Gerbera Farming in India 2026
A high yielding polyhouse cut flower that produces colourful blooms almost year round.
Overview
Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is one of the most popular cut flowers grown under polyhouse conditions in India. It is valued for its large daisy like blooms in bright shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, white and bicolours, and for its long vase life. Most commercial gerbera in India is grown in climate controlled or naturally ventilated polyhouses because open field cultivation gives poor quality flowers and short stems. A well managed crop can flower continuously for two to three years from a single planting, giving farmers steady cash flow. Major production hubs are around Pune in Maharashtra and in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. Gerbera is favoured for bouquets, floral arrangements and decorations at weddings and events, and demand stays strong through the festival and wedding seasons. Because the crop needs a protected structure, drip fertigation and careful disease management, it suits farmers willing to invest in technology and learn intensive crop care.
Climate
Gerbera grows best where day temperatures stay around 22 to 25 degrees Celsius and nights around 12 to 16 degrees Celsius, which is why a polyhouse is used to moderate heat and cold. Temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius reduce flower quality and stem length, while very cold conditions slow flowering. It needs good light, so naturally ventilated polyhouses with around 50 percent shade in peak summer are common in the plains.
Soil
Gerbera needs a light, well drained, porous root medium because it is very sensitive to waterlogging and root rot. Raised beds are prepared with a mix of red soil, well rotted farmyard manure, leaf mould or coco peat, sand and rice husk to give good aeration. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal. Beds are usually sterilised with formalin or solarisation before planting to reduce soil borne disease.
Planting & Spacing
Tissue culture plantlets are preferred because they are disease free and uniform. They are planted on raised beds about 30 by 30 centimetres apart in double rows, giving roughly 6 to 7 plants per square metre, with the crown kept slightly above the bed surface to prevent collar rot. Planting is done in the cooler part of the day, followed by light irrigation. Drip irrigation and fertigation lines are laid for precise water and nutrient delivery.
Varieties
Many imported and Indian bred varieties are grown, chosen by colour, flower size and stem strength. Common types include reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, whites and novelty bicolours, and growers usually plant a colour mix to meet bouquet demand. Tissue culture suppliers and research institutes offer recommended varieties suited to Indian polyhouse conditions, so it is best to choose proven, locally tested varieties from a reliable nursery.
Care & Management
Gerbera needs regular fertigation with a balanced nutrient solution, including calcium and micronutrients, adjusted with crop stage. Old, yellowing and diseased leaves are removed regularly to improve air movement and light to the crown. Drip is used to keep the crown dry and avoid wetting foliage. Maintaining humidity around 70 to 80 percent and good ventilation reduces fungal problems. Deflowering in the first few weeks after planting helps the plant establish before regular harvesting begins.
Pests & Diseases
Common pests are whitefly, thrips, aphids, leaf miner and red spider mite, while major diseases include powdery mildew, foot or root rot caused by Phytophthora and Pythium, Botrytis on flowers and bacterial diseases. Good drainage, a dry crown, balanced humidity and regular removal of affected leaves are the first line of defence. Use yellow and blue sticky traps for monitoring and follow local integrated pest management advice, rotating any plant protection products and following label and safety guidance.
Yield & Harvest
Flowering usually starts about 10 to 12 weeks after planting and continues for two to three years. Flowers are harvested when two to three rows of disc florets have opened, by pulling the stem cleanly from the base rather than cutting. A healthy crop can yield roughly 200 to 250 flowers per square metre per year, so a 1000 square metre polyhouse can produce a large number of stems annually, though actual yield depends on variety, climate and management. Stems are graded by length and flower size and packed in sleeves.
Cost & Profit
Gerbera needs a protected structure, so the main investment is the polyhouse plus planting material and drip fertigation. A naturally ventilated polyhouse can cost a substantial amount per 1000 square metres depending on design, location and material, and tissue culture plants add to the first year cost. Because the crop yields for two to three years, returns are spread over multiple years and many growers report attractive net income once the structure cost is recovered. These figures vary widely with market price, season and management, so treat them as a planning guide and prepare a project report with current local quotations before investing.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Gerbera is sold through wholesale flower markets, local florists, event and wedding decorators and online flower platforms. Major markets include Pune, Bengaluru, Mumbai and other metros, and demand peaks during wedding and festival seasons. Quality, stem length and uniform colour fetch better prices. Growers often tie up directly with florists, decorators or auction centres to get steadier rates and reduce wastage of this perishable product.
Subsidy & Support
Protected cultivation of flowers like gerbera is supported under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, which gives assistance for polyhouses, shade nets and planting material, usually as a percentage subsidy with limits per area. The National Horticulture Board and various state horticulture departments also run schemes for commercial floriculture. Subsidy rates, ceilings and eligibility change over time and differ by state and category, so check the current MIDH guidelines and apply through your district horticulture office.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
Can gerbera be grown in open field?
How long does a gerbera crop keep producing?
When does gerbera start flowering after planting?
Why use tissue culture plants for gerbera?
What is the most common cause of gerbera plant death?
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