Why Floral Edit does not use Floral Foam

Floral foam has been used in the floral industry for many years. Floral foam is used for wreath bases, bouquets, large installations and the remnants of floral foam can be found in many churchyards as it is frequently used to make sympathy arrangements.

Floral foam is a plastic material which holds the flower in place. It is not biodegradable and is a single-use plastic. I read recently that it can take 500 years for floral foam to deteriorate. When floral foam breaks down, it forms microplastics. These are then dispersed into the environment. This means that long after the flowers have died the floral foam continues to damage the planet.

When I was training to be a florist, floral foam was no place to be seen. Instead, sustainable methods were always demonstrated. Therefore, I learned floristry without the need for floral foam. I have never used it and never will. There are so many other ways that beautiful and natutal floral designs and installations can be created without the need for floral foam. For instance, I often use chicken wire and kenzans (pin frogs). Designs created without floral foam look more natural and much less stiff in my view. The flowers can also drink more easily.

All my sympathy arrangements are biodegradable. To create casket sprays, I use wood, hessian, moss and twine. For wreaths, I use willow wreath bases, moss and twine. There are so many floral design options without any need for floral foam.

With a bit of thought and imagination, I firmly believe that any floral design can be created without using floral foam.