Roses for Valentine's Day: a poisoned gift?

6 min reading

Polynatur Respect for life

February 14, 2025

Roses for Valentine's Day: a poisoned gift?

(Psssst... offer hellebores instead!)

Valentine's Day is the time for passionate declarations, sweet nothings and... roses. These flowers, the ultimate symbol of love, are everywhere in February. In Luxembourg, a country proud of its roses, this tradition takes on a special dimension. So, in your opinion, is it really a good idea to offer roses that come from the other side of the world and whose production weighs heavily on the planet? Spoiler alert: not really.

Behind this romantic practice lies a less idyllic reality The ecological impact of rose production and distribution. Between the intensive use of pesticidesthe consumption offossil energies and the destruction of nature, giving roses to celebrate love can paradoxically harm us.

Luxembourg roses: a heritage worth preserving

Luxembourg roses are a national pridea precious cultural and horticultural heritage (1). The associations Lëtzebuerger Rousefrënn and Patrimoine Roses for Luxembourg(2) preserve and enhance this heritageby highlighting local varieties and raising public awareness of their importance. Roses aren't just flowers: they're part of Luxembourg's identity.

The dark side of roses

However, the majority of roses offered on Valentine's Day in Luxembourg are not local. The flowers sold are imported at around 90 %. They come from countries such as the Netherlands, Kenya and Ecuador, where they are grown in greenhouses. Growing these flowers is a real challenge. gas plant (literally): fossil fuel heating or air-conditioning, artificial lighting, transport by plane and then refrigerated trucks... You might think that flowers grown in the Netherlands are less polluting, but unfortunately this is not true. The carbon footprint of a rose grown outdoors in Kenya is 6 to 10 times lower than that of a rose grown in a heated greenhouse in the Netherlands. Their intensive cultivation is associated withmassive use of pesticides. These phytosanitary products have disastrous consequences for our environment, and also for our health. Recently in France, Emmy, an 11-year-old child died of cancer following exposure to pesticides by her mother, a florist, during her pregnancy (3).

Emmy is the first child whose death has been recognized by the Fonds d'indemnisation des pesticide victims (FIVP). The FIVP admitted " the causal link between [Emmy's] pathology and her prenatal exposure to pesticides ".

Agricultural workers also suffer from exposure to pesticides. Some pesticides, banned for use in the European Union, continue to be used in other countries. These pesticides, although banned for use in the EU, are sometimes produced in EU countries and then exported (4).

Ironic? They then return with the flowers that adorn our living rooms.

Roses, though symbols of love, have become unwilling vectors of pollution and environmental destruction. Giving roses means participating in a system that destroys what they are supposed to represent. In his photo report entitled Beautiful Poison awarded by the World Press Photo(4), photographer Cristopher Rogel Blanquet shows people and landscapes devastated by intensive agriculture in Mexico, in stark contrast to the ephemeral beauty of cut flowers. In Luxembourg, where nature is so important, this paradox is even more striking.

Eco-friendly alternatives for Valentine's Day

Fortunately, there are alternatives for celebrating Valentine's Day in a more planet-friendly way. Here are a few ideas:

1. Choose local, seasonal flowers Well, local roses are dead in February. Well, not quite! There's the "Christmas rose", or hellebore (pictured on the cover), a magnificent winter flower that isn't officially a rose, but looks like one, and is just as charming... there are also other flowers that grow in winter: skimmia, daphne... Initiatives like Botanika or Kapenaker Blooms offer flowers grown in Luxembourg. These local growers showcase varieties adapted to Luxembourg's climate! You can also visit local nurseries or collect plants yourself from the wild for a personalized floral decoration.

2. Opt for long-lasting gifts If we want to give roses as gifts, why not contribute to our floral heritage at the same time? For example, by giving a whole potted rose of a Luxembourg variety? And if you choose roses with flowers with open hearts, that's even better. You'll also be showing your love for pollinators, who can feed on their nectar! Another option for giving roses is to offer them dried. Yes, it's not the right time to pick them fresh, but dried, they'll make a nice decoration and last longer in the house.

3. Take a walk in the countryside Luxembourg: Instead of giving cut flowers, why not share a walk in nature? Luxembourg's landscapes are perfect for a romantic getaway. What's more, it's a way of reconnecting with nature and taking care of living things. The non-profit organization Patrimoines Roses pour le Luxembourg offers itineraries for visiting Luxembourg's rose gardens!

4. Bringing care into our relationships Valentine's Day is all about showing attention and affection to your partner. So, instead of a bouquet of roses, why not prepare a home-cooked meal, write a letter or organize an activity? It's simple, authentic and fun. And, without getting into the subject here, it gets us away from the consumerist view of Valentine's Day.

Conclusion: reconciling love and ecology

Giving roses for Valentine's Day is a tradition deeply rooted in our culture, but it needs to evolve to meet today's ecological challenges. In Luxembourg, where roses are a precious heritage, it is all the more important to rethink this practice to make it more sustainable. By choosing local, ecological or experiential alternatives, we can celebrate love while preserving nature. After all, what could be more romantic than showing your love for the planet at the same time as your partner? 🌹💚