Bouvardia
Bouvardia is a Mexican member of the coffee family, carrying tight clusters of slender four-petalled stars in white, pink, coral and red — the white forms delicately scented. Its airy heads add texture and a soft, hand-gathered feel to bouquets, and it has long been a wedding favourite. Bouvardia is notoriously thirsty and ethylene-sensitive, wilting fast if allowed to dry, so it rewards attentive conditioning. Used well, it brings a fresh, starry filler few other flowers can match.
| Family | Rubiaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mexico and Central America |
| Peak season | August, September, October |
| Availability | June, July, August, September, October, November |
| Stem length | 30–50 cm |
| Vase life | 5–8 days |
| Colors | white, pink, red, coral |
| Price tier | mid |
Condition bouvardia the moment it arrives — it wilts quickly if left dry. Recut stems and place in clean water with flower food, ideally one containing an ethylene inhibitor, as it is very sensitive to ethylene gas. Keep it away from ripening fruit and store cool. Never let the stems dry out during design work.
- •Condition immediately — it dislikes being dry
- •Use flower food with an ethylene inhibitor
- •Keep away from ripening fruit and fumes
- •Recut stems and refresh water often
- •Store cool and keep well hydrated
2 named bouvardia cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Also known as
- trumpetilla, Aeginetia longiflora, Anotis longiflora, Bouvardia carmea, Bouvardia delicata, Bouvardia humboldtii, Bouvardia humboldtii corymbiflora, Bouvardia jasminoides, Bouvardia jasminoides compacta, Bouvardia longiflora latifolia, Houstonia longiflora
- Distribution
- Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southwest
- Cold storage
- 7–10 °C
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY), USDA Agriculture Handbook 66 (public domain)
Frequently asked questions
When is Bouvardia in season?
Bouvardia peaks in August, September, October, and florists can usually source it June, July, August, September, October, November. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Bouvardia last in a vase?
Expect 5–8 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Bouvardia?
Good substitutes for Bouvardia include Waxflower, Jasmine, Sweet William. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Bouvardia symbolise?
Bouvardia is associated with enthusiasm, zest, warmth.
How do you care for cut Bouvardia?
Condition immediately — it dislikes being dry
Related flowers
Free to quote and cite with attribution and a link back, for non-commercial and editorial use (blogs, journalism, classrooms, research).
Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Bouvardia”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/bouvardia/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/bouvardia/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Bouvardia</a>