The IPM Essen trade fair took place from Tuesday, January 28th to Friday, January 31st. No fewer than 40,000 visitors from the flower and plant industry traveled to Messe Essen (DE). Hall 5 was the stage for the German Florists Association FDF, which presented various flower shows on the round stage every day of the fair. More about this in the article on page 108. In this segment of the exhibition hall, a meeting place was also created for professionals in the flower industry, and there were stands from important online platforms such as Thursd. and the Spanish FLOOS, and flower and material suppliers (and also sponsors) such as Smithers-Oasis, Decorum, Porta Nova (Red Naomi roses) and Van der Plas.
Trends
2025 promises to be the year of bold colors: both bright colors and pastel shades will be featured. Sky Blue and Mocha Mousse, the Pantone color of the year 2025, are the main focus colors. In terms of form, you will see many vegetative solutions in the arrangements, for example, large nests of branches or other plant materials with flowers on or in them in all capacities from mono to diverse. The choice is from brightly colored roses, different sizes of roses in tone-on-tone pastel, or many different flowers (and colors) from the season.
The FDF trends and ideas were developed and elaborated by FDF art director Manfred Hoffmann and floral designer Oliver Ferchland. The four trends, Coral Coast, Amar Amor, Exotic Embrace, and Soft Sense, have been brought to life through beautiful flower arrangements in combination with everyday trend items. The presentations are designed in such a way that they are easy to interpret and apply in one's own flower shop.
Positivity
Blooms also presents a number of distinct trends that are depicted through spectacular arrangements that all seem to express an overarching theme; zest for life. Me-Time, Joie de Vivre, Travel Journals and Golden Hour, all radiate joy and positivity.
Me-Time is the most understated trend. The use of pastel colors, earth tones and simple shapes aligns with the need for a personal zen moment for much-needed rest in the hectic world. Golden Hour harks back to the 'golden' 70s. The vintage look and warm colors are popular with a large group of consumers. Joie de Vivre exudes a zest for life; the arrangements have a certain verve through the lavish use of red, yellow and orange. The arrangements of the Travel Journals trend make full use of exotic flowers and plants. Foliage, whether woven into tubes or not, also plays an important role in the design.
Preview
At Flower Council Holland's stand, Monique Kemperman previewed the 2026 Green Sector Trends. Which style trends and values will determine the demand for flowers and plants? In addition to a review of the last decades, she already gave a preview of two new trends.
Within the Nostalgic Lens trend, we see, in addition to fresh colors, the return of the (new) Biedermeier and the small flowers: the millefleurs. Combinations of flowers and vegetables such as green beans and fennel leaves are also made.
The Orbit Revive trend harks back to the 70s; brown, green, and orange in the interior. The new 'space age' also plays a role, which mainly manifests itself in the application of contrasting and glossy materials. There is also contrast in combining plants from different worlds. Think, for example, of a prominent cactus next to an Anthurium.
Fresh vintage
At the trade fair, there was a lot of attention for original shop presentations of cacti. You saw them in rows of terracotta pots, in groups of four in square pots (which gave a nice graphic effect), to special combinations of species planted together in baroque jars of colored glass. The cactus benefits from the vintage trend, but in fresh, appealing presentations.
Also striking was the beautiful presentation of Opti-flor in which the white Phalaenopsis played a leading role. Available in no less than seven sizes: from very small, Theatro Funk, to five-year-old heavily branched plants, Theatro Soul. The latter can bear up to 100 flowers. The use of pot web, in short a 'panty' over the pot, also ensures that mosquito larvae have no chance to attack the roots - resulting in beautiful strong plants.
