Plizio Visual Lab

Ziway Greenhouse Farms

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Agriculture

Weather…

The Ziway Greenhouse Farms are located on the shores of Lake Ziway in the Oromia Region, approximately 160 kilometers south of Addis Ababa. These facilities form one of the largest flower-producing hubs in the world, with companies like Sher Ethiopia operating extensive greenhouse complexes. The farms specialize in the large-scale cultivation of roses and other cut flowers primarily destined for the European market via the international airport in the capital. While the industry provides critical employment for over 20,000 local residents, it also relies heavily on Lake Ziway's water for irrigation, sparking environmental discussions regarding water levels and chemical runoff. To mitigate social impacts, the major farm operators fund local infrastructure, including comprehensive schools and healthcare facilities for their staff. The region has transitioned from traditional subsistence farming to a modern horticultural center due to these significant foreign investments. Today, Ziway is a cornerstone of Ethiopia's floriculture sector and a major source of foreign currency for the national economy. Sustainable management of the lake's ecosystem is increasingly integrated into the farms' operational strategies.

Location: Ethiopia
Nearby: Lake Ziway (17 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	20	21	22	22	22	20	19	19	19	19	18	18
Rain mm	10	19	48	82	92	106	196	194	120	43	22	12

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Ziway greenhouse farms are a major center for export of cut flowers, especially roses, to Europe and Asia. They utilize the favorable climate of Lake Ziway for year-round flower production in greenhouses.

🚪

Visiting

The greenhouse facilities are typically not open to the public as they are commercial operations. However, the long rows of white greenhouses are clearly visible from surrounding roads.

👀

Where to view it

The best view of the farms is from the road along Lake Ziway, where the greenhouses dominate the flat landscape. From a boat on the lake, one gets a unique perspective on the facilities.

🧺

Local products

Cut flowers, especially roses, are sold in small quantities at local markets in Ziway. Fresh fish from Lake Ziway is also a seasonal product worth trying.

📆

Active season

Flower production is active year-round, with peak periods around holidays like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. The best time to visit is the dry season from October to March when blooming is especially abundant.

➕

Nearby

Combine the visit with a boat trip on Lake Ziway for birdwatching. The nearby islands such as Tulu Gudo with ancient monasteries are also worth a detour.

Geography

Coordinates

7.90000, 38.70000

Facts

Sher Ethiopia in Ziway is the largest greenhouse rose farm in the world by area.
The greenhouse complexes in the area cover more than 500 hectares of land.
The flower industry in Ziway employs approximately 20,000 permanent staff members.
Over 90% of the roses produced here are exported to the Netherlands and other EU countries.
Lake Ziway, the water source for the farms, has a surface area of about 440 square kilometers.
The farms include their own hospital which serves over 100,000 local community members.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Adami Tulu3 km · WExplore →

Batu3 km · NEExplore →

Lake Ziway9 km · NEExplore →

Lake Abijatta25 km · WExplore →

Meki25 km · NEExplore →

Lake Langano26 km · WExplore →

Langano Beach Resorts28 km · NWExplore →

Mount Gugu34 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Ziway Greenhouse Farms (1)

Bird island📍 landmark

Bird Island is an engaging island attraction near Ziway, recognized for its abundant and diverse birdlife.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is grown in the gardens of Ziway?

Ziway is known for its large-scale greenhouses where roses are grown for export.

Are the rose gardens open to tourists?

Some farms allow visits if arranged in advance.

Where are the roses exported to?

Most flowers go to Europe via auctions in the Netherlands.

When is the best time to see the flowers?

Roses are harvested year-round, but the period before Valentine's Day is the busiest.

What environmental issues are there?

There are discussions about water usage and fertilizer runoff into Lake Ziway.

Ziway Greenhouse Farms: where is it located?

Ziway Greenhouse Farms is located in Ethiopia.

Ziway Greenhouse Farms: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

Ziway Greenhouse Farms: why is it worth visiting?

The Ziway Greenhouse Farms are located on the shores of Lake Ziway in the Oromia Region, approximately 160 kilometers south of Addis Ababa.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →