Flower encyclopedia

Gerbera: Colours, Meaning & Care Guide

Gerbera jamesonii and its hybrids are native to southern Africa and are now a global greenhouse crop.

Gerbera at a glance

Gerberas are hybrid daisies grown as colourful cut flowers. They are associated with cheerfulness and are common birthday and get-well flowers. Hollow stems need careful support. They are produced year-round in greenhouses.

Flower: Gerbera
Botanical name: Gerbera jamesonii hybrids
Family: Asteraceae
Colours: Pink, Orange, Yellow, Red, White
Typical season: Greenhouse crop; available all year.
Fragrance: None to very light.
Popular for: birthday, get-well, congratulations, just-because
Vase life: Several days to about a week; necks bend if water uptake fails.

What is a gerbera?

A gerbera 'flower' is a composite head. Breeders have produced standard large heads and smaller mini gerberas in almost every colour except true blue.

They photograph brightly and feel informal, which is why they appear in birthday and congratulations work more than in formal sympathy (unless requested).

Origin: Southern Africa (species); hybrids worldwide. · Habitat: Commercial greenhouses.

What does a gerbera mean?

Modern lists usually assign gerberas cheerfulness, innocence and everyday joy. There is less historical floriography than for roses.

Gerbera colours

Pink

Admiration and celebration

Often chosen for birthday

Orange

Energy

Often chosen for congratulations

Yellow

Sunshine and get-well wishes

Often chosen for get-well

Red

Bolder affection without rose formality

Often chosen for just-because

White

Purity and simplicity

Often chosen for thank-you

Gerbera varieties

Standard gerbera

Large single heads on long stems.

Mini gerbera

Smaller heads for mixed bouquets.

When is gerbera in season?

Quality depends more on handling than on outdoor season. Bent necks usually mean a hydration or support issue.

USA
Year-round grocery and florist colour flower.
UK
Everyday cheerful cut flower.
australia
Year-round greenhouse and import supply.
canada
Year-round greenhouse colour flower.
europe
Major Dutch and southern European greenhouse crop.
UAE
Imported; keep cool after delivery.

Seasonal flower calendar →

How to care for gerberas

Keep water shallow-to-moderate and very clean — hollow stems rot if bacteria build up.
Support the neck; a grid or wrapped bunch helps.
Avoid deep submersion of the head.

Pet safety: Generally regarded as non-toxic, but chewing can still cause mild upset.

Pollen: Some people sensitive to daisy-family pollen may notice it; many cut cultivars are selected for cleaner centres.

Gerberas for different occasions

Gerberas are a safe cheerful choice when roses would feel too romantic.

birthday get well

Shop gerbera arrangements

Browse the live catalog for bouquets and gifts that include gerberas.

View gerbera products

Gerbera delivery

BlossomPot lists delivery destinations we actually publish. US city pages are gift-delivery destinations. Canada, Australia and Europe city pages explain how to send gifts from those cities to a US address — they are not local florist storefronts we do not operate.