love is in the air! At the time of publishing this post, Valentine’s Day 2019 is just around the corner. as a result, flower deliveries will soon be in full bloom across the country. while the most traditional way to give flowers is in person (and preferably with chocolates), you can also send them! Whether you want to send a personalized bouquet to that special someone or just show a friend that you care, this guide is all about how to send flowers. Let’s get started!
index
- Pack your flowers correctly
- Which carrier should I use to ship the flowers?
- Sound too much work?
pack your flowers properly
When it comes to sending flowers, the rule of thumb is to pack them right! You’ll want to make sure the flowers arrive safely with all petals and stems intact (or else, what? what is the point?). Here’s an easy process to follow when you’re ready to submit:
use a strong corrugated box
The best way to ensure your flowers arrive safely is to ship them in a new corrugated box and use the proper packing material inside. we recommend lightly wrapping flowers with packing paper, the same way you’ll find plastic-wrapped flowers at your local grocery store.
cut the stems
Some long-stemmed flowers, such as roses, may not fit in your box, so you may need to cut the stems to ensure the flowers will fit. obviously, you’ll need to measure so you don’t cut the stems too short. if possible, be sure to leave at least a couple of inches of space between the petals and the edge of the box. this minimizes the chances of the cardboard rubbing against the tips of the petals and causing damage.
hold the array
Always use cable ties (or rubber bands, if you don’t have cable ties) around the center of stems to secure flower arrangements inside their box. this prevents individual flowers from shifting during transit and keeps the arrangement intact.
protect the vase
If you are sending flowers in a vase, be sure to protect the vase with plenty of bubble wrap or foam sheeting. Some vases are made of glass, so you’ll need to treat them the same way you would when packing a breakable item.
do not include water!
this is important. when sending flowers, you cannot include water in the vase. Although water does not technically fall under the category of transportable hazardous materials, it is prohibited to ship flowers with water because it can leak and cause product damage or safety issues.
Need some extra tips on packing flowers? take a look at this pdf fedex published.
Which carrier should I use to send flowers?
Flowers are lightweight items, and if you’re a flower retailer, you know they’re a relatively low-margin product. therefore, you will want to choose a carrier that will get your flowers to their destination quickly, safely, and at an attractive price. if you pay too much to send your flowers, it won’t make sense for your business model. In a nutshell, the US Postal Service. uu. will always offer the best combination of affordable costs and fast delivery times. If you’re not using your own custom branded packaging, USPS also provides free boxes… just be sure to cut the stems to fit your flowers inside.
does it seem like too much work?
If you are not in the business of selling flowers, you may find it too complicated to pick, cut, pack and ship them. We wouldn’t blame you, it’s a long process! Sometimes it’s easier to find an online retailer that sources flowers from local dealers. It ends up being more expensive than doing it all yourself, obviously… but you don’t have to worry about packing and shipping. These companies will even deliver your flowers in a vase along with personalized notes! Here is a list of some companies that sell flowers online:
- ftd flowers
- 1-800-flowers
- bouqs
- urbanstems
- proflowers
pro tip: Those flowers aren’t complete without a box of chocolates, especially on Valentine’s Day! Check out our guide on how to send chocolate for some tips and tricks.