What Happens To Flowers That Don’t Sell

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You are very mistaken if you believe that owning a flower store is simple and will always make you money. Running a flower shop can actually be exhausting and may lead to huge financial losses, particularly if you don’t sell all inventory. That’s why before entering the floral industry, you must be aware of what happens to flowers that are not purchased.

Unsold flowers may be donated to charities

Unsold flowers may be donated to charities

First things first, unsold flowers are typically given to charity or other deserving organizations. Some florists give their extra flowers to nursing homes or hospitals and although they have already lost their freshness, they can still actually prove useful in comforting patients.

The Random Acts of Flowers is a wonderful example of a charity that accepts unsold flowers and the American Institute of Floral Design supports this organization. Every week in communities across the nation, this nonprofit organization sends out thousands of stunning bouquets made from recycled flowers, which have an average retail value of $50. These bouquets are given to people dealing with age-related conditions, illness, and injury.

Flowers not sold are used  for education and training

Unsold flowers are also typically used for educational and training purposes. Some florists would retain their unsold flowers and use them to practice and innovate flower arrangements. This is a commendable, cost-efficient way for florists to stay on top of their game.

Also, aspiring florists often learn by using unsold or donated flowers. For instance, some florist studios, especially those with a branding emphasis on sustainability, would take floral donations to teach their students.

The remaining flower inventory can be recycled

can be recycled

Another outcome for flowers that didn’t sell is that they’re recycled. This includes repurposing the unsold flowers to use them for trendy dried floral arrangements.

Aside from that, there are other unique ways to recycle your unsold flowers. According to the Entertainment Times of India, floral waste can actually be recycled and used for creating mesmerizing potpourri. You just need to dry flower petals and then add them to your favorite spices, such as cinnamon and star anise, along with essential oils. In addition, floral waste can also be recycled and turned into a scent for mopping or a natural dye for stylish fabric.

Unbought flowers are used for giveaways

But of course, leftover flowers are also used for giveaways. Some flower shops occasionally offer their unsold flowers to random individuals, especially during holidays. This might even develop into a marketing campaign when a florist records himself handing away unsold flowers to onlookers in public. As people typically find videos that demonstrate sincere compassion and good actions appealing, this would probably get a lot of views. Aside from that, florists would also often give their unsold flowers as freebies. This, I think, is a fantastic approach for florists to advertise their company and impress their clients.

Unsold flowers are composted

Unsold flowers are composted

Last but not least, flowers that don’t sell may also be composted. Composted flowers essentially serve as both green and brown waste. These floral wastes may contribute to creating a more nutrient-dense compost that is ideal for feeding your future plants.

Generally, you must clean your extra flowers and get rid of undesired materials, chop them into little bits, and compost them before combining them with other biodegradable materials. Thereafter, all that’s left to do is turn your compost at the proper time.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, aside from being thrown out immediately, flowers that don’t sell are sometimes donated to charities and other organizations, such as hospitals. Aside from that, floral leftovers are also used by floral studios for teaching and training, recycled in various ways, such as making dried floral arrangements and creating potpourri, for giveaways like freebies, and made into useful compost. Each of these you should be aware of so that you’ll know what to do once you experience not selling your flower shop’s entire inventory.

To learn more on how to start your own flower shop business check out my startup documents here.

Please note that the contents of this blog are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Any action taken based on the information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Additionally, all images used in this blog are generated under the CC0 license of Creative Commons, which means they are free to use for any purpose without attribution.