The play tells the story of farmers living in Indian Territory in 1900, seven years before Oklahoma became a state. The play involves a love triangle between cowboy Curly, farm girl Laurey, and farmhand Jeeter. The character Aunt Eller was based on Riggs' own Aunt Mary whom he adored.

Green Grow the Lilacs is a 1930 play by Lynn Riggs named after the popular folk song of the same name. It was performed 64 times on Broadway, opening at the Guild Theatre on January 26, 1931, and closing March 21, 1931.