--- title: "Sacred lily (rohdea): vase life, season, meaning & care | Floreboard flower guide" url: https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/rohdea/ language: en last_reviewed: 2026-10-31 publisher: Floreboard --- # Sacred lily (rohdea): vase life, season, meaning and care for florists ZANDER 5D ♄ ⊔= ＋ ⨂ 14–30 days ☠❄ 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](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/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 🌿 Taxonomy & Origin - **Official name:** Sacred lily (rohdea) - **Botanical name:** Rohdea japonica - **Family:** Asparagaceae - **Aliases:** omoto, sacred lily - **Native origin:** Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide 🌸 Morphology & Visuals - **Growth habit:** Woody perennial shrub or decorative branch with structural lignified stems. - **Stem length:** 80–120 cm - **Natural colours:** Green ⏳ Phenology & Harvest - **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). ✂️ Postharvest & Floristry - **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 We fill in the brief from this page. No stock yet? Load the sample flowers — Sacred lily (rohdea) included — and see a recipe, quote and preview image in about a minute. New shops get 30 free credits. Try it as a design — free ## Care 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](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/anthurium/) | Focal flower | 14–21 days | | [Carnation](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/carnation/) | Focal flower | 10–14 days | | [Bird of paradise](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/strelitzia/) | Focal flower | 10–14 days | | [Statice](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/statice/) | Filler flower | 10–14 days | | [Craspedia (billy buttons)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/craspedia/) | Filler flower | 10–14 days | | [Alstroemeria](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/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](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/palm/) | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — | | [Salal](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/salal/) | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — | | [Aspidistra](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/aspidistra/) | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | — | | [Loquat leaves](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/loquat/) | 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 - [Cut flower care and conditioning guide](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/cut-flower-care/) - [Pet-safe flowers for cats and dogs](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/pet-safe-flowers/) - [Foliage and branches for arrangements](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/foliage-and-branches/) - [Flower meanings: the language of flowers](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flower-meanings/) ## In season at the same time [Rose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/rose/) · [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/) · [Carnation](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/carnation/) · [Gerbera daisy](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gerbera/) · [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/) · [Baby's breath](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gypsophila/) · [Bird of paradise](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/strelitzia/) · [Orchids (cut)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/orchid/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-31. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning. Pet toxicity follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list. [ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) · [About our data](https://floreboard.com/en/about/)