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Flower profile

Iris

Quick facts

Flowers open to 1 to 3 inches across. Long, thin, pointed leaves grow from the base of the stem. Colors include bluish-purple, deep purple, lavender, white and yellow.

Irises

Iris at a glance

Colors
  • Bluish-purple
  • Deep purple
  • Lavender
  • White
  • Yellow
Vase life
Vase life is two to five days
Size
Flowers open to 1 to 3 inches across
Also called
netted iris, Dutch iris

About irises

Flowers open to 1 to 3 inches across. Long, thin, pointed leaves grow from the base of the stem. Colors include bluish-purple, deep purple, lavender, white and yellow. Many have yellow markings on the lower part of the petals. Vase life is two to five days.

How to make irises 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. 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 irises

What colors do irises come in?

Irises come in bluish-purple, deep purple, lavender, white and yellow.

How long do irises last in a vase?

Vase life is two to five days. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for irises?

Keep irises 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.

Where can I buy irises?

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

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