Lilies are one of the most elegant and long-lasting flowers we work with at Best Blooms. With their graceful shape, beautiful fragrance, and impressive vase life, lilies are a favourite for birthdays, sympathy flowers, thank you gifts, and thoughtful everyday bouquets.
In this guide, our Auckland florists share everything you need to know about lily flowers, including the different types of lilies, their meanings, fragrance, care tips, how to remove lily pollen, and what cat owners need to know before sending lilies.
At Best Blooms, lilies are one of our most requested flowers year after year. Customers love them because they offer so much in one flower: large blooms, beautiful shape, long vase life, and in many varieties, a rich perfume that fills the room.
Another lovely thing about lilies is that they often arrive in bud and gradually open over several days. This means the recipient gets to enjoy the flowers changing and blooming, often with new flowers opening each morning.
Lilies are also wonderfully versatile. They can feel elegant, comforting, romantic, or celebratory, depending on the colour and the style of the bouquet.
Not all lilies look or smell the same. Some are bold and colourful, some are soft and fragrant, and some flowers called lilies are not true lilies at all. Here are the main types customers are most likely to see in bouquets and floral arrangements.
Click the infographic to view a larger version.
Oriental lilies are the large, star-shaped lilies many people recognise straight away. They are famous for their strong fragrance, elegant petals, and beautiful soft colours. White and pink Oriental lilies are especially popular in bouquets and sympathy arrangements.
Asiatic lilies are usually brighter and bolder, often seen in orange, yellow, red, pink, and cream. They generally have little to no scent, which makes them a great choice for people who love lilies but prefer flowers without a strong perfume.
Longiflorum lilies have elegant trumpet-shaped white flowers and are often known as Christmas Lilies in New Zealand. Their clean white blooms and sweet fragrance make them especially popular during the festive season.
An interesting New Zealand quirk is that the name "Christmas Lily" can mean different flowers depending on where you live. In much of the North Island, Longiflorum lilies are commonly called Christmas Lilies, while in parts of the South Island the fragrant Rubrum lily is often known by the same name because it flowers around Christmas time.
Calla lilies are not true lilies, but they are commonly known by that name. Their sleek, sculptural shape makes them popular for elegant arrangements, sympathy flowers, and more modern floral designs.
Alstroemeria are often called Peruvian lilies, although they are not true lilies. Florists love them because they are colourful, long-lasting, and excellent for adding texture and movement to mixed bouquets.
Lily of the Valley is another flower with lily in the name, but it is not a true lily. It is a delicate, highly fragrant flower that appears for a very short season in October and is often associated with bridal bouquets and traditional floral designs.
Some lilies are beautifully fragrant, while others have little to no scent.
Oriental lilies are the most famous for their perfume. Their fragrance is rich, sweet, and strong enough to fill a room. Many customers absolutely love this, especially when sending flowers to a home.
Asiatic lilies are usually unscented, which makes them a better choice for people who are sensitive to strong floral fragrances. This is also why our florists may suggest Asiatic lilies or other scent-free flowers for hospital deliveries.
Lilies have carried meaning for centuries and are often associated with purity, devotion, renewal, peace, and remembrance.
White lilies are especially linked with sympathy, respect, and remembrance. Pink lilies can represent admiration and affection, while brighter lilies often feel more cheerful and celebratory.
This beautiful mix of symbolism is one of the reasons lilies are used for so many different occasions. They can say "I'm thinking of you", "I care", "thank you", or "I'm sorry for your loss" in a gentle and meaningful way.
At Best Blooms, lilies are one of the flowers most often chosen for sympathy bouquets and funeral tributes.
Their graceful shape, peaceful appearance, and long vase life make them a thoughtful way to send comfort when words are difficult to find. White lilies in particular are strongly associated with remembrance, peace, and renewal.
We often include lilies in sympathy arrangements because they feel elegant without being overwhelming, and because they continue to open over several days, bringing quiet beauty into the home.
If you are choosing flowers to express condolences, you can browse our Sympathy Flowers Collection.
Many of our customers choose lilies for sympathy flowers because they combine elegance, fragrance, and exceptional vase life. Here are some of Best Blooms favourite lily arrangements, that may be suitable when you want to send a graceful and meaningful bouquet.
Lilies are one of the most reliable flowers for florists because they are available through much of the year.
In New Zealand, lilies are especially plentiful through spring, summer, and autumn, but thanks to local growers, we can usually source fresh lilies across most seasons.
This makes lilies a dependable choice for bouquets, sympathy flowers, and special occasions throughout Auckland.
You can also read our guide to what flowers are in season in New Zealand.
Lilies are excellent value because they last so well. With the right care, many lily bouquets will look beautiful for 7 to 14 days.
One of the joys of receiving lilies is watching the buds slowly open over time, so do not worry if your bouquet arrives with some closed buds. That is often a sign your lilies are fresh and will last longer.
Lily pollen is beautiful in the flower, but not so beautiful on your tablecloth. It can stain clothing, furniture, and fabric, so we recommend removing the pollen as soon as each flower opens.
Inside the lily bloom, you will see pollen-covered anthers on the ends of the stamens. Gently pinch or pull these away before the pollen becomes dusty.
If lily pollen does get onto fabric, do not rub it. Instead, gently lift the pollen away with sticky tape before treating the stain. Rubbing can push the pollen deeper into the fibres.
As much as we love lilies, this is important for cat owners to know.
True lilies are not suitable for homes with cats. All parts of the plant, including petals, leaves, pollen, stems, and even vase water, can be harmful if ingested by cats.
If you are sending flowers to someone who owns cats, we recommend choosing a different bouquet. Our florists are always happy to suggest beautiful alternatives that are more suitable for pet-friendly homes.
New Zealand has very few true native lilies, but several native plants are commonly called lilies because of their appearance.
Rengarenga, also known as New Zealand rock lily, is one example. The Chatham Island lily and Poor Knights lily are also well-known New Zealand plants with lily-like flowers, although they belong to different plant families.
If you enjoy learning about local flowers, you may also like our guide to New Zealand Native Flowers.
Image courtesy of Southern Woods Nursery NZ
Are lilies good flowers to send for sympathy?
Yes. Lilies are often chosen for sympathy flowers because they symbolise peace, remembrance, renewal, and respect. White lilies are especially popular for sympathy bouquets and funeral flowers.
Are lilies strongly scented?
Some lilies are strongly scented and others are not. Oriental lilies are known for their rich fragrance, while Asiatic lilies are usually unscented or only lightly scented.
How long do lilies last in a vase?
Lilies can often last 7 to 14 days with good care. They are usually delivered with some closed buds so the recipient can enjoy watching them open over time.
Are lilies safe for cats?
No. True lilies are not suitable for homes with cats. Petals, leaves, pollen, stems, and vase water can all be harmful if ingested by cats.
How do you remove lily pollen?
Gently remove the pollen-covered anthers as each lily opens. If pollen gets onto fabric, lift it off with sticky tape rather than rubbing it in.
Are Calla lilies true lilies?
No. Calla lilies are commonly called lilies, but they are not true lilies. They are still widely used in floristry because of their elegant shape.
Whether you are sending sympathy flowers, celebrating a special occasion, or choosing a bouquet for someone who loves fragrant blooms, lilies remain one of the most elegant flowers you can send.
Browse our Lily Bouquets available for Auckland delivery.
Looking to learn more about popular flowers, flower meanings, and seasonal blooms? Explore the Best Blooms Flower Library, our growing collection of florist guides and flower advice.
Jo-Ann Moss is the Creative Director at Best Blooms, an Auckland florist providing fresh flower delivery across the city. Jo-Ann writes about flower gifting, floral care tips, and how to choose the right bouquet for every occasion.
13 May 2026, 10:01 PM
Like this article 746 others enjoyed this article
Seasonal Flowers in New Zealand
Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year NZ (1781 likes)
🌸 Birth Flowers, Birthstones & Star Signs – A Fun NZ Guide (1693 likes)
10 Tips How to make your Flowers live Longer - Flower Care Tips NZ (1563 likes)
Why Best Blooms Loves New Zealand Grown Flowers (1473 likes)
Christmas Celebrations - Guide to New Zealand's most popular Flowers at Christmas (1472 likes)
