As florists and flower lovers, we don’t always get to see what happens before blooms arrive at our workspace. Most flowers from large wholesalers carry a significant carbon footprint—they’re often flown thousands of miles, wrapped in layers of plastic, and treated with pesticides we end up handling with our bare hands.

And then there are the flight delays. Sometimes those long-anticipated boxes arrive late, moldy, or already past their prime—leaving us scrambling to find a backup for a wedding we’ve been dreaming about designing for an entire year. Ugh. It’s stressful, wasteful, and discouraging.

This is where locally sourced flowers can change everything.

The Beauty of Growing Your Own

Growing your own flowers is one of the most meaningful ways to bring sustainable blooms into your community. While flower farming definitely comes with its own learning curve, I’ve found it to be incredibly rewarding—both creatively and ethically.

If you’re curious about growing or farming flowers, I can’t recommend Floret enough. Their resources are exceptional, and I personally took their flower farming course. It taught me so much—not just about growing flowers, but about seasonality, sustainability, and building a deeper connection to the work we do.

Supporting Local Flower Growers

If you love arranging flowers more than growing them, chances are there are incredible local growers right in your area. Farmers’ markets are a wonderful place to start building those connections and discovering what’s grown nearby.

For florists who need larger quantities, platforms like Rooted Farmers make it possible to purchase locally grown flowers at wholesale prices. Many regions also have flower co-ops that allow designers to shop seasonally and sustainably. Here in New Jersey, for example, there’s a local flower co-op where florists can wholesale-shop for fresh, local blooms grown by nearby farmers.

A More Sustainable Way Forward

Sourcing locally means fresher flowers, fewer chemicals, less packaging, and a smaller carbon footprint. It also means supporting farmers in your own community and designing with the seasons instead of against them.

Local flowers aren’t just better for the planet—they tell a story of place, care, and intention. And that story is one worth sharing, one bouquet at a time.

Using vases made from eco-friendly materials not only adds beauty and character to your floral arrangements—it also helps reduce your environmental impact as a florist. In sustainable floristry, every choice matters, and the vessel you choose to hold a centerpiece or bouquet is just as important as the flowers themselves.

Upcycled and eco-friendly containers tell a story. They invite creativity, encourage intentional design, and offer an opportunity to reduce waste while elevating your work.

Why the Vessel Matters

When we think about sustainability in floristry, we often focus on the blooms. But the container plays a crucial role in both design and environmental impact. Traditional floral vases are frequently mass-produced, plastic-based, or designed for single use. Choosing reusable, recycled, or sustainably made vessels helps minimize waste and extends the life of materials already in circulation.

An upcycled container can transform an arrangement from ordinary to meaningful—adding texture, history, and soul that a standard vase simply can’t replicate.

What Are Eco-Friendly Vases?

Eco-friendly vases fall into two main categories: recycled materials and sustainable materials.

Recycled materials include glass vases or upcycled containers that might otherwise be discarded. Think vintage jars, bottles, tins, candle vessels, or even reclaimed household items. By giving these materials a second life, you reduce the demand for new production while creating one-of-a-kind designs.

Sustainable materials include ceramic, stone, clay, bamboo, and wood. These materials are non-toxic, naturally occurring, and often renewable. They’re durable, timeless, and can be reused for years—making them a beautiful and responsible investment for florists.

The Beauty of Upcycling

Upcycled containers bring a unique charm to floral design. No two pieces are exactly alike, which encourages creativity and intentional styling. They pair especially well with garden-style arrangements, seasonal blooms, and locally sourced flowers—creating a cohesive, earth-friendly aesthetic.

Clients are often drawn to the story behind an upcycled piece. Knowing that a vessel was rescued, repurposed, or thoughtfully chosen adds emotional value and aligns with a growing desire for conscious consumption.

A Simple Step Toward Sustainability

Choosing eco-friendly and upcycled containers is one of the easiest ways to make your floral practice more sustainable. It reduces waste, lowers your carbon footprint, and supports a slower, more mindful approach to design—without sacrificing beauty.

Sustainable floristry isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, intention, and making thoughtful choices wherever possible. And sometimes, those choices start with the vessel in your hands.