Cut flowers sold in Switzerland come from three main sources: Swiss growers (fields and greenhouses, especially from spring to autumn), European greenhouses (above all the Netherlands, which is also Europe’s great trading hub for flowers) and long-distance imports, mainly roses from East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia) and roses and carnations from South America (Colombia, Ecuador). Most winter bouquets travel a long way; summer bouquets have the best chance of being local.
This article explains how the flower trade works, why certain flowers come from certain places, and how to choose if origin matters to you. It is deliberately qualitative: market statistics change and are rarely published in a reliable, comparable way.
The main origins at a glance
| Origin | Typical flowers | Why there? | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland (fields, greenhouses) | Tulips, peonies, sunflowers, dahlias, cosmos, snapdragons, asters, garden roses | Local demand, freshness, short transport | Mainly spring to autumn |
| Netherlands (greenhouses + trading hub) | Tulips, chrysanthemums, gerberas, lilies, roses, almost everything via the auctions | Expertise, high-tech greenhouses, logistics | All year |
| Other European countries (Italy, France, Spain…) | Mimosa, anemones, ranunculus, foliage | Mild climate | Mostly winter and spring |
| East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia…) | Roses, spray roses, summer flowers | High altitude near the equator: strong light, mild nights | All year |
| South America (Colombia, Ecuador) | Roses with large heads, carnations, alstroemeria | Same altitude advantage in the Andes | All year |
| Other origins (Israel, Asia…) | Some foliage, orchids and speciality flowers | Climate and specialisation | Varies |
The Netherlands: Europe’s flower hub
The Netherlands plays a double role. It is a major grower, with very advanced greenhouses, and it is the main trading hub for cut flowers in Europe. Flowers from many countries, including Africa and South America, pass through Dutch auctions and wholesalers before being sold on across Europe. The best known is Royal FloraHolland, whose auction site at Aalsmeer is one of the largest in the world.
That’s why, even when a florist buys “from Holland”, the flowers may originally have been grown somewhere else entirely.
Swiss-grown flowers
Switzerland has its own growers, from family farms selling fields of sunflowers and “pick-your-own” flowers by the roadside to professional greenhouse producers. Swiss production follows the seasons:
- Spring: tulips, daffodils, ranunculus, anemones.
- Early summer: peonies, garden roses, sweet peas.
- Summer: sunflowers, dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, snapdragons, gladioli.
- Autumn: dahlias, asters, chrysanthemums, foliage and berries.
- Winter: limited local production, mostly from greenhouses, plus evergreen branches.
In season, markets, farm stands and self-pick fields are the easiest way to buy Swiss-grown flowers, and a local florist can tell you which stems are local. Our guide to seasonal flowers in Switzerland shows what’s available month by month.
Why roses come from Africa and South America
Roses need a lot of light and stable temperatures. In regions close to the equator at high altitude, such as the highlands of Kenya and Ethiopia or the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador, the sun is strong all year and nights are cool, which produces roses with sturdy stems and large heads, without heated greenhouses. These flowers are cut, cooled, flown to Europe and distributed within a few days.
The journey of a cut flower
- Harvest at the right stage (often in bud).
- Cooling immediately, to slow ageing.
- Grading and packing by stem length and quality.
- Transport by refrigerated truck or air freight, depending on origin.
- Auction or wholesaler, often in the Netherlands.
- Distribution to wholesalers and florists across Europe, including Switzerland.
- Conditioning by the florist: recutting, hydration, removal of lower leaves.
- Composition and delivery to you.
The cold chain throughout this journey is one of the main factors behind vase life. Once at home, our guide on how to make flowers last longer takes over.
Local vs imported: the environmental question
It is tempting to think that local is always better. In season, it usually is. But the picture is more nuanced:
- Air freight has a significant climate impact.
- Heated, lit greenhouses in northern Europe in winter also use a lot of energy.
- Water use, pesticides and working conditions vary greatly between farms, in Europe and elsewhere.
The most reliable rule: seasonal flowers grown locally have the lowest impact. Out of season, labels can help.
Labels you may see in Switzerland
- Fairtrade (Max Havelaar in Switzerland): focuses on working conditions and fair payments for workers on certified farms, often for roses from Africa.
- Organic labels: rare for cut flowers, but they exist for some products.
- Other sustainability certifications used by growers and traders.
Our guide to sustainable flowers in Switzerland goes into more detail.
How to choose if origin matters to you
- Ask your florist where the flowers come from. Good florists know their suppliers.
- Choose seasonal bouquets: the florist can favour local stems.
- Avoid “out-of-season” requests (peonies in December, tulips in August) if you want local flowers.
- Look for labels such as Fairtrade on roses.
- Consider dried flowers or plants for a longer-lasting gift: see our guide to dried and preserved flowers and the best plants to give as a gift.
Honest note: many online florists, including some we recommend elsewhere on this site, do not publish the origin of their flowers. When information isn’t published, we don’t guess. Asking the florist directly is the best way to know.
Seasonal guide: what’s likely local, what’s likely imported
This is a general guide, not a guarantee. Availability depends on the year, the weather and each florist’s suppliers.
| Season | More likely Swiss or nearby European | More likely long-distance |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Evergreen branches, amaryllis, some greenhouse tulips; mimosa and anemones from southern Europe | Most roses, carnations, alstroemeria |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Tulips, daffodils, ranunculus, hyacinths, lilac | Large-headed roses |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Peonies, garden roses, sunflowers, dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, gladioli | Fewer, but many roses still imported |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Dahlias, asters, chrysanthemums, foliage, berries | Roses, exotic flowers |
Questions to ask your florist
If you want to know more about the flowers in your bouquet, these questions are reasonable and most good florists will answer them:
- “Which flowers in this bouquet are grown in Switzerland?”
- “Do you work with local growers in summer?”
- “Are your roses Fairtrade certified?”
- “Can you make a seasonal bouquet with local flowers only?”
- “Do you use floral foam, or foam-free techniques?”
The answers will tell you a lot about how the florist works. A florist who knows exactly where their flowers come from is usually one who pays attention to quality and freshness too.
Why flowers are often delivered in bud
Many cut flowers are harvested when the buds are still closed or just starting to colour. Picked at this stage, they survive transport better, take up water once recut, and open over several days in the vase. That’s why a bouquet of tulips, lilies or peonies can look modest on arrival and become spectacular two days later. It’s also one reason why the journey from field to florist has to be fast and kept cool: a flower that has been warm for too long will open early and fade quickly at home.
Flowers and the Swiss calendar
Demand peaks on a few dates (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, All Saints’ Day, Christmas), when local production cannot cover everything, especially in winter. That’s one reason many Valentine’s roses are imported; our Valentine’s Day flowers guide suggests seasonal alternatives. Our flower-giving calendar lists the key dates, and our language of flowers dictionary helps you pick a seasonal alternative with the right meaning. For the flowers that grow wild in the Swiss Alps (and must stay there), see our article on Swiss Alpine flowers and edelweiss.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most cut flowers in Switzerland come from?
A large share of cut flowers sold in Switzerland is imported, much of it through the Netherlands, the main trading hub for flowers in Europe. Roses often come from East Africa or South America, while Swiss growers supply seasonal flowers, especially in summer.
Are there flowers grown in Switzerland?
Yes. Swiss growers produce flowers in fields and greenhouses, with a strong season from spring to autumn: tulips, peonies, sunflowers, dahlias, cosmos and many garden flowers.
Why are so many roses imported from Africa?
High-altitude regions near the equator, such as parts of Kenya and Ethiopia, offer strong sunlight and mild temperatures all year, ideal for growing roses without heated greenhouses.
Are imported flowers worse for the environment than local ones?
Not always. Air transport has an impact, but heated greenhouses in winter also use a lot of energy. Local flowers in season are generally the lowest-impact choice.
How can I know where my bouquet comes from?
Ask the florist. Some state the origin or use labels such as Fairtrade (Max Havelaar in Switzerland); many do not publish it. Choosing seasonal flowers increases the chance they are grown locally.