Ornamentals

Industry Strategic Science and Technology Program

Industry Profile

Ornamentals are categorically classified into cutflowers, foliage, plant parts, live plants, and dried flowers and plants. The most popular cutflower cultivars produced in the Philippines include orchids, anthuriums, roses, gladioli, heliconias, and chrysanthemums. These flowers are commonly arranged in various forms such as corsages, wreaths, and other creative designs. Important foliage plants grown in the country include ferns, palms, podocarpus, crotons, dracaenas, and murrayas (Lantican, 2000).

The ornamental plants industry, dubbed as a “bright sunshine industry,” has encountered a multitude of opportunities and challenges. Initially, it began as a small-scale or backyard operation in the early 70s and commercial production in mid 80s when few growers ventured into business. The industry rapidly expanded in the 1990s with the entry of more commercial growers.

Problems in the Industry

The industry is affected by the following issues/concerns:

  • Insufficient number of available planting materials;
  • Lack of new and unique varieties of flowering and foliage ornamental plants with high acceptability for local and global markets; 
  • Lack of improved propagation/production protocols; pest and disease management control; policy recommendations.
crops ornamentals

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Ornamentals Policies

ISP for Ornamentals

DOST-PCAARRD’s ISP for Ornamental Plants focuses on 11 priority commodities (Orchid, Hoya, Chrysanthemum, Anthurium, Hibiscus, and Adenium for flowering plants; and Dracaena, Cordyline, Palm, Aglaonema, and Alocasia for foliage plants). The ISP is directed to ensure the country’s supply of locally and globally-competitive ornamental plants by increasing its production, and establishing adequate post-production facilities and technologies.

Strategic R&D

Strategic R&D is DOST-PCAARRD’s banner program comprising all R&D activities that are intended to generate outputs geared towards maximum economic and social benefits

Technology Transfer Initiatives

Technology Transfer  initatives ensure that the outputs of R&D and innovations are transformed into viable and applicable technologies that help intended users.

tech trans BLOOMS
Highland Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism: Benguet Landscape and Ornamental Offerings of a Magsasaka Siyentista (Highland SciCAT: BLOOMS) Batch 2
Published On: January 16, 2025

This project will be in collaboration with Magsasaka Siyentista Andy Colte. Activities shall be geared towards the improvement of his cut flower farm and the...

tech trans GAP Benguet 1
Enhancing GAP Compliance & Climate Resilience of Spray-Type Chrysanthemum Production in La Trinidad, Benguet
Published On: January 16, 2025

Harvesting of spray-type chrysanthemum at 75% anthesis The production of quality mums entails the application of good agricultural practices (GAP) for a sound environment, notwithstanding...

tech tras GAP
Science and Technology Interventions to Enhance Spray-Type Chrysanthemum Production through GAP Options
Published On: January 16, 2025

The proposed project on spray-type chrysanthemum production will be implemented by the proponent in partnership with the LGU-La Trinidad through the Office of the Municipal...

Capacity Building

Capacity building efforts of DOST-PCAARRD seek to develop and enhance the R&D capabilities of researchers and academic or research institutions through graduate assistantships, non-degree trainings & development, and/or upgrading of research facilities.

Manpower Development
  • Supported 1 GREAT Scholar for PhD

    Supported 1 GREAT Scholar (PhD) – Dr. Ramarie Ann B. Rama, a University Researcher at the Institute of Plant Breeding – University of the Philippines Los Baños (IPB-UPLB). She is a dedicated researcher specializing in Plant Breeding minor in Biochemistry

  • cap dev

    Training on Cultural Management and Propagation of Hibiscus was conducted on October 12, 2023 in Guiguinto Bulacan.

Policy Research & Advocacy

Analysis of policy concerns and advocacy of science-informed policies ensures that the AANR policy environment is conducive for S&T development and investments.

policy

  • Industry Assessment for Sustained Supply of Selected Locally and Globally Competitive Ornamental Plants in the Philippines

    The ornamental plants industry of the country is still not globally competitive owing to several hurdles. Two glaring reasons can be highlighted: related and supporting services (tissue culture laboratories and tree nurseries) are severely lacking; and investment incentives and support for competitive factors are also severely lacking.

    However, there is good promise of being globally competitive as indicated by the fact that demand for ornamental plants is increasing and getting sophisticated and this poses as an opportunity to improve the competitiveness of the industry. Also, the context for firm strategy and rivalry for infrastructure is present and the existing factor conditions (resources) are promising.

    Economically, orchids and native trees are important in terms of income generation and growing them can be promoted as good sources of alternative income among household. Socially, the industry, particularly the orchids industry can help mainstream women in the orchids production process as there are activities that were considered as better performed by women.

    Reference(s):

    Delos Reyes, J. A. (2023). Industry Assessment for Sustained Supply of Selected Locally and Globally Competitive Ornamental Plants in the Philippines. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines: Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Development – (Project Report)