Gerbera
The gerbera is the smiling face of the everyday flower shop — bright, single-headed, wide colour range. Weak necks are its one weakness; professional florists wire stems for weddings and events. Modern mini gerberas (5 cm) work as filler; standard gerberas (10 cm) hold their own as focal points.
| Family | Asteraceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | South Africa; commercially grown worldwide |
| Peak season | all year |
| Availability | all year |
| Stem length | 40–70 cm |
| Vase life | 5–10 days |
| Colors | white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, red, burgundy, bicolor |
| Price tier | budget |
Cut on a diagonal. Stems can be threaded with fine floral wire for support (they bend at the head).
- •Weak neck — heads flop; wire the stem for support in weddings
- •Never leave heads submerged during hydration — rot fast
- •Shallow water only (5 cm)
- •Comes in mini (5 cm heads) and standard (10 cm) sizes
14 named gerbera 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.
Frequently asked questions
When is Gerbera in season?
Gerbera peaks in all year, and florists can usually source it all year. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Gerbera last in a vase?
Expect 5–10 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 Gerbera?
Good substitutes for Gerbera include Chrysanthemum, Sunflower, Shasta Daisy. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Gerbera symbolise?
Gerbera is associated with happiness, cheerfulness, beauty.
How do you care for cut Gerbera?
Weak neck — heads flop; wire the stem for support in weddings
