Sure, imported flowers have their place. Sometimes you need tropical blooms in December or a rare variety that doesn’t grow around here. And trust me, I love my local wholesale suppliers — they work hard to bring in beautiful flowers from around the world, and I’m lucky to work with them.
But here’s the thing:
If more people demanded local, chemical-free blooms, there could be even more gorgeous, freshly grown and cut flowers available. More variety, more beauty, more options — all grown right here.
Right now, the truth is: most imported flowers aren’t doing you, the planet, or the American economy any favors.
Here’s why:
1. Imported Flowers Are Often Doused in Chemicals
Flowers shipped in from across the world are often coated in heavy pesticides, fungicides, and preservatives.
Because flowers aren’t food, they’re not held to the same safety standards — meaning you’re getting a pretty little bouquet that’s marinated in chemicals you probably don’t want on your hands, your table, or your wedding cake.
Florists often wear gloves to handle imported flowers. And many have reported health afflictions from handling them without gloves over the years. Some being very serious.
With local, organically grown flowers? No gloves needed. No mystery residues. Just real blooms you can breathe in safely.
2. Flying Flowers Across the Globe Isn’t Free (For the Planet)
Think about it: refrigerated jumbo jets, warehouses, trucking across states — that’s a massive carbon footprint for something that’s supposed to be natural and fresh.
Buying local cuts - cuts out all of that.
No planes. No warehouses. No half-dead flowers trying to survive a global marathon. Just fresh-cut blooms straight from your community to your hands.
3. Imported Flowers Send Your Money Overseas
Every imported flower means your hard-earned money is leaving the U.S. economy. Big corporate farms in other countries benefit, while small American flower farmers — people you might actually know (such as yours truly) — get left behind.
Buying local keeps your dollars close to home.
It supports real farmers, strengthens local businesses, and keeps your community thriving. It’s a win-win (and your flowers will thank you, too).
4. Local Flowers Are Just... Better
• They smell like actual flowers. (Imported ones are bred to survive shipping, not to smell good.)
• They’re fresher. (Local flowers last longer because they didn’t just endure a 5,000-mile journey.)
• They’re safer. (No gloves needed, remember?)
• And they’re way more beautiful. (Grown for joy, not durability.)
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Truth is, You won't find the exquisite variety of flowers at your grocery store that local growers offer. Beauties like dahlias, zinnias and other jaw dropping blooms don't ship well, so they're not even offered.
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Here’s the bottom line:
Imported flowers have their time and place. And I’m grateful for wholesalers who work hard to give us options year-round.
But if you want safer, fresher, more sustainable blooms — you have to ask for them.
The more you support local flowers, the more you help shift the demand.
And the more local farmers (like me!) can keep growing the real good stuff — organically, with love, and without needing to suit up in a hazmat suit to harvest it.