Valentine's Day 2026: Love's Price Tag Soars as Red Roses Hit Rs 100 Each in Shimla
Love is proving to be an expensive affair this Valentine's season, with the quintessential symbol of romance—red roses—selling for as high as Rs 100 per piece in Shimla markets. This sharp price surge is driven by robust seasonal demand linked to Valentine's Day celebrations and the ongoing wedding season, creating a lucrative period for local florists and growers.
Dramatic Price Hike Compared to Off-Season Rates
During typical off-season periods, red roses in Shimla retail between Rs 20 and Rs 50 per piece. However, as February 14 approaches, demand has skyrocketed, pushing prices to unprecedented levels. Amit Sood, owner of Universal Traders, a Shimla-based floriculturist, confirmed the trend, stating, "At present, red roses are being sold for Rs 100 per stick. Yet, there is no end to the craze for red roses, whether loose, in a bunch, or in elaborate bouquets."
Sood expressed optimism that prices could climb even higher if Valentine's Day demand remains sustained. The festive calendar is further amplifying sales, with upcoming celebrations like Shivratri and Holi contributing to the flower market's buoyancy.
Widespread Price Increases Across Flower Varieties
The price surge is not limited to roses alone. Across Shimla's markets, flower prices have moved significantly higher:
- A single rose currently sells between Rs 80 and Rs 120.
- Carnations are priced from Rs 50 per piece.
- Sunflowers are selling at around Rs 250 per stem.
- Lilies and tulips are fetching up to Rs 4,000 per bundle, according to trader Harsh.
This broad-based increase highlights the seasonal boom in the floral industry, which is estimated to be a Rs 100-crore economy in Himachal Pradesh. Locally grown flowers are supplied across India and exported globally, though roses are cultivated in limited quantities within the state.
Sourcing Challenges and Grower Benefits
With demand rising sharply, traders are sourcing red roses from other parts of the country to meet local needs. Grower Rama Thakur noted, "A bundle of carnation with 20 pieces is fetching Rs 400 to Rs 500 for growers selling their produce in Delhi." This indicates that the demand spike is benefiting producers beyond Shimla as well.
Flowers such as carnation, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, lilium, and alstroemeria are widely cultivated across Himachal Pradesh's districts—including Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Chamba, and Kangra—during the winter months, supporting the state's horticultural sector.
Horticulture's Economic Impact in Himachal Pradesh
According to Vinay Kumar, Director of Horticulture, horticulture is practised on about 234 hectares in Himachal Pradesh, with 124 hectares under productive cultivation in polyhouses. Approximately 1,271 families are directly associated with flower cultivation, underscoring the industry's social and economic significance.
Kumar emphasized that Valentine's Day demand, coupled with the wedding season, is enabling growers to secure better prices for their produce. This seasonal boost provides a vital revenue stream for many households engaged in floriculture.
The combination of festive demand and limited local rose production has created a perfect storm for price increases, making this Valentine's Day one of the costliest in recent memory for romantics in Shimla and beyond.
