Treasuring Nature in a Mindful Way
Words by Jabea Msola
Flowers are beautiful gifts from nature that we use to decorate our spaces or to appreciate our loved ones. The art of flower selection, gifting and even decorating is common across Africa, but have you ever considered the time and processes that go into the floral industry?
Flower farming requires large amounts of water and energy. For instance, a study capturing data from the period between 1996-2005 showed that between 7-13 liters of water is needed to grow just one rose in Kenya. Additionally, pollutants are released into the environment by the floral industry. Among the sources of pollution are the pesticides used to grow flowers, which can affect pollinators and alter the pH of natural bodies of water when they are carried by runoff. More issues arise following the harvest of the flowers because carbon dioxide is released into the air as they are transported.
Understanding the environmental impact of the floral industry can make purchasing a simple bouquet while trying to protect the environment seem overwhelming, however, there are flower farms here in Africa that are taking steps to make the flower growing process environmentally sustainable.
Image Copyright: Allan Gichigi
In Kenya, the Kenya Flower Council certifies farms that utilize sustainable practices such as rainwater collection to reduce the strain on lakes which are often drained by pumps to water crops. Efforts are also made to save energy by using renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal energy, and biogas. The use of rechargeable cars or donkeys to transport flowers to production facilities is another energy saving practice that is utilized. Additionally, several farms have adopted a farming method that only uses chemical pesticides during the early stages of farming and relies on insects for the remaining parts of the process. The work of the Kenyan Flower Council gives hope that we can have a more sustainable floral industry in the future.
The use of sustainable floristry practices is also growing in other African countries as farming companies work to dedicate themselves to keeping their floral farms environmentally friendly. For example, with its 17 farms located in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe, the floral company Marginpar is working to ensure each flower is grown sustainably. The company’s 7 farms in Kenya are within the Equator’s proximity, enabling them to use less energy due to the year-round abundance of sunlight. At the other farms, over 50% of the lighting comes from LED lights that use less electricity. The lights are used for flowers requiring more than 12 hours of light and are strategically placed so that energy is not wasted. Marginpar’s farms also collect rainwater and floodwater, and use solar power when pumps become necessary, which allows them to save energy.
We can continue to enjoy the beauty of flowers fresh from the garden, admire the bright colors and allow their fresh fragrance to fill our spaces. But in addition, let’s show our appreciation to nature by being mindful of the impact our floral farming practices may have on the environment.
About the Author: Jabea Msola is a recent high school graduate and prospective college freshman for the fall of 2025. She is very passionate about protecting the environment and takes an interest in studying the traditional African way of life in which people lived in harmony with nature rather than trying to dominate it. Her passion for protecting the environment was evident at a young age as she demonstrated great concern for the well-being of the plants, insects, and animals in her backyard. Jabea’s interest in the environment continued to flourish during her time in high school. Her research projects and presentations were aligned with aspects of sustainability. While in college she plans to focus her studies on an area of STEM that will help her to collaborate with like minds in raising environmental awareness while developing projects that offer practical solutions to help us regain harmony with nature.