Love-lies-bleeding: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Amaranthus caudatus
Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus, family Amaranthaceae) usually lasts 7–10 days in a vase. In season: Summer, Autumn. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: line flower.
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Love-lies-bleeding
- Botanical name
- Amaranthus caudatus
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Aliases
- love-lies-bleeding
- Native origin
- Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide
- Growth habit
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- Red, Green
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in summer, autumn
- Commercial supply
- Peak in summer, autumn
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Cold storage
- Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity).
- Special care
- Support the long, heavy tassels in a tall vase and keep the water clean. Hang stems upside down to dry.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Line flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Support the long, heavy tassels in a tall vase and keep the water clean. Hang stems upside down to dry.
For florists
Try Love-lies-bleeding in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Support the long, heavy tassels in a tall vase and keep the water clean. Hang stems upside down to dry.
- Love-lies-bleeding dries well: hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy place for two to three weeks.
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 | ✓ | Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base; still check the ASPCA list for the exact species. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 7–10 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as love-lies-bleeding and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Lily | Focal flower | 7–10 days |
| Lisianthus | Focal flower | 7–14 days |
| Calla lily | Focal flower | 7–10 days |
| Eucalyptus | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| Monstera leaf | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| Asparagus fern | Foliage | 10–14 days |
Substitutes
When love-lies-bleeding 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiolus | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | mildly toxic |
| Obedient plant | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | — |
| Dendrobium orchid | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Bells of Ireland | 7–10 days | Summer | None | — |
FAQ
How long does love-lies-bleeding last in a vase?
Usually 7–10 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is love-lies-bleeding in season?
In season in summer, autumn; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.
How do you keep love-lies-bleeding fresh?
Support the long, heavy tassels in a tall vase and keep the water clean. Hang stems upside down to dry.
What colours does love-lies-bleeding come in?
Naturally in red, green (not counting dyed stems).
What can I use instead of love-lies-bleeding?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Gladiolus, Obedient plant, Dendrobium orchid, Bells of Ireland.
Can love-lies-bleeding be dried?
Yes. Hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy place for two to three weeks.
Related guides
In season at the same time
SunflowerHydrangeaChamomileChrysanthemumAstrantiaBells of IrelandBupleurumSiam tulip (Curcuma)