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Queen Anne’s Lace

Quick facts

Botanical name: Daucus carota (wild carrot); florists usually sell Ammi majus (false Queen Anne's lace). In SAF's language of flowers, queen Anne's Lace means delicate femininity.

Queen Anne’s Lace at a glance

Meaning
delicate femininity
Colors
  • White
  • Green-white
Season
Mid-summer to mid-fall in the wild; Ammi sold as a cut flower spring through summer.
Special care
Buy umbels when most florets are open. Re-cut stems and use flower food; change water often, hollow stems foul water quickly. Wear gloves - sap and leaves can cause skin irritation in sun.
Size
Flat, lacy white flower umbels 3 to 4 inches across, made up of hundreds of tiny florets - wild carrot often has a single dark purple floret at the center
Also called
Wild carrot, Bishop's flower (Ammi), False Queen Anne's lace

Pet safety

False Queen Anne's lace (Ammi majus) is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; wild carrot sap can cause skin irritation.

About queen Anne’s Laces

Flat, lacy white flower umbels 3 to 4 inches across, made up of hundreds of tiny florets - wild carrot often has a single dark purple floret at the center. Used as an airy filler.

How to make queen Anne’s Laces last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For queen Anne’s Laces. Buy umbels when most florets are open. Re-cut stems and use flower food; change water often, hollow stems foul water quickly. Wear gloves - sap and leaves can cause skin irritation in sun.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about queen Anne’s Laces

What does the Queen Anne’s Lace mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the Queen Anne’s Lace stands for "delicate femininity".

What colors do Queen Anne’s Laces come in?

Queen Anne’s Laces come in white and green-white.

How do you care for Queen Anne’s Laces?

Keep Queen Anne’s Laces cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For Queen Anne’s Laces: Buy umbels when most florets are open. Re-cut stems and use flower food; change water often, hollow stems foul water quickly. Wear gloves - sap and leaves can cause skin irritation in sun.

Are Queen Anne’s Laces safe around pets?

False Queen Anne's lace (Ammi majus) is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; wild carrot sap can cause skin irritation.

Where can I buy Queen Anne’s Laces?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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