Types of Lilies: The Complete Guide to Lily Varieties and Forms
Every kind of lily explained — Oriental, Asiatic, LA and longiflorum — with their colours, scent, meanings and care, plus the flowers called "lily" that aren't true lilies.
The lily is one of the grandest cut flowers — large, dramatic and, in some types, gloriously fragrant. But "lily" covers several very different flowers, and some of the most popular "lilies" are not true lilies at all. This guide explains every type, by form, scent and use, with a comparison table and a note on the look-alikes.
What counts as a true lily
A true lily is a member of the genus Lilium — the tall, large-flowered blooms that grow from bulbs and open into trumpets or stars. Within Lilium, the cut-flower world uses four main groups, which differ mainly in flower size, scent and colour range. Several other flowers carry "lily" in their name — calla lily, Peruvian lily, water lily — but belong to entirely different plants (we cover those below). For the botanical naming behind this, see our flower names guide.
Types of lilies: the comparison table
| Type | Size & form | Scent | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oriental lily | Large, flat, showy | Strong, sweet | White, pink, red |
| Asiatic lily | Medium, upward-facing | None | Huge range, bright |
| LA hybrid | Large, robust | Light | Wide, vivid range |
| Longiflorum (Easter) | Trumpet-shaped | Fragrant | White |
| Longiflorum × Asiatic (LO) | Large, elegant | Light | Soft pastels |
The four main types of true lily
Oriental lilies are the showstoppers — huge, flat-faced, intensely fragrant flowers in white, pink and red (think 'Stargazer' and 'Casa Blanca'). They are the lilies people picture first, and the stars of statement design and sympathy work.
Asiatic lilies are smaller, upward-facing and come in the widest, brightest colour range of all — but have no scent, which makes them ideal where fragrance isn't wanted. They are bright, cheerful and great value.
LA hybrids cross longiflorum and Asiatic lilies for the best of both: large, robust flowers in a wide, vivid colour range with only a light scent. They are tough, long-lasting and a florist favourite.
Longiflorum lilies are the classic white trumpet lilies — elegant, fragrant and known as the Easter lily, a symbol of purity used at weddings and Easter alike.
Lily meanings
Lilies carry rich symbolism. The lily broadly means purity, devotion and refined beauty. White lilies specifically signify purity and are the classic flower of sympathy and remembrance, as well as weddings. Pink lilies mean admiration and prosperity, orange lilies confidence and energy, and the stargazer lily (a vivid Oriental) has become a symbol of ambition and success. For the fuller picture, see our language of flowers guide.
The "lilies" that aren't true lilies
Several hugely popular flowers are called lilies but belong to different plants entirely — worth knowing so you order the right thing:
- Calla lily (Zantedeschia) — the sculptural, trumpet-shaped flower loved for modern and wedding design. Not a true lily.
- Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) — the long-lasting, multi-bloom flower that is a bouquet workhorse. Not a true lily.
- Water lily (Nymphaea) — the aquatic flower. Not a cut flower in the usual sense, and not a true lily.
- Lily of the valley (Convallaria) — the tiny, fragrant bells beloved at weddings. Not a true lily.
Caring for lilies
True lilies reward a little care with a long, dramatic display. Give stems a fresh cut and clean water with flower food, and buy them with buds just colouring up — they open beautifully over days in the vase. The one famous tip: remove the pollen-bearing anthers as the flowers open, because lily pollen stains fabric and skin badly. Keep them cool and out of direct sun. Note that lilies (true Lilium and some relatives) are toxic to cats, which is worth flagging to customers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of lilies?
The four main types of true lily are Oriental (large, very fragrant), Asiatic (bright, unscented), LA hybrid (large, lightly scented, tough) and longiflorum (white trumpet, the Easter lily).
What is the difference between Oriental and Asiatic lilies?
Oriental lilies are larger, flat-faced and strongly fragrant in white, pink and red; Asiatic lilies are smaller, upward-facing, come in a wider range of bright colours, and have no scent.
Is a calla lily a real lily?
No. The calla lily (Zantedeschia) and the Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) are not true lilies — true lilies are the genus Lilium. They are simply called lilies by tradition.
What do lilies symbolise?
Lilies symbolise purity, devotion and refined beauty. White lilies mean purity and are the classic sympathy and wedding flower; pink means admiration, and orange means confidence.
Why should you remove lily pollen?
Lily pollen stains fabric and skin badly and can shorten vase life. Removing the anthers as the flowers open keeps the bloom clean and lasting, and is standard florist practice.
Every lily, fresh and graded
From fragrant Orientals to bright Asiatics and elegant white trumpets, having the right lily fresh and well-graded is what matters. At Vibra we select across our growing network in the full range of types and colours. See our A–Z flower encyclopedia, or tell us what you sell and we will build the selection with you.
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