The plant-flower sector in Pistoia accounts for 80% of total agricultural output with a turnover of € 211.750.000 broken down into € 129.115.000 from plants and € 82.635.000 from flowers. The plant-flower growing sector in Pistoia dates from the middle of the last century and it developed gradually thanks to the qualities of the soil and the increasing expertise of the people. It began on the Ombrone Plain (where approximately 90% of the firms are located today) and has expanded to the Valdinievole (near Pescia) that is also the world's major olive-growing area, and the mountain areas where "Christmas tree" production is thriving along with other forest products. Currently the plant-flower growing district extends over an area of roughly 5,000 hectares located primarily in the municipalities of Pistoia, Serravalle P.se, Algiana, Quarrata and Montale. There are approximately 1250 nurseries and flower growers that provide steady employment for 5,000 people. The mean size of the companies is around 1.5 hectares.
Breakdown of area utilization:

The reference market brought changes to the sectors. Until a few years ago the reference market was the private sector, today plant-flower growing has a public sector market in purchases of greenery for urban areas, public places, and areas of community interest, with a consequent increase in output of products for parks. The area covered with nurseries is approximately 5,000 hectares of which about 80 are dedicated to potted plants. In recent years gross saleable output was over € 181 million of which € 77,5 million was exported. There are over 1,000 firms employing about 5,000 people involved in this business. On the national scale, Pistoia accounts for 1/4 of Italian plant-flower growing, with a focus on plants for gardens and parks. Pistoia is Europe's major center for landscaping and outdoor ornamental plants. Pistoia produces a wide variety of ready-to-plant trees that can satisfy all needs as regards shape, size and color for constructing parks and gardens. The products from this area can be grouped in three categories:

• plants grown in the ground
• potted plants
• young plants, both potted and in the ground

The various types of products grown in the Pistoia area are summarized the following table: