The ornamental department consists of around 125 companies active in breeding, propagation (including tissue culture) and/or trade in ornamental plants for planting/cuttings and young plants. Many of these companies operate internationally and export their products all over the world. These companies increasingly produce plant reproduction material on foreign locations. This material is subsequently sold to customers worldwide. Access to these international markets is therefore a major point of attention.
 
The general terms and conditions of sales and delivery for ornamental plant producers are regularly reviewed and updated based on the relevant developments and wishes of the sector. The general terms and conditions form a significant and acknowledged foundation for the trade in plant reproduction material.
 
National and international Plant Breeders' Rights for new varieties is of vital importance for ornamental breeding companies. Plantum defends sound legislation for Plant Breeders' Rights. The costs involved in submitting applications for Plant Breeders' Rights and the annual fees, an internationally harmonised application procedure and possibilities for ensuring compliance form an essential component of safeguarding the members’ interests.
 
Many of the members of the ornamental department also play an active role in the crop sections or crop working groups. In these working groups, which are supervised by the secretariat of Plantum, companies consult on common themes such as Plant Breeders' Rights, inspection fees, levies on plant reproduction material, quality, research, promotional activities, crop protection and consultation with growers. The ornamental department of Plantum is divided into the following crop groups:

• Alstroemeria
• Flower seeds
• Chrysanthemum 
• Gerbera 
• Lily
• Pot plant propagators
• Rose
• Zantedeschia 
• Summer flowers and special cut flowers 

Companies active in tissue culture are united in the tissue culture section. The specific interests of the ornamental department are represented externally at the Product Board for Horticulture (Dutch), Naktuinbouw, the Flowerbulb Inspection Service (BKD) and the Permanent Judging Committee (VKC).