Insecticidal dips were evaluated as a postharvest treatment to eliminate insects from tropical cut flowers and foliage before shipment. Among candidate insecticides, a combination dip for at least 5 min of an insecticidal soap composed of potassium salts of fatty acids (0.98% active ingredient) with fluvalinate (0.023% active ingredient) was the most effective against pest insects, but rinsing flowers with water immediately after dipping reduced efficacy. No phytotoxicity was observed when this dip was used at double concentration for most cut flowers and foliages, but damage was obvious for cycads, orchid flowers and some anthurium cultivars.