Why Local Flowers Matter More Than Ever

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.