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Tuesday 06 January 2026
Why houseplants are the perfect solution after the holidays
From source to florist: caring for tropical flowers in winter
Monday 19 January 2026
Thanks to direct lines with growers such as Magic Flowers, DGI offers access to high-quality tropical flowers with origins far beyond the Netherlands. But quality doesn’t stop at purchasing, proper handling afterwards is at least as important. In this guest blog, Claudia from Magic Flowers explains how to correctly care for tropical flowers after transport and storage, so their strength, colour and longevity truly shine, even in the coldest months.
6 key tips florists should keep in mind when working with tropical flowers during winter
1) High humidity around the blooms
Tropical flowers mainly absorb water through their bracts, not just through the stems. Therefore, the most important care tip is to thoroughly spray the flower heads with water twice a day to keep them fully hydrated and vibrant.
Winter air is dry, both outdoors and due to indoor heating. Mist tropical flowers generously and keep them in spaces with higher humidity. Your tropical cooler should have a humidity level above 75%.
2) Do not remove the plastic sleeves when displaying tropicals
A common mistake is displaying heliconias, gingers and other tropicals without their sleeves. Unsleeved flowers dehydrate much faster. The sleeve creates a humid buffer and prevents mechanical damage, just like the sleeves and cardboard used for roses.
3) Hydrate properly
After long flights and cool-chain handling, tropicals often arrive thirsty. Recut the stems and place them immediately in a bucket with plenty of room-temperature water, ideally about 8 inches (20 cm).
4) Temperature shock prevention
Tropicals are highly sensitive to sudden temperature drops. Avoid exposing them to more than 24 hours of cold trucking. Let boxes acclimate indoors for 20–30 minutes before opening to prevent cold burn. Our rule of thumb: if you feel cold, tropicals feel cold. If you need a jacket, they need one too.
5) Proper storage conditions
Never place tropicals in standard flower coolers (1–5°C). They should be stored at 13–18°C for optimal longevity. This applies to anthuriums, gingers, heliconias, tropical greens and torch gingers.
6) Use the box plastic to create a protective microclimate
Reuse the plastic sheets from the boxes to cover the flowers at night. First spray the blooms generously with water, then cover them to create a humid, protective microclimate that keeps tropicals fresh during dry winter conditions.
Small tips florists can share with final customers
(Perfect for a care card or quick verbal instructions.)
The most important thing is to spray the flower heads fully with fresh water once a day to keep the bracts hydrated.
Keep tropical flowers away from cold air, air conditioning, heaters and open windows.
Change the vase water every 2–3 days using room-temperature water.