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Flower profile

Stephanotis

Quick facts

Botanical name: Stephanotis floribunda. In SAF's language of flowers, stephanotis means good luck.

Stephanotis at a glance

Meaning
good luck
Colors
  • White
Season
Year-round from commercial growers.
Special care
Buy fully open, unbruised flowers. Keep blooms cool and misted; in bridal work wire them with a moistened cotton stem. Handle gently; petals bruise and brown.
Also called
Madagascar jasmine, Bridal wreath, Hawaiian wedding flower, Wax flower

Pet safety

Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

About stephanotises

A glossy-leaved evergreen vine whose clusters of small, waxy, pure white tubular flowers are intensely fragrant. The individual blooms are a classic for bridal bouquets, boutonnieres and leis.

How to make stephanotises 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. For stephanotises. Buy fully open, unbruised flowers. Keep blooms cool and misted; in bridal work wire them with a moistened cotton stem. Handle gently; petals bruise and brown.
  6. 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 →

Stephanotises as a potted plant

Houseplant vine: full sun, high humidity, warm (68-90 F), slightly root-bound in peaty well-drained soil; water less in cool weather.

Questions about stephanotises

What does the stephanotis mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the stephanotis stands for "good luck".

What colors do stephanotises come in?

Stephanotises come in white.

How do you care for stephanotises?

Keep stephanotises 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. For stephanotises: Buy fully open, unbruised flowers. Keep blooms cool and misted; in bridal work wire them with a moistened cotton stem. Handle gently; petals bruise and brown.

Are stephanotises safe around pets?

Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

Where can I buy stephanotises?

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

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