At AFE, they recognize the problems facing the industry and strive to provide resources to alleviate challenges. As the industry adapts and changes, they receive questions about the virus so they are providing information that may be useful.
Q. Can the virus be transmitted in plants and flowers?
A. No. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can infect a plant. In fact, plant cells have a cell wall while animal cells have a cell membrane but not a cell wall. The COVID-19 particle can penetrate the cell membrane in animal cells. However, the COVID-19 particles, while only 125 nanometers, is one of the largest virus particles and they are too large to enter the plant cell wall. And, even if they could enter the cell, they would need receptors in the cell – these receptors do not exist in plant cells.
Q. Does this mean that flowers and plants cannot spread COVID-19?
A. No. If a person handling plants and flowers has been infected with COVID-19 and coughs, sneezes, or even breathes on plants and flowers, virus particles could be deposited on the surface of the leaves, flowers, or stems or on flower boxes or flower containers. It is not known how long the virus particles will live on flowers and plants. Experts are not sure yet if the virus is spread by aerosol or droplets. People who are asymptomatic (approximately 35%) may spread the virus without their knowledge. For this reason, anyone handling plants and flowers should wear a mask to prevent the spread of the disease.