Longest-lasting cut flowers
18 cut flowers that typically last ten days or more in a vase, with season, fragrance and pet safety — for weekly contract flowers, gifts that travel and bouquets meant to last.
Key facts
- Longest in our data: Anthurium (14–21 days), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) (14–21 days), Orchids (cut) (10–21 days).
- 10 of the 18 are available year-round.
- A bouquet only lasts as long as its shortest-lived flower looks good.
Ten days or more
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthurium | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | mildly toxic |
| Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) | 14–21 days | Year-round | None | mildly toxic |
| Orchids (cut) | 10–21 days | Year-round | Light | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Carnation | 10–14 days | Year-round | Light | mildly toxic |
| Bird of paradise | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | mildly toxic |
| Chrysanthemum | 10–14 days | Autumn | Light | mildly toxic |
| Globe amaranth | 10–14 days | Summer, Autumn | None | — |
| Statice | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Dendrobium orchid | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Craspedia (billy buttons) | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Protea | 10–14 days | Winter, Spring | None | — |
| Waxflower | 10–14 days | Winter, Spring | Light | — |
| Alstroemeria | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Allium | 10–14 days | Spring, Summer | Light | mildly toxic |
| Eryngium (sea holly) | 10–14 days | Summer | None | — |
| Pincushion protea | 10–14 days | Winter, Spring | None | — |
| Kangaroo paw | 10–14 days | Spring, Summer | None | — |
| Heliconia | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
A week or more
LilyLisianthusBaby's breathCalla lilyStock (Matthiola)LavenderCelosiaSnapdragonMarigoldChina asterTracheliumGladiolusHelleboreAgapanthusSolidago (goldenrod)Bouvardia
How to use this list
- Weekly contract flowers for offices, hotels and restaurants: build the recipe from the ten-day list so it still looks fresh on day seven.
- Mixed bouquets: keep the vase lives close together. Floreboard flags a design when one flower lasts four days or less and at least five days less than the rest.
- Gifts that will travel or sit before being opened: choose from this list and skip the short-lived flowers.
Cut flower vase life chart · Cut flower care and conditioning guide · Flowers that dry well
FAQ
Which cut flowers last the longest?
In our data: anthurium (14–21 days), star of bethlehem (ornithogalum) (14–21 days), orchids (cut) (10–21 days), carnation (10–14 days), bird of paradise (10–14 days), chrysanthemum (10–14 days).
Which long-lasting flowers are available all year?
Anthurium, Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum), Orchids (cut), Carnation, Bird of paradise, Statice, Dendrobium orchid, Craspedia (billy buttons), Alstroemeria, Heliconia.
Which flowers last two weeks in a vase?
Those with a typical range reaching 14 days or more: anthurium, star of bethlehem (ornithogalum), orchids (cut), carnation, bird of paradise, chrysanthemum, globe amaranth, statice, dendrobium orchid, craspedia (billy buttons), protea, waxflower, alstroemeria, allium, eryngium (sea holly), pincushion protea, kangaroo paw, heliconia.
Which flowers should I avoid if I want a long-lasting bouquet?
The shortest-lived: tulip, tree peony, narcissus (daffodil), camellia, iris, anemone, lily of the valley, gardenia, jasmine, dahlia, lotus, water lily, clematis, poppy, sweet pea, grape hyacinth (muscari). One short-lived stem makes the whole bouquet look tired early.