Pääkukka

Pääkukka is a Finnish term used primarily in floristry and horticulture to describe the principal or most prominent flower on a plant or in a floral arrangement. The word literally means “head flower” (pää = head/main, kukka = flower). It is not a formal botanical taxon, but a descriptive label commonly employed by growers, designers, and buyers.

In floral design, the pääkukka serves as the focal bloom around which the arrangement is built. It helps determine color contrasts, balance, and overall emphasis. The other stems in the bouquet are often referred to as filler flowers (täytekukka) or supporting blooms, chosen to complement the huvud bloom without overpowering it.

In cultivation and breeding contexts, pääkukka may be used informally to denote the most conspicuous flower on a stem or the first bloom used to evaluate a cultivar’s quality and habit. For plants with true inflorescences composed of multiple florets, the term can describe the most developed unit within the inflorescence, though usage varies between regions and practices.

Because it is not a formal scientific term, the precise meaning of pääkukka can differ depending on context. It remains a practical, everyday expression that helps communicate about composition, selection, and display in both growing and arranging.

See also: floristry, horticulture, inflorescence, bouquet, täytekukka