Ecuador’s Flower Growing Regions: A Florist Guide

Ecuador has emerged as one of the world’s premier flower-producing nations, ranking as the third-largest flower exporter globally and the undisputed leader in premium rose production. This small South American country, bisected by the equator from which it takes its name, possesses a unique combination of geographical and climatic advantages that make it ideally suited for cultivating some of the world’s most sought-after flowers. The country’s position on the equator provides twelve hours of daylight year-round, while its diverse topography creates microclimates ranging from tropical coastal plains to high-altitude Andean valleys. These factors, combined with volcanic soil rich in nutrients, abundant water resources, and a dedicated workforce with generations of horticultural expertise, have transformed Ecuador into a floriculture powerhouse that supplies premium flowers to markets across North America, Europe, and increasingly Asia.

The Ecuadorian flower industry began in earnest during the 1980s when pioneering growers recognized the country’s potential for year-round production of high-quality roses. What started as a modest export operation has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry employing over 100,000 workers directly and supporting hundreds of thousands more through related industries. Ecuador now produces more than 500 varieties of flowers, though roses remain the flagship crop, accounting for roughly 70 percent of all flower exports. The country’s flowers are distinguished by their exceptional quality, particularly the large bloom size, vibrant colors, long stems, and extended vase life that command premium prices in international markets. Understanding Ecuador’s distinct flower-growing regions reveals how geography, climate, and human innovation combine to create one of the world’s most successful floriculture industries.

Cayambe: The Rose Capital of Ecuador

The Cayambe region, located in Pichincha Province approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Quito, represents the epicenter of Ecuador’s rose industry and arguably produces the finest roses in the world. This area, situated at elevations between 2,800 and 3,000 meters above sea level in the shadow of the Cayambe volcano, has become synonymous with premium rose production. The region’s unique microclimate creates near-perfect conditions for rose cultivation, combining cool temperatures, intense equatorial sunlight, and volcanic soil in proportions that cannot be replicated elsewhere on Earth.

The climate of Cayambe provides the foundation for its rose-growing excellence. At these high elevations, daytime temperatures typically range between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, while nights cool to between 8 and 12 degrees. This diurnal temperature variation proves ideal for roses, as the cool nights slow plant metabolism, allowing roses to develop slowly and produce the large, tightly packed blooms that characterize Ecuadorian roses. The intense equatorial sunlight, unfiltered by the thin atmosphere at high altitude, drives vigorous photosynthesis and produces the vibrant colors for which Ecuadorian roses are famous. Reds appear deeper and more saturated, yellows more luminous, and whites more pristine than roses grown at lower elevations or higher latitudes.

The volcanic soil of the Cayambe region, enriched by millennia of ash deposits from the active Cayambe volcano and neighboring peaks, provides exceptional fertility and drainage. These soils are naturally rich in minerals and trace elements essential for plant health, reducing the need for supplemental fertilization. The porous volcanic substrate allows excellent drainage, preventing root diseases while retaining sufficient moisture to support plant growth. Many farms supplement natural rainfall with irrigation from glacial meltwater streams originating on Cayambe’s snow-capped peak, providing pristine water free from salts and contaminants.

The town of Cayambe itself serves as the administrative and social center for the region’s flower industry. The town’s economy revolves almost entirely around floriculture, with workers, technical specialists, and business services all oriented toward supporting the industry. On the outskirts of Cayambe and extending into the surrounding countryside, vast greenhouse complexes stretch across the landscape. These structures, primarily simple plastic-covered greenhouses rather than the sophisticated glass houses of the Netherlands, provide protection from rain and hail while allowing the beneficial equatorial sunlight to reach the plants. The greenhouses create a distinctive patchwork pattern across the hillsides, their translucent plastic surfaces catching the light and creating a surreal, almost otherworldly landscape.

Cayambe’s rose farms range from large operations covering 50 hectares or more, often owned by multinational corporations or investment groups, to smaller family-owned farms of five to ten hectares. The larger farms operate with industrial efficiency, employing hundreds of workers and utilizing sophisticated post-harvest facilities with climate-controlled cold rooms, automated sorting and grading lines, and dedicated logistics operations. These farms often maintain breeding programs, developing proprietary rose varieties that offer unique colors, improved disease resistance, or other desirable characteristics. Some of Ecuador’s most famous rose varieties, including the enormous “Freedom” red roses with stems exceeding one meter in length and blooms the size of a human hand, originated in Cayambe breeding programs.

The smaller farms often specialize in boutique varieties or specific color palettes, supplying niche markets willing to pay premium prices for unusual roses. Some focus on garden roses with the old-fashioned form and fragrance that modern hybrid teas often lack. Others specialize in specific colors particularly difficult to achieve, such as true blue roses (achieved through careful breeding and sometimes post-harvest treatment), black roses that appear almost purple-black, or variegated varieties with petals displaying multiple colors. These smaller operations often sell through specialized importers or directly to high-end florists rather than through the large wholesale markets.

The social and economic impact of the flower industry on Cayambe and surrounding communities has been profound and complex. The industry provides stable employment with wages generally higher than other agricultural work in rural Ecuador, offering opportunities particularly important for women, who comprise the majority of the flower industry workforce. Many farms provide benefits including healthcare, childcare facilities, transportation, and subsidized meals. However, the industry has also faced criticism regarding labor conditions, pesticide use, and environmental impacts, leading to significant improvements in recent decades. Many farms now hold certifications from organizations like Florverde, Rainforest Alliance, and Fair Trade, demonstrating commitment to sustainable practices, worker welfare, and environmental protection.

The communities around Cayambe have developed comprehensive expertise in all aspects of rose cultivation. Local technical schools offer programs in floriculture, creating a skilled workforce familiar with plant pathology, integrated pest management, post-harvest handling, and quality control. This concentration of knowledge and experience creates a self-reinforcing advantage, as workers moving between farms carry expertise with them, and the competitive pressure to maintain quality drives continuous improvement across the region.

Tabacundo and the Northern Sierra

Adjacent to Cayambe, the Tabacundo area represents a natural extension of the northern Sierra flower-growing region. Located at slightly lower elevations, generally between 2,600 and 2,800 meters, Tabacundo shares many of Cayambe’s advantages while offering its own distinctive characteristics. The region’s somewhat warmer temperatures and longer growing season make it particularly suitable for summer flowers and certain rose varieties that benefit from slightly warmer conditions.

Tabacundo has developed particular expertise in gypsophila production, commonly known as baby’s breath. This delicate, cloud-like flower serves as a staple of the floral industry, used as filler in countless bouquets and arrangements. Ecuador has become the world’s leading gypsophila supplier, and much of this production centers around Tabacundo. The region’s climate proves ideal for gypsophila, which requires consistent temperatures and abundant sunlight to produce the dense, branching sprays demanded by florists. Ecuadorian gypsophila is renowned for its exceptional quality, with longer stems, more prolific branching, and longer vase life than gypsophila from other origins.

The gypsophila operations in Tabacundo differ significantly from rose farms in their structure and workflow. Gypsophila grows more quickly than roses, with harvest cycles measured in weeks rather than months. The plants themselves are less valuable individually, so production focuses on volume and efficiency. Harvesting requires different skills, as workers must judge when the tiny flowers along each stem have opened sufficiently to ship while ensuring they won’t shatter during handling and transport. The post-harvest process emphasizes rapid cooling and careful handling to prevent damage to the delicate blooms.

Beyond gypsophila, Tabacundo produces significant quantities of alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian lily despite its Ecuadorian cultivation. These colorful, long-lasting flowers come in vibrant shades of orange, pink, yellow, red, purple, and white, often with intricate patterns of spots and stripes on their petals. Alstroemeria cultivation requires different expertise than roses, as the plants grow from rhizomes rather than being grafted onto rootstock. The rhizomes must be carefully managed to ensure consistent production, with farmers regularly dividing and replanting to maintain vigor.

The town of Tabacundo itself maintains a more traditional Ecuadorian character than Cayambe, though the flower industry’s influence is unmistakable. The local market includes vendors selling supplies specifically for flower farms, from specialized pruning shears to greenhouse plastic. Small restaurants and shops cater to farm workers, and many families in the area count at least one member employed in the flower industry. The connection between the town and the surrounding farms creates a distinctive local culture where agricultural calendars, weather patterns, and international flower market prices form part of everyday conversation.

Tabacundo’s flower farms have increasingly embraced sustainable practices, driven by both market demands and genuine environmental concerns. Many operations have implemented sophisticated water management systems that capture, filter, and recycle irrigation runoff, dramatically reducing water consumption. Integrated pest management programs minimize pesticide use by encouraging beneficial insects, using biological controls, and carefully monitoring pest populations to intervene only when necessary. Some farms have achieved carbon neutrality by installing solar panels, implementing composting programs that convert organic waste into soil amendments, and participating in reforestation projects that offset their carbon emissions.

Cotopaxi Province: Diversity and Innovation

Cotopaxi Province, dominated by the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, encompasses several important flower-growing areas. The province’s varied topography creates diverse microclimates suitable for different crops, making it Ecuador’s most diversified flower-growing region. While roses remain important, Cotopaxi has become Ecuador’s center for summer flowers, ornamental foliage, and experimental crops that might not thrive in the higher, cooler regions to the north.

The Latacunga area, situated at the province’s heart at approximately 2,800 meters elevation, serves as the commercial center for Cotopaxi’s flower industry. The region around Latacunga produces substantial rose volumes, but its real distinction lies in its diversity. Farms here cultivate carnations, which require slightly different growing conditions than roses and have faced declining global demand but maintain niche markets. Ecuadorian carnations, grown in Cotopaxi’s ideal climate, produce large blooms with exceptional fragrance, characteristics that have allowed them to compete despite competition from Colombian carnation producers.

Hypericum production, an increasingly popular crop for the floral industry, has found a particularly favorable home in Cotopaxi. Hypericum, harvested for its colorful berries rather than flowers, serves as a distinctive accent in arrangements. The berries come in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, green, and even deep burgundy, providing color and texture that complements both flowers and foliage. Cotopaxi’s climate allows extended growing seasons for hypericum, and the region has developed specialized expertise in harvest timing and post-harvest handling that preserves the berries’ color and prevents premature dropping.

The areas around Salcedo and Saquisilí in Cotopaxi Province have emerged as centers for ornamental foliage production. The floral industry requires vast quantities of greenery to complement flowers in bouquets and arrangements, and Ecuador has become a major supplier of premium foliage. Leather fern, tree fern, eucalyptus, ruscus, and numerous other species grow prolifically in Cotopaxi’s favorable conditions. Foliage production differs substantially from flower cultivation, requiring less intensive management but demanding expertise in harvest timing, post-harvest treatment, and quality grading. Many foliage species must be carefully selected to ensure uniform color and size, and some require special post-harvest treatments to extend their usability.

Cotopaxi has also become Ecuador’s experimental ground for new flower crops. Forward-thinking growers trial new species and varieties here, testing market acceptance before committing to large-scale production. In recent years, Cotopaxi farms have successfully introduced several new crops to Ecuador’s flower repertoire. Lisianthus, an elegant flower with rose-like blooms in soft pastels, has gained significant market share. Scabiosa, with its unique pincushion-like flowers, has found enthusiastic buyers among florists seeking distinctive materials. Ranunculus, particularly the large-flowered Persian varieties, has emerged as a seasonal specialty, with Ecuadorian production filling market gaps when other sources are unavailable.

The flower industry in Cotopaxi faces unique challenges related to volcanic activity. Cotopaxi volcano has erupted periodically throughout history, with the most recent significant activity in 2015. While volcanic eruptions pose obvious risks to farms in the vicinity, the greater concern involves ashfall that can damage greenhouses, coat plants, and disrupt operations across wide areas. Farms near the volcano maintain emergency protocols for protecting crops and evacuating workers if necessary. However, most growers view the volcanic risk as acceptable given the benefits provided by the rich volcanic soils that make the region so productive.

The provincial capital, Latacunga, has developed substantial infrastructure supporting the flower industry. Cold storage facilities, packing houses, and logistics companies cluster around the city, providing services to farms throughout the province. The airport at Latacunga handles cargo flights, though most flowers still travel through Quito’s international airport for export. Several agricultural supply companies maintain warehouses in Latacunga, stocking everything from fertilizers and pesticides to greenhouse materials and post-harvest chemicals.

Imbabura Province: Lakes, Mountains, and Flowers

North of Pichincha Province, Imbabura Province presents yet another distinctive flower-growing region. The areas around the towns of Otavalo, Cotacachi, and Atuntaqui, situated between 2,400 and 2,700 meters elevation, benefit from particularly abundant water resources. The region’s numerous lakes, including the iconic Lago San Pablo with Imbabura volcano rising behind it, moderate temperatures and contribute to the high humidity that certain crops require.

Imbabura has developed significant hydrangea production, supplying both fresh-cut hydrangeas for the floral trade and potted hydrangeas for retail sale. Hydrangeas require abundant water and humidity, conditions readily available in Imbabura’s lake-influenced climate. The region produces hydrangeas in every color, from traditional blues and pinks to whites, greens, and deep purples. The color of hydrangeas can be manipulated through soil pH and aluminum availability, and Imbabura growers have mastered these techniques, producing consistent colors that meet market specifications.

The indigenous Otavaleño people, renowned throughout Ecuador for their textile arts and market traditions, have increasingly engaged with the flower industry. Some indigenous families have established their own flower farms, often focusing on organic production methods that align with traditional agricultural practices. These farms sometimes integrate flower cultivation with other crops, creating diverse agricultural systems rather than monoculture operations. The indigenous presence in Imbabura’s flower industry has influenced labor practices and community relations, with some farms adopting more communal organizational structures and profit-sharing arrangements.

Imbabura’s flower farms have pioneered several innovative growing techniques now adopted throughout Ecuador. The region’s farmers led the development of efficient drip irrigation systems adapted to Ecuador’s conditions, reducing water waste while ensuring consistent soil moisture. Imbabura growers also developed improved greenhouse designs that better manage the region’s higher rainfall while maximizing light transmission. These simple but effective innovations have spread throughout Ecuador’s flower-growing regions, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.

The town of Otavalo, famous for its Saturday indigenous market where artisans from surrounding communities sell textiles, jewelry, and crafts, has seen the flower industry influence its traditional economy in unexpected ways. Some artisan families have diversified into flower cultivation, using income from flower farms to support traditional craft production. The Saturday market now includes vendors selling agricultural supplies alongside traditional goods, and the plaza discussions that once focused solely on textiles and tourist trade now incorporate flower market prices and growing conditions.

Imbabura’s flower industry faces particular challenges related to its indigenous land tenure systems. Much land in the region is held communally or through traditional arrangements that don’t align with conventional property rights, complicating farm expansion and investment. Some flower companies have navigated these complexities through partnership arrangements with indigenous communities, while others have focused on intensifying production on existing properties rather than expanding acreage.

Azuay and the Southern Highlands

The southern highlands of Ecuador, particularly Azuay Province centered around the city of Cuenca, represent the newest and fastest-growing region of Ecuador’s flower industry. Located at similar elevations to the northern flower regions but with distinctly different climate characteristics, Azuay offers both opportunities and challenges for flower cultivation. The region’s somewhat drier climate and cooler temperatures create ideal conditions for certain specialty crops while requiring different management approaches for traditional crops like roses.

Cuenca, Ecuador’s third-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture, has witnessed rapid flower industry expansion in surrounding areas. The region’s better-educated workforce, more developed infrastructure, and proximity to a major city provide advantages that have attracted substantial investment in recent years. Several large international flower companies have established operations near Cuenca, constructing state-of-the-art facilities that incorporate the latest greenhouse technology and post-harvest handling systems.

Azuay has emerged as Ecuador’s leading producer of statice, also called limonium or sea lavender. This delicate, papery flower comes in shades of purple, pink, yellow, and white and serves as both a fresh flower and a dried flower for arrangements. Statice thrives in Azuay’s drier conditions, requiring less humidity than roses or hydrangeas. The region’s statice production has grown dramatically, making Ecuador a major global supplier of this specialized crop. Harvest and post-harvest handling of statice require particular expertise, as the flowers must be cut at precisely the right stage of development and dried carefully to preserve color and form.

The region around Paute, east of Cuenca, has developed significant eucalyptus production for the floral trade. Multiple eucalyptus species are cultivated, each offering different leaf characteristics and colors. Silver dollar eucalyptus, with its round, silvery-blue leaves, remains the most popular, but farms also grow varieties with elongated leaves, deep green colors, or reddish tints. Eucalyptus cultivation in Azuay operates more like forestry than traditional flower farming, with trees planted in rows and selectively pruned to encourage the juvenile foliage preferred by florists. The trees can be harvested repeatedly over many years, making eucalyptus a sustainable crop requiring less replanting and infrastructure investment than annual flowers.

Azuay’s flower industry has benefited from the region’s strong cooperative tradition. Several grower cooperatives have formed, allowing smaller farmers to pool resources for post-harvest facilities, marketing, and export logistics. These cooperatives have proven particularly important for smallholder farmers who lack the capital to invest in expensive infrastructure individually. By working collectively, small farmers can access export markets and achieve quality standards that would be impossible to maintain independently.

The expansion of flower cultivation in Azuay has generated environmental concerns, particularly regarding water use. The region is significantly drier than northern flower-growing areas, and competition for water resources has intensified as flower farms proliferate. Some farms have responded by investing in advanced water conservation technologies, including moisture sensors that precisely monitor soil conditions and adjust irrigation automatically. Others have implemented rainwater harvesting systems, capturing and storing precipitation during the wet season for use during dry periods. These water management innovations developed in Azuay are now being adopted by farms throughout Ecuador.

Cuenca’s airport handles increasing flower cargo as the region’s production expands, though most Azuay flowers still travel overland to Quito for international export. The provincial government has invested in road improvements to facilitate flower transport, recognizing the industry’s economic importance. Discussion continues regarding potential expansion of Cuenca’s airport to handle larger cargo aircraft, which would reduce transport times and costs for southern producers.

The Coastal Region: An Emerging Frontier

While Ecuador’s flower industry has concentrated in the highland regions, recent years have seen experimental production in carefully selected coastal locations. The tropical coastal climate, dominated by heat and humidity, seems antithetical to quality flower production, but specific microclimates and innovative growing techniques have allowed limited flower cultivation in unexpected locations.

The Santa Elena Peninsula and certain areas near Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and primary commercial port, have seen successful cultivation of tropical flowers and ornamental foliage suited to warm, humid conditions. Heliconias, anthuriums, orchids, and various gingers grow naturally in Ecuador’s coastal forests and have been brought into cultivation. These tropical flowers serve both the export market and domestic consumption, with Ecuador’s growing middle class increasingly purchasing flowers for home decoration and gifts.

Coastal flower operations differ fundamentally from highland farms in their approach and infrastructure. Rather than enclosed greenhouses, coastal farms often use shade houses that filter intense tropical sun while allowing air circulation. The climate eliminates any need for heating but requires constant vigilance against fungal diseases promoted by humidity. Pest pressures differ entirely from the highlands, with coastal farms contending with insects and diseases unknown at higher elevations.

Some coastal farms have pioneered hydroponic systems for flower production, growing plants in soilless media with precisely controlled nutrient solutions. These systems offer advantages in the coastal environment, eliminating soil-borne diseases and allowing precise management of plant nutrition. However, the high initial investment and technical expertise required have limited hydroponic adoption primarily to larger, well-capitalized operations.

The coastal region’s proximity to Guayaquil’s port and international airport provides logistical advantages for certain export markets. Flowers grown near the coast can reach Asian markets more quickly than those from highland regions, potentially opening opportunities for time-sensitive specialty crops. However, most flower exports still transit through Quito’s airport, which has developed specialized infrastructure and efficient procedures specifically for flower handling.

The Oriente: Untapped Potential

Ecuador’s Amazon region, known as the Oriente, remains largely unexplored for commercial flower production. The region’s extreme humidity, heavy rainfall, and dense cloud cover create challenging conditions for most commercial flowers. However, the Oriente harbors extraordinary botanical diversity, including hundreds of orchid species and other ornamental plants with potential commercial value.

Several small-scale operations in the Oriente focus on sustainable harvesting of native orchids and other ornamental species from the rainforest. Rather than clearing land for cultivation, these operations work with indigenous communities to harvest carefully controlled quantities of wild plants, providing income while maintaining forest ecosystems. Some species of orchids, particularly those adapted to very specific ecological niches, cannot be successfully cultivated and must be collected from the wild. Sustainable wild harvesting, when properly managed, can provide conservation incentives by demonstrating the economic value of intact forests.

A few experimental farms in the foothills between the Andes and Amazon basin have attempted cultivation of more conventional flowers at elevations where conditions moderate. These operations face significant challenges including isolation from markets, limited infrastructure, and unusual pest and disease pressures. However, success stories from similar environments in other countries suggest that with proper site selection and management techniques, certain areas of the Oriente might eventually support commercial flower production.

The Oriente’s indigenous communities possess detailed knowledge of the region’s botanical resources, knowledge that could prove invaluable for identifying promising species for cultivation. Some partnerships between flower companies and indigenous communities have begun exploring the commercial potential of native species while ensuring benefits flow to the communities that have protected and understood these plants for generations. These collaborations remain in early stages but could represent an important model for sustainable development that respects both indigenous rights and conservation imperatives.

Quality Control, Certification, and Sustainability

Across all of Ecuador’s flower-growing regions, quality control and sustainability have become central concerns. The industry’s global reputation depends on consistent quality, and Ecuadorian flower companies have invested heavily in quality control systems. Most farms maintain sophisticated post-harvest facilities where flowers are graded by multiple criteria including stem length, bloom size, color intensity, freedom from defects, and overall vigor. Only flowers meeting strict standards are approved for export, with rejected flowers sold to domestic markets or composted.

Temperature management throughout the post-harvest chain proves critical to maintaining quality. Flowers are cooled immediately after harvest to slow metabolism and preserve freshness. They remain refrigerated during processing, packing, transport to the airport, and throughout the journey to destination markets. This “cold chain” requires reliable electricity, backup generators, refrigerated trucks, and airport cold storage facilities, infrastructure that Ecuador has developed specifically to support the flower industry.

Sustainability certifications have become increasingly important for accessing premium markets. Multiple certification systems operate in Ecuador, each with specific standards and requirements. Florverde, developed by Colombian and Ecuadorian flower growers specifically for the Latin American flower industry, focuses on environmental management, worker welfare, and community relations. Rainforest Alliance certification emphasizes biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. Fair Trade certification ensures workers receive fair wages and have the right to organize, with premium prices generating funds for community development projects. Many large farms now hold multiple certifications, meeting diverse buyer requirements.

These certification systems have driven real improvements in environmental and social practices. Water consumption has decreased dramatically through improved irrigation efficiency and recycling systems. Pesticide use has declined as integrated pest management becomes standard practice. Worker conditions have improved significantly, with most certified farms providing benefits, protective equipment, training, and grievance mechanisms. Community investment programs funded by certification premiums have built schools, health clinics, and infrastructure improvements in flower-growing regions.

The Future of Ecuadorian Floriculture

Ecuador’s flower industry faces both opportunities and challenges as it looks toward the future. Climate change poses significant concerns, as shifting weather patterns could alter the microclimates that make Ecuador’s flower regions so productive. Some climate models suggest that traditional flower-growing regions may experience increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, potentially requiring adaptation strategies or even shifts to new growing areas. However, Ecuador’s topographic diversity might allow the industry to relocate to higher elevations or different microclimates if necessary.

Market dynamics continue evolving, with changes in consumer preferences influencing production decisions. Growing environmental awareness among consumers drives demand for sustainably grown flowers, favoring Ecuador’s increasingly certified production. Online flower sales bypass traditional wholesalers, creating opportunities for direct relationships between growers and consumers. Some Ecuadorian farms have begun developing direct-to-consumer brands, shipping flowers directly to customers rather than through traditional distribution channels.

Technological innovation offers opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability. Precision agriculture tools including sensors, drones, and data analytics allow increasingly precise management of irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. LED supplemental lighting, increasingly affordable and efficient, could extend production seasons or enhance flower quality. Breeding advances continue producing improved varieties with better colors, longer vase life, disease resistance, and other desirable characteristics.

The Ecuadorian flower industry’s human dimension remains central to its success and its challenges. The industry provides crucial employment in rural areas where alternative opportunities are limited, lifting thousands of families out of poverty. Yet questions about working conditions, pesticide exposure, and labor rights persist, requiring ongoing attention and improvement. As younger generations consider their opportunities, the flower industry must continue evolving to remain attractive to workers, offering not just wages but also career development, respect, and safe working conditions.

Ecuador’s position as the world’s premier rose producer seems secure in the near term, as the country’s unique advantages in elevation, climate, and expertise cannot be easily replicated. However, complacency would be dangerous in a globalized market where new competitors constantly emerge and consumer preferences shift unpredictably. The industry’s continued success will depend on maintaining quality, embracing sustainability, treating workers fairly, and remaining flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.

From the rose fields of Cayambe to the experimental farms of Azuay, Ecuador’s flower industry represents a remarkable convergence of natural advantages, human expertise, and economic opportunity. The country’s distinct flower-growing regions, each with their own specialties and characteristics, collectively create an industry that brings beauty to millions while providing livelihoods to thousands. Understanding these regions reveals not just how flowers are grown, but how geography, economics, and human ambition combine to create value from the earth, bridging the Andes and the equator to deliver beauty to the world.