Tropical Foliage Cultivar Development: New Ornamental Introductions Drive Plant Markets

Florida is now the leading state in the production of foliage plants, accounting for more than 55% of the national wholesale value since the 1960s(Chen et al. 2002). Florida growers have cultivated Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) since 1912. Heartleaf philodendron vine was introduced into production in Florida in 1928. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) and rubber plant (Ficus elastica) were commercially grown in Florida by the 1930s. A large upswing in foliage plant production occurred during the back-to-earth, back-to-nature movements of the 1970s. Innovative plant breeding techniques developed during the 1980s and new tissue-culture technology enabling faster propagation fueled the market as new varieties became available through the turn of the millennium (Table 1). The wholesale value of foliage plants in the U.S. rose from $29 million in 1969 to $585 million in 2001.