Floral

Lilac

Note Profile

Botanical 316 perfumes

Also Known As

Green Lilac, Syringa

About

Sweet, powdery spring floral with violet-like character

Scent Profile

Lilac has a sweet, powdery floral scent with pronounced green and slightly spicy undertones, reminiscent of freshly opened spring blossoms. Its aroma carries a creamy, almost waxy nuance, and a subtle resemblance to violet and rose, evolving to reveal faint almond and hay-like facets as it dries down.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeHeart · ~6h lasting

Family Floral

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

What this is made of

Lilac names no single substance

Reconstructed

Lilac cannot be extracted; every lilac note is a reconstruction, usually built on terpineol and indole.

How the layers join

Origin

Natural lilac oil is rarely used in perfumery due to the flower's low oil yield and the delicacy of its scent, which is not easily captured by distillation or extraction. Most lilac notes are reconstituted using a blend of synthetic molecules such as lilial, hydroxycitronellal, and other floral aldehydes to recreate its characteristic aroma.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers typically use lilac as a heart note to impart a fresh, romantic floralcy in compositions, often paired with other spring florals like muguet, rose, or hyacinth. It is valued for its ability to evoke a classic, nostalgic springtime mood and is frequently found in feminine and vintage-inspired fragrances.