Development of Edible Flower Production and the Prospects of Modern Production Technology

The consumption of edible flowers is gaining global popularity due to their culinary appeal, vibrant colors, and health-promoting compounds. Traditional production methods—including wild collection, open-field cultivation, and greenhouse systems—offer limited control over environmental factors, often resulting in inconsistent yield, quality, and safety. To address these limitations, plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) have emerged as a promising technology for producing high-quality edible flowers year-round in controlled environments. This review explores the evolution of edible flower cultivation, from conventional methods to PFALs, and highlights key environmental factors—light, temperature, and nutrient management—that influence growth, flowering, and phytochemical profiles. Special attention is given to how light intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod affect morphogenesis and metabolite accumulation, and how nutrient solution composition, particularly nitrogen form and EC levels, modulates flowering and plant health. While recent studies have demonstrated the potential of PFALs in cultivating species such as calendula, nasturtium, and marigold, research remains limited for many commercially relevant species. The review identifies current challenges, such as high operational costs and knowledge gaps in species-specific protocols, and outlines future research directions aimed at improving efficiency, optimizing quality, and expanding market viability. PFALs offer a transformative opportunity for the edible flower industry by integrating precision agriculture with consumer demand for safe, functional, and visually appealing food products.