Green Gifting: How We're Solving the Floral Vase Waste Problem

Over the years, we've listened to our customers, neighbors, and community about what works and what doesn't. The prices not much we can do there. But one of the other most common—and surprisingly complex—issues we've been facing is something we now lovingly call the vase dilemma.

It’s incredibly thoughtful when friends and neighbors drop off their old vases for us to reuse. And believe us, we appreciate it. However, there’s an ethical and professional line florists must walk. We can’t resell used vases, and even when we want to donate them, many events or clients require a very specific look or size—leaving us with shelves full of well-meaning donations we simply don’t have space to store.

As a small business, storage is a luxury we don’t have. And so we’re back to square one—overflowing with average vases that we can't move.

So we asked ourselves: What do people actually use every day? What do they already have in their homes? That’s when we started playing with the idea of using functional household items—especially those from the kitchen—as flower vessels. Think: a lotus soup bowl, a vintage mug, a sleek water pitcher. And the best part? These pieces don’t need to be stored away after the flowers are gone. They become part of your everyday life—a double gift of beauty and utility.

This new direction is not only more environmentally conscious, it’s creatively freeing. It allows us to design with personality and practicality in mind. And we’ve been delighted to see so many of our customers embracing this shift. There’s a special joy in giving or receiving flowers arranged in something you can use again and again.

Of course, the traditional vase is still very much a part of the conversation. Some people will always want flowers delivered “ready to display,” and that makes sense. Not everyone has the time or energy to create their own arrangement especially when they’re unwell or sending a gift. And to be honest, we won’t be asking anyone over the phone if they’d like their bouquet delivered in a soup pot, hahaha not yet anyway!

We’re still exploring and learning, and we know this shift won’t happen overnight. But the conversations it has sparked and the creativity it has unlocked have been energizing. We’re excited about the possibility of redefining what floral gifting can look like: practical, beautiful, sustainable, and just a little bit brilliant.

So if you're one of those adventurous flower lovers who’s ready to think outside the vase welcome. You're already part of something new.