Lily vs. Jasmine — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
Lilies are known for their large, prominent flowers and variety in color, while Jasmines are prized for their small, fragrant white flowers and use in perfumes.
Difference Between Lily and Jasmine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lilies, belonging to the genus Lilium, showcase large, often trumpet-shaped flowers that come in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, and orange. They are popular in gardens and as cut flowers due to their striking appearance. On the other hand, Jasmines, from the genus Jasminum, are known for their small, star-shaped white flowers that emit a sweet, potent fragrance, making them favorites in both gardens and the perfume industry.
The growth habits of lilies and jasmines also differ significantly. Lilies typically grow from bulbs and have a more upright stature, with a cluster of flowers at the top of each stem. Whereas jasmines are generally shrubs or vines, often used for covering walls, fences, and trellises, adding both visual beauty and a delightful scent to outdoor spaces.
While lilies are mostly grown for their ornamental value in gardens and as bouquet flowers, their blooms symbolize purity and refined beauty in various cultures. Jasmines, besides their ornamental use, hold a significant place in cultural traditions, symbolizing love, beauty, and motherhood in some cultures, and are widely used in tea and perfume for their aromatic properties.
Care requirements for lilies and jasmines also show contrast. Lilies prefer well-drained soil and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, requiring moderate watering. In contrast, jasmines often prefer more consistent moisture, well-drained soil, and full to partial sunlight, with some varieties being more shade-tolerant.
Despite their differences, both lilies and jasmines hold a cherished place in the world of flora, each bringing its own unique beauty and fragrance to gardens and homes. Lilies, with their grand, colorful blooms, make a bold statement, while the delicate, perfumed flowers of jasmine offer a serene and sensory delight.
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Comparison Chart
Scientific Genus
Lilium
Jasminum
Flower Size
Large, often trumpet-shaped
Small, star-shaped
Common Colors
White, yellow, pink, red, orange
White (primarily), yellow in some species
Fragrance
Mild to non-existent
Strong, sweet
Plant Type
Mostly perennial bulbs
Shrubs or vines
Symbolism
Purity, beauty, renewal, motherhood in certain cultures
Love, beauty, sensuality, motherhood in various cultures
Uses
Ornamental, cut flowers
Ornamental, perfumery, tea
Preferred Habitat
Well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade
Well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, tolerates some shade
Watering Needs
Moderate, prefers well-drained conditions
Consistent moisture preferred, but requires well-drained soil
Compare with Definitions
Lily
They require well-drained soil, moderate watering, and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade.
To ensure the lilies thrived, they were planted in a sunny spot with soil that allowed for good drainage.
Jasmine
A fragrant flowering plant known for its small, white, star-shaped flowers.
The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine, its delicate flowers a feast for the senses.
Lily
A type of flowering plant known for its large, often colorful and trumpet-shaped flowers.
The garden was alive with the vibrant hues of lilies, their majestic blooms turning heads.
Jasmine
Jasmine plants can be either shrubs or vines, often used to adorn walls or fences.
The jasmine vine climbed eagerly up the trellis, a cascade of green and white.
Lily
Lilies come in a wide range of colors and species, each with its own unique characteristics.
From the elegant Asiatic lily to the fragrant Oriental lily, the diversity within the genus is astonishing.
Jasmine
Beyond its ornamental use, jasmine is used in making tea and in the perfume industry.
The soothing jasmine tea was the perfect end to a long day, its aroma calming and comforting.
Lily
Lilies often symbolize purity, renewal, and refined beauty, making them popular in celebrations and ceremonies.
The bride carried a bouquet of white lilies, symbolizing purity and new beginnings.
Jasmine
Jasmine is celebrated for its sweet, powerful fragrance, widely used in perfumes and aromatherapy.
The essence of jasmine in the perfume was mesmerizing, evoking memories of serene summer nights.
Lily
Most lilies grow from bulbs and have a straight, tall stem with a cluster of flowers on top.
The lily stems stood tall and proud, each crowned with a burst of colorful blooms.
Jasmine
In many cultures, jasmine symbolizes love, beauty, and motherhood.
Jasmine flowers were woven into garlands, symbolizing love and respect in the ceremony.
Lily
A bulbous plant with large trumpet-shaped, typically fragrant, flowers on a tall, slender stem.
Jasmine
Jasmine (taxonomic name Jasminum YASS-min-əm) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia and Oceania.
Lily
A heraldic fleur-de-lis.
Jasmine
An Old World shrub or climbing plant which is popular as an ornamental and bears fragrant white, pink, or yellow flowers.
Lily
Any of various plants of the genus Lilium, having variously colored, often trumpet-shaped flowers.
Jasmine
Any of several vines or shrubs of the genus Jasminum, native chiefly to Asia and having usually compound leaves and white or yellow flowers. Some of the fragrant species are used in making perfume.
Lily
Any of various similar or related plants, such as the daylily or the water lily.
Jasmine
The perfume obtained from these plants.
Lily
The flower of any of these plants.
Jasmine
See yellow jessamine.
Lily
Any of several flowers in the genus Lilium of the family Liliaceae, which includes a great many ornamental species.
Jasmine
Any of several plants or shrubs having fragrant flowers.
Lily
Any of several species of herbaceous flower which may or may not resemble the genus Lilium in some way, and which are not closely related to it or each other.
Jasmine
A light to brilliant yellow.
Lily
(heraldry) The flower used as a heraldic charge; also commonly used to describe the fleur-de-lis.
Jasmine
Any of several plants, of the genus Jasminum, mostly native to Asia, having fragrant white or yellow flowers.
Lily
The end of a compass needle that should point north, traditionally often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
Jasmine
The perfume obtained from these plants.
Lily
A royal spade in auction bridge.
Jasmine
Any of several not closely related plants having a similar perfume.
Lily
(cartomancy) The thirtieth Lenormand card, representing calmness and maturity.
Jasmine
A yellow colour.
Lily
White (as a racial epithet).
Jasmine
A shrubby plant of the genus Jasminum, bearing flowers of a peculiarly fragrant odor. The Jasminum officinale, common in the south of Europe, bears white flowers. The Arabian jasmine is Jasminum Sambac, and, with Jasminum angustifolia, comes from the East Indies. The yellow false jasmine in the Gelseminum sempervirens (see Gelsemium). Several other plants are called jasmine in the West Indies, as species of Calotropis and Faramea.
Lily
A plant and flower of the genus Lilium, endogenous bulbous plants, having a regular perianth of six colored pieces, six stamens, and a superior three-celled ovary.
Jasmine
Any of several shrubs and vines of the genus Jasminum chiefly native to Asia
Lily
A name given to handsome flowering plants of several genera, having some resemblance in color or form to a true lily, as Pancratium, Crinum, Amaryllis, Nerine, etc.
Lily
That end of a compass needle which should point to the north; - so called as often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
But sailing further, it veers its lily to the west.
Lily
A royal spade; - usually in pl. See Royal spade, below.
Lily
Any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
Common Curiosities
What distinguishes a lily from a jasmine plant?
Lilies are known for their large, colorful blooms and bulb growth, while jasmine is famed for its fragrant, small white flowers and vine or shrub form.
How often should I water my lily plant?
Lilies should be watered moderately, ensuring the soil is well-drained to prevent bulb rot.
Can jasmine grow in the shade?
Jasmine plants can tolerate some shade, but they bloom best with access to full or partial sunlight.
Do lilies return every year?
Many lily species are perennials and will return each year if they are cared for properly.
Is jasmine only white?
Jasmine flowers are primarily white, but some species can have yellow flowers.
Can lilies be grown indoors?
Some lily species can be grown indoors with adequate light and care, but they generally thrive outdoors.
Are all lilies fragrant?
Not all lily species are fragrant; some are bred more for visual appeal than scent.
How can I use jasmine in my home?
Jasmine can be used as a decorative plant, in perfumes, or dried in teas for a soothing aroma.
What type of soil is best for jasmine plants?
Jasmine plants thrive in well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
Can lilies be toxic to pets?
Yes, lilies can be highly toxic to cats and some lily varieties can also be toxic to dogs.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
