Bright, bold, and bursting with joy – discover everything you need to know about gerberas, the ultimate mood-boosting flower.
There’s nothing like a gerbera to put a smile on your face. With the bold, daisy-like faces and a rainbow of colours, gerberas really are some of the most cheerful blooms around. They’re playful, vibrant, and full of personality – the sort of flower that’ll instantly brighten your mood and a bouquet.
But something to know is that gerberas are more than just pretty petals. They’ve got a fascinating backstory and have some surprising practical qualities, too. So whether you’re already a big fan or just want to know a bit more about them, we’ve pulled together all the essentials worth knowing about these bright, joyful flowers.
Gerberas come in a spectrum of shades
One of the best things about gerberas is their incredible range of colours. They come in everything from classic pinks to bold reds, bright yellows and vibrant oranges. There’s even some multi-coloured varieties, meaning there is something to suit every occasion and every mood.
We also love a white gerbera, which bring a fresh and elegant feel to a bouquet, but their striking colours also make for a great focal flower in a bouquet, especially when they’re paired with either greenery or smaller filler flowers – which is also a great way to let a vibrant shade shine.
Gerberas have African roots
Gerberas were first discovered way back in the 18th century in South Africa, and they’re named after a German botanist called Traugott Gerber. Since then, they’ve spread worldwide and are now one of the most popular cut flowers across most of Europe, Asia and the Americas.
As you might be able to tell from their appearance, geberas belong to the same family (known as Asteraceae) as daisies, sunflowers and marigolds. However, it’s thanks to a combination of hybridisation and cultivation that we know have countless varieties to choose from – some with large, bold heads and others with narrower petals that have a more delicate look and feel to them.
Nowadays, gerberas are grown in both greenhouses and fields around the world, making them available almost all year round. Plus, it’s thanks to their global popularity and cheerful character that’s cemented them as a true florist favourite.
Gerberas symbolise happiness, friendship and cheer
Often considered as the ultimate happy flower, gerberas really do have a sunny appearance, and so it probably comes as no surprise to learn that they symbolise joy, cheerfulness and positivity. They really are the kind of flower that’ll instantly lift your spirits, making them perfect for sending to friends or loved ones when you just want to brighten their day.
That’s not just personal opinion, either: in flower language, gerberas are strongly associated with friendship and admiration, something that makes them a great choice for thank you gifts or just because bouquets. They have real versatility, and the light-hearted symbolism means they can be gifted for almost any occasion, without the heavier associations that flowers like roses and lilies tend to have.
Gerberas are extremely long lasting
Not just a pretty face, gerberas are extremely practical, too, and with the right care, they’re known to last over a week in a vase, making them a seriously great value cut flower. They have strong stems and bold heads to boot, which means they’re able to hold their shape really well, which adds another element of lasting impact and is partly why florists love them so much.
Their incredible durability also makes them a brilliant choice for gifts – and with fresh water and flower food – they’ll keep brightening the recipient’s mood day after day after day.
Gerberas have a quirky side
Beyond their mood-boosting look, gerberas also have some fascinating qualities that are interesting to know about. First, they’re known to help filter the air around you. A few studies have shown that gerberas can actually help remove toxins, including benzene and formaldehyde, making them a natural air purifier – but it’s important to note you’ll need more than a single bouquet to reap the full reward.
Another fun fact to know is that gerberas are phototropic flowers, meaning – just like sunflowers – they turn their faces towards the light, which is why you might see them subtly shifting to follow the sun if they’re placed in a bright room.
Gerberas are seasonal flowers
Gerberas are naturally seasonal stems and they typically peak in summer and early autumn, but they’re widely cultivated in greenhouses, so they can be enjoyed year-round. This makes them a reliable choice for both florists and customers alike, since they’re almost always in season somewhere.
Plus, their availability and sheer variety means that gerberas can work for just about any style of bouquet, whether it’s a bold and bright birthday bunch or a softer, pastel arrangement. They’re also a florist’s go-to when they want to create something playful and modern, which comes thanks to their clear shapes and vibrant colours.
Their availability and variety mean gerberas can work for just about any bouquet style, from bright and bold birthday bunches to softer pastel arrangements. They’re also a florist’s go-to when they want to create something playful and modern, thanks to their clear shapes and vibrant shades.
How to care for gerberas in a bouquet
In case it’s not already obvious, gerberas really are easy to love, but they have a few little need-to-know traits when it comes to looking after them, and their hollow stems can be prone to bending if they’re not properly cared for.
So, to keep your gerberas looking fresh for as long as possible, we recommend:
- Trimming stems at an angle, and refreshing the cut every few days
- Changing the water regularly to keep bacteria at bay
- Add flower food to help strengthen the stems and extend vase life
- Support their heads by keeping water levels low – a couple of centimetres from the bottom of the vase should be enough – to help prevent stem rot
- Keep them cool and out of direct sunlight
Why we love gerberas
We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again: gerberas really are the ultimate happy flower. They’re colourful, long-lasting and absolutely bursting with personality. They’re versatile enough to suit any bouquet, and their symbolism of happiness and friendship makes them the perfect pick-me-up.
