California Floriculture and Foliage Industry Shows Strong Growth and Regional Shifts in 2022 Ag Census

Floriculture and foliage production remain a significant component of California’s horticultural industry. According to the USDA 2022 Census of Agriculture, combined sales of bedding and garden plants, cut flowers and cut florist greens, foliage plants, potted flowering plants, and other floriculture and bedding crops totaled more than $1.27 billion statewide. These categories represent the core segments of California’s floriculture and foliage industry and represent the high-value portion of the broader nursery and floriculture sector reported in the Census. These operations are high capital-, labor-, resource- and land-intensive, and often employ the highest level of technology.

In this analysis, we focused on the aggregate value and number of operations (reported as farms in the Census) of the following categories, from Table 34 of the 2022 USDA Census:

1. Bedding/garden plants - annuals, herbaceous perennials, vegetable plants (including hanging baskets)
2. Cut flowers and cut florist greens (including cut foliage)
3. Foliage plants, indoor (including hanging baskets), although not traditionally included in floriculture
4. Potted flowering plants
5. Other floriculture and bedding crops

We did not include: Nursery stock crops, Hemp products, Cuttings, seedlings, liners, and plugs, Flower seeds, Vegetable seeds, Vegetable transplants to farm fields, Sod, Greenhouse vegetables and fresh cut herbs, Greenhouse fruits and berries and mushrooms.

Statewide Overview 

California’s floriculture and foliage production is geographically diverse, with operations reported across nearly every region of the state. While production occurs statewide, the industry maintains a strong urban orientation, with the highest concentration of sales occurring in coastal and metropolitan counties. At the same time, inland and northern counties continue to expand participation in floriculture and foliage operations, reflecting diversification, specialty production growth, and adaptation to regional market opportunities.

According to the 2022 Census, these combined categories generated over $1.27 billion in sales across 2,179 operations in California. Between 2017 and 2022, total sales in these combined categories increased by $200.8 millions in absolute terms or 19% in relative terms (Figure 1), while the number of operations grew by 411 operations or by 23% (Figure 2) indicating both the resilience of the industry and ongoing structural shifts, including expansion in some counties and consolidation or market adjustment in others.

Southern California

Southern California remains the state’s dominant production region. San Diego County leads with $469 million in sales across 465 operations. Ventura County ($83.7 million, 85 operations), Los Angeles County ($38.3 million, 97 operations), and Riverside County ($28.7 million, 69 operations) also contribute significantly to statewide totals. Sales in San Diego increased by $181M (63% since 2017, Figure 1), which is particularly noteworthy since the whole nursery and floriculture industry in San Diego has declined both in total value and in acreage in the past five years, according to the county crop report. Additionally, San Diego increased by only 4 operations (Figure 2), suggesting that the value increase was caused by previously established operators. Riverside experienced a $23M (411%) increase in sales despite a slight decline in number of operations. Orange and San Bernardino counties reported notable sales declines, highlighting structural adjustments within parts of the region. These changes align with a trend taking place in the last decades in coastal California where greenhouses move inland or to other states/countries due to the pressure of urban expansion.

With sustained high production values and significant recent sales growth, Southern California continues to anchor the state’s floriculture and foliage economy while adapting to evolving market and structural dynamics.

Central Coast

The Central Coast remains a high-value hub led by Santa Barbara County ($211.6 million, 106 operations), Santa Cruz County ($86.2 million, 113 operations), and Monterey County ($77.2 million, 49 operations). Santa Cruz saw sales increase $34M (65%) alongside a 64% rise in number of operations. Santa Barbara posted a $35M (20%) increase in sales. Monterey and San Luis Obispo experienced sales declines ($45M and $10M, respectively) despite moderate increases in number of operations, suggesting shifts in production systems. In these counties, many greenhouses switched from ornamental  production to the highly profitable cannabis industry.

Strong sales performance and expanding number of operations position the Central Coast as a high-value, economically significant region within California’s floriculture and foliage industry.

San Francisco Bay Area

The Bay Area demonstrates diversified, urban-adjacent production led by Santa Clara County ($45.7 million, 45 operations), San Mateo County ($44.5 million, 44 operations), Sonoma County ($21.2 million, 119 operations), and Contra Costa County ($10.7 million, 20 operations). Contra Costa recorded a $10M (1,018%) increase in sales since 2017, associated with only three new operations. Solano County saw the number of operations increase from 7 to 38 (443%), indicating strong growth from smaller production bases. 

Diversified, urban-adjacent production systems and rapid relative growth in several counties underscore the Bay Area’s continued importance as a dynamic specialty market region.

Central Valley (San Joaquin & Sacramento Valleys)

The Central Valley continues to represent an important and evolving segment of California’s floriculture and foliage industry. Fresno County reported $4.2 million in sales across 32 operations, while Stanislaus reported $4.3 million across 37 operations. Tulare County ($1.3 million, 21 operations) showed notable expansion in acreage. Tulare’s sales increased $814k (167%) with a 50% rise in number of operations. Fresno saw a $2.6M (38%) decline in sales. Several counties recorded substantial increases in the number of operations, reflecting diversification and entry of smaller operations. 

With increasing number of operations, expanding acreage, and strong percentage growth in several counties, the Central Valley is emerging as a resilient and opportunity-rich region for the next phase of California’s floriculture and foliage industry development.

Northern California (Coastal & Inland)

Northern counties, though smaller in total value, show strong percentage growth. Mendocino County led with $2.8 million in sales (63 operations), while Shasta County reported $1.6 million (40 operations) and Modoc County $1.6 million (9 operations). Shasta recorded a $1.4M (578%) increase in sales and Modoc increased $1.4M (551%), reflecting expansion from smaller bases. Lake and Mendocino counties also demonstrated strong upward trends. 

Although smaller in total scale, Northern California’s substantial percentage gains signal emerging opportunities and expanding regional capacity within the state’s broader greenhouse production landscape.

Sierra Nevada & Foothills

Foothill counties represent modest but stable participation. El Dorado County reported $469,361 in sales across 60 operations, while Calaveras and Nevada counties contribute smaller but locally significant production. Placer and Nevada saw significant declines ($7M and $386k, respectively),  while Calaveras experienced a $44k (132%) increase in sales. These shifts reflect notable changes in smaller counties between census periods.

Despite market variability, the foothill counties maintain stable participation and niche production potential that supports localized and specialty market development.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2022 Census data illustrate a dynamic and evolving floriculture and foliage industry across California. While statewide sales and number of operations have grown substantially, county-level trends reveal both expansion and adjustment. Coastal counties continue to lead in total value, with inland regions showing clear opportunities for strategic growth, particularly in water-efficient and climate-adapted plant production. The increase in the number of operations across many counties suggests diversification and renewed interest in specialty markets. Continued emphasis on efficient irrigation, resilient plant selection, and grower support to manage pests and diseases will be essential to sustain both economic viability and environmental stewardship across California’s floriculture and foliage industries.

Source: 

USDA 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture, California County-Level Data (Tables 39 and 34, respectively), Bedding/Garden Plants, Cut Flowers and Greens, Foliage Plants, Potted Flowering Plants, and Other Floriculture & Bedding Crops total.