Flower Farms You Need to Visit This Summer In & Around Johannesburg

While we usually think of parks, markets and outdoor restaurants when planning a summer day out, there’s another side of the city worth exploring: its flower farms.

From picking your own bouquet and wandering through rows of seasonal blooms to discovering edible flowers and getting lost in rose gardens, these farms offer a different kind of day out.

We’ve rounded up eight flower farms in and around Johannesburg worth adding to your summer list.

1. Adene’s Farm Flowers

Adene’s Farm Flowers is all about the beauty of seasonal, locally grown blooms. The farm specialises in unique and less common cut flowers and foliage, with everything from anemones to dahlias forming part of its collection.

There is one important thing to know before making the drive: the main Wolseley farm is not open to the public. Adene’s Farm Flowers does, however, run Pick-Your-Own experiences at partner locations, including The Big Red Barn in Pretoria.

So if you want to experience the Adene’s flowers rather than simply order them, keep an eye out for their seasonal picking dates.

Good for: Seasonal flowers, flower lovers and Pick-Your-Own experiences.

2. Akanaka Blooms

If picking your own flowers sounds like your kind of Saturday morning, put Akanaka Blooms on the list.

Now based in Walker Fruit Farms in De Deur, south of Johannesburg, Akanaka Blooms is a small flower farm growing seasonal varieties that change throughout the year. Summer brings flowers such as zinnias, cosmos, celosia and scabiosa, while dahlias take centre stage later in the season.

Their Pick-Your-Own experience lets you wander through the flower rows, choose your favourite stems and create your own bouquet. Walk-in picking currently takes place on Saturdays from 08:00 to 12:00, with midweek picking available by booking.

It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, get some fresh air and leave with flowers you actually picked yourself.

Good for: A Saturday morning, date days, families and DIY bouquets.

3. Fourways Flower Farm

You don't have to drive far out of Johannesburg to get the flower-farm experience.

Fourways Flower Farm in Broadacres offers a Pick-Your-Own experience where visitors can walk through the rows, grab a bucket and clippers, and select their own seasonal flowers. The selection changes throughout the year, with varieties including sunflowers, chrysanthemums, anemones and snapdragons depending on the season.

The farm also hosts creative workshops and events, making it more than just a place to pick flowers.

Good for: A quick escape from the city, creative dates and content days.

4. PicoGro

This one is slightly different.

At PicoGro, flowers aren't just something you put in a vase. You can eat them.

The Midrand-based farm specialises in edible flowers, microgreens and speciality leaves. Their greenhouses are filled with unusual varieties used by chefs, mixologists and home cooks, from violas and nasturtiums to miniature roses and other edible blooms.

PicoGro also offers farm experiences where visitors can tour the farm, forage for edible flowers and learn more about how they can be used in food and drinks.

If you've ever wondered where the tiny flowers decorating your cocktail or fine-dining plate actually come from, this is the place to find out.

Good for: Foodies, chefs, cocktail lovers and something a little different.

5. Femme Pétale Flower Farm

Head east towards Pretoria and you'll find Femme Pétale, a flower farm built around the farm-to-vase experience.

The farm grows seasonal flowers and offers Pick-Your-Own experiences, including morning and evening flower picking. There are also workshops, private picking experiences and seasonal events centred around growing and floristry.

Femme Pétale is currently based at 198 Mooiplaats, Boschkop Road in Pretoria, although visits to the farm are generally through special arrangements, workshops and scheduled experiences rather than simply turning up.

This is one for people who want more than a pretty field. You can actually learn about flowers, growing and arranging while you're there.

Good for: Workshops, flower picking, creatives and garden lovers.

6. Ludwig's Roses Egoli

If your flower obsession is specifically roses, make your way to Ludwig's Roses Egoli in Glenferness.

The Johannesburg branch describes itself as a rose destination, with around 1,000 varieties available across the Ludwig's collection. You can browse roses, get specialist advice and explore the nursery and garden environment.

Ludwig's also runs experiences around its roses, including talks, garden tours and activities at its various farms and branches.

It’s a good reminder that you don't need to leave Joburg to spend a morning surrounded by roses.

Good for: Rose lovers, gardeners and anyone planning a romantic summer outing.

7. Flower Haven Farm

Tucked away in Benoni, Flower Haven Farm is a working seasonal cut-flower farm where you can actually get into the flower beds and pick your own blooms.

The farm grows everything from snapdragons and sunflowers to garden roses and cosmos. During the flowering season, visitors can pick flowers, create their own bouquet and take it home.

The farm is based at Shed & Silo, 77 Thomas Road, Norton's Home Estates, and typically opens to the public during the flowering season, subject to weather and flower availability.

There are also botanical talks, workshops and other experiences throughout the year, so it's worth checking what's happening before you go.

Good for: A relaxed weekend outing, families, flower picking and botanical experiences.

8. Versilia's Roses

For something a little further out, head towards Krugersdorp and Laurentia Farm.

Versilia's Roses is based on the farm in Honingklip and focuses on premium rose plants. The farm is part of an area with a long history of rose growing, and visitors can explore the different varieties and colours, from classic reds to softer pinks and whites.

It's a good option if you're looking to turn your flower outing into a proper day trip outside Johannesburg.

Good for: Rose lovers, gardeners and a day out west of Joburg.

Make a day of it

The best thing about these farms is that they offer something different from the usual Johannesburg weekend plans.

You can pick flowers at Akanaka Blooms, explore roses at Ludwig's, discover edible flowers at PicoGro or spend a slow morning at Flower Haven Farm.

And because these are working farms, don't just arrive without checking first. Opening days, flower availability and picking experiences can change with the season and weather.

Summer is the perfect excuse to get out of the city for a few hours. Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes and, depending on the farm, a bucket. You might just come home with a bouquet.

Editor's note: We recommend checking each farm's website or social pages before visiting, as public access and seasonal opening dates can change.