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Postharvest recommendations for native Australian and South African ornamental plants and cut flowers

In a global market valued at several billion USD annually, native floricultural species pose unique postharvest challenges and opportunities. A comprehensive review article published in Frontiers in Horticulture presents the trade potential and postharvest recommendations for well-known species from Australia and South Africa.

According to Union Fleurs, the international flower trade association, the global flower trade market represents about 25 billion dollars annually [1]. As cut flowers are highly perishable products with a short life cycle, an efficient cold-chain and reliable temperature management are crucial to preserve the quality of flowers during transport and ensure vase-life at destination [1].

 

Historically, key suppliers have been Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya and Ethiopia, accounting for over 40% of the global market [1].  In recent years, the international floriculture sector has developed new marketing trends by utilising native plant species, mainly from Australia and South Africa [2].

 

A comprehensive review article published in Frontiers in Horticulture by Prof. Anastasios Darras from the University of Peloponnese, Greece, presents the trade potential and the postharvest attributes of some of the most well-known species from Australia and South Africa.

Beyond species‐specific protocols, general postharvest handling practices for both Australian and South African species natives converge on the following principles:

  • Rapid cooling after harvest to remove field heat,
  • Cold‐chain maintenance at optimal species‐specific temperatures,
  • Immediate recutting under water,
  • Ethylene management, through avoidance of ethylene‐emitting artifacts during handling and the potential use of antagonists, to further extend quality in sensitive species.

 

Postharvest recommendations for ornamental plants and cut flowers native from Australia

 

In Australia, the Department of Primary Industries for New South Wales recommends immediate hydration, cold‐room “field‐heat” removal, and controlled sugar pulsing to sustain the vase life of waxflower (Chamelaucium spp.), kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos spp.), and related species.

A postharvest handling manual for Australian native and related floral species outlines correct harvest maturity, sugar treatments, and storage temperatures (2°C–4°C for temperate natives; 10°C minimum for subtropical species) to maximise water balance and minimize enzymatic degradation before shipment. Moreover, the Australian Standard AS 4689.1‐2004 sets minimum postharvest vase life requirements and quality specifications for key cut flower lines, enabling growers and exporters to benchmark performance and ensure consistent product quality for domestic and international markets.

 

Postharvest recommendations for ornamental plants and cut flowers native from South Africa

 

South African proteaceous flowers such as Protea spp., Leucospermum spp., and Leucadendron spp. are prized for their striking inflorescences and long vase life but suffer from leaf blackening during extended cold‐chain transport, especially when transitioning from air to sea freight.

 

Controlled‐atmosphere and temperature treatment systems can also achieve phytosanitary disinfestation without compromising vase life, employing temperature ramps to 4°C under low‐oxygen, high‐CO2 atmospheres to eliminate pests while preserving xylem functionality. Integrative protocols combining pulsing, controlled atmosphere, and postharvest conditioning now underpin the South African export strategy, balancing phytosanitary compliance with maintenance of water balance and membrane stability.

 

 

For more information, the complete article is available in open access in Frontiers in Horticulture and on FRIDOC.

 

 

Did you know? The IIR published a practical guide for chilled storage of perishable produce, which also covers cut flowers and seeds. A 5th edition of the guide will be available soon.
Recommendations for Chilled Storage of Perishable Produce

 

 

Sources

[1] Insights into the International Flower Trade. UNECE. Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards. Specialized Section Standardization FFV. 6-8 May 2024, Geneva https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/PPT-Item6c-UnionFleurs.pdf

[2] Darras A.I. (2025). Trends in postharvest technology, marketing, and distribution of native Australian and South African ornamental plants, cut flowers, and cut foliage. Front. Hortic. 4:1584484. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhort.2025.1584484