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Flower Nursery Lex van Santen


Euphorbia

Warm, elegant, and just a little different. Euphorbia fulgens is a flower you recognise instantly. Grower Lex van Santen cultivates this striking autumn bloom from mid-September until Christmas. No long, wild stems here, but carefully pinched, branching varieties with multiple flowers. Perfect for florists who appreciate colour and graceful form.

In his 14,000 m² greenhouse, Lex follows a seasonally driven growing schedule: in spring and summer, he cultivates spray chrysanthemums for Zentoo, and from mid-September to Christmas, his focus shifts entirely to Euphorbia fulgens. By pinching all the plants, they develop into richly branched spray varieties with sturdy stems – ideal for floral work. Lex grows five colours, each with its own charm and warm autumn character: Cognac Baron, Marielle, Sunstream, Queen of Orange, and Quicksilver.
Lex has deliberately chosen this niche product. “If you ask a child to draw a flower, this is exactly what they draw,” he says with a smile. Its familiar shape and warm tones make it a popular choice. And for florists, it’s a versatile flower that adds lightness, colour, and movement to arrangements. Elegant, with a hint of playfulness – this is a flower with a story.

Quicksilver

Marielle

Cognac Baron

Queen of Orange

Sunstream

Cultivation

Craftsmanship in the greenhouse
Growing Euphorbia fulgens demands care. Harvest begins when each spray has five open flowers. Then comes a crucial step: the freshly cut stems are immediately placed in boiling water. It may sound drastic, but it’s essential. The heat releases trapped air from the stems – you can literally see the bubbles rise. Only then can the flowers rehydrate properly. After this, they undergo a four-hour conditioning treatment before being sent to auction.

Lex’s tip

A key tip for florists: always keep Euphorbia fulgens in water. If it dries out, you’ll need to repeat the boiling water process to ensure it takes up water and maintains vase life.

Sustainable and future-focused

Lex works with great care and attention. His nursery is MPS A+ and MPS GAP certified, meeting FSI standards – a sign of both sustainable practices and skilled craftsmanship. He now propagates his own cuttings, a task once done by fellow grower Piet van Delft, whose tradition Lex has proudly continued.

By choosing Euphorbia fulgens, Lex shows how a niche flower can also be a strong seasonal product. A bloom that adds colour, tells a story, and gives the autumn range that extra bit of magic.

FloraPodium 13 November, 2025