Scientific name: Gerbera jamesonii — commonly known as "gerbera" and "gerbera daisy"
With its neat petals and cheerful colours, gerbera is one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. It comes from South Africa and is now grown in white, yellow, orange, pink, and red. If you are looking for a flower that changes the mood of a room with a single bunch, and suits congratulations, birthdays, and get-well visits, gerbera is one of the best choices. This guide shows how to recognise a fresh gerbera and how to keep it fresh for more days.
Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Gerbera jamesonii
- Origin: South Africa
- Colours: White, yellow, orange, pink, red, and two-tone
- Vase life: Usually 7 to 14 days, if the water stays clean and the flowers stay in a cool place. This is a common market range, and it depends on how fresh the flowers were when bought and on room temperature.
- Season: Grown in greenhouses, it is available in all seasons, and more abundant in spring and summer.
How to Recognise a Fresh Gerbera
- Petals: Firm and lively. Soft, bent, or spotted petals are a sign of age.
- Centre: Firm and dark. A soft or mouldy centre should not be bought.
- Stem: Firm, green, and not slimy. A soft, slimy stem means the flower stood in dirty water.
- Leaves: Green and fresh. Yellow, wilted leaves mean the flower has been in the shop for a long time.
Keeping It in a Vase, Step by Step
- Fill a clean vase with cool, clean water. Dirty water is the greatest enemy of gerbera, because bacteria block its hollow stem.
- Cut the stem at an angle with a sharp knife, about 2 centimetres. An angled cut gives a larger surface for absorbing water.
- Remove any leaves that would sit under water; leaves in water rot and dirty the water.
- Place the vase in a cool, bright spot, away from direct sun, air-conditioner drafts, and heaters.
- Change the water completely every 2 days and trim the stems a little each time.
- Keep the vase away from ripe fruit; the gas from ripe fruit makes flowers wilt sooner.
The Bent-Stem Problem (Bent Neck)
Gerbera stems are hollow, and sometimes the flower head bends over. The usual cause is a stem blocked by bacteria or a lack of water. To prevent it, keep the water clean and trim the stems regularly. If a head bends, cut the stem at an angle again and place the flower in deep, cool water for a few hours; sometimes the head straightens again, but if the stem has gone soft and rotted, it will not recover.
Which Occasion Suits Gerbera?
- Congratulations and birthdays: Cheerful yellow, orange, and pink colours carry a joyful message.
- Get-well visits: A bright, gentle gerbera bunch, with no strong scent, suits a patient's room.
- Thanks and friendship: A bunch of mixed-colour gerberas makes a cheerful, warm gift.
- Condolences: White gerbera is a calm, respectful choice.
- Note: Gerbera has no strong scent, so it is a good choice for people who are sensitive to flower fragrance.
Toxicity for Children and Pets
According to reputable plant lists, gerbera is not considered toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it one of the safer flowers for the home in this respect. Even so, eating any plant in large amounts can upset the stomach, so if you have a small child or a curious pet, keep the flowers out of reach.
How to Order Through WhatsApp, Step by Step
- Tell us the colour and the number of stems you have in mind.
- Tell us the occasion (congratulations, birthday, get-well, thanks) so a fitting mix can be suggested.
- Tell us the delivery time and address so the flowers arrive fresh and on time.
- For details, ask on WhatsApp.
- Before delivery, Sabzara sends you a photo of the prepared bunch, so any change can be made right away.