Founding florist
Tulipanna
Bondi NSW · est. 1992
A Bondi Road florist since 1992, with seasonal bouquets, arrangements, roses and potted orchids, and a weekly note on what's at market.
Seasonal cut flowerGerbera jamesonii
Gerberas: when they're in season in Australia
Gerberas are available all year in Australia, from local growers.Being confirmed
- Right now
- In season in September
- Season
- all year
- Vase life
- 7 to 12 days
Season by state
Gerberas are available year-round in Australia thanks to climate-controlled glasshouses. One of the country's largest gerbera farms, near Healesville in Victoria, grows around 450 varieties hydroponically under 1.2 hectares of glass. Garden gerberas flower through the warmer months and rest over winter in cool climates. Big, flat daisies in almost every colour except true blue, they come as standards and minis. Picked at the right stage they can last two weeks or more.
Where to buy gerberas
Affordable year-round, sold by the stem or bunch. Being confirmed
How to choose good gerberas
Look closely at the centre. A fresh gerbera has only a ring or two of tiny florets open around the middle, and the petals lie flat and firm. Petals should not curl at the tips or look see-through. Check the stem is straight and firm right up to the head, as a soft neck is where bending starts. Many arrive with a plastic cap over each head to protect it in transit. Being confirmed Five to seven stems fill a medium vase. Because they are glasshouse grown, quality and value stay fairly steady all year.
Grown here or imported?
Gerberas are not native to Australia, but they're grown here commercially.
Where they're grown
Most Australian gerberas come from hydroponic glasshouses, where plants grow in troughs of soil-free media fed with nutrient water, heated in winter and shaded in summer. Being confirmed Each plant flowers for several years and produces stems all year. One of the largest farms is near Healesville in Victoria's Yarra Valley, growing around 450 varieties under glass. Other glasshouse growers supply the Sydney and Brisbane markets. Being confirmed The species itself comes from grassland in South Africa. Garden gerberas want full sun, free-draining soil and a crown that stays dry, so plant them slightly high.
Stems at Australian markets are mostly grown here, so when they are out of season they are hard to find. Being confirmed
Colours, varieties and care
Colours
- white
- cream
- yellow
- orange
- apricot
- red
- pink
- magenta
- burgundy
- lime
Varieties to ask for
- Standard
- Mini (germini)
- Spider (pasta)
Vase life
7 to 12 days Being confirmed
Making them last
- Choose blooms with outer petals fully open but before the centre sheds pollen
- Recut stems and stand in about 10cm of clean water
- Add a few drops of bleach to the water to slow bacteria
- Support heavy heads, as stems can bend
- Change the water every couple of days
Using them at home
Gerberas are graphic, so give them room. A tall, narrow cylinder, or a row of bottles with one stem each, suits their flat faces better than a crowded bunch. In summer, mix them with sunflowers for a bright jug, or add minis to dahlias from January. Chrysanthemums and carnations make easy partners all year. Over the vase life the petals hold while the centre slowly opens outward. The heads also turn towards the light, so give the vase a quarter turn every day or two to keep them straight.
Meaning
Traditionally a flower of cheerfulness.
Where to see them growing
Sydney Flower Market
Flemington
Best: all yearBeing confirmed
Melbourne Market flower market (National Flower Centre)
Epping
Best: all yearBeing confirmed
Questions people ask
When are gerberas in season in Australia?
Gerberas are at Australian markets all year because they are grown in climate-controlled glasshouses. Outdoor garden gerberas flower through the warmer months and rest over winter in cool areas.
Why do my gerbera stems bend?
Stems bend when bacteria block the water uptake or the vase is too deep. Keep the water shallow, about 10cm, add a couple of drops of bleach and change it every two days.
How long do gerberas last?
Seven to twelve days with care, and a Victorian grower told ABC Gardening Australia well-picked gerberas can last two to three weeks. Poorly timed picks may last only a few days.
Are gerberas safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists gerbera daisies as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, which makes them a good choice for a home with pets. Eating a lot of any plant can still cause a mild tummy upset, so keep a chewing puppy away from the vase.
Can you grow gerberas in Melbourne?
Yes, in a warm, sunny spot. Plant with the crown sitting slightly above the soil, in free-draining mix, and water the soil rather than the leaves. In Melbourne they flower through the warmer months, then rest over winter. Pots let you move them somewhere sheltered when it turns cold.
