Royal FloraHolland presents Glass Tulip Awards for groundbreaking innovations

New market introductions by growers are significant for the floriculture sector 

The Glass Tulip Award is the ultimate recognition for the best market introduction by growers in the floriculture sector. Novelties are crucial for a distinctive position in the (international) market. Our members invest time, money and energy in developing new products. They do this with great passion and craftsmanship. Royal FloraHolland believes this deserves appreciation and recognition. Innovations are essential to both the national and international markets, now and in the future. For that reason, we have been presenting the award for the best market launches for over 30 years," says David van Mechelen, acting CEO of Royal FloraHolland.

To emphasise the importance of innovation in flowers and plants, the award ceremony did not take place at the Trade Fair Aalsmeer for the first time, but during a separate festive evening. The winners received the prestigious prize (a glass award in the shape of a tulip) for the most groundbreaking new product in five different categories. These categories are: cut flowers, flowering indoor plants, green indoor plants, garden plants and concepts. All finalists were judged by both a professional jury and the public, who could vote online on the Glass Tulip Award website. The awards were presented by interim CEO David van Mechelen, together with commercial directors Thomas Bugel and Martin de Ruiter. Given the importance of innovation for our cooperative, Jolanda Heistek, manager of Cooperative Affairs, hosted the evening.

When is it a novelty?

A novelty is a new product that has not yet been launched. Royal FloraHolland applies the following criteria:

• The product preferably has a new VBN code
• The product is of the right quality (A1)
• The product is available
• It is a different or new product, for example, with a new leaf or flower structure, shape or bloom
   

Winners of the Glass Tulip Award 2026

The winners of the jury and audience awards are:

Cut flower category:

• Jury prize: Campanula Medium Kilimanjaro from Kwekerij Stadsland
• Audience prize: Lilium Twinny Peach from Qualily

Flowering indoor plant category:

• Jury prize: Pineapple Babyboom (Mi Amigo) from Stofbergen Plantcompany
• Audience prize: Pineapple Babyboom (Mi Amigo) from Stofbergen Plantcompany

Category green indoor plants:

• Jury prize: Labisia Obtusifolia Kura Kura from J&P ten Have
• Audience prize: Alocasia Antoro Velvet from Esperit Plants

Garden plants category:

• Jury prize: Delphinium Red Lark from Colour your Season
• Audience prize: Pennisetum advena Tiny Tails from Plantipp/ Hoogeveen and F.N. Kempen

Concepts category:

• Jury prize: Bloomstay (Tulipa Columbus) from Bloomstay
• Audience prize: Landscape from Esperit Elements

Where to view

All innovative products from the winners and finalists can be viewed online at: www.royalfloraholland.com/glazentulpaward. These new market launches from all finalists can also be viewd in person at the Trade Fair Aalsmeer (4-6 November) in the Novilty greenhouse.