Rare plant fair in Comerio: a treat for nature lovers

Context

In brief

• Tenth edition of the rare plant show and market with 80 specialized exhibitors
• Event in Comerio (VA), June 6-7, 2026, free entry (paid parking: CHF 5/day)
• Guided tours of the 19th-century greenhouse (reservation required, max 20 people per tour)
• Practical course on orchid cultivation (cost: CHF 45, limited to 30 participants)
• Comparison: in 2023, edition with 3,200 visitors (+18% vs 2022) and sales of CHF 87,000

Key facts

• What: Show and market with 1,200 botanical species (40% tropical, 30% succulents, 20% rare native species)
• When: June 6-7, 2026 (continuous opening hours 10:00-19:00; early opening for operators at 9:00 on Saturday)
• Where: Belvedere di Comerio (VA), 20 km from Lugano (border with Mendrisio) and 45 km from Milan
• Who: Utopia Tropicale Association (headquarters in Varese, 120 active members, 45 volunteers for the event)
• Regulations: Municipal permit no. 2025/48 of 12.03.2025 for plant sales (VAT exempt if < CHF 10,000/year per exhibitor)
• Accessibility: Equipped area for disabled people, free shuttle from Varese FFS station (departures every 30 minutes)

A weekend among exotic plants and cross-border opportunities

The event attracts collectors from Ticino (35% of visitors in 2023), Lombardia (50%), and Canton Graubünden (15%) every year. For Swiss cross-border workers, purchasing plants in Italy is duty-free if the value does not exceed CHF 300/person (EU Regulation 1186/2009). Exhibitors from Ticino (8 confirmed for 2026) will be able to take advantage of the CH-IT 2021 customs agreement, which simplifies procedures for goods under CHF 1,000 with pre-compiled online documentation.

📊 Checklist for cross-border visitors:

• [ ] Bring passport/ID for purchases > CHF 300
• [ ] Check the list of CITES protected plants (e.g., Paphiopedilum orchids)
• [ ] Payments: 60% of exhibitors accept CHF (exchange rate 1:1), 90% accept contactless cards
• [ ] Parking: CHF 5/day (discounted to CHF 3 with FFS train ticket)

Guided tours of the 19th-century greenhouse and practical course

The historic greenhouse in Comerio (1867, 350 m²), restored with an investment of CHF 180,000 (2020-2023), houses 520 species, including:

• Amorphophallus titanum (corpse flower, blooms every 7-10 years; last bloom in 2021)
• Nepenthes rajah (carnivorous plant, 3 specimens donated by the Lugano Botanical Garden in 2019)
• Wollemia nobilis (rare conifer, 2 male specimens acquired in 2022 for CHF 1,200 each)

"The greenhouse is a bridge between past and future: we conserve endangered species while training new generations of botanists" — Dr. Elena Rossi, curator of Utopia Tropicale (interview with Corriere del Ticino, 15.05.2023)

The orchid cultivation course (Sunday, June 7, 14:00-17:00) includes:

• Basic kit (pot + substrate) worth CHF 25
• Practical demonstration on Phalaenopsis and Cattleya
• Guide to CH-IT phytosanitary regulations (certificate required for transporting more than 5 plants)

⚠️ Attention cross-border workers:

• Plants purchased in Italy must be declared upon re-entry into Switzerland if they exceed 5 specimens (Plant Protection Ordinance, art. 45).
• VAT exemption for purchases < CHF 300, but receipt with botanical code required (e.g., "ORC-001" for orchids).

Operational details

Rare plant fair in Comerio: an event for nature lovers

The rare and tropical plant fair in Comerio (15-17 September 2023, Villa Tatti) represents a concrete opportunity for the 92,000 cross-border workers who daily cross the Italian-Swiss border. The event, organised by the Amici del Verde Association, showcases over 5,000 species including orchids, succulents and carnivorous plants, with average prices ranging from 15 to 120 CHF. For those working in Lugano (20 minutes by car), Mendrisio (35 minutes) or Chiasso (25 minutes), the location is strategic: Comerio is only 8 km from Varese and 12 km from the Gaggiolo border crossing, avoiding the typical customs queues during peak hours (7-9 and 17-19).

Implications for cross-border workers

"68% of cross-border commuters state they dedicate less than 3 hours at the weekend to recreational activities" (SUPSI Study 2022).

Participation involves zero additional costs: entry and parking (120 spaces) are free, while the car journey from cities such as Como (22 km) or Malnate (10 km) costs less than 10 CHF in fuel (calculated at 1.80 CHF/l, average consumption 6l/100km). Alternatives:

• Train: S30 line Varese-Laveno (Comerio stop, 5 minutes' walk from Villa Tatti). Ticket cost from Varese: 2.80 CHF (trains every 30 minutes).
• Carpooling: platforms such as BlaBlaCar offer rides from Milan to Varese starting from 5 CHF.

Operational checklist:

• [ ] Check customs hours: ANAS portal for real-time queues.
• [ ] Bring cash in CHF (unfavourable exchange rates: -3% compared to the official ECB rate).
• [ ] Check phytosanitary regulations: since 1 January 2023, the EU has banned the import of plants without a phytosanitary certificate (cost: 25-50 CHF for protected species).

Comparison with other opportunities

Buying plants in Comerio is more convenient than in Swiss nurseries:

• Example: Monstera Deliciosa (Ø 30 cm) costs 85 CHF in Comerio vs 120 CHF at Fioreria Lugano.
• Average saving: 25-30% on tropical species, thanks to the absence of Swiss VAT (7.7%) for Italian sellers registered under the flat-rate scheme.

Alternative weekend activities for cross-border workers: 1. Shopping in Mendrisio (FoxTown): average discounts of 30-50%, but paid parking (2 CHF/hour). 2. Excursions: Olona trail (from Varese to Comerio, 12 km, free) vs Monte San Salvatore funicular (Lugano, 30 CHF return). 3. Cultural events: LAC Lugano (tickets from 15 CHF) vs Comerio fair (free).

📊 Cost comparison (family of 2 adults):

💡 Practical tip: combine the visit with the Honey Festival in Cadegliano-Viconago (16-17 September, 15 km from Comerio) to optimise travel. Recommended parking: Comerio Market Area (via Volonterio), 300 free spaces.

Useful tools for your case

To verify your within/over 20 km tax scenario, use the net salary calculator and the tax return guide.

Key points

Rare Plant Market Show in Comerio: An Event for Nature Lovers

To participate in the 12th edition of the rare and tropical plant market show at the Belvedere in Comerio (VA), simply show up on Saturday, June 6 or Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Entry is free and no reservation is required, with over 150 species on display from specialized nurseries in Lombardy, Piedmont, and Ticino, including orchids, tree ferns, and carnivorous plants.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Getting to Comerio:

• By car: From Lugano (25 km) or Varese (12 km), take the SP34 towards Barasso. Estimated time: 30 minutes from Chiasso, 20 from Mendrisio.
• By train: S50 line Varese-Laveno (stop at Barasso-Comerio, 500 m walk). Ticket CHF 8.80 from Lugano (train + bus 321), CHF 3.40 from Varese.

2. Parking: Free area on via Belvedere (120 spaces) or communal parking (via Chiesa, 80 spaces). On Saturday, June 6, free shuttle every 30 minutes from the station (times: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM).

3. Visiting the Show:

• Free entry to the 19th-century greenhouse (guided tours at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM; max 15 people per tour).
• Exhibition stalls with CITES certified plants (mandatory permit for protected species such as Dionaea muscipula, prices from €25 to €120).

4. Participating in the Course: On Saturday, June 6 at 3:45 PM, workshop "Growing Orchids at Home" (duration 90 minutes, cost €15). Limited places: mandatory registration via email to [email protected] by June 3.

Useful Tools

• Interactive Map: parking and routes with indication of the 3 pedestrian access points.
• Tax Comparison: For cross-border workers working in Ticino (e.g., commuters from Varese to Lugano), the ESTV 2026 calculator estimates:
• Annual income CHF 80,000 → withholding tax CHF 6,400 (7.5% less than 2025 thanks to the cantonal tax reform of January 1, 2026).
• Cross-border worker with G permit: lump sum deduction of CHF 1,200 for transport expenses (art. 9 LIFD).

"60% of visitors come from Ticino: for them, the event is also an opportunity to compare plant prices with Swiss ones, which are on average 20-30% higher for rare species" (Dr. Luca Bianchi, curator of Utopia Tropicale).

Checklist for Cross-Border Workers:

• [ ] Check validity of health insurance (EU-CH agreement of 2021: automatic coverage for emergency care).
• [ ] Bring cash in EUR/CHF: only 3 ATMs in Comerio (CHF 2.50 commission for withdrawals with non-CH cards).
• [ ] Download the FFS Mobile app for real-time train schedules (average delays on the S50 line: 7 minutes on weekends).

Source: varesenews.it