By Baraka Simba 
Kenyan flower grower Mona Flowers is marking its first year of operations with plans to expand spray rose production, strengthen international market partnerships and position its premium flowers as a leading product in the global cut-flower industry.
Located in the Eldoret highlands of Uasin Gishu County, Mona Flowers is building its reputation around premium spray roses, leveraging the region’s favourable climatic conditions to produce high-quality flowers for international customers.
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The farm, which operates at approximately 2,250 metres above sea level, says its first year has delivered encouraging results, including growing international partnerships, positive customer feedback and repeat orders.
The development signals increasing demand for its spray roses as the Kenyan flower producer prepares to expand production capacity and offer customers a wider selection of varieties.
Mona Flowers’ expansion plans come as spray roses continue to gain recognition in the international flower market, moving beyond their traditional role as supplementary flowers in bouquets.
Unlike conventional roses, which typically produce one flower per stem, spray roses feature multiple smaller blooms on a single stem, making them suitable for bouquets, floral arrangements and decorative displays.
According to information published by the World of Spray Roses, Interplant, the breeding company behind the initiative, accounts for approximately 85 per cent of spray rose varieties planted worldwide.
Growers participating in the initiative collectively supply an estimated 1.3 billion stems annually, highlighting the commercial significance of the category.
Mona Flowers is positioning itself to benefit from this growing market by investing a substantial portion of its planned expansion in spray rose production.
The company also intends to play a more active role in promoting spray roses internationally through its membership in the World of Spray Roses, an initiative focused on raising awareness, inspiring florists and increasing demand for the flower category.
One of the farm’s key competitive advantages is its location in the Eldoret highlands, where the combination of altitude, cool temperatures and favourable natural light supports the development of premium-quality roses.
Operating at approximately 2,250 metres above sea level allows the flowers to develop gradually, contributing to well-formed buds, rich colours and fuller bunches.
However, Mona Flowers says favourable growing conditions alone are not enough to guarantee quality.
The farm combines its natural advantages with careful crop management, proper harvesting techniques and strict post-harvest handling procedures.
Particular attention is given to the harvesting stage, where the timing of cutting determines how the buds open, their appearance and their eventual vase life.
The company also maintains strict cold-chain management to preserve flower freshness and quality during transportation from the farm to international customers.
Beyond production and market expansion, Mona Flowers is placing emphasis on responsible flower farming, employee welfare and environmental sustainability.
The company has achieved Kenya Flower Council (KFC) certification and recently secured MPS-ABC certification, while its Fairtrade certification process is ongoing.
These efforts form part of its broader commitment to responsible agricultural production and maintaining customer confidence in international markets.
The company also credits its workforce for playing a central role in establishing the farm during its first year, with employee commitment contributing to production consistency and the development of lasting customer relationships.
More than 90 per cent of Mona Flowers’ spray rose varieties come from Interplant, a family-owned flower breeding company whose history dates back to 1962.
The farm currently grows several varieties, including Summerose, Leila, Alicia, Fireworks, Dinara, Mirabel, Snowflake, Salinero, Sweet Sara and Reflex.
To maintain a competitive product range, Mona Flowers regularly evaluates customer preferences, gathers market feedback and monitors repeat orders.
New varieties must demonstrate strong physical characteristics and commercial performance before being introduced into the farm’s production portfolio.
This approach allows the company to balance established customer favourites with new varieties that could create additional opportunities in international markets.
Mona Flowers’ first anniversary comes at a time when Kenyan flower producers continue to explore opportunities in specialised cut-flower markets.
Kenya is an established global flower-exporting country, with its floriculture industry supporting employment, foreign exchange earnings and economic activity across several agricultural regions.
By focusing on spray roses, Mona Flowers is seeking to strengthen its position within this competitive industry while contributing to the growing international recognition of the flower category.
Its planned production expansion, emphasis on certification and growing international customer relationships could provide a foundation for its next phase of development.
As the company enters its second year, its ambition extends beyond increasing the number of stems produced.
Mona Flowers wants spray roses to move from being viewed primarily as bouquet fillers to becoming centrepieces in their own right, demonstrating the commercial and creative potential of a single stem carrying an entire bouquet.
EldoretLeo