The results of the 2025 Ornamental Plant Survey in Germany confirm the continuing decline in the number of farms and areas under cultivation in ornamental plant production. With 10% fewer farms and an 8% decrease in the area under cultivation compared to 2021, the figures speak for themselves.
"Of course, we knew that the figures did not look good for the industry," says Frank Werner, Chairman of the Federal Association of Ornamental Plants (BVZ) in the Central Horticultural Association (ZVG), "but to have the facts so clearly in front of our eyes is painful." Companies have been struggling for years with rising energy costs and an increasingly difficult market environment. To see how these burdens are now so clearly reflected in the figures is bitter for the entire industry.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reports that in 2025 2,821 horticultural holdings were still growing flowers and ornamental plants on an area of roughly 57,600 ha. Since 2017, 23.1% or 847 companies have withdrawn from production. The area has decreased by 12.6% or 830 ha since 2017.
With a decline of 21.1%, the production of houseplants has declined most significantly, which is not surprising in times of sharply increased energy costs. Poinsettias continue to lead the ranking significantly, although the number of units has been reduced by more than 14% since 2021.
Bedding and balcony plants as well as perennials remain the most important segment for German ornamental plant cultivation. From July 2024 to June 2025, 1,939 farms produced more than 866 million finished plants. Viola and Calluna remain the most important products.
The area of cut flowers also continues to decline significantly at 14%. At 93%, the largest part in terms of area is outdoors.
Nothing has changed in terms of regional focus. North Rhine-Westphalia remains the number 1 ornamental plant state in Germany, followed by Lower Saxony, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
The Ornamental Plant Survey is the most important statistical instrument for ornamental plant cultivation in Germany. Apart from the basic data from the horticultural survey, it is the only source of structural data for the most economically important production sector in horticulture. "Without reliable figures, we would not know where the industry stands and where it needs support," explains Werner. "Especially in times when many companies are under enormous economic pressure, precise data is indispensable in order to make well-founded political decisions and set the right course."
For more information:
Zentralverband Gartenbau
030 2000 65 203
www.derdeutschegartenbau.de
