The vase life duration and stem stiffness of 12 parent clones and 77 progenies of Gerbera jamesonii were studied both in summer and in winter. In winter, vase life was shorter and the stems were weak. Few exceptions from this general pattern were detected. The average vase life duration ranged from 16.0 days for the best to 8.9 days for the worst progeny. Individual plants were selected with a vase life of 20 or more days. The curvature of the stem, measured after 24 hrs dry storage, is associated with the folding of the stem in the vase. Selection for low curvature may decrease the incidence of folding and with it the variation in vase life of Gerbera.