Sacred lily (rohdea): vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Rohdea japonica
Sacred lily (rohdea) (Rohdea japonica, family Asparagaceae) usually lasts 14–30 days in a vase. In season: Year-round. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: foliage.
- Botanical name
- Rohdea japonica
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Role in a design
- Foliage
- Vase life
- 14–30 days
- In season
- Year-round
- Fragrance
- None
- Colours
- green
- Meaning
- Everlasting youth and prosperity — the Chinese name means “green for ten thousand years”
- Type
- Branch / foliage
- Pets
- Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Sacred lily (rohdea)
- Botanical name
- Rohdea japonica
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Aliases
- omoto, sacred lily
- Native origin
- Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide
- Growth habit
- Woody perennial shrub or decorative branch with structural lignified stems.
- Stem length
- 80–120 cm
- Natural colours
- Green
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in spring and summer
- Commercial supply
- Available year-round via commercial greenhouse production
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 14–30 days
- Cold storage
- Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity).
- Special care
- Thick, arching evergreen leaves (sometimes with a red berry cluster) for formal and New Year pieces; in Ikenobo it is a classic subject. Very long-lasting.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Foliage in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Thick, arching evergreen leaves (sometimes with a red berry cluster) for formal and New Year pieces; in Ikenobo it is a classic subject. Very long-lasting.
For florists
Try Sacred lily (rohdea) in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Thick, arching evergreen leaves (sometimes with a red berry cluster) for formal and New Year pieces; in Ikenobo it is a classic subject. Very long-lasting.
- Sacred lily (rohdea) is mildly toxic to cats and dogs: remind clients with pets to keep it out of reach.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ! | Mildly toxic if eaten — advise keeping it out of reach. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | Long-lasting (about 14–30 days) — good for orders prepared ahead and weekly contract flowers. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as sacred lily (rohdea) and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Anthurium | Focal flower | 14–21 days |
| Carnation | Focal flower | 10–14 days |
| Bird of paradise | Focal flower | 10–14 days |
| Statice | Filler flower | 10–14 days |
| Craspedia (billy buttons) | Filler flower | 10–14 days |
| Alstroemeria | Filler flower | 10–14 days |
Substitutes
When sacred lily (rohdea) is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm leaves | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Salal | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Aspidistra | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Loquat leaves | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — |
FAQ
How long does sacred lily (rohdea) last in a vase?
Usually 14–30 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is sacred lily (rohdea) in season?
It is available year-round.
How do you keep sacred lily (rohdea) fresh?
Thick, arching evergreen leaves (sometimes with a red berry cluster) for formal and New Year pieces; in Ikenobo it is a classic subject. Very long-lasting.
What does sacred lily (rohdea) symbolise?
Everlasting youth and prosperity — the Chinese name means “green for ten thousand years”. Flower meanings are popular conventions and vary between cultures.
Is sacred lily (rohdea) toxic to cats or dogs?
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
What can I use instead of sacred lily (rohdea)?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Palm leaves, Salal, Aspidistra, Loquat leaves.
Related guides
In season at the same time
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