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An Introduction to Cut Flower Production

Updated May 26, 2023
Professional headshot of Kristine Lang

Kristine Lang

Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist

Additional Authors: Rhoda Burrows
Bright-orange flowers growing in a garden.
In addition to their stunning colors and beauty, cut flowers can add supplemental income to gardens and farms alike. Courtesy: Canva

Written by Rebekah White, SDSU Agriculture Leadership, Education, Communication and Science Department undergraduate student, under the direction and review of Kristine Lang and Rhoda Burrows. Special thanks to Andrew Moeller and Regan Jacoby for peer review of this publication.

Introduction

Cut flowers are any flowers or flower bud that is cut from the plant and used decoratively. Cut flowers are very adaptable. They can go in anything from a bouquet to a vase, to a wreath, and more. The cut flower market in the United States can be an opportunity for small-scale producers who want to supplement their other crops, and they also offer benefits to large-scale producers who want to compete against the international market with local flowers. When planting cut flowers, you may want to investigate fulfilling some of your customers’ other floral needs. You can do this by planting supplemental greenery to sell to fill out arrangements.

This article will discuss some of the basic cut flowers that a producer could grow, where to market them, and some of the basic considerations that need to be taken into consideration when planning to grow cut flowers, including production, harvest and post-harvest basics, as well as labor and budget considerations.

What to Grow

Marigold flowers blooming in a garden in shades of orange.
Marigolds are one example of an annual cut flower that generally does well in the Midwest. Courtesy: Canva

When planning what to plant, you need to decide if you want to practice monoculture or diversity. Are you going to grow every part of a bouquet or just the most eye-catching part? You also need to take into consideration the amount of time you have. Perennials from seed don’t usually produce flowers until the second year, but annuals will bloom the year they are planted. You will, however, have to replant annuals every year.

Make sure you check and take into consideration when the flowers will bloom when you decide to grow them for your operation; flowers need to be started early. Some bulbs may need staking for support, especially if you are in an area with a lot of wind, so keep that in mind when choosing your flowers. Here are some examples of flowers that generally do well in the Midwest, but make sure to double-check for your area before you plant them.

      Annuals

      • Marigold
      • Lisianthus
      • Cosmos
      • Salvia
      • Snapdragon
      • Statice
      • Zinnia
      • Strawflower
      • Celosia
      • Gomphrena
      • Amaranthus
      • Cosmos
      • Black-eyed Susan
      • Sunflower

      Spring Flowering

      Bulbs

      • Tulip
      • Daffodil
      • Lily of the Valley

      Perennials

      • Hellebores
      • Bleeding Heart
      • Peonies
      • Lady’s Mantle

      Summer Flowering

      Bulbs

      • Dahlia
      • Gladiolus
      • Lily

      Perennials

      • Iris
      • Liatris
      • Coneflowers
      • Eryngium
      • Poppies
      • Astilbe
      • Clematis
      • Yarrow
      • Garden Phlox

          Late-Summer/Fall Flowering

          Perennials

          • Sedum, Autumn Joy and similar-types
          • Perennial Black-Eyed Susan
          • Chrysanthemum
          • Aster
          • Daisy
          • Carnation
          • Columbine
          • Heliopsis

          Greenery

          • Artemisia and Baby's-Breath
          • Ferns
          • Ornamental grasses

          Marketing

          Markets for cut flowers shift as consumer demands do, and producers need to be adaptable when deciding which types of cut flowers they choose to grow. As a producer, you need to decide if you are are selling single flowers or bunches, one flower variety at a time, or in sets. You also need to decide if you want to try making your own flower arrangements and doing value-added products. Getting the flowers from the producer to the final customer as quickly as possible is one of the most-important goals of marketing, because getting the freshest flowers is always a consideration for the cut flower market.

          There are lots of ways to market cut flowers, but they may not all work for where you are. That said, potential markets for your cut flowers, may include some or several of the avenues listed below.

          Potential Markets

          Patron browsing cut flower selection at outdoor farmers market.
          There are many ways to market cut flowers, including farmers markets, roadside stands, supermarkets, and other venues. Courtesy: Canva
          • Farmers markets
          • Roadside stands
          • U-cut
          • Wholesale
          • Supermarkets
          • Garden centers
          • Craft stores
          • Florist shops
          • Hotels
          • Restaurants
          • Caterers
          • Community Supported Agriculture shares
          • Event planners
          • On-farm sales

          Production Considerations

          Sunflowers growing in a full-sun clearing on a small acreage.
          Most cut flowers varieties, such as these sunflowers, grow best in well-drained soil and full sun. Courtesy: Canva

          When starting your cut flowers, remember:

          • Most cut flowers like well-drained soil and full sun.
          • Use mulch to prevent weed competition.
          • Protect the plants from the wind with barriers for a windbreak, as broken and bent stems are worth a lot less or nothing at all.
          • Some plants may need trellis netting for support and wind protection.

          During harvest, cut the flowers during the cool hours of the day. Regularly clean your tools to prevent the spread of disease. Place stems in water and move buckets to a cooling shed or processing area as soon as possible. Most stems need stored at 32 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% humidity for optimum vase life. There are exceptions, so be sure to know the post-harvest handling and storage temperatures for each flower variety you are planning on growing.

            Labor and Budget Considerations

            Producer harvesting dahlia flowers on a flower farm.
            Harvest and post-harvest are the most labor-intense times to produce cut flowers. Courtesy: Canva

            Labor is another major consideration when deciding to start your own cut flower business. Harvest and post-harvest are the most labor-intense times to produce cut flowers.

            Cut flowers are a very hands-on operation, from pre-planting to sales, so make sure you have prepared a detailed budget before you start so you aren’t surprised by all the input costs. The costs from your budget will help you know how much you need to make selling the cut flowers to make a profit.

            Whether you are adding cut flowers to an existing farm business, or starting your cut flower farm from scratch, consider trying a few different types of flowers to get started. You can expand the types of flowers you produce and grow your business as you learn what market channels and crops are most profitable for your farm.

            References and Recommended Reading

            Related Topics

            Flower