The trade of ornamental plants generates substantial revenue worldwide, with molecular and somatic cell technologies providing an important and essential underpinning to conventional breeding approaches. Molecular procedures facilitate the identification of novel germplasms for incorporation into breeding programs involving sexual hybridization, while tissue culture‐based techniques are exploited to micropropagate novel germplasms and to provide the basis essential for genetic manipulation. Procedures for the genetic improvement of ornamentals involve exposure of existing genetic variation (somaclonal variation) through cell and tissue culture, somatic hybridization by the fusion of isolated protoplasts, and transformation by Agrobacterium or particle bombardment (biolistics)‐mediated gene delivery. Targets for genetic manipulation of ornamental plants include modification of stature and floral characteristics and improved tolerance to pests, diseases, and environmental stress.