A Closer Look at the Floriculture Industry in Virginia
February 19, 2026 Horticulture is a vital industry in Virginia, and trends from the 2022 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service census continue to underscore its significance to the commonwealth and growth in various crop categories within the industry. Some key takeaways from the most recent census include the increase in the number of farms producing cut flowers and greens, as well as food crops under protection (e.g., greenhouses, vertical farms, high tunnels), and foliage plants. In addition, bedding plant and nursery stock production remain a key agricultural commodity in Virginia. Shifts in agricultural commodities, changes in government initiatives, and the emergence of new farms will continue to shape this industry in the years to come.
Virginia farms using overhead protection to cultivate ornamental and edible horticultural crops were widely distributed throughout the state. However, the northern half of the state had a higher number of businesses using overhead protection, likely due to less favorable outdoor weather conditions and closer proximity to the metropolitan area around Washington, DC.
Between 2017 and 2022, the growth of the horticultural industry in Virginia was largely positive, with floriculture, nursery, and food crops increasing the number of farms operating, value of sales, and acres under protection. In total, 476 new farms were reported growing horticultural products since 2017, and this increase was seen in every USDA crop category. The total value of sales increased by $66 million, with food crops under protection experiencing the largest percentage increase in sales value. Combined, the production of horticultural crops under protection increased by roughly 2.2 million square feet, with all crop categories except propagation material having decreased in area. Nursery crop production added 1,880 acres of open field production, but floriculture crop production lost 176 acres of open field production.
Cut Flowers and Greens on The Uptick
Cut flowers and greens stand out from other subcategories as having the largest single gain in the number of farms producing them. This marks a positive uptick in production for an industry that has been in decline since the early 2000s, largely due to increased volumes of imported products (Jenkins et al., 2023). This growth has resulted in a roughly $2 million increase in sales value since 2017. Unique to cut flowers and greens, the production area under glass or other protection increased, while it lost substantial acres of open-field production. Notably, this increase in cut flower and green production appears to be driven by many small-scale producers, rather than large producers adding or expanding their operations. This change was partly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic increasing consumer interest in houseplants and purchasing locally grown products.
Bedding Plant and Nursery Stock Production Remains Dominant
According to the 2022 census data, the bedding plant and nursery stock subcategories generated roughly $257 million in sales value in Virginia. That is a $47 million increase in sale value since 2017. This growth outpaced the inflation rate over the five-year period. These two subcategories combined are among the top ten agricultural commodities in Virginia. The value of sales and consistent growth of ornamental horticulture underscores the significance of the bedding plant and nursery stock industries within Virginia’s horticultural sector. It also highlights the increasing demand for these products both locally and regionally.
Foliage Plants Gain Momentum
Nationally, there has been a growing interest in foliage and houseplants among consumers. This is potentially a byproduct of the lockdowns during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a larger generational interest in houseplants, and retailers adapting to increased online sales (i.e., e-commerce). In-person stores remain the most common way people purchase plants, but online retail is gaining traction for horticultural products. It is expected that this trend will continue as Americans increasingly purchase their goods online.
Virginia has followed the larger national trend in foliage and indoor plants, seeing an 88% increase in the number of farms producing foliage and houseplants. Additionally, foliage and houseplants experienced the single largest increase in acres under protection, with a corresponding increase in sales value of $4.5 million since 2017. With increased acreage under protection and a notable rise in sales value, the state’s growers are starting to capitalize on the growing demand for foliage and houseplants, offering a better convenience value proposition to consumers.
Learn more in this post from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
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