March 18, 2025
Hoppy Blooms: Popular Choices of Easter Flowers and How to Care for Them
Flowers have played a significant role in Easter celebrations, with mentions throughout history as decorations that symbolize new life, hope, and resurrection. Their deeper meanings range from early Christian and Greek symbolism to pagan rituals, but all revolve around the colorful blooms first spotted as the ground begins to thaw.
From the bright petals of tulips to the powerful scent of Easter lilies, FTD knows which flowers best represent Easter and how to properly care for them. Our spring bouquets are perfect for centerpieces, additions to the garden, or gifts for the host of Easter festivities. Our floral team has compiled their favorite spring blooms, what they mean to the history of Easter, and how to best care for them.
Easter Lily
The Easter lily has been a religious symbol since the beginning of Christianity and is even mentioned in the New and Old Testament of the Bible. With white petals and a distinct fragrance, this trumpet-shaped flower symbolizes purity and new beginnings. It is often associated with the rebirth of Jesus Christ, hence its popularity around the Easter holiday.
They are said to have sprouted from where Christ’s blood fell and were given the name “white-robed apostles of hope.” They came to symbolize him not only as an embodiment of purity, but their unique shape was thought to be a sign of heralding his resurrection.
Lilium longiflorum are native to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan and it is said that a World War I soldier, Louis Houghton, is the reason the flower made its way to the United States. He recognized that other lilies did not have the powerful fragrance, and by World War II, the Easter lily became a valuable bulb when Japanese sources were cut off from the United States.
Bulbs typically spend at least three years underground with constant care before being shipped to commercial greenhouses. They are typically shipped in the fall in order to bloom in time for Easter.
To maximize the longevity of your Easter lily, keep them away from heating vents and out of direct sunlight. Be sure to keep the soil moist and allow it to drain properly. After it is done blooming, it can be moved into your garden to rebloom every year. Our FTD floral team recommends researching how do to so based on the area you live. Planting an Easter lily can be tricky, but with a little understanding on when and how to plant, anyone can be successful.
Daffodil
These early spring flowers bloom just in time for the holiday, so it should be no surprise that they represent new life. It is believed that daffodils appeared in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of the Last Supper as both a comfort to Jesus and a sign of what was about to transpire.
In England, daffodils are also known as lent lilies or Lenten lilies as they typically bloom between Ash Wednesday and Easter. A.E. Housman, an English scholar and poet, even wrote a poem entitled “The Lent Lily” about this phenomenon. In addition to being a symbol of Easter, the daffodil is also the official symbol of the Chinese New Year and is the national flower of Wales.
Their yellow petals form a similar trumpet shape to the lily but should not be mixed with other flowers to form a bouquet. They emit toxins that are dangerous to other flowers and could shorten their vase life. To keep daffodils in tip-top shape, water should be changed daily and stems should be trimmed at a 45-degree angle. Another key to longevity is to remove any excess foliage that will be below the waterline as it will cut down on bacteria and extend vase life.
Tulip
Tulips are the quintessential spring flower, with their bright petals and frilled edges. The shape of their blooms may very well be why they are often associated with Easter as they resemble eggs.
Most species are native to Central Asia as they thrive in extreme weather conditions. There is no recorded history of when tulips traveled outside of Asia, but their popularity spiked in the 16th and 17th century with ‘tulipmania.’ Holland particularly thrived during this period and is still considered a floral paradise for true flower enthusiasts.
Love, belief, forgiveness, honor; each color tulip has its own symbolism. Red can represent love or passion, yellow represents happiness and hope, purple represents royalty and elegance, and white represents purity and holiness. Combining colors to create a bouquet is a stand-out choice for an Easter centerpiece.
When taking care of your tulip bouquet, they should be kept out of direct sunlight. They are phototropic and will move towards the light, so be sure to turn your vase often to keep them from moving in one direction. Part of their life cycle involves them drooping often so don’t be alarmed. They continue to grow in the vase so keep their stems trimmed regularly and remove any excess foliage from below the waterline.
Hyacinth
In Greek mythology, the origin of the hyacinth stems from the love and tragedy between Apollo and Hyacinthus. Apollo transformed his companion into a flower after his death, making it a symbol of sorrow and rebirth. This resonates with the similar death of Jesus Christ and is why the flower is popular among Easter bouquets seen in churches.
Another early bloom, these bell-shaped flowers are as fragrant as the Easter lily. They come in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white, with hardy bulbs that can be replanted in your garden. If you choose to replant them, they are considered low-maintenance and bloom easily on their own.
Hyacinths love direct sunlight and can be in it for up to eight hours a day. They are also a wonderful cut flower. Cut stems, removal of excess foliage, clear cool water; if this is done often, your bouquet will last longer.
Here at FTD, we're celebrating the occasion by offering a new selection of Easter flowers, plants, and gifts for the season. Shop our entire Easter assortment and send something thoughtful to family and friends this season.