Lilacs are one of my favorite signs that the cold days of winter are finally behind us and spring has arrived. I’ll never forget a childhood trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden just after a classic spring rain shower. When I stumbled upon the lilac grove, the sweet scent of the damp blooms was almost overwhelming—in the best way. (I was also busy collecting wriggling worms from the puddles, of course!)
Now, every year as temperatures begin to rise, I can’t help but to recreate that perfect spring moment by filling my home with fragrant lilac arrangements. Because their blooming period is short-lived, I’ve picked up a few simple tricks to make the most of these beautiful branches.
Start With Smart Pruning
If you’re cutting lilacs from your own garden, always use clean, sharp clippers. A high-quality pair—like these Okatsune pruners—will slice through woody stems with ease. Cut each branch at its point of origin, where it meets a larger branch, to encourage healthy regrowth.
Choose sturdy stems that can support the weight of the blossoms. For the longest-lasting display, include a mix of tightly closed buds and partially open flowers—buds will continue to bloom in the vase, extending the life (and fragrance) of your arrangement.
Prep Stems for Better Water Absorption
Whether your lilacs are garden-grown or store-bought, proper prep is key. Because lilacs have woody stems, they don’t absorb water as easily as softer flowers. To help them hydrate, increase the surface area at the base of each stem. You can do this by gently hammering the ends on a cutting board or slicing the stem vertically with clippers. This exposes the inner fibers and allows water to move more freely up the branch. This trick also works well for other flowering branches like forsythia, quince, cherry blossoms and magnolia.
Keep the Water Clean
As with any arrangement, remove any leaves or small offshoots that would sit below the waterline. Submerged foliage breaks down quickly, leading to bacterial growth that can shorten the life of your flowers.
Choose the Right Vase
Opt for a sturdy vase or pitcher with a wide base to support the weight of the branches. Fill it with cold water, and arrange the stems by crisscrossing them for added structure and balance. Refresh the water every few days—or sooner if it looks cloudy—and remove any spent blooms to keep the arrangement looking fresh.
Extra Pruning Tip for Next Year
Keep in mind that lilacs bloom on the previous season’s growth. That means timing matters: pruning should be done within a few weeks after flowering. Wait too long, and you risk cutting off next year’s buds before they’ve had a chance to develop.
Lis Engelhart is the Editorial Styling Director at Good Housekeeping magazine and the Hearst Lifestyle Group. A lover of novels, loose teas, and old doors, she finds inspiration in things that are antiqued and well-loved. She is likely to be found poking around flea markets or dyeing Easter eggs in December. Prior to GH, Lis was an art director at Martha Stewart Weddings, where she honed her passions in floral arranging, entertaining, and crafting. She lives in an old Connecticut house with her husband, son, and dog—an ongoing backdrop for wallpaper experiments, garden tinkering, and renovations that are never quite finished (in the best way).
