Regular hexagonal flowerlike zinc oxide (ZnO) whiskers have been fabricated on the indium tin oxide electrodes with glass panel. A relatively simple hydrothermal growth process of low temperature is developed. The field emission properties of the flowerlike ZnO nanowhiskers have a low field emission threshold voltage (2.2 V/mu m at a current density of 0.1 mu A/cm(2)) and a high current density of 1 mA/cm(2) at an applied field of 6.3 V/mu m. The hydrothermal process method and good field emission properties indicate their potential application in field emission display device with glass panels. (c) 2007 American Vacuum Society.