Roses
Rose production is one of Kenya’s leading horticultural enterprises and a major foreign exchange earner. Farmers grow the crop mainly for export as a cut flower, and Europe, especially the Netherlands, UK, Germany, and France dominates demand. Kenya has built a strong global reputation because its roses produce long stems, vibrant colours, and extended vase life. In addition, the domestic market absorbs significant volumes for weddings, hotels, and events. Key production areas include Naivasha, Nakuru, Thika, Kiambu, Laikipia, Kericho, and the Mt. Kenya highlands, where cool temperatures and stable conditions support year-round production.
Varieties
Kenyan farmers grow several rose types, including hybrid tea, spray, floribunda, garden, climbing, and standard roses. Hybrid tea roses dominate export markets because they produce single large blooms with long stems; varieties such as Rhodos, Madam Red, Ever Red, and Revival Sweet perform especially well. Spray roses like Snow Bubbles and Moonstone Gem produce multiple blooms per stem and suit bouquet production. In contrast, floribunda types such as Pomarosa deliver clustered flowers, while standard roses like Osiana serve premium floral design markets. Overall, growers select varieties based on yield, vase life, transport strength, and resistance to diseases.
Climate & Soil
Roses thrive at altitudes of 1,500–2,500 metres, where temperatures remain between 15°C and 28°C. They require consistent water supply, supported through irrigation systems. Moreover, they perform best in well-drained loamy soils rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5–6.5, since poor drainage increases disease pressure.
Propagation & Planting
Farmers propagate roses mainly through cuttings and budding. They establish production under greenhouse systems using raised beds or coco peat. In addition, they maintain spacing of about 18 cm between plants and 20 cm between rows to improve airflow and reduce disease spread.
Field Management & Harvesting
Growers actively manage roses through pruning, disbudding, fertigation, and integrated pest control. They harvest flowers early in the morning when stems remain fully hydrated. After harvesting, they grade, pre-cool, and move flowers into cold chain systems to preserve quality and ensure successful export delivery.