Cut Flowers (including Cut Florist Greens)

Cut flower farming on the Big Island ranges from small family plots to larger commercial farms. Many operations are clustered on the east side of the island (Puna and Hilo districts), where high rainfall and diffuse sunlight (often through cloud cover or shadecloth) create excellent conditions for tropical flowers like anthuriums (Anthurium andraeanum hybrids) and orchids (especially dendrobiums, Dendrobium spp.)​

Anthuriums – with their glossy, heart-shaped spathes in red, pink, orange, or bi-color – are typically grown under 50-80% shade (often in saran shadehouses) and in well-drained cinder or media beds to prevent diseases. Heliconias (Heliconia spp.) and gingers (e.g. red ginger, Alpinia purpurata, and torch ginger, Etlingera elatior) thrive in the island’s tropical climate; these tall, showy inflorescences are grown in open fields or under light shade and harvested as striking cut stems. At higher elevations (or in certain microclimates), growers cultivate proteas (Proteaceae family, such as pincushion protea Leucospermum spp. and king protea Protea cynaroides) which prefer cooler, drier conditions – on Hawaii Island they are grown on upland slopes in districts like Kaʻū or Hamakua, albeit Maui historically dominates protea production. Other cut flowers include bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae), tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa), tropic fleur (orchid tree flower, Bauhinia spp.), and various tropicals, though these are often smaller segments of production.

Major Species and Names

The anthurium is a flagship Hawaiian cut flower – sometimes called the “Heart of Hawai'i” for its shape – and comes in varieties like ‘Ozaki’ (red) or ‘Obake’ types (green and red bicolor)​. Orchids grown for cut flowers are primarily dendrobium cultivars (sprays of purple, white, or green blossoms) and sometimes Oncidium (the “dancing lady” orchid) sprays. Common cut heliconia varieties have vibrant bracts of red, orange, or yellow (species like Heliconia rostrata – hanging lobster claw). Red ginger and pink ginger (Alpinia purpurata varieties) provide long-lasting floral spikes, while bird-of-paradise offers a tropical accent with its orange and blue “crane”-like flowers. Protea flowers, with their unique textures, include yellow-orange pincushions (Leucospermum spp.) and large pink protea blooms; these are often associated with upcountry farms. In addition to flowers, Hawaii Island farms produce cut foliage and florist greens: for example, ti leaf (Cordyline fruticosa, known as kī) fronds, monstera (Monstera deliciosa) leaves, leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis), and hala (Pandanus tectorius) leaves are harvested as greenery to complement floral arrangements.

 Anthurium cut-flower production under a shade cloth on Hawai'i Island (Pahoa, 1973). Anthuriums are grown in cinder beds under 50–70% shade; their colorful spathes are harvested year-round​.

Production Volume and Data

Hawaii Island has historically been the backbone of the state’s cut flower industry. By the late 1950s, the island hosted 266 of Hawaiʻi’s 365 anthurium farms (over 70%), reflecting its early dominance​ apsnet.org. Anthuriums remain one of the most important cut flowers in Hawaii’s floriculture industry apsnet.org. In recent data, anthuriums led Hawaii’s cut flower category by value: in 2020, growers statewide (mostly on Hawaii Island) sold about 1.6 million anthurium stems worth roughly $1.7 million files.hawaii.gov. Other cut flowers are smaller by comparison: for example, state sales of proteas were about 650,000 stems for $655,000 files.hawaii.gov, and cut dendrobium orchid sprays about 660,000 stems for $642,000 files.hawaii.gov in 2020. (By 2020, many Hawaii dendrobium growers had shifted to potted plant sales, so cut orchid production is down from historical levels.) While detailed county-specific figures are sparse, Hawaii County’s contribution is significant – nearly all anthuriums and a large share of tropical cut flowers come from the Big Island. The combined category of “cut flowers and cut lei flowers” statewide was valued at $5.51 million in 2020​ nass.usda.gov, of which a substantial portion was generated by Hawaii Island farms. It’s worth noting that these sales were depressed by the pandemic in 2020; pre-pandemic, Hawaiʻi’s cut flower/lei segment was larger (e.g. $7.25 million in 2018)​ hdoa.hawaii.gov. Big Island growers ship cut blooms inter-island, to the U.S. Mainland, and to international markets (especially for tropical bouquets). The island’s floriculture exporters often consolidate products (e.g. anthurium, heliconia, orchids, plus foliage) into mixed “Hawaiian tropical flower bouquets” destined for florists and supermarkets on the Mainland.

Value-Added Products and Uses

Most cut flowers from Hawaii Island are sold fresh for use in floral arrangements, event decor, and bouquets. Some flowers serve specific markets – for instance, dendrobium orchid sprays are in demand for making leis (more on lei flowers in a later section), and tuberose or pikake blossoms are prized for their fragrance in leis and perfumes. A portion of the cut tropicals are assembled on-island into value-added bouquets or arrangements before shipping, adding labor value locally. Florist greens like ti leaves and ferns are also bundled and sold as foliage packs to accompany flower shipments. There is a small segment of preserved or dried products: anthurium flowers can be air-dried and used in everlasting arrangements, and some protea and foliage (like sword fern) are dried or treated for long-lasting decorative use. Additionally, Hawaii’s flower growers capitalize on agritourism and direct marketing – for example, some offer mail-order boxes of fresh tropical flowers, which are a popular gift item. The cultural value of these flowers is significant as well; many Big Island farms contribute blooms for local festivals, ceremonies, and the hospitality industry (hotels, luaus, etc.). This interplay of commercial and cultural demand encourages growers to maintain high quality and authentic Hawaiian varieties in their offerings.

Market Trends and Competitiveness

The cut flower sector on Hawaii Island has faced dynamic market shifts in recent decades. One major trend is global competition. Mainland U.S. florists increasingly source standard flowers (roses, carnations, etc.) from Latin America, and tropical cut flowers from countries like Costa Rica, Thailand, and Malaysia. Hawaiian growers have had to differentiate their products – emphasizing unique varieties, superior post-harvest quality, and the “Hawaii-grown” brand – to justify higher prices against lower-cost imports. For example, dendrobium orchids, once a Hawaiian export staple for leis, are now largely imported from Thailand where production costs are lower; this contributed to Hawaii’s cut orchid sales declining over time​ nass.usda.gov. In response, many Hawaii Island orchid producers shifted toward higher-value potted plants (discussed in the next section) or specialty cut orchids not easily found elsewhere. Tropical flowers like anthurium and heliconia remain Hawaii Island’s niche: thanks to decades of breeding work at the University of Hawaiʻi, growers have access to disease-resistant, high-yielding anthurium cultivars that keep this crop viable despite past setbacks like the bacterial blight epidemic of the 1980s​ apsnet.org. Continual innovation in variety development (new colors, forms, and longer vase life) provides a competitive edge and helps sustain demand for Hawaiian anthuriums in floral design trends.

The COVID-19 pandemic (2020) had a pronounced impact on the cut flower market. Hawai'i Island growers saw event and hotel demand evaporate during lockdowns, causing a sharp drop in sales​. Many adjusted by targeting the retail and direct-to-consumer channels – shipping “stay-at-home” bouquet kits and leveraging online sales. By 2021–2022, the market partially rebounded as weddings and tourism resumed, though supply chain issues (e.g. high air freight costs) persisted. Shipping logistics are a perennial competitiveness factor: Hawaii Island’s distance from Mainland markets means higher freight costs and longer transit times, which can reduce flower freshness. To combat this, some exporters have adopted improved post-harvest techniques (precooling, anti-ethylene treatments, and special packaging) to extend vase life, and a few have experimented with ocean freighting flowers in refrigerated containers to cut costs​ apsnet.org. The State and industry have also worked on certification programs to ensure pest-free shipments (an important factor since invasive pests like ants or coqui frogs on Hawai'i Island can jeopardize exports). Compliance with quarantine protocols adds cost but is essential for market access.

On the positive side, Hawai'i’s cut flowers carry an exotic appeal and seasonal advantage (year-round availability) that mainland growers in temperate zones cannot match. Market trends show steady niche demand for tropical flowers in high-end floral design and hospitality. Hawai'i Island producers are increasingly collaborating in co-ops or marketing groups (such as the Hawai'i Tropical Flower Council) to collectively promote their products and reach larger buyers. There is also movement toward agritourism and on-farm experiences – e.g. some flower farms offer tours or on-site shops, turning their blooms into an experience. Technological adoption, such as automated irrigation/fertigation systems in greenhouses and the use of data loggers to optimize growing conditions, is helping improve productivity and consistency of cut flower quality. Overall, while competition and cost pressures remain challenges, Hawaii Island’s cut flower growers leverage unique products, research-driven improvements, and cooperative marketing to maintain a competitive presence in the floriculture market.