Lily Lilium 'Cream Tea'
ABOUT
The Lilium 'Cream Tea' is a captivating plant bearing charming flowers that bring to mind the elegance of a quaint afternoon tea setting. The blooms have a distinctive creamy color, with soft, smoothly transitioning tones that can remind one of the luxuriousness of cream swirling into a freshly brewed cup of tea. These flowers usually exhibit a trumpet shape, widely flared at the edges, and often display a gentle recurve at the tips of the petals, providing a sense of grace and visual interest. The petals themselves are silky and may possess a light sprinkling of freckles in a more contrasting color, which adds dimension and an endearing quality to the overall look of the flower. The blossoms are borne atop sturdy stems that rise from a base of long, lance-shaped leaves that are lush green, providing a striking backdrop that accentuates the creamy hue of the flowers. Throughout its blooming period, 'Cream Tea' delivers a delightful show that can fit into many garden compositions due to its refined aesthetics.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Cream Tea Lily
Common names
Lilium 'Cream Tea'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as lily is considered to have a low level of toxicity for humans. However, eating large quantities of the plant, particularly the bulb, can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In most cases, the ingestions of small amounts by humans are not likely to cause serious problems, but it's still recommended to avoid eating any part of lilies due to their potential toxicity.
To pets
The lily plant is highly toxic to cats and can lead to fatal kidney failure if ingested. Even small amounts of any part of the lily, including petals, leaves, pollen, or water from the vase, can be potentially deadly. Symptoms of lily poisoning in pets can include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, kidney failure, and without prompt veterinary treatment, can be fatal. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any part of a lily, it's crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Cream
Height
2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds visual interest to gardens with its large, cream-colored flowers.
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Fragrance: The plant emits a pleasant scent, enhancing the sensory experience of a garden.
- Cutting Garden Addition: Suitable for bouquets and floral arrangements due to long stems and showy flowers.
- Easy to Grow: Requires minimal care and can thrive in a variety of soil types.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Can be used in borders, beds, and containers, fitting various garden designs.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms in late spring to early summer, filling the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: Lilies like 'Cream Tea' are often used by photographers for their symmetrical beauty and serve as an elegant subject or backdrop in floral photography.
- Edible Garnish: The petals of 'Cream Tea' Lilies can be used as a decorative and edible garnish on plates or cakes, provided they are free of pesticides and chemicals.
- Biodegradable Confetti: Dried petals of the 'Cream Tea' Lily can be used as a natural, biodegradable confetti for celebrations and weddings.
- Art and Craft: The petals and stamens can be used in art projects or to make natural dyes for textiles or paper.
- Fragrance Extraction: The scent of 'Cream Tea' Lilies can be captured to create perfumes and essential oils, although this process can be sophisticated and is not commonly done at home.
- Floral Water: Petals of 'Cream Tea' Lilies can be steeped in water to create a lightly scented floral water for use in skincare or aromatherapy.
- Symbolic Gift: In various cultures, 'Cream Tea' Lilies represent purity and renewal, making them a meaningful gift in certain ceremonies and occasions.
- Flower Arrangement Classes: These lilies can be used in educational settings for teaching the art of flower arranging due to their form and structure.
- Bookmark Crafting: Pressed 'Cream Tea' Lily petals can be laminated and used to create unique, natural bookmarks.
- Feng Shui: In feng shui, the 'Cream Tea' Lily is sometimes used to promote harmony and balance within a home when placed correctly.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lily is often associated with purity and peace in Feng Shui. To use the Lily plant in Feng Shui practice, place it in areas of the home that need a calming influence, such as the bedroom or living spaces. The white flowers of the 'Cream Tea' Lily could be particularly useful in bringing a serene energy and promoting a soothing environment within the space.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: The lily, as a genus, is often associated with purity because of its white and unblemished flowers. 'Cream Tea', with its creamy hue, maintains this symbolism as it invokes a sense of cleanliness and virtue.
- Beauty: Lilies are widely recognized for their elegant and striking appearance. The 'Cream Tea' variety, with its beautiful cream-colored petals, is symbolic of delicate beauty and sophistication.
- Motherhood: In some cultures, lilies are symbols of motherhood and fertility due to their full, rounded shape. The 'Cream Tea' lily may also carry this meaning, representing maternal tenderness and care.
- Renewal and Rebirth: Because many lilies bloom in the spring, they are often associated with new beginnings and the renewal of life. 'Cream Tea', with its springtime bloom, can symbolize hope and the start of new ventures.
- Transitions: As lilies can also symbolize the journey from one phase of life to another, 'Cream Tea' might be used to represent significant life transitions or personal growth.
WaterLilies, including the 'Cream Tea' Lily, prefer consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means once a week, providing about one to two gallons of water per plant depending on the size and environmental conditions. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. During periods of heavy rain or extreme heat, adjust the amount and frequency of watering accordingly to ensure the soil does not become waterlogged or dry out completely.
LightThe 'Cream Tea' Lily thrives best in partial to full sunlight. It should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade can result in leggy growth and fewer blooms. A location that provides morning sunlight with some afternoon shade is ideal to prevent the blooms from fading too quickly.
TemperatureThe 'Cream Tea' Lily can endure a range of temperatures but grows best when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive a temporary dip as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. Extreme heat above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, especially when combined with high humidity, can stress the plant and may require additional watering.
PruningPruning 'Cream Tea' Lilies helps to remove dead or faded flowers, which encourages the development of new blooms and prevents the plant from wasting energy on seed production. Prune as soon as flowers fade, cutting back to just above a set of leaves. After blooming has finished for the season, cut back the stalks to ground level. Annual pruning at the end of the flowering season is usually sufficient.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Lilium 'Cream Tea', or lily, should be well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of loamy garden soil with added perlite or vermiculite and compost or well-rotted organic matter will provide the right conditions for growth.
RepottingLilies, including Lilium 'Cream Tea', typically need to be repotted every 3 to 4 years or when the bulbs multiply and the pot becomes crowded, to ensure continued health and blooming.
Humidity & MistingLilies like Lilium 'Cream Tea' prefer moderate humidity levels, so strive to maintain ambient humidity around 40-60% for optimal growth conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright indirect light, cool temperatures, and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Choose a sunny spot, plant in well-draining soil, mulch and protect from wind.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the Lily 'Cream Tea' starts with the germination of seeds or growth from bulbs. When conditions are favorable, typically in early spring, the bulb sends up shoots and develops leaves. As the plant matures, it forms a sturdy stem that, by late spring to early summer, supports a flower bud, which blossoms into the characteristic fragrant and large creamy-white flowers. After pollination, typically involving insects, the flowers produce seeds in a capsule that, once matured, will release the seeds for dispersal. If conditions are not right for seed germination, or in cultivation practices, bulbs can be collected and stored to be replanted the following season. The plant then enters a period of dormancy in late autumn or winter, withdrawing energy back into the bulb until the next growing cycle begins.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Lilium 'Cream Tea', commonly known as the Cream Tea Lily, is by scaling. This technique is typically performed in late summer after the blooming period. It involves gently removing a few scales from the base of a mature bulb and placing them in a moist growing medium or a plastic bag with slightly damp peat moss or vermiculite. The sealed bag is then kept at a warm temperature, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), to encourage bulblet formation on the base of the scales. Once these bulblets have developed sufficiently, which may take several months, they can be planted out separately to grow into new plants. Scaling is a simple and cost-effective way to increase your stock of Cream Tea Lilies.
