Gifting and Decorating

Sharing an Easter lily’s promise of new beginnings makes them a treasured gift between family, friends, and congregations. Use them to decorate by:

• Adorning Easter dinner tables
• Complementing entryways and mantels
• Accenting your church’s Easter service

For the most impact, display Easter lilies in groups of three or more arranged containers. The sweet fragrance and beautiful ivory blossoms need little enhancement to shine.

Buying and Enjoying Easter Lilies on a Budget

When shopping for Easter lilies this season, remember:

• Order early or buy discounted post-holiday to save
• Seek potted wholesale plants for planting year-to-year
• Ask local florists about possible savings and sales

Then accent your Easter lilies with budget-friendly elements like pastel ribbon, decorative moss, speckled eggshells or small birds for added spring charm.

However, you seek their warming renewal, let Easter lilies bloom new beginnings through their hopeful buds praising the return of spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will Easter lilies last?

With proper care, including changing water and removing faded flowers, cut Easter lily bouquets typically last 1-2 weeks. Potted Easter lily plants can thrive for years when repotted in indoor planters with soil, fertilizer and sunlight.

What should you do first if given an Easter lily?

When you receive an Easter lily, the first thing you should do is remove it from any packaging or decorative foil that might hold excess water. This is important because standing water can lead to root rot. Place the lily in a well-draining pot or container.

How do you make Easter lilies last longer?

To extend the life of your Easter lily, follow these care tips:

• Location: Place the lily in a location with bright, indirect sunlight.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, and allow excess water to drain.
• Temperature: Easter lilies prefer cooler temperatures. Keep them in a room with a temperature range of 60-70°F (15-24°C).
• Avoid drafts: Avoid placing the lily near drafts, heating vents, or air conditioning vents.
• Pruning: Remove spent blooms to encourage new flower growth.
• Fertilization: You can fertilize the lily with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during its flowering period.