Freesias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the large yellow underwing.

[citation needed] The genus was named in honor of Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese (1795–1876), a German physician.

Numerous cultivars have been bred from these species and the pink- and yellow-flowered forms of Freesia corymbosa.

Modern tetraploid cultivars have flowers ranging from white to yellow, pink, red and blue-mauve.

Due to their specific and pleasing scent, they are often used in hand creams, shampoos, candles, etc.