Lilytopia Guide: Lily Varieties & Where to Buy in Singapore
This September, we're taking a little inspiration from one of our favourite blooms — the lily. Gardens by the Bay's Flower Dome is currently home to Lilytopia, its first Ancient Egypt-themed floral display, running until 27 September 2026 and featuring more than 7,000 lilies across 46 species and varieties, alongside temple-inspired architecture built around the Nile. If Lilytopia has you looking twice at lilies, it felt like the perfect excuse to appreciate the beauty and variety within the flower ourselves: delicate forms, bold colours, and graceful silhouettes that look nothing alike despite sharing a name.
Most people picture one type of lily when they hear the word. In reality, "lily" covers several genuinely distinct varieties — and knowing the difference makes it easier to choose the right lily bouquet in Singapore for a gift, an event, or your own home.
Classic lilies — for a romantic, fragrant statement
Large, lush, and beautifully fragrant, the classic lily is the variety most associated with the word "lily" — big, open blooms with a scent strong enough to fill a room. Its soft, romantic feel makes it a natural choice for anniversaries, sympathy arrangements, or anywhere a bouquet needs real presence.
Double petal lily — fuller, layered, and a little more dramatic
A double petal lily takes the classic shape and adds extra rows of petals, giving each bloom a richer, more layered look. It's just as fragrant as the standard lily, with a bit more visual drama — a good choice when you want the bouquet to feel a little more special without switching to a different flower entirely.
Alstroemeria — small, colourful, and long-lasting
Alstroemeria stands apart from the other two entirely. Its blooms are smaller and star-shaped, often with delicate speckled patterns, and it comes in a genuinely wide range of cheerful colours. The fragrance is much lighter, but it more than makes up for that with vase life — alstroemeria is known for lasting significantly longer than most cut flowers, making it a reliable everyday pick.
Visiting Lilytopia at Gardens by the Bay
If you haven't seen it yet, Lilytopia runs at the Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay until 27 September 2026 — worth a visit for anyone who loves lilies as much as we do. It also pairs nicely with a stop at our Dempsey Hill studio afterward: order your lily bouquet in advance and collect it after your visit, so you can bring a little of Lilytopia home with you the same day.
Choosing between them
If the occasion calls for fragrance and romance, normal lilies do the most work. If you want that same classic look with a bit more visual richness, double petal lilies are the upgrade. And if longevity and colour variety matter more than fragrance, alstroemeria is hard to beat.
A note if you have pets at home
Lilies are highly toxic to cats — even small amounts of pollen, petals, or vase water can cause serious kidney damage, and in some cases can be fatal. This applies to true lilies (including the normal and double petal varieties above). Alstroemeria is not a true lily and is considerably less dangerous by comparison, though it's still mildly toxic to cats and dogs and can cause stomach upset if ingested. If you have a cat or dog at home, we'd recommend choosing a pet-friendly alternative altogether rather than any lily variety — roses, orchids, and sunflowers are all considered safe options. Ask our florists for a pet-friendly bouquet if this is a concern.
Inspired to bring a little of Lilytopia home? Customise your own lily bouquet, choosing from our normal, double petal, and alstroemeria varieties — available for delivery across Singapore this September. Just let us know if pet safety is a consideration and we'll recommend a suitable alternative.
