Mother’s Day Flowers During Pandemic: Pick-up or Delivery, Fresh-Cut or Houseplants?

Going out for Mother’s Day brunch may be out of the question during pandemic conditions, but there are still gift-giving options to show appreciation for mom while maintaining social distancing. Flowers take the crown as the most popular choice, representing 69% of Mother’s Day gifts last year. 

Some floral options receive the spotlight (or the sunlight) more than others. According to The Society of American Florists, consumers most often select fresh-cut flowers. Outdoor plants come in second, followed by flowering houseplants and then green houseplants. Americans spend an estimated total of $2.6 billion on Mother’s Day flowers. 

Grocery stores are an obvious last-minute stop for flowers, but their selection of fresh-cut roses and carnations won’t last nearly as long as a potted plant. Cut flowers also tend to leave quite the carbon footprint, because importing flowers not only requires air transportation, but careful temperature control. U.S imports outweigh domestic flower sources, with 70% of retail flowers grown in Columbia.

Some consumers choose to send pre-arranged bouquets or potted plants straight to mom’s doorstep by ordering online. Online flower shops like Urban Stems or The Bouqs offer same-day delivery, but they’re also some of the priciest means of giving flowers. 

According to a Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Town Hall meeting yesterday, floral and garden sales have increased rapidly, especially online. CEO of Dutch Flower Group Marco van Zijverden said Eurpoe could even experience flower shortages soon. The longer people stay home, the more comfortable they become with ordering perishable items online, including flowers. 

MATC student Jake Olsen always buys flowers for his mom on Mother’s Day. 

“I think they represent a genuine simplicity,” said Olsen. “Either the day of or day before [Mother’s Day], I’ll go get freshly cut flowers – usually something bright-yellow.”

Olsen plans to visit a local flower-shop in Wauwatosa over the weekend. He prefers picking out the exact flowers he wants in-person as opposed to ordering online. 

During the pandemic, some small businesses are offering flower pick-up options, and garden centers remain open as essential businesses. Local flower sources can be a popular choice for a variety of reasons. For one, locally grown plants don’t contribute to the negative environmental consequences that imports do. 

Small business Green’s Flower Farm grows sustainable fresh-cut flowers in Wausau. They offer a variety of arrangement options, completely customizable down to every individual flower. For Mother’s Day, they’re featuring yellow “designer tulips.” 

It’s also easier to find a greater selection of indoor and outdoor potted plants at businesses that specialize in growing things rather than at grocery store chains. Home and garden store Interiorscapes by the Plant Market in Milwaukee features orchids, bromeliads and other potted plants for Mother’s Day. 

Local plant sources also offer creative and unique gift options. Shady Lane Greenhouse in Menomonee Falls offers kits for kids to create their own Mother’s Day arrangement. Everything but water and sunlight is included: a bright blue pot, a bag of soil, flowering annuals and a bow.  

If you’re lucky enough to have flowers of your own growing at home, or know a nearby farmer, some Wisconsin spring perennials are blooming just in time for Sunday. Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are currently at their peak. 

2020 may be the most unusual celebration of Mother’s Day, but plenty of mothers will still receive signs of spring as gifts – be it fresh-cut roses, outdoor perennials or an indoor succulent. In any case, the floral industry thrives mid-pandemic as consumers continue to show appreciation on Mother’s Day.