Florists Share the Mistakes People Make When Buying Flowers + Tips

• Business Insider asked florists about mistakes people make when buying flowers.
• Key factors to consider are flower seasonality, a florist’s reputation, and arrangement sizes.
• Keep an eye out for hidden costs and consider asking for something custom within your price range.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Business Insider asked florists to share mistakes people make when buying and ordering bouquets.

Here’s what you should avoid doing next time you purchase flowers for someone special.

Don’t assume premade arrangements are the best value

Many floral shops offer curated bouquets for special occasions — but premade arrangements aren’t always the best deal.

Colleen McGing, a floral and event designer, told Business Insider that consumers might get a better value by trusting the pros.

“Florists are artists who work with color and texture all day. Give them your budget and creative control over what you get,” she said.

By giving florists some freedom you could also get a better arrangement.

“They will feel respected and empowered in their craft, and you might even get a bit more than you expected,” McGing added.

Consider which flowers are in season if you want something fresh

Igor Podyablonskiy, florist and founder of delivery service My Flowers, said you can get the best bouquet by looking at which flowers are in season.

“Certain flowers aren’t in season all year round, so it’s important to consider seasonal availability when ordering,” he told BI. “Otherwise, you could be disappointed when flowers are out of stock.”

Podyablonskiy said roses are a safe bet because they’re typically available year-round. But when in doubt, ask your florist.

Don’t forget to place a preorder before major holidays

You’ll want to place a preorder if you’re looking for florals for major bouquet-gifting holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

McGing recommends doing so as early as possible to secure your arrangement and beat crowds of last-minute shoppers.

To set yourself up for success, set a phone reminder telling you to place a preorder a few weeks before the next flower-gifting occasion.

Research a florist before you order — and look at customer photos and reviews

Most online florists share images of their products, so you might think you have a good idea of the bouquet you purchase.

But, Podyablonskiy said, you want to do a bit more research before placing an order.

“Florists aren’t equal, so it’s important to read reviews, look for certifications, and ensure a florist’s professionalism and reliability before ordering,” he told BI.

It may be especially useful to check Google reviews or Yelp for customers sharing photos of actual bouquets they received.

Consider how stem size and arrangement shapes can impact a bouquet’s appearance

Being familiar with arrangement styles and stem sizes can help you get the bouquet you’re hoping for, said Rachel Cho of Rachel Cho Floral Design.

“One dozen roses is not as big as you might think,” Cho told BI.

For example, roses packed tightly and cut to have short stems will look really different from a dozen roses with long stems in a tall vase.

Choosing a prepackaged bouquet may not be worth it in the long run

Although premade bouquets from grocery stores work in a pinch and can be cheaper, they may not last as long.

“Nine times out of 10, there is slimy greenery due to poor processing of the flowers,” McGing said. “This will cause bacteria to build up in your water and your florals to have a shorter lifespan.”

Factor in hidden costs and delivery fees when ordering flowers online

When ordering flowers online, beware of add-on costs that can make an arrangement cost significantly more than you’d think.

“If your total budget spend includes delivery fees and tax, the cost of the floral arrangement might be much smaller than you’d expect,” Cho said.