How to Cut Lily Stems

Cut lilies in the morning before direct sunlight reaches the plants. Removing the flower when it's fully hydrated helps prolong the life of the bloom. Select unblemished lilies that aren't fully open. The blooms will open in the vase and have a longer life.

Cut the stem straight across near its base. This prevents leaving stem stubs on the plant. A straight cut leaves less exposed tissue on the plant than an angled cut, so that it will heal faster. Cutting low on the stem also provides a group of lilies for an arrangement, on types of lilies that grow multiple blooms on a main stem, such as Star Gazers.

Hold lilies from the garden upside down by the stems and shake them gently to dislodge any spiders, earwigs and other creatures living inside the blooms. Put the lilies in water right away to keep them hydrated. Carry a bucket of water with you when you pick them to reduce the risk of the lilies becoming wilted, especially on a warm day.

Cut enough stem to support the arrangement you want to make. For a tall arrangement, you might keep nearly all the lily stems as long as possible.

Use a sharp knife or clippers to cut each lily stem at a 45-degree angle. Place each lily in a container of water as soon as you cut it. The angle of the cut creates the largest amount of exposed stem to draw water up to the lilies.

Store the fresh-cut lilies in a cool and dark place, as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, for most of the day or overnight to harden them if you don't need to display the flowers right away. This treatment can increase the life of cut lilies and other bulb flowers to up to seven days.