Ornamental cut flowers have increasingly important roles in society, culture and personal well-being. In this review, the current status of postharvest technology applied to cut flowers and foliage is discussed, including considerations of the metabolic (physical and biochemical) and genetic mechanisms underlying fundamental processes central to cut flower and foliage deterioration: senescence and programmed cell death. In addition, the effect of numerous pre-harvest growth conditions (temperature, light intensity, relative huimidity, irrigation, nutrients and fertilization, and stress) on postharvest quality of cut flowers and foliage are assessed. Moreover, through examples, increase in longevity through improvement of cultural practices, sanitation and genetic engineering are covered, providing varied viewpoints to the global cut flower market.