What You Need To Know About Buying Beautiful, Sustainable Flowers
We hate to burst your bubble, but those rows and rows of flowers at the entrance of the grocery store, the ones that make your apartment with no windows feel like home, might be doing more harm than good. The impact of mass-producing flowers can be harmful to the environment and to the humans farming them.
If, like us, you live in a cold winter climate, you may notice that many seasons aren’t so green. So where are all these gorgeous vibrant bouquets coming from in the middle of January?
Most flowers are flown in on an airplane using tons of energy to keep them cool and fresh while traveling across the country (or world).
Transporting flowers can produce around 300,000 metric tons of CO2 into our air (that's a lot).
In addition, the global flower trade is rapid, meaning that producing and growing flowers to match the market need causes the use ofexcess pollutants that turn into runoff into local water systems harming people and the planet. Put those polluted buds on a plane and you have a bouquet of climate disaster.
Luckily for us, our crushes, and our dingy apartments, there are sustainable ways to buy and keep flowers.
So where can you get susty buds? How can you practice your “they love me, they love me not,” ritual without lighting the world on fire?
Buy Plants!
They might not always look as dashing and gorgina as a bouquet, but plants are a lovely and sustainable alternative to buying flowers. Keeping plants in your home improves your quality of life by adding oxygen to the air in your home, while greenery keeps a consistent smile on our faces. And what is a better gift to your boo than a cutesy potted plant?
2. Dried Flowers
Dried flowers are a wonderful alternative to buying fresh flowers. These vulnerable and somber flowers are dramatic and mysterious and will have your crush trying to figure out which Ethel Cain song to put on the playlist they are making you.
You can learn how to dry your flowers or keep your eyes peeled at your farmers market or local flower shops for locally grown and dried flowers.
3. Buy local!
Please please please go to a florist near you! Buying locally is always the most sustainable option, if even just to cut down on transportation impact. These bulbs might be more expensive than the Trader Joe's petals we know and love but the sustiness of it all will be worth it.
Find a sustainable florist in your area and make sure to get the susty deets from them directly. Ask questions like:
Do you have locally grown flowers? Where were these grown? Do you know the sustainability practices of this grower?
Some of our favorite NYC florists include Halaman Y Gente, Molly Oliver & Stems Brooklyn
Make sure to check your local farmers market, and keep a note of when and where flowers are grown in your area through Local Harvest & Local Flowers.
4. When in doubt, shop susty
Some lovely online flower shops prioritize sustainability, so if all else fails, you can always go to these shops for a susty flower option!
5. Composting and Disposal
As with anything, tossing it in the landfill when it's all over is never the ideal option. Flowers can always be composted, whether they are fresh or dried. Either compost them at home or find a spot locally that will take compost drop-offs.
Plants and flowers are some of life’s simplest joys to be enjoyed all year round! Just remember to be thoughtful about where your bouquets are coming from, and you can still bask in the greenery of a fresh flower.