Flower Encyclopedia
Stephanotis
Stephanotis floribunda
Small, waxy white trumpets with a sweet fragrance — a classic bridal flower.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
At A Glance
Typical vase life
3–5 days
Availability
Limited windows
Peak months
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Cost
Premium
Fragrance
Strong
Pollen
Low
Care
Needs attention
Out of water
2–4 hours
Heat tolerance
Moderate
Cold tolerance
Low
Outdoor events
Fair
Around pets
Use caution
Pets in the house? Use caution.
Stephanotis should be treated with caution around cats and dogs, as parts of the plant can cause stomach upset if chewed. Keep blooms out of reach, and contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on them.
What It Means
Stephanotis is known as the bridal flower and carries the meaning of marital happiness and good fortune in marriage. Its pure white blooms and sweet scent have made it a symbol of desire to travel through life together.
Colors it comes in
white
Coordinates beautifully with
ivory · soft greens · white
Season & Sourcing
Stephanotis is a specialty flower with limited supply, typically ordered ahead for weddings rather than pulled from everyday stock. The individual blooms are often sold in boxes and wired by hand, so lead time matters.
Vase life, honestly
The individual blooms are delicate and bruise easily, showing brown edges where handled. Because they are usually wired into bouquets rather than set in water, they are prepared close to the event day.
Fragrance
Stephanotis has a rich, sweet, jasmine-like fragrance that is noticeable even from a small cluster — a point to weigh for scent-sensitive settings.
Keeping It Alive
- 1Handle blooms as little as possible — fingerprints and pressure leave brown marks.
- 2Keep them cool and lightly misted until they are used.
- 3Wire individual florets carefully if building a bouquet, close to event time.
- 4Avoid crushing the petals when packing or transporting.
- 5Use quickly; stephanotis is not meant for a long vase life.
What it costs: Stephanotis is a premium flower, priced by the individual bloom and made costlier by the hand-wiring it requires. It is a splurge reserved for focal wedding pieces.
Where It Shines
At weddings
The signature use is bridal work: individual blooms wired into bouquets, added to boutonnieres, or clustered as accents, prized for their pure white color and heady fragrance. They are labor-intensive to prepare, so they are usually reserved for focal pieces rather than volume fill.
In sympathy work
Uncommon in sympathy work because of its cost and fragility, though the pure white blooms can appear as a delicate accent in special-order arrangements.
Every day
Rare in everyday bouquets given its price and short life; it is almost always a wedding and special-occasion flower rather than a casual gift.
Pairs With
A Little History
Stephanotis floribunda is a vining plant native to Madagascar, brought into cultivation as an ornamental in the 1800s. Its long association with weddings gave rise to common names like Madagascar jasmine and bridal wreath.
Questions People Ask
Why is stephanotis so expensive?
The blooms are small, delicate, and usually sold and wired individually by hand, which is labor-intensive. Limited specialty supply adds to the cost.
How long do stephanotis blooms last?
Only about three to five days, and they bruise easily, so they are prepared close to the event and used quickly rather than kept in a vase.
Why does stephanotis turn brown where it is touched?
The waxy petals mark easily from handling and pressure. Minimizing contact and keeping the blooms cool helps them stay pristine until they are used.
Is stephanotis a concern around pets?
Treat it with caution around cats and dogs, since parts of the plant can cause stomach upset if chewed. Keep it out of reach and call your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if ingestion is suspected.
From profile to porch
Love This Flower? Send It Today
Browse arrangements featuring the flowers you just read about — designed with the same honesty you found here.