Roses are red

Violets are blue

Qatar is all sand

But, boy, are there flowers on steroids here for you.

Please forgive the poor take on an age-old rhyme. I just want to make a point. The flowers in Qatar are blooming brilliant, regardless of the harsh environment.

Roses, carnations, dahlias, chrysanthemums, daisies, orchids, lilies … you name it, these flowers are readily available in this tiny Middle Eastern desert peninsula.

In short, the flowers in Qatar make the place a flower-lover’s paradise.

Blooming stems on steroids

These flowers are imported to Qatar in large numbers by florists, hotels and event planners to meet an ever-growing demand by the 3 million people who live here. Though, to be fair, it is the wealthy Qatari elite who are the biggest buyers of foreign flowers, household plants and every other sort of greenery.   

According to Doha News, Qatar Airways delivered 5 000 tonnes of flowers for Valentine’s Day last year.

But it isn’t just the volume that causes me to shake my head in disbelief. Rather, it is the sheer opulence of the flower industry.

Forget a simple bunch of garden flowers, a lowly hen and chickens pot plant or even a staple African violet.   

Here, it’s all stems on steroids – a floral feast of note.

There’s the:

• Seemingly disproportionate number of “floral boutiques” (somehow, the common-old garden word “florist” is simply not befitting for what exists in Qatar)
• Extravagant aesthetic floral displays in every marble-clad hotel foyer
• Equally sumptuous arrangements for all events, and
• Large number of well-heeled or rather well-wheeled, air-conditioned branded floral delivery vehicles that dash about Doha delivering their precious cargo all day and night long.

As an aside, lest you consider these “blooming brilliant” reflections on the floral industry to be the norm, I need to offer some context.

I come from South Africa where cut flowers are a luxury. They are generally only delivered or purchased on special occasions.

I have also lived in the United Kingdom where purchasing a bunch of flowers on a regular basis is not untoward.

But in Qatar, the floral picking/pecking order is at whole other level.

Significance of flowers in Qatar

Here, in Doha, despite or perhaps because of the desert environment, flowers are seen as a symbol of the magnificence and splendour of nature. They are viewed as a reminder of the infinite beauty and grace of Allah’s creations.

Of course, as with elsewhere in the world, flowers are associated with gratitude and appreciation.

Flowers are not just decorative elements. They also represent the rich traditions and values of those who live here, with each flower having particular significance.

This is especially so during the holy month of Ramadan.

Flowers during Ramadan

The use of flowers during the holy month of Ramadan can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire.

According to those-in-the-know, the Ottomans had a deep appreciation for the language of flowers, using them to convey their feelings, emotions and sentiments.

Each flower has a unique meaning and symbolism (see below).  

But equally, Muslims use flowers to create a serene and peaceful atmosphere in their homes, mosques, and public spaces. Beautiful fragrances are part of the Arabic culture.

Meaning of flowers

Roses speak of love, but what of jasmine, lilies, chrysanthemums, hyacinths, lavender, sunflowers and the like?

Your local florist will guide your communication in blooms.  

Here are some, just for fun:

• Lilies – purity, innocence and spirituality
• Arabian jasmine – symbolic of the country’s rich cultural heritage, particularly concerning the importance of inner purifications during Ramadan
• Baby’s breath – innocence
• Carnation – generally it shows an interest in the receiver, but if you are serious, then the colour of your carnation is going to make all the difference
• Daffodil – unrequited love
• Dahlia – elegance and dignity
• Foxglove – insecurity
• Gardenia – secret love
• Iris – eloquence
• Lavender – love and devotion
• Orchid – like the carnation, the colour matters, but generally orchids indicate refined beauty
• Protea – courage and resourcefulness (that’s us, Saffers!), and
• Tulip – considered the national flower of Turkey, it symbolises prosperity, abundance and beauty.

Cost of flowers

Qatar is an expensive country.

It is, after all, the fifth wealthiest country in the world, thanks to the oil and gas industries here.

And, obviously, this is also why, Qatar has such a lucrative floral industry.  There is money to be spent on the finer things of life.

The flowers are expensive, especially since almost all of them are flown into the country.

A single red rose from a supermarket or even a “floral boutique”, for example, will set you back at least QAR10 – that’s about R50.

At Woolies in South Africa, I know you can get a bunch of 10 roses from about R100 to R200, dependent on the quality. 

In Qatar, a posy-style bouquet of flowers costs anything from QAR400 up. That’s a quick R2000.

And, then there’s the designer arrangements, complete with accessories (think chocolates, dates, cuddly toys, diamonds …).

Do yourself a visual favour and check what is available online at Qatar’s top florists like Plaza Hollandi (they have 10 shops spread across the city), Black Tulip, Only Roses and Rose DeDesert among so many others.

Many remain open till `midnight (remember, the Middle East moves to a different rhythm) and offer swift turn-around times.

Yes, the flowers of Qatar are big business!

Plastic flowers

And then there are the plastic flowers! Given the cost and short shelf life of fresh-cut flowers, plastic flowers are a sought-after alternative.

These copy-cat reproductions are often such that it is difficult to tell the two apart.

Supermarkets, furniture and shops selling household goods all have special sections selling such plastic flowers and greenery. The bigger stores offer plastic potplants and small plastic trees too.

Having killed off one too many real potplants, I have resorted to the latter.

But I digress.

This blog post is focused on fresh flowers in Qatar. More on floral and other knock-offs for another day.

Flower markets

The top exporters of cut flowers to Qatar have been the Netherlands, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya and Ethiopia.

According to TrendEcomony, which provides annual trade statistics by country, the market value for the Middle East and Africa cut flower market is projected to reach $1,972.69 million by 2027.

Qatar also gets flowers from South Africa. In fact, about 3.48% of its total flower spend goes towards purchasing our Proteas, strelitzias, aloes and the like.

According to a news article in Doha News, the market value of cut flowers is expected to reach $49 074 million by 2028.

Those in-the-know, say this flourishing flower trend is indicative of a growing affinity for floral aesthetics among consumers. The surge in demand is due to a burgeoning events industry, inclusive of weddings, rising disposable income and an inclination towards ornamental décor.

And, let’s not forget a rise in the gifting culture and the psychological benefits of flowers.

We’re all available to receive some flowers, aren’t we?

Qatar flower farm

To counter rising costs of importing flowers and to ensure sustainability, Qatar engages in massive projects to become self-sufficient. This is especially when it comes to fresh vegetables and dairy produce. Qatar has made huge strides.

(As an aside, if you haven’t read it yet, please read The flying cow story of Qatar as a perfect example of the innovation in this regard.)

Likewise, such efforts are underway within the fresh flower market.

Baby steps, mind you, but steps, nonetheless.    

Visionary businessman and agriculturalist Abdullah Salem Sulaiteen, an advocate for sustainable practices, is using the latest technology and ingenious irrigation methods to grow roses, tulips, orchids and numerous other species.

According to an article in the Peninsula newspaper in December 2023 last year, his flower farm, Al Sulaiteen Agricultural and Industrial Complex (SAIC) at Umm Salal Ali, was responsible to supplying the flowers for Qatar National Day on 18 December.

That was 300 000 burgundy and 174 000 white petunias in 8cm-by-8cm pots to make up the Qatari flag – one of the bigger flower flags in the world. Granted, these are not cut flowers, but it indicates intent and a promising start.

National flower of Qatar

You can be forgiven for thinking the petunia is the national flower of Qatar because they provide wonderful spots of colour in public spaces throughout the country.

But it’s the Qataf that takes this honour.

Renowned for its resilience in the arid desert landscape, the scientific name is Pulicaria undulata. It is an indigenous perennial plant that apparently thrives here. I say apparently, because I have yet to discover this Limonium or Sea lavender, as it is also known.

In short, it’s like our statice and it blooms from March to May (spring).

Fast flower facts

• Require specific temperature controlling systems to keep them fresh – both planes and trucks. The value of the flower drops by 15% for each day they remain in transit
• US is the largest importer of flowers with a bill of $2,14 billion in 2021
• Germany is the biggest consumer of flowers, followed by the UK, France and Italy
• Over 80 000 flowers are transported every 24 hours daily, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)