The first rays of spring sunshine immediately make us long for summer. The word alone evokes images of long evenings in the garden, enjoying the terrace, the sun on our skin and catching our breath during a well-deserved holiday. We look forward to it every year.
Summer is not always carefree in the land of plants. Climate change presents us with many challenges. A dry and warm season puts our indoor and outdoor plants and our green fingers to the test. In a wet summer, we must look for solutions to waterlogging or choose plant varieties that tolerate getting their feet wet.
In this edition, we choose plants that can take a beating. We put strong plants in the spotlight: from cacti and ‘tough’ manly plants to climate-resistant garden heroes. And to round off the summer: plants that extend the season so that summer lasts just that little bit longer.
Strong plants are more than just useful. They fit into a bigger story, a story that we at Floréac are fully committed to: sustainability. Sustainability is no longer an option – it is a necessity. Whether it concerns our method of cultivation, transport or cooperation, we are building a future in which nature, people and innovation are in balance.
Floréac has already chosen to work with growers who are looking for new, more environmentally friendly solutions: different types of soil, organic fertilisers, new energy technologies, etc. Because only together can we succeed in bringing sustainable plants to the market!
Curious about the future of sustainable greenery? In our next issue, we will give you a sneak preview... You can get to know ympa – growing a greener future: our new plant brand that takes sustainability to the next level. Not only cultivated with respect for people and nature, but also with the power to make our living and working environment healthier, more colourful and more creative. Keep an eye on us – you don’t want to miss this.
I wish you happy reading and a summer full of green energy.
An Vander Aa CEO Floréac
Cacti and succulents in terracotta
Cacti and succulents in terracotta are a classic that continues to score. The warm earth tones of the pots enhance the sculptural shapes and deep greens of these strong plants. A combination that fits perfectly in both modern and rustic settings.
This collection is more than decorative - it is a smart choice. Thanks to their robust nature, cacti and succulents require little care, while making a powerful statement all year round. In summer, they can be indoors or outdoors, on a terrace, balcony or in the garden.
The selection includes Agave Nana, Echeveria Mix, Crassula, Euphorbia and Ferocactus Stainesii - species that stand out for their unique textures and shapes. Opuntia Microdasys Yellow and Pachycereus Pringley bring a playful element, while Dioscorea Elephantipes with its unusual caudex structure is a real eyecatcher.
A collection with character. Timeless in appearance, cast-iron in quality and effortlessly combinable with various home and garden trends. For consumers who like green without fuss and for professionals who want to offer a product that always works. Natural, stylish, indestructible.
CACALI-13A
CACALI-20A
CACTMX-§SP09A
SUCCMX-§SP30A
EUINGE-SP01A
CACTMX-SP47A
Plants with character: carnivores
With their distinct shapes, bright colours and striking textures, carnivorous plants are not only attractive to insects. We at Floréac love them too.
Carnivorous plants bring character and exclusivity. Wherever you plant them. This article introduces you to the most popular species and some growers of these special plants
Decorate, seduce and digest
Attracting insects to be pollinated: it is a widely known process in the flower world. But catching and eating those insects afterwards? Only carnivores do that. Bright colours, an attractive scent, a specific leaf shape... Carnivorous plants pull out all the stops to trap their prey. Once in the desired spot, the deadly attack follows. From lightning fast traps and sticky sticks to hairy and steep labyrinths. The prey can no longer escape. A tasty morsel for the plant.
Most carnivores catch small insects. But there are also species that digest larger insects, frogs and even rat-sized mammals. Carnivorous plants can be found all over the world. From the icy landscapes of Canada, Russia and New Zealand to the warm tropical rainforests of Brazil and Indonesia.
And of course, they also thrive in our living rooms. With their high ornamental value, distinct shapes and colours, they are original and exclusive plants to have in your home. In addition, they are very suitable for compositions with pebbles and gravel, materials that refer to their natural habitat.
Popular varieties
Sarracenia: the coldblooded pitcher plant Sarracenia can be recognised by its tubular leaves with elegant cups that can grow up to a metre high. At the top of the cup, nectar is hidden as a lure for insects. Once seduced, it is impossible to escape. Due to the slippery top of the leaves, the prey
slides right into the calyx, where it is slowly digested. The hairs on the Sarracenia’s leaves also keep the insects firmly in their grip.
Sarracenia is ideal for the garden, terrace or pond. It grows naturally in cold, damp landscapes in the eastern United States and Canada. Thanks to its robust character, it defies temperatures down to minus 15 degrees in our country too. So enjoy this pitcher plant all year round.
The Dionaea with its bright red fall
The Dionaea is best known by the name venus fly trap or venus fly catcher. And this is no coincidence. At the end of each leaf is a kind of clip with tactile hairs. The trap. When a fly, ant or spider passes the leaf, the trap snaps shut. The prey is trapped and the plant begins its digestion process. About ten days later, the trap folds open again and the Dionaea is ready for a new prey.
The venus flytrap originally grows on the swampy savannas in northern Carolin a in the United States. The plant thrives best in a spot in full sun. In generous sunlight, the insides of the clip-shaped leaves even turn bright red. A beautiful sight.
The shimmering drosera
Drosera or also called sundew gets its name from the Greek word drosos, meaning dew.
A substance resembling harmless dew adheres to the hairs of its leaves. But in reality, these slimy droplets are the plant’s secret weapon. Mosquitoes, spiders and all kinds of insects stick to the leaf. When the prey has nowhere to go, the leaf envelops the entire prey. Captured.
Drosera appears in almost two hundred species, the smallest of which is less than a centimetre tall and the largest of which grow up to a metre tall. The carnivorous plant grows worldwide, including in the Netherlands and Belgium. During mild winters, the plant stays alive just fine.
Nepenthes: strong climber Nepenthes, like Sarracenia, can be recognised by its beautifully shaped cups. These cups are covered with nectar glands and thus attract hungry insects. If the prey bends over the edge to reach the nectar, it irrevocably falls into the cup. Ready to be digested.
Depending on the species, this carnivore can grow up to two metres tall with cups 50 centimetres long. This species of Nepenthes even lures, catches and digests rats and mice without any problem. Nepenthes are often climbing plants and grow mainly in tropical regions. Although the pitcher plant has also been found at an altitude of about 3,000 metres. Strong plants, in other words.
More varieties
In addition to these four popular carnivorous plants, there are many other species. The Darlingtonia, for example. With its round shape and typical snake tongue at the bottom of the cup, this carnivore resembles an upright cobra. Hence its nickname: the cobra lily. The Pinguicula, in turn, can be recognised by its oily leaves with droplets of clear slime. In the sun, the leaves take on a shiny haze. This succulent species gets beautifully coloured flowers on long stems. And then there is the Utricularia. The most versatile plant among carnivores. Found all over the world, it grows in water, on land and on other plants. The brightly coloured flowers range from a few millimetres to several centimetres.
Grown with care
Carni Flora
Carni Flora has the widest range of carnivorous plants. They grow the plants with the utmost care in an 8000 m2 plant greenhouse in Aalsmeer. Carni Flora always strives for an optimal balance between colour, size, health and shelf life of the plant.
Laguna
This carnivorous grower has the four most popular species in its range: Sarracenica, Dionaea, Drosera and Nepenthes. These plants are available in
different pot sizes: 5.5 cm, 8.5 cm and 12 cm. In addition, Laguna is best known for their eye for aesthetics. They present their plants in beautiful decorative bowls and in glass or terracotta.
Gartnerite Lammehave
This Danish grower supplies a wide range of carnivorous plants and is always expanding with new varieties. New to their range from 2025 is the Drosera filiformis , or thread sundew, and the Pinguicula guatemala, recognisable by its beautiful pink flowers. Gartneriet Lammehave’s carnivores are available in various pot sizes, ranging from 6 cm to 17 cm.
The best care for your carnivore
A carnivorous plant in your home or garden? With these tips, they will last for years.
• Put the plant in the sunniest spot. In fact, as long as the plant has sufficient water, bright sun is more than welcome.
• Never let the potting soil dry out.
• Do not water on the plant, but in the bowl. Preferably use rainwater or soft tap water. Avoid lime. In winter, water the plants less, but keep the soil moderately moist.
• Place the plant in a wide dish with a layer of water. The larger the pot, container or dish, the less the plant will dry out.
• Never give plant food.
• Repot the plant every other year in coarse peat. The best time for this is spring.
• Remove dead brown leaves or calyxes to prevent fungal growth.
Color Circus
Colours bring energy. Colours attract attention. And with Color Circus, greenery becomes not only a mood enhancer, but also a real eye-catcher. This playful collection combines plants with eyecatching overpots, stylish terrariums and decorative plant dishes.
The power of this collection? Instant effect, with no fuss. The plants stand out perfectly in the carefully selected pots and bowls, making them immediately ready for sale. A strong mix of bright colours, harmonious combinations and surprising materials makes this theme irresistible for those looking for something unique.
In addition, Color Circus responds perfectly to the trend of colourful interiors and personalised decoration. From a cheerful eye-catcher on the table to a playful accent in the living room - this collection offers endless possibilities.
With a wide range and high appeal, Color Circus is a smart addition to any greenery assortment.
A
feast for the eyes, easy to present and ready to score.
COUPE-§SP093A
CACTMX-SP429A
CALLIS-SP02A
COUPE-§GL035A
COUPE-§HB05A
COUPE-§SP071A
COUPE-§SP098A
COUPE-§SP102A
GPMVMX-SP86A
KALAMX-SP135A
Moerings: a special eye for aquatic plants
Imagine for a moment. An oasis of beautifully blooming lilies surrounded by lush green pond and aquarium plants. And that on an area of 15 hectares. You will find this simply in the Netherlands, at Moerings aquatic plant nursery in Roosendaal. With more than eight million plants a year, they are the largest in Europe. Together with representative René Verspuij, we dive into the story of the nursery.
René Verspuij
From forgotten corner to spotlight
More than 30 years ago, Moerings’ first seeds are planted. Ronald Moerings helps sell the water plants his uncle grows as a hobby. He takes them to local garden centres but finds that they hide the water plants somewhere in a deserted corner of the shop. That could be done better, Ronald thought. And he comes up with a concept with an eye for presentation. Moments later, his uncle leaves the nursery to him and Waterplant Nursery Moerings is a fact. Today, they are the largest in Europe.
“Back then, Ronald had a particularly good view on how to present aquatic plants in a neat way. He sadly passed away nine years ago, but his expertise and dream live on in the company. The presentation of our plants remains a top priority. We provide inviting sales tables, banners with mood photos, pictures of the plants in bloom ... And assist the garden centres
with the care of the plants. Everything so that the plants are shown to their full advantage on the shop floor. And this throughout the entire water plant season: from the end of February to October.”
Largest assortment in Europe
Sixty species of water lilies, nearly three hundred different oxygen and pond plants, aquarium plants ... Moerings has the largest assortment of aquatic plants in Europe.
The plants are available in different pot sizes, ranging from P9 to P25. They also put together mix baskets for patio ponds and sell the plants in boxes for landscapers.
“And we keep renewing our range. With water lilies, for instance, customers want more and more flowers and fewer leaves. We are now further breeding them to meet this. The Nymphaea Colorado is a fine example of this. Whereas in the native water lily, Nymphaea Alba, the flowers grow between the leaves, in this species they stick out about five to ten centimetres above the water surface. This makes the flowers stand out much more.
“ Floréac opens the door to new markets, like the French one ”
René Verspuij
Another of our showpieces are the Nymphaea Tropical blue and the Nymphaea King of the Blues. These tropical water lilies bear beautiful lavendercoloured flowers from April to November. But soon they may even continue throughout the
winter. We at Moerings are in the midst of getting tropical water lilies hardy. We are already far advanced, but need to test further first. If they actually pass all tests for one to two years, we will market the hardy water lilies. Exciting!”
Ebb and flow
A modern assortment from a modern nursery. Because the place where the water plants are grown is also innovative. Anyone who thinks a water plant nursery is under water all the time is wrong.
“People visiting the nursery for the first time invariably pull out their boots. Until they get to the plants and see that they are not flooded at all. Then a laugh is hard to suppress. Strange, you might think? Not at all. Our nursery works with an ebb-and-flow system. During the day, when our colleagues are working in the nursery, everything is dry.
“ We voeden onze planten met het maximale aan natuurlijk licht. Met als resultaat: prachtig intense kleuren ”
René Verspuij
In the evening, our pumps jump on and the water flows to our plants until they are about ten centimetres under water.
An excellent system, because it is a lot more pleasant and efficient work for our employees and the plants themselves can perfectly do without water for a while. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly, because we only use rainwater we collect ourselves.
Colourfast leaves
“Another misconception about our nursery is that we grow the plants indoors. The opposite is true: our plants are always outside. And that’s just a great asset. Because thanks to all that natural light, our plants produce incredibly colourfast leaves. Intense red, green, yellow, white...
All that natural light also has a positive influence on the flower and bud development of our plants.
“As many as 12 hectares of our nursery is thus outdoor space. We also have three hectares of
greenhouses. This is where our plants come in just before they go to the customer. To feed our plants with the best light even during this waiting period, we work with diffused light here. This way, at no time is there any shade in our greenhouse complex and our plants continue to enhance their colours.”
Sustainable efforts
Not only for their plants, customers and employees, Moerings strives for the best. They also make great efforts in terms of sustainability. For instance, all their transport trolleys are electric and they get energy from solar panels. They hardly need to heat their greenhouses. Freezing is sufficient and, thanks to the diffuse glass, it warms up quickly in there.
“As the largest aquatic plant grower, we have to keep up with sustainability. More than that, we have to be the first to comply with new guidelines.
Peat, for example, is already banned in England and will soon
be so with us too because it is too environmentally damaging. Therefore, we are in full search of more sustainable mixtures that are equally effective. Like coconut fibre and clay.
We also use virtually no pesticides, but use animals to control pests. Like ducks. They swim quietly among our plants and keep duckweed under control.
In the future, we also want to reduce our plastic use. An alternative to plastic pots is water-resistant cardboard or coconut fibre. Currently, these alternatives are still too expensive. Until we find the best solution, our customers can return the empty trays with a deposit and we will recycle the plastic.”
Where ? Roosendaal (NL)
What? Wide range of aquatic plants. A total of 9 million plants per year
Employed? 25 permanent staff supplemented by up to 100 temporary workers during busy periods.
Certificates? MPS-GRASP, MPS-GAP, MPSABC
Sales market? Europe
A valuable collaboration
A sustainable supplier. That’s what Floréac likes to work with. And the affection is mutual. “Our cooperation with Floréac has been running like a well-oiled machine for 15 years. In the autumn, we put our heads together. Which customers are there and what are their needs? How can we offer our plants in the best possible way? Always valuable moments of consultation. That way, Floréac acts as an intermediary between us and the end customer. Thanks to them, we keep our finger on the pulse and can respond to the customer’s wishes. Floréac also opens the door to new markets for us. Like the French, which we would find difficult to reach without Floréac.”
Green gardens
Finally, we take a look at the future. “Where tight gardens with lots of tiles used to dominate, we are now seeing a return to natural gardens. Without concrete, with more greenery and more water again. This is cooler, better for diversity, and frankly: more beautiful too. When I come into the nursery after seven in the evening, it’s like a sweet shop. Everything is in flower: the irises, swan flowers, Japanese orchid ... Apart from a few frogs, it’s quiet as a mouse. And then I think, ‘this is the best job you can think of.’”
Climate-resilient gardens
The climate is changing and gardens face more extreme weather conditions: wet winters and dry summers. This calls for a thoughtful selection of plants that can handle these fluctuations effortlessly. Our Climate Resistant Gardens collection offers a range of robust plants, carefully chosen to withstand both waterlogged soils and periods of drought.
Features of the collection:
• Versatility in planting: Plants such as cattail ( Lythrum salicaria), splendid reed (Miscanthus sinensis), queenwort ( Eupatorium cannabinum), lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis), daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Stella d’Oro’) stork broom (Geranium sanguineum) and virgin lobelia ( Lobelia siphilitica) have been selected for their tolerance to both moist and dry conditions.
• Sustainable solutions: By choosing plants that are less dependent on constant watering, we address the need for water conservation and reduce the risk of plant loss during wet periods.
• Aesthetic variety: The collection offers a range of colours and textures, making gardens not only functional but also visually appealing, whatever the season.
Benefits for your range:
• Responding to current trends: With a growing focus on climate adaptation and sustainability, meet the demand for eco-friendly garden solutions.
• Widely applicable: These plants are suitable for a variety of garden designs, from modern urban spaces to rural gardens, appealing to a wide customer base.
• Support biodiversity: Many of these species attract beneficial insects, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
By including these climate-resistant plants in your offerings, you give your customers the opportunity to create gardens that are not only beautiful and functional, but also prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.
CROCOS-17A
CHTEAZPE-19A
STTEPOTALG-17A
DIGITA-19P
ROBARUMX-17A
COCOROPU-17A
AJREMX-17A
ACMILL-17A
A sustainable future for pot plant cultivation
Pot plant cultivation is getting greener. From smart heating techniques to natural pest control and precision farming. Growers are reinventing themselves to achieve their sustainable ambitions. Find out all about it in this article.
Energy-efficient cultivation
More and more growers are striving to become carbon-neutral by 2030. Therefore, they are experimenting a lot with innovative solutions to reduce their energy consumption. And they are making great strides. For instance, as an alternative to fossil fuels, they use geothermal heat via heat pumps (geothermal). Or they use residual heat from industry to heat their greenhouses. Another sustainable alternative? Thermal storage systems (CHP). These systems use groundwater to heat or cool buildings.
Another handy solution to reduce energy consumption: smart air-conditioning systems. These automatically regulate the supply of heat and humidity so that no energy is lost.
And sometimes energy efficiency can also be found in smaller interventions. For instance, we are seeing more and more LED lighting than traditional lighting. A good thing, because LED lamps consume a lot less energy and give off less heat.
Organic cultivation
Besides all these efforts in terms of energy consumption, pot plant cultivation is also doing its bit for our biodiversity. Growers are using less and less
“ Another sustainable alternative? Thermal storage systems (CHP). These systems use groundwater to heat or cool buildings. ”
chemical crop protection products and opting instead for integrated pest management, also known as IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Here , natural enemies keep pests under control. For instance, predatory mites serve as natural spider mite controllers and parasitic wasps chase away aphids. Natural and efficient!
Does a grower still opt for a plant protection product? Then they increasingly go for an environmentally friendly and organic variant, such as plant extracts and micro-organisms. In addition, resilient plant varieties are gaining in popularity. These varieties are naturally more resistant to diseases and pests and thus less dependent on pesticides. Win-win.
Smart cultivation
Interventions in energy consumption and biodiversity are the basis. In addition, growers are taking a close look at their entire cultivation process. How can that process be made even more sustainable? By growing in a circular way, for instance, with growers reusing residual flows as much as possible. For instance, substrate is recycled in abundance and water is reused. And did you know that plastic pots and trays are nowadays almost all made of 100 per cent recycled material?
Another new cultivation technique is precision farming and sensor farming. Through smart sensors, growers collect real-time data on the growing conditions of their crops. This allows them to irrigate and fertilise their crops very precisely without losing anything. An efficient way of working for growers and yet another sustainable advance.
The new cultivation
“The new farming”, this sustainable way of growing is often called. And rightly so. Growers are
jettisoning their long-standing ways and looking for new, more environmentally friendly solutions. Other types of soil, organic fertilisation, new energy techniques ... These are fine efforts for greening in our sector. Efforts that Floréac fully supports.
More than that: we consciously choose to work only with growers who join us on the sustainable path. Because only together can we tackle the remaining challenges and work towards fully sustainable pot plant cultivation.
“ Growers are jettisoning their longstanding ways and looking for new, more environmentally friendly solutions ”
growing a greener future
Sustainability takes flight with ympa, the plant brand that brings nature and the future together!
Curious to hear the whole story? We will go into more detail in our next magazine.
Rough & Tough, plants that can take a beating
Strong, tough and easy to maintain - the perfect combination for those who love characterful plants without too much fuss. Man plants bring greenery with a rugged look, ideal for stylish interiors, trendy offices or as an original Father’s Day gift.
This collection consists of robust plants that can take a beating and require minimal care. Think of the iconic Sansevieria, the exotic Aloe Vera, or the powerful Ficus Lyrata. Succulents and cacti add a playful and bold accent, while Beaucarnea and Yucca give a strong, architectural look. For those looking for a touch of Mediterranean charm, Olea Europaea is a stylish choice.
Whether it is a powerful solitary plant or an easy-to-match green friend in a sturdy overpot - Man Plants are the ideal match for those who want to make a statement with greenery. Perfect as a gift or as a timeless element in a modern interior.
A collection with character: tough, strong and stylish
BONSMX-SP100A
YUCCA-CO01A
COUPE-§GL200A
CACTMX-SP411A
OLEURO-SP01A
PACHIR-SP16A
SANSEV-SP11A
SUCCMX-§SP05A
Anneke’s plant passion
Anneke Van Pee has been working at Floréac for 38 years. Every day, hundreds of plants glide through her hands. The passion is great. Because even after working hours, in her own garden, she is busy taking care of plants every day. The more special the better. With the top favourite: her carnivores.
“As a logistician, my main job is to label the plants with the customer’s price and logo. I have been doing this for about 24 years, but it remains interesting . My colleagues and I see a huge number of plants passing through. New varieties too. I remember it well when we first had to provide carnivores with a label . I was immediately sold.
They are such fascinating plants. They are fed purely by insects and need no other nutrients. When I put my carnivorous plants on the terrace in summer, I can even see the insects being caught! Throughout the summer, we have no trouble with flies. Besides, they are also decoratively just very beautiful plants. With their special shapes. Some species even produce flowers.
Since I got to know these plants at Floréac, they have really become my hobby. I have the most common species at home: Nepenthes, Sarracenia and Dionaea. I enjoy taking care of them immensely. They are challenging plants, but that’s just what I like about them. Carnivores, for example, should not be allowed to have piped water . That’s why I have a rain barrel in my garden especially for these plants. My goal is to keep the carnivores I have as beautiful as possible. Especially in summer, that gives me a lot of satisfaction: when you see the plants grow and their flowers bloom open. Then I am satisfied.
I have always been a plant woman. I’ve been in the plant business for 38 years now, but I still love them as much as ever. With a great fondness for the more special plants that are harder to look after. And have a high decorative value. I like to experiment with shapes and arrangements. Sometimes it fails, but then you’ve tried anyway. It’s the same with my carnivores. And with my tillandsias, air plants. Another passion of mine. But that might be for the next edition of our magazine (laughs).”
Summer without End
Sun, warmth and a garden that keeps on blooming. With the right plants, you can stretch summer effortlessly well into autumn. Our selection consists of strong bloomers that bring colour and atmosphere from April to September - and sometimes even October. Ideal for those who want to enjoy a lively garden or terrace for longer.
This collection combines elegance and perseverance. Think of the stately Agapanthus, the sophisticated Astrantia or the playful Gaura that dances in the wind at the slightest breeze.
Salvia and Fuchsia attract not only admiring glances, but also bees and butterflies. Crocosmia and Rosier bring fiery hues, while Hydrangea and Dipladenia guarantee full, lush blooms.
Whether for a garden border, terrace or balcony, these plants are the perfect choice for a summer that lasts just a little longer. A collection that continues to surprise and enhances your range with colourful, long-lasting eye-catchers.
Long flowering, endless enjoyment
BUDALIPI-19A
COCHOC-13A
ECHIMX-19A
Verbena
SAMICRMX-17A
COUPMX-19P
DAHLIA-17A
HYPAVAFR-17A
HYPAWIRE-19A
PEALHA-23A
RULIGOST-19A
Cosmos
Fuchsia
New kids on the block
Houseplants : Curcuma Siam Salsa
CUSISA-14A
Houseplants : Caladium mix
CALADIMX-21A
Garden plants : Aster trio
Availablefrom week28
ASTETR-12A
Trade shows 2025
UK
2 - 3 September 4 Oaks Cheshire
16 - 18 September Glee NEC Birmingham
NETHERLANDS
Date Event Location
27 - 28 Augusts Plantarium | Groen-Direkt Int. Trade Centre Hazerswoude/Boskoop
3 - 4 September Autumn Fair Aalsmeer
1 - 3 October Groot Groen, nursery GrootGroenPlus, Zundert
