The Tuberose Is A Fragrant Flower For Lei Making

The Tuberose...

One of the most sought after flowers for lei making is the Tuberose or (Polianthes tuberosa), a native of the East Indies, and a deliciously fragrant plant. If inserted in warm soil, the tuberose will flower well in the open air during the late summer.

Primarily used as a cut flower, the plants bear two to three foot tall stalks of pristine, waxy white flowers, bringing a beautiful vertical accent to cut arrangements as well as lei. They don't seem to lend themselves all that well to mixed potted containers, but a pot containing just Tuberoses is striking when grouped with other containers for a tropical theme.

Tuberose flowers come in both single and double varieties. Both are lovely but the “double pearl” variety, holds up better as cut flowers and lei flowers. Even though the flowers are beautiful on their own, it's the fragrant, exotic scent that makes them special.

Many think tuberoses are native to Hawaii, but, instead, they come from Mexico and Central America. True to their origin they require a long, warm growing season. Plant the tubers indoors in early March and keep them warm and well watered during active growth. They can be planted outdoors in full sun and the linear, glaucous leaves have faint reddish spots on the undersides. At this point they make nice filler in groupings. Be patient.

Tuberoses require four to five months to bloom. You will be rewarded with exquisite white flowers emitting their wonderful perfume. They should stay blooming as long as the weather is warm. Tuberose cannot take a freeze. Be sure to dig them and move them in before winter. The smaller bulblets can be held in a cool, dry place for later planting although it will probably take two years for them to flower.

Learn more about Hawaiian flower wedding leis, Orchids, Plumeria, Tuberose and more...
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