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Flower profile

Gladiolus

Quick facts

Tall, tightly packed spikes of six to eight blossoms open in sequence from the bottom. The 2- to 8-inch-wide florets bloom in one direction with sword shaped foliage on stems.

Gladioli

Gladiolus at a glance

Colors
  • Salmon
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Lavender
  • Purple
  • Blue
  • Terra cotta
Size
The 2- to 8-inch-wide florets bloom in one direction with sword shaped foliage on stems
Also called
glad, gladioli

About gladioli

Tall, tightly packed spikes of six to eight blossoms open in sequence from the bottom. The 2- to 8-inch-wide florets bloom in one direction with sword shaped foliage on stems. Gladioli lend itself to almost any type of style from the use of a full stem to provide height to a tall arrangement or individual florets for corsage and wedding work. Gladiolus last seven to 10 days and are available in a wide variety of colors including white, green, cream, yellow, buff, orange, salmon, pink, red, lavender, purple, blue and terra cotta.

How to make gladioli last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about gladioli

What colors do gladioli come in?

Gladioli come in salmon, pink, red, lavender, purple, blue and terra cotta.

How do you care for gladioli?

Keep gladioli cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents.

Where can I buy gladioli?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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