Sustainable Floristry: How We’re Rethinking Flowers, Foam and Everyday Practices

As florists, we work with one of nature’s most beautiful gifts. But behind the romance of fresh blooms is an industry that hasn’t always been gentle on the planet. From imported flowers with heavy carbon footprints to single-use plastics and traditional floral foam, floristry has historically created more waste than many customers realize.

Sustainable floristry isn’t about sacrificing beauty. It’s about designing thoughtfully, sourcing responsibly, and reducing waste wherever we can. Here’s a look at what that means in our studio and how small changes add up to a big difference.

The Problem with Traditional Floral Foam

For decades, conventional floral foam (often known by the brand Oasis) has been a staple in floral design. It’s lightweight, easy to shape, and holds water well. But it’s also a single-use plastic product that breaks down into microplastics and is not biodegradable.

In our studio, we:

• Use floral foam only when absolutely necessary.

• Seek alternative mechanics first.

• Choose compostable floral foam when foam is required.

Compostable floral foam options have improved dramatically in recent years. They allow us to achieve similar design structures while reducing long-term environmental impact. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a meaningful step forward.

Chicken Wire & Reusable Mechanics

One of our favorite sustainable swaps? Chicken wire.

Chicken wire, floral frogs, and reusable armatures allow us to create beautiful, airy arrangements without relying on foam at all. These mechanics:

• Provide excellent stem support

• Encourage natural movement

• Can be reused again and again

For event work especially, we prioritize designs built in vases, bowls, and vessels that can be repurposed. Reusable vases dramatically reduce waste compared to single-use containers.

Recycled Rose Stems as Card Picks

Sustainability is often about creativity.

Instead of ordering plastic card picks to attach message cards, we repurpose sturdy rose stems. Once stripped and cleaned, they make perfect natural card holders. It’s a simple change, but over the course of a year, it eliminates hundreds of small plastic sticks from our waste stream.

These are the kinds of behind-the-scenes decisions customers don’t always see — but they matter.

Mindful Sourcing & Waste Reduction

Sustainable floristry also means being intentional about what we bring into the studio in the first place.

We aim to:

• Source locally and seasonally whenever possible

• Avoid over-ordering

• Compost green waste

• Reduce packaging from suppliers

Seasonal flowers not only look more natural and abundant — they also require less energy to grow and transport.

Designing with Nature, Not Against It

One of the beautiful side effects of sustainable practices is that arrangements often look more organic and expressive. Using flowers grown per season, in the U.S or as local as we can get helps reduce our footprint and supports small flower farms as well. Without rigid foam blocks dictating structure, stems can move naturally. Designs feel lighter, more garden-inspired, and more alive.

Sustainability isn’t about perfection. The floral industry still has work to do — and we’re all learning as we go. But every conscious decision counts.

From recycled rose stems to compostable foam, from chicken wire mechanics to reusable vases, we’re committed to honoring the flowers we work with and the planet they come from.

Because beautiful flowers shouldn’t cost the earth.