Within such a murky market, it’s really worth asking a few questions before you hand over your cash. Here are some good conversation starters to kick off with.   

Are the flowers sourced locally? How far did they travel?  

Ideally, you’d be buying locally from the farmer at a neighbourhood market. But if you’re going through a florist ask them about their suppliers. Be specific. Even stores that mostly stick to local suppliers will import expensive or holiday-themed varieties. Ask about their general practice and your specific purchase.   

Are the flowers seasonal?   

A quick google will tell you if the plants in stock are also in season. If they’re not, they may have come from far away or been grown in an energy intensive environment.   

Were they sustainably and ethically grown?   

That can mean a lot of things, but ask whether the florist has inquired about farm workers’ rights or whether chemicals are avoided during growing.   

Also pay attention to how they run the store. Is there a lot of plastic packaging used? Has floral foam been swapped out for alternatives such as moss or recycled chicken wire? Taking care to make improvements in day-to-day operations will tell you a lot about their wider values.  

How are they reducing waste?  

Just as their attitude to plastic can signal deeper values, you can tell a lot by how people think about waste. For example, do you need to pre-order flowers or are arrangements made to order to reduce leftovers?   

Do they have a plan for unsold flowers? As we know, organic matter dumped in landfill is a major emissions contributor. Ideally florists would have alternative plans such as donating or composting leftover flowers and offcuts.   

Additionally, do they recycle old jars and vases, can you bring in your own vessel, and are they avoiding plastic by working with tissue, recyclable paper and string? 

Thrive, Melbourne   

Thrive could probably start a side business teaching other florists about sustainable practices. The owners have really thought of just about everything and get bonus marks for going out of their way to work their friends and neighbours into sustainability planning.   

Unsold flowers are redesigned into gifts for the community, dried to be used in event installations or composted into soil or fertiliser for local community gardens.   

A focus on compostable, biodegradable, recyclable and reusable packaging means little of their non-plant products ends up in the bin. Most is either repurposed or returned to suppliers. The small amount of plastic they do use is taken to a local soft plastic depot to be recycled.  

Stones Corner Flower Shop, Brisbane   

Stones Corner Flower Shop is really setting the bar for sustainability in Australia. Not only does it source most of its products from the south-east Queensland and northern NSW region, it does a lot of work to educate its customers on the eco floristry industry at large.   

On top of responsible sourcing, it is also   

- avoiding floral foam - using environmentally friendly wrapping materials - delivering and storing flowers in recycled glass containers, reusable ceramics or fully biodegradable water-filled cups - composting clippings, stems and offcuts - carrying a range of plants and dry flowers as an “everlasting” and sustainable gift option.  

Bydeau, Hong Kong  

One of the easiest ways to reduce waste is for florists to work to a pre-order system. That way they’re never purchasing more flowers than they need and don’t risk being left with a bunch of waste.   

That’s Bydeau’s approach, although it also gives local designers any leftover cuttings to repurpose into their artwork.   

All its bouquets are wrapped in recycled paper and biodegradable water bags, which can be composted at home. Although it also encourages customers to just bring in their own vases to save any packaging.   

Molly Oliver Flowers, New York City  

Molly Oliver Flowers has done its research to ensure that its flowers are grown by flower farmers from within 200 miles of New York City. Once varieties arrive instore, they’re arranged with foam and synthetic-free design methods and stored in rented and locally sourced vessels.   

This commitment to organic materials means leftover studio and event waste can be composted at a local farm. For anything that can’t break down, it’s partnered with TerraCycle to take care of it.  

Farmers’ markets  

Don’t happen to live near one of these great businesses? No stress, sourcing locally from farmers’ markets is a great alternative. That way you can speak to, and support, the growers directly. As they don’t rely on imports, their wares tend to already be seasonal and often cheaper.   

If they are packaging their blooms in plastic or other non-recyclable materials, don’t be shy to have a chat to them about it. Often they’ll be willing to organise low-waste packaging for you and the dialogue will hopefully inspire them to investigate more environmentally friendly options in the future.