As the Spring Festival draws near, demand continues to rise for citizens purchasing festive flowers to decorate their homes and present to friends and family as tokens of New Year greetings. Major flower markets, including the Dounan Flower Market, the Garden Expo Flower and Bird Market, and the Cha Jie No. 1 Flower Market, are all seeing sales peak.With merchants stocking up early to meet growing demand, Bustling crowds fill the markets, adding to the vibrant floral atmosphere ahead of the holiday. Among them, the Dounan Flower Market of Kunming has emerged as a top choice for consumers, thanks to its affordable prices.

Traditional New Year Flowers Dominate the Market

At the Dounan Flower Market of Kunming, traditional New Year flowers such as Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium hybridum, camellia, holly and hydrangea continue to dominate the market. Among them, phalaenopsis and cymbidium — symbolizing prosperity and good fortune — have become top picks for shoppers, securing their place as the most sought-after New Year flowers because of their auspicious meanings and elegant appearance.

A person in charge of a direct shipping point at a Cymbidium hybridum base in Xiaojiaying, Dounan, revealed that the ex-warehouse price of Cymbidium hybridum ranges from approximately 20 to 400 RMB per pot this year, with a daily shipping volume of 1,000 to 4,000 pots. At present, the stock is sufficient, and both online and offline channels are making joint efforts to boost sales. In its peak sales season, Cymbidium hybridum maintains a stable price with a slight upward trend, and the market remains highly popular.

Inside a floral greenhouse of Kunming Yifanbo, colorful Phalaenopsis are neatly arranged as workers busily pack orders for shipment. Ms. Zhang, a staff member, stated that the daily shipping volume of Phalaenopsis currently stands at around 2,000 plants, a doubling increase from the previous period, and a sales peak is expected in the week before the Spring Festival. This year, the ex-warehouse price of Phalaenopsis ranges from about 25 to 45 RMB per plant, a slight rise compared with last year, yet the affordable price point still makes it an easy purchase for ordinary households.

New Year Flower Trends Turn Younger and More Personalized

Beyond traditional New Year flowers, a range of elegant plants with auspicious meanings has gained popularity among younger consumers. Snow willow and snow plum have become new favorites, priced at 30 to 35 RMB per bunch and featuring a long blooming period of three to four months. Colorful calla lilies and tulips stand out with vibrant hues, while holly, silver willow, camellia and cyclamen with Chinese-style elements continue to post strong sales. According to data from the Kunming Flower Auction Center, New Year flower consumption this year shows a clear trend toward younger and more personalized preferences, with women aged 31 to 40 emerging as the main online buyers.

Buying Around 20 Days Before Spring Festival Offers Better Value

Many residents have shared practical tips for choosing New Year flowers, ensuring that blooms reach their peak during the Spring Festival while offering good value for money. Ms. Zhang, who was shopping for narcissus and Phalaenopsis said that buying budding New Year flowers about 20 days before the holiday allows them to bloom during the festive period, adding to the celebratory atmosphere while keeping prices relatively affordable. She noted that waiting until the week before the holiday could push prices up by 20 to 50 percent for some varieties.

Notably, the number of stalls selling bergamot at the Flower Market has increased significantly this year, emerging as a new highlight of the New Year flower market. Ms. Li, a citizen who lives in the Northern District said that bergamot has a long display period and can be enjoyed both as ornamental plants and edible fruit. When placed indoors, they fill the home with a pleasant fragrance, making them a must-buy item for her each Spring Festival.

Rising Sales Drive a Logistics Pickup

Affected by a cold wave in December last year, the quality of lilies and roses on the market recently has slightly declined, with their prices falling accordingly. Mr. He, a vendor specializing in fresh-cut lilies and roses said that business had dipped compared with the same period last year. However, as the Spring Festival approaches, the number of buyers has increased noticeably. With daily sales recently exceeding 4,000 RMB, the market is gradually recovering and on an upward trend.

The rising sales of New Year flowers has also driven the logistics industry to a small shipping peak. Couriers from JD Logistics, SF Express and other delivery companies at the Dounan Market said that the packaging and shipping volume in the past week has increased by 10% to 20% compared with the previous period. The shipments mainly include New Year flowers such as roses, lilies, Cymbidium hybridum, Phalaenopsis, tulips and snow willow. They are working to ensure that consumers across the country receive fresh flowers in time to decorate for the Spring Festival.

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(Editors: Doe, Flynn)