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China Forever Roses Trend Report 2025

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The preserved flower market in China is blossoming like never before, with forever roses redefining the art of luxury gifting. Consumers are shifting their preferences to preserved roses, drawn by their timeless beauty, modern aesthetic, and deep cultural symbolism. But what is driving this "eternal elegance" trend? How are demographics, regions, and cultural values shaping the market? Our China Forever Roses Trend Report 2025 unpacks the key insights behind the growing demand for preserved roses in China. Based on rich digital consumption data, cultural analysis, and expert interviews with boutique florists from Beijing to Shenzhen, this report provides a comprehensive look at the trends set to define the market for preserved roses in 2025 and beyond.

The Cultural Role of Roses in China

Roses in China aren’t just beautiful blooms; they are symbols of love, respect, and social standing. Gifted during significant events such as Qixi Festival (often called “Chinese Valentine’s Day”), birthdays, weddings, and professional milestones, roses have become emblems of affection and prosperity. While red roses traditionally symbolize romantic devotion, the colour palette has expanded to reflect diverse emotions and intentions. Pink roses exude gentleness and affection, white symbolizes elegance and purity, gold conveys prosperity, and blue represents modernity and innovation. This nuanced appreciation of color underscores how roses are woven into both modern love stories and traditional familial respect. With the rise of Westernized holiday celebrations like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, roses have also gained traction in globalized gifting culture, blending traditional Chinese values with contemporary expressions of love and friendship.

Demographic Insights into China's Floral Gifting Market

To understand who’s fueling the trend for preserved roses in China, we’ve analyzed five key demographic segments with distinct preferences and motivations:

  • Gen Z Women in Tier-1 Cities

These socially conscious and trend-savvy women in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou prefer eco-friendly, long-lasting roses that align with their minimalist lifestyles. They see preserved roses as status-defining accessories for home or social media aesthetics.

  • Middle-Class Couples (Ages 25–40)

For couples in their 30s, preserved rose gifts symbolize enduring relationships. This demographic particularly gravitates toward romantic rose boxes for anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or Qixi Festival.

  • High-Income Male Professionals in Tech & Finance

Gift-giving, especially in tech-driven sectors, is often imbued with understated luxury. Long-lasting roses in premium glass domes are a favorite for these buyers, perceived as both romantic and impressively sophisticated gifts.

  • Urban Luxury Shoppers in Beijing/Shanghai

Metropolitan elites with disposable income prioritize exclusive, artisanal floral designs. Customized or zodiac-themed rose boxes are seen as premium options that elevate gifting occasions.

  • Female-Led Microbusiness Owners & Influencers

A growing number of influencers and entrepreneurs use preserved roses as props for creating aspirational content on platforms like Douyin or Xiaohongshu. Influencers often associate these roses with "eternal beauty,” influencing their audience's buying decisions.

Not all preserved roses are equally loved across China. Preferences vary significantly by region, reflecting regional prosperity, aesthetics, and gifting culture.

Tier-1 Megacities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou)

Residents in megacities shop for luxury roses in Beijing and Shanghai to emphasize modernity and exclusivity. Blue and white designs in stunning glass domes resonate with minimalist urban interiors.

Tier-2 Lifestyle Hubs (Chengdu, Hangzhou, Suzhou)

Known for their creative edge, cities like Chengdu and Hangzhou are home to younger, affluent audiences who seek playful and colorful rose variants. Popular options include pink and pastel rose boxes.

Coastal Affluent Zones

Regions along China's southeastern coast are highly receptive to preserved flowers imported from Japan or Europe. Buyers here prioritize premium packaging and subtle elegance.

Inland Rising Cities

Urbanizing districts in Central China favor affordable yet high-quality preserved roses, with red and gold roses dominating as symbols of prosperity.

Cross-Border Shoppers in Hong Kong & Macau

With access to international floral trends, consumers in Hong Kong and Macau often choose rose gifts featuring unique narratives tailored for global appeal.

Color Psychology & Floral Preferences

For Chinese buyers, rose colors matter as much as the roses themselves.

  • Red & Gold signify love, passion, and abundance, making them ideal for romantic and celebratory gifting.
  • Pink represents tenderness and care, frequently gifted to loved ones or close friends.
  • White offers an aura of sophistication and grace, perfect for high-end professional gifts.
  • Blue speaks to innovation and modernity, appealing to young or tech-savvy consumers.

Preserved roses placed in glass domes, hearts, or premium boxes have seen skyrocketing popularity, thanks to their Instagram-worthy aesthetics and symbolism of eternal devotion.

The Rise of Preserved Roses vs. Fresh Florals

Consumer preferences are shifting toward preserved roses for several reasons:

  • Longevity: Unlike fresh flowers, preserved roses last several months to years, offering decorative charm long after gifting.
  • Low Maintenance: A “set-it-and-forget-it” floral solution fits perfectly into busy lifestyles.
  • Eco-Friendly Appeal: Sustainability-conscious consumers love these blooms for their environmental benefits and reduced waste.
  • Modern Interiors: Eternal roses align beautifully with China’s shift toward minimalist home décor trends.

E-commerce platforms like Taobao, JD.com, and Tmall have further propelled this trend, making luxury rose purchases convenient while offering customized touches like engraving glass or crafting zodiac-inspired designs.

Social Media Driving Cultural Moments

Social platforms are reinventing how Chinese consumers interact with floral gifts. On Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) and Douyin (China’s TikTok), unboxing videos and gifting tutorials spark trends among younger users. Seasonal campaigns, celebrity partnerships, and KOL-driven messaging ("eternal love captured in a rose") elevate these products to status symbols in the luxury gifting space.

Future Outlook for Preserved Roses in China (2025–2030)

By 2025, China's luxury floral gifting market will see several game-changing trends:

  • Personalized Sets: AI-curated rose collections tailored to customers’ astrology (zodiac themes) and lucky numbers.
  • Digital Integration: Rose boxes with embedded QR codes offer virtual gifting cards and holographic love messages.
  • Festive Innovations: Seasonal rose sets for Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival will create endless opportunities for culturally tailored gifting.

About Imaginary Worlds

Imaginary Worlds has redefined how China experiences timeless floral elegance. Known for merging artisanal craftsmanship with cultural storytelling, we lead the market in luxury preserved roses that celebrate the beauty of lasting emotions, aesthetics, and design.