Practical
Caring for Fresh Flowers in a Hot Climate
Everything that shortens vase life happens faster in Riyadh. These are the habits that make the biggest difference.
Cooler discipline
Most cut flowers are happiest between 2 and 5 °C; tropicals such as orchids and anthurium prefer 12–15 °C and suffer cold damage below that. Keep the cooler stable, avoid opening it constantly and never overload it — air must circulate around the buckets.
Water and hygiene
In heat, bacteria multiply fast and blocked stems are the main cause of drooping heads. Change water every two days, scrub buckets between uses and always cut stems before they go into a fresh bucket.
The delivery van is the danger zone
A closed vehicle in Riyadh can pass 60 °C in minutes. Cool the vehicle before loading, deliver early in the day where possible, and keep transport time as short as you can. Wrapping arrangements adds a small buffer against dry air.
- Pre-cool the vehicle before loading
- Load last, deliver first
- Avoid leaving flowers in a parked car for any length of time
- Advise clients to keep arrangements away from AC vents
Flowers that handle heat better
For events in warm conditions, favour products with sturdy tissue: roses in tight stage, chrysanthemum, carnation, orchids, anthurium, gerbera and strong foliage. Hydrangea, peonies and soft summer flowers are stunning but need more water and cooler handling.
Web-Flora supplies florists, wedding and event professionals, hotels and premium retailers in Saudi Arabia with fresh Dutch flowers. Minimum order is 2 boxes (around €600), shipments leave the Netherlands weekly, and Ahmed Frindi is your direct personal contact.
Frequently asked questions
- What temperature should a florist cooler be in Riyadh?
- Around 2–5 °C for most cut flowers, and 12–15 °C for tropicals such as orchids and anthurium.
- Which flowers last longest in hot weather?
- Chrysanthemum, carnation, orchids, anthurium and well-conditioned roses generally hold up best.