Floriculture is the business of growing flowers and ornamental plants for sale. It covers cut stems bound for florists, potted orchids on supermarket shelves, bedding plants for garden centres, and foliage used in arrangements.

The trade is global and highly perishable. A rose cut in Kenya on Monday can be in a Dutch auction by Wednesday and a Parisian shop by Friday. Refrigerated trucks, air freight, and cold-chain logistics make that possible. The Netherlands dominates the auction side, while Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, and Ethiopia are major growers.

Main segments

• Cut flowers: roses, chrysanthemums, tulips, lilies, carnations
• Potted plants: orchids, poinsettias, cyclamen
• Bedding plants: petunias, pansies, geraniums
• Foliage and cut greens for arrangements

Most production happens in greenhouses or under plastic tunnels, where temperature and light can be controlled. The industry is sensitive to fuel prices, freight costs, and consumer taste, which shifts with fashion and holidays.