Florida farm grows 2 million marigolds

The bright orange cempasúchil, or Mexican marigold, marks the arrival of Día de los Muertos for many families in the United States. In Plant City, Florida, the Sánchez Farm now supplies these flowers to a growing number of communities far from Mexico.

Carolina López and her husband, Fidel Sánchez, started growing the flowers in 2019. They had moved to Florida years earlier but struggled to find the specific blooms used in ofrendas, or altars, for their deceased relatives. They used savings to dedicate one acre of land to cultivation. The first year was difficult, with only half of the plants surviving. The couple learned to prepare the soil, adjust irrigation, and care for the specific needs of the plants.

“In our home country, it’s customary to place flowers for our departed loved ones on November 1st and 2nd,” Carolina said. “After moving to Florida many years ago, we wondered how we would manage to get these flowers. So, we said: ‘Let’s grow them ourselves!’”

The first commercial harvest occurred in 2020. The couple loaded a pickup truck with the flowers and went out to sell them. They sold out by 9 a.m. They repeated this process until three full truckloads were gone. The response from the local Mexican community, as well as families from Guatemala and El Salvador, confirmed a market demand that was not being met.

Since then, the operation has expanded to seven acres. Sales now extend beyond the Tampa Bay area. Buyers from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina purchase the flowers wholesale. Carolina noted that Atlanta is one of the largest markets for their harvest. Carlos López, who has worked at the farm since 2021 and manages sales, estimates production at approximately 2 million flowers per season. Based on an average weight of 8 to 12 grams per flower, this amounts to 16 to 24 metric tons of fresh product.

The farm employs about 60 people during the busy season. Most are Hispanic. López said the workers support one another in an environment that expands as visitor numbers grow. The site has evolved from a simple flower sale into a cultural festival. It features food stalls, handicrafts, horse exhibitions, traditional Mexican rodeos, and dance performances.

Preparation for the season begins in August. The family conditions the land, installs irrigation, and sows the seeds. The process takes about four months to complete. Iván Pliego, the Mexican consul in Orlando, visited the farm to discuss the cultural importance of the cempasúchil. He explained that the flower has pre-Hispanic roots and serves as a symbol of light to guide the spirits of the departed. Pliego stated that he was pleased to visit the farm for the first time and looked forward to strengthening collaborative efforts with the community.

The farm’s growth reflects the presence of Mexican and Latin American communities in Florida. For the Sánchez family, the project blends agriculture with cultural heritage. The work continues throughout the year, ensuring the fields are ready for the November holidays.