Rift Valley Roses is a large rose nursery in Naivasha, Kenya. They grow several varieties — including popular types such as EverRed, Camouflage and Red Bentley — and profile themselves as one of the larger, innovative players in the region. Rift Valley Roses is clear about sustainability, demonstrating that it invests specifically in environmentally friendly and responsible cultivation methods. This ranges from water management to waste reduction and sustainable cultivation practices.
Practical measures
- Water management: smart irrigation and reuse where possible.
- Efficient cultivation: choosing varieties that are well suited to the local climate in order to minimise inputs (pesticides, energy).
- Waste and packaging: steps towards less and more sustainable packaging (various partners are also showcasing recycled/eco-friendly packaging).
What do they do specifically for employees and the environment?
Rift Valley Roses is a medium to large employer in the region (company information mentions hundreds of employees). At the company level, they focus on safe working conditions and local employment; many chain partners and trading platforms also point to social responsibility as an important part of sustainability claims. In short, measures for staff and the environment are part of their sustainability strategy — from working atmosphere and safety to local economic impact.
Spotlight on roses — EverRed, Camouflage and Red Bentley
EverRed — a deep, classic red rose with a large bud and a long vase life; popular with growers in Kenya because its genetics are well suited to the local climate and deliver what florists expect: colour, bud size and shelf life. EverRed is widely grown worldwide and is a staple in the Rift Valley range.
Camouflage — a unique green rose that often adds a “green accent” or statement to bouquets. Unique in colour and easy to store/transport, ensuring it is not damaged during logistics.
Red Bentley — known as a luxurious, long-stemmed rose with a large bud, the Red Bentley is popular with florists who want a generous, premium look. Rift Valley grows this standard rose in various lengths for export.
Why do we call it sustainable — even though the roses are flown to the Netherlands?
Good question — and honestly, flying does involve CO₂ costs. But sustainability is multi-layered. Here are some concrete arguments why Kenya -> the Netherlands can still be a responsible choice:
- Higher flower quality and longer vase life — roses that do not grow as well locally often require more input (greenhouses, heating energy, chemicals). Roses that grow in the ideal location (the highlands of Kenya) use less energy per flower and have a longer vase life — less waste downstream.
- Efficient supply chain — refrigerated transport by air freight is fast and reduces damage and spoilage. Less spoilage = less waste. Think in terms of CO₂ per day of use rather than just transport kilometres. (These are common sustainability principles in cut flower supply chains.)
- Economies of scale & certifications — large growers who focus on certifications and MPS/other chain tracing can achieve a lower environmental impact per flower produced than small-scale, inefficient cultivation with high input. For our Rift Valley roses, MPS status appears on trading platforms.
In short: transport by air counts, but reduced use of fossil energy in greenhouses, less waste due to higher quality and certification can partially offset that impact. Transparency and chain improvement remain decisive.
Why this makes you, the consumer, happy
- Fewer flowers that wilt quickly = less waste at home. (Happy vase = better sustainability.)
- You buy roses from a grower who invests in sustainable cultivation and social responsibility.
- By choosing varieties with long vase lives (EverRed, Red Bentley), you keep your bouquet looking beautiful for longer — that's the most direct way to be more sustainable with flowers.
