Top Ten Cut Flowers
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The United States Department of Agriculture collects a variety of flower statistics relating to the domestic floral industry. One of the categories they follow, cut flowers, covers the types of cut flowers grown in the United States and sold for ornamental purposes.
The following top ten list provides the most recent statistics related to the sheer number of cut flowers produced and sold in the United States. It does not reflect the monetary value of the flowers. Most flowers on the list are measured in terms of individual stems. Gladioli and snapdragon sales are measured in spikes (multiple flowers per stem) and carnation sales are measured in bunches.
- Tulips - 156,760 (1,000 Stems)
- Gerbera Daisies - 114,583 (1,000 Stems)
- Lilies - 109,823 (1,000 Stems)
- Gladioli - 87,855 (1,000 Spikes)
- Iris - 82,073 (1,000 Stems)
- Roses - 71,598 (1,000 Stems)
- Snapdragons - 33,114 (1,000 Spikes)
- Delphinium and Larkspur - 23,305 (1,000 Stems)
- Orchids - 12,038 (1,000 Blooms)
- Lisianthus - 10,386 (1,000 Stems)
Source: USDA Floriculture Crops 2007, published April 2008.
A comparable list of cut flowers imported into the United States shows domestic production and sales of cut flowers pales in comparison to the importation and sale of cut flowers.
According to the most recent statistics for 2006, cut flowers imported into the United States, again measured in terms of 1,000 stems, were:
- Roses - 1,439,165
- Carnations - 635,721
- Chrysanthemums - 473,687
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) 275,916
- Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) - 85,662
- Lilies - 50,791
- Orchids - 43,383
Source: USDA Floriculture and Nursery Crops Yearbook published September 2007
Combined top import and domestic statistics reveal the top five cut flowers sold in the United States.
- Roses
- Carnations
- Chrysanthemums
- Lilies
- Tulips
© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels