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Flower profile

Tuberose

Quick facts

Botanical name: Agave amica (formerly Polianthes tuberosa). In SAF's language of flowers, tuberose means pleasure.

Tuberose at a glance

Meaning
pleasure
Colors
  • White
  • Pink (rare)
Season
Summer and fall bloom; available as a cut flower much of the year from warm-climate growers.
Special care
Buy spikes with the lower florets open and upper buds showing white. Re-cut stems, use flower food and change water often; remove spent lower florets as they fade. Keep cool but not cold; tropical flowers dislike refrigeration.
Size
A tall spike, 2 to 3 feet, of waxy white tubular flowers that open from the bottom up and release a heavy, sweet perfume, especially at night
Also called
Polianthes, Rajnigandha

About tuberoses

A tall spike, 2 to 3 feet, of waxy white tubular flowers that open from the bottom up and release a heavy, sweet perfume, especially at night. A staple of perfumery and of Hawaiian and Indian garlands.

How to make tuberoses 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 tuberoses. Buy spikes with the lower florets open and upper buds showing white. Re-cut stems, use flower food and change water often; remove spent lower florets as they fade. Keep cool but not cold; tropical flowers dislike refrigeration.
  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 →

Questions about tuberoses

What does the tuberose mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the tuberose stands for "pleasure".

What colors do tuberoses come in?

Tuberoses come in white and pink (rare).

How do you care for tuberoses?

Keep tuberoses 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 tuberoses: Buy spikes with the lower florets open and upper buds showing white. Re-cut stems, use flower food and change water often; remove spent lower florets as they fade. Keep cool but not cold; tropical flowers dislike refrigeration.

Where can I buy tuberoses?

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

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