A sure sign of spring was the arrival of Easter lilies in stores.

While this iconic symbol of Easter is often enjoyed only for the holiday season as a potted plant in your house, it can also be a striking addition to your garden.

When purchasing a potted Easter lily from a store, hopefully you selected one with dense foliage along the entire stem and no signs of disease, such as wilted, yellowed or dark spotted leaves or pests, such as insect eggs, webs, or holes chewed in the leaves.

Plants with many buds in different stages of development, with only one or two open flowers, are preferred. This will prolong the blooming time in your home.

At home, remove protective plastic or paper sleeves around the plant. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, but instead, set it in an area of indirect light, away from drafts.

To prolong blooming, the ideal daytime temperature is between 60 and 65 degrees, with slightly lower temperatures at night.

They prefer even moisture. Never allow the plant to sit in standing water, and if the pot has a foil wrapper, either remove it or poke holes in it to allow water to drain.

As the flowers begin to open, you may remove the yellow anthers holding the pollen. Pollen removal extends the flower’s bloom life and prevents the pollen from staining the flower and anything around the plant. As the flowers die, pinch spent blooms where they attach to the stem.

When planting in your garden, you may choose to plant your potted lily or purchase bulbs. You may plant your potted lilies any time after the risk of frost in the spring through fall.

If planting in spring, acclimate the plant to the outside temperatures before planting it in the ground. They prefer well-drained, rich, organic soil and full sun to part shade.

If planting bulbs, plant them 4 to 6 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches apart in the fall, with the growing points facing upward.

Easter lilies bloom naturally from July to August, and as they grow, they may require staking. If cutting flowers for arrangements, remove no more than one-third of the stem.

Allow leaves and stems to turn yellow before cutting back to provide energy for the next year’s blooms. Cover in the fall with a layer of mulch and remove the following spring to allow new shoots to sprout.

An important word of caution: Easter lilies, as well as many other types of lilies, are highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant, even the pollen, are poisonous and may cause kidney failure and death if ingested.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if a cat has eaten or licked any part of an Easter lily. For treatment to be effective, it must be initiated no later than 18 hours after exposure.

Early symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, disorientation, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613.