Gerbera Colours and What They Mean: A Florist's Guide
"Gerber cvet" is a transliteration of the Russian words for the gerbera flower ("gerbera", "tsvetok") and is often used when people look for gerbera colours. Gerberas come in almost every colour except true blue: white, cream, yellow, orange, pink, red, burgundy and bicolour forms, and each shade carries its own mood and meaning.
In our shops in Saint Petersburg, open since 2011, gerberas are one of the flowers customers ask about most. People want to know which colour suits a mother, a colleague or a first date, why gerbera heads sometimes droop and how long the flowers will last. This guide collects the answers we give at the counter every day, from colour meanings to care at home and ordering a gerbera bouquet in Russia from abroad.
What customers mean when they ask for a gerbera
The gerbera is a member of the daisy family, originally from South Africa, with a large flat head and a ring of petals around a contrasting centre. Customers often call it a "big daisy", and the description is fair: the shape is simple and cheerful, which is exactly why it works so well in gift bouquets. Florists distinguish standard gerberas with heads up to 12 cm across and mini gerberas, sometimes called germini, with smaller heads around 6-7 cm.
The centre of the flower matters as much as the petals. A dark, almost black centre makes the colour look more graphic and modern, while a green or light centre gives a softer, fresher look. Some varieties have double or spider-like petals, which add texture to a bouquet. When customers come to us with a photo, we usually start by matching not just the colour but the centre and the head size.
Gerberas look striking on their own, in a mono bouquet of one colour, and they combine easily with roses, chrysanthemums, alstroemeria and greenery. A single bright gerbera in a mixed arrangement acts as a focal point, so a florist places it carefully rather than scattering many heads evenly.
Gerbera colour meanings
In general, gerberas symbolise joy, openness and a cheerful character, so they are rarely misunderstood as a gift. Within that, each colour has its own nuance. Red gerberas speak of passion and strong feeling but feel lighter and less formal than red roses. Pink gerberas stand for admiration, tenderness and gratitude, which makes them a safe choice for mothers, teachers and friends.
Orange gerberas are about energy and warmth: they work well for a birthday, a congratulation on new work or simply to lift someone's mood in a grey northern winter. Yellow gerberas mean friendship and sunshine; most people in Russia now read yellow flowers positively, although some older recipients still remember the old link between yellow and separation. If you are sending flowers to a traditional grandmother, pink or white is the calmer choice.
White and cream gerberas express purity and respect and are used for weddings, for newborn congratulations and in sympathy arrangements. Burgundy and deep wine shades look elegant and adult, and we often suggest them for men or for a formal anniversary. Bicolour gerberas with contrasting tips are playful and suit young recipients and informal occasions.
Bouquets we can deliver
Choosing colours and quantity for a gift
A mono bouquet of one colour looks deliberate and stylish, especially with 7, 9 or 11 stems. In Russia gift bouquets traditionally have an odd number of flowers, because even numbers are associated with funerals. In large mixed bouquets nobody counts the stems, but with a small bunch of gerberas it is better to follow the custom, particularly for older recipients.
For a mixed bouquet, choose two or three colours from the same family: pink with white, orange with yellow, red with burgundy. This keeps the bouquet harmonious and lets the gerberas' bold shape stand out. Contrasting combinations such as orange with purple are striking but suit a confident, modern taste. Greenery like eucalyptus or pistachio gives the round heads some breathing space.
Customers sometimes ask whether gerberas are appropriate for a man. They are: the clear shape and strong colours look less romantic than roses, and burgundy, orange or white gerberas in a compact bouquet are a good choice for a colleague, a father or a friend. For a business occasion, white or cream gerberas with greenery look neutral and respectful.
How to keep gerberas fresh at home
The most common complaint about gerberas is a drooping head. The stem is hollow and covered with fine hairs, and it easily takes up bacteria from the water, which blocks the vessels. The flower then cannot drink and the neck bends. The cure is clean water and very little of it: pour only 5-7 cm of cool water into the vase, because gerbera stems rot quickly when standing deep in water.
Before putting gerberas into a vase, cut each stem by 1-2 cm at an angle with a sharp knife rather than scissors, which crush the stem. Change the water every day or two, rinse the vase and trim the stems again each time. A drop of flower food or a pinch of sugar with a few drops of lemon juice helps, but changing the water regularly is more important than any additive.
Keep the bouquet away from radiators, direct sun and fruit, which releases ethylene and speeds up ageing. If a head has already bent, recut the stem, wrap the bouquet tightly in paper so the heads stand straight, and place it in cool water for an hour or two. With this care gerberas usually stay fresh for about a week, often longer.
Gerberas in different seasons
Gerberas are available all year round, which makes them a dependable choice for any date in the calendar. In winter their bright colours are especially welcome, and orange or yellow gerberas are popular on cold Saint Petersburg days. When a bouquet arrives from the frost, let it rest in its wrapping for 15-20 minutes indoors before unwrapping it, so the petals warm up gradually.
In summer gerberas cope with heat better than many delicate flowers, but they still need fresh water every day. Do not leave the bouquet in a parked car or on a sunny windowsill. On big holidays such as 8 March and 1 September demand for bright, cheerful flowers rises sharply, and gerberas are among the first to be chosen, so it is sensible to order in advance.
For a teacher on 1 September, a bouquet of gerberas in school-friendly colours is a classic choice: it is bright, holds well during a long day and is easy for a child to carry. For 8 March, pink and red gerberas mixed with tulips or alstroemeria make a spring bouquet that does not feel too formal.
Ordering a gerbera bouquet in Russia from abroad
You can choose a bouquet with gerberas in our bouquets catalogue and order it online. Payment is made on the site by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa, which is convenient for customers living outside Russia. A card with your text is free, and delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender, so sign the card if you want to be recognised.
We deliver flowers across Russia. City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed, or you can choose an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or pre-order 1-30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg delivery is around the clock.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival. If the recipient is not at home, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge. All details are on the delivery and payment page, and if you want help choosing colours or timing, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05.
Frequently asked questions
What does "gerber cvet" mean?
It is a transliteration of the Russian words for the gerbera flower and is often used when searching for gerbera colours. Gerberas grow in white, yellow, orange, pink, red, burgundy and bicolour shades.
What do gerberas symbolise?
Gerberas generally stand for joy and cheerfulness. Red adds passion, pink tenderness and gratitude, yellow friendship and white purity and respect.
Why do gerbera heads droop?
Usually bacteria in the water block the hollow stem so the flower cannot drink. Use only 5-7 cm of clean cool water, recut the stems and change the water every day or two.
How long do gerberas last in a vase?
With fresh water and regular trimming they usually stay fresh for about a week, often longer. Keep them away from heat, direct sun and fruit.
Can I pay for a gerbera bouquet with a foreign card?
Yes, foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa. You can also pay by Russian bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay on the site.
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