How to Care for Your Lei
Leis are a beautiful part of graduation celebrations at Harvard-Westlake. Whether you’re giving or receiving one, taking a little time to care for your lei helps keep it fresh, fragrant, and ready for the big day.
What’s Included:
- Keeping Your Lei Fresh
- Transport Tips
- How to Dry or Save Your Lei
- Thoughtful Ways to Let Go
Keeping Your Lei Fresh
To help your orchid, carnation, cigar, ti leaf, or haku lei look its best:
- Unpack right away: Take your lei out of the box or bag as soon as you can. Let it breathe to avoid crushing the flowers or leaves.
- Refrigerate if possible: Store your lei at 50–55°F. If that’s not an option, lightly mist it with cool water and wrap it in a slightly damp paper towel. You can also place it in a plastic bag until you’re ready to use it.
- Mist occasionally: A quick spray of cool water throughout the day can help your lei stay fresh longer.
- Haku and orchid leis: These hold up well if stored properly and misted.
- Ti leaf leis: These are durable and can be kept in the fridge or in a cool spot until worn.
Transport Tips
If you’re picking up or bringing a lei to someone:
- Keep it cool, not cold: Never freeze your lei. Too much cold will damage the flowers or leaves.
- Let it warm slightly: Before placing it on someone, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. A chilled lei can feel stiff or damp and might stain clothing.
How to Dry or Save Your Lei
Some leis can be saved as keepsakes:
- Air Drying: Ti leaf leis, cigar leis, and some haku leis can be air-dried. Hang them on a hook, over a mirror, or on a door to let them dry naturally.
- Keep it simple: Just let the lei hang in a cool, dry place. No need for sprays or fancy setups.
Thoughtful Ways to Let Go
When it’s time to part with your lei, you can do so in a respectful way:
- Place it outside: Hang it on a tree, lay it in your garden, or leave it somewhere peaceful.
- Scatter the petals: You can take apart the lei and scatter the petals in nature—as a way to return it with care.
Leis are given with love. Saying goodbye to them with thoughtfulness honors that.
Let us know if you have any questions or need tips for keeping your lei fresh. We’re here to help make your graduation day feel special.
Order your lei at hwohana.com/shop
