Why shouldn’t you bring lilac into the house?

Lilacs are one of the most beloved flowering plants in the world, but there is an old English tradition which suggests we should be careful when considering bringing them into our homes. In this article, we’ll discuss why you shouldn’t bring lilac into the house, the potential consequences, and some alternatives you can bring indoors instead which won’t risk making the faeries angry!

What is a Lilac?

A Lilac is a genus of flowering plant in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to countries across Europe, Asia and North America. It has been cultivated for centuries as an ornamental plant and is widely known for its fragrant blooms which range in colour from pink to purple to white and blue. The most popular variety, Syringa vulgaris, blooms in late spring or early summer and can reach heights of up to 21 feet tall!

The History of Lilacs in England

The popularity of Lilacs in England dates back to the 16th century when they were first introduced to Britain by French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in their home country. From then on they quickly became a popular garden plant and were often planted around churches and homes as a symbol of faithfulness and innocence. By the 19th century, they had become so popular that there were even festivals dedicated solely to them!

The Old English Tradition Regarding Lilacs and Faeries

As their popularity increased throughout Europe and Britain, so did their association with faeries – mythical creatures from folklore who were thought to be able to grant wishes or cause mischief depending on their moods! According to one old English tradition, it was believed that if you brought a lilac bush inside your home it would attract these faeries into your space – something that was seen as highly undesirable by many people at the time!

Reasons why You Should Avoid Bringing Lilac Indoors

While modern sensibilities may not be so superstitious about inviting faeries into our homes, there are still plenty of reasons why it’s best not to bring a lilac bush indoors:

1) The strong scent: while pleasant enough outdoors, many people find that the scent of a blooming lilac bush can be overpowering when brought indoors – making it difficult to enjoy other scents or even breathe normally!

2) Allergies: many people are allergic or sensitive to pollen from plants such as Lilacs, so bringing them inside could trigger symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or difficulty breathing for those who suffer from hay fever or asthma.

3) Watering needs: because they are larger plants with higher watering requirements than other houseplants, it’s best not to bring a Lilac bush inside unless you’re confident that you will be able to meet its needs on a daily basis – something that can be difficult for busy households!

Potential Consequences of Bringing Lilac Indoors

Not only could bringing a Lilac bush inside potentially trigger allergies or make your home smell unpleasant – but it could also have more serious consequences if you don’t take care when positioning it near windows or doors where stray faeries might find their way into your home! Faeries have long been associated with luck – both good and bad – but if they become angry at being invited into your home then they could turn against you and cause all sorts of misfortune!

The Difference Between Varieties Of Lilac Bush

While all varieties of Lilacs share the same basic characteristics (fragrant blooms & large size) there are actually several different types which differ slightly in colour & growth habits:

1) Common Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris): these are the most widespread variety found across Europe & North America & come in shades ranging from white & pink through to deep purple & blue – although they do tend towards larger sizes than some other varieties & need more frequent watering than others too!

2) Dwarf French Hybrid (Syringa x persica): these smaller shrubs tend towards shades of pink & have slightly less vigorous growth habits meaning they require less frequent watering than other varieties – ideal for those with less time on their hands or smaller gardens/balconies etc…

3) Japanese Tree Lilacs (Syringa reticulata): these larger trees grow well in cooler climates & come in shades ranging from pale cream through to deep purples – although due to their size they need lots of space & regular maintenance/watering throughout the year if kept indoors .

Tips For Avoiding Bringing Lilac Indoors
If you’re tempted by the beauty of these fragrant flowers but don’t want to risk inviting any unwelcome visitors into your home then here are some tips for avoiding bringing indoor plants altogether:

1) Choose smaller varieties: many species such as Dwarf French Hybrids grow much smaller than Common varieties meaning they require less space & maintenance while still providing plenty of colour & fragrance – perfect for small balconies/terraces etc…

2) Plant potted plants outside: if you have limited garden space then planting potted plants outdoors can still provide all the benefits without taking up valuable real estate inside your home – simply make sure they are placed away from doors/windows where stray faeries could enter through easily!

Alternatives To Bring Indoors Instead Of Lilacs

If you’re looking for something fragrant yet safe from potential Faerie visitors then here are some alternatives which could work just as well without running any risks:

1) Geraniums: these popular bedding plants produce colourful blooms throughout summer & come in a wide range of colours/sizes so there’s sure to be one that suits your tastes/space requirements perfectly! They also require much less watering than larger houseplants like lilies/trees etc… making them ideal for busy households where someone isn’t always available throughout the day .

2) Orchids: this exotic plant is easy enough for anyone with green fingers (or lack thereof!) To take care off thanks to its low maintenance requirements – simply repot every few years & water regularly during dry spells – plus they come in stunning colours which will brighten up any room instantly!

3) Foliage Plants: if flowers aren’t really your thing then there are plenty of leafy foliage plants which can bring life into any room without requiring too much effort – just make sure they get enough light each day otherwise they might start turning yellow/brown due some nutrient deficiency ! Conclusion In conclusion, while we may love admiring lush lilies growing outdoors during springtime – we should probably refrain from bringing them inside our homes due an old English tradition about attracting faeries into our spaces! There are plenty alternatives out there which won’t run this risk however – such as Geraniums , Orchids or Foliage Plants – all offering beautiful colours/scents without any potential fairy visitors ! References Waller-Davies A (1921). ‘Lilacs-Their History And Culture’ . British House Garden Magazine . Retrieved May 29 , 2022 , from https://archive.org/details/britishgardenma42londuoft/page