Home & Garden Garden 8 Unique Green Alternatives to Cut Flowers These eco-friendly alternatives to bouquets express gratitude or affection. By Amber Nolan Amber Nolan College at Brockport, State University of New York Amber Nolan is a freelance writer for Treehugger who is passionate about sustainable living, nature, and outdoor adventure. Learn about our editorial process Updated December 8, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Treehugger / Sanja Kostic The tradition of giving flowers as gifts dates back to ancient times, but the way in which modern society gifts flowers for special occasions can have harmful effects on our planet. It’s estimated that more than 80% of flowers sold in the United States are imported. Often, these flowers are treated with synthetic pesticides that can pollute waterways. They also require refrigeration to stay fresh during transportation—leading to excess carbon emissions and hydrofluorocarbons. Not to mention, fresh cut bouquets typically include one-time use tissue paper, ribbons, or plastic sleeves, creating more unnecessary waste in landfills. For these reasons, many people are breaking with tradition and instead giving houseplants, growing kits, and other creative gifts that will last longer than a week. Here are eight unique alternatives to fresh cut flowers. The Rundown Best Bonsai Kit: Natureit Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit at Etsy Jump to Review Best Succulents: SaltSide Succulent Gift Box at Etsy Jump to Review Best Edible Flower Kit: Spade to Fork Organic Edible Flower Garden Kit at Grove.co Jump to Review Best Seed Starter: Lovewild Design Wildflower Seed Coins at Lovewilddesign.com Jump to Review Best Cactus: Beleaf and Grow Special Cactus Gift Box at Etsy Jump to Review Best Herb Grower: Mountain Valley Seed Company Organic Culinary Herb Garden Kit at Walmart Jump to Review Best Paper Flowers: Dana's Paper Flowers at Etsy Jump to Review Best Artificial Flowers: Global Goods Partners Handmade Felt Flowers at Food52 Jump to Review Best Bonsai Kit Natureit Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy The ancient Japanese art of bonsai growing has intrigued growers for centuries and can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby that involves careful care and maintenance, proper soil, and pruning. The Bonsai Tree See Starter Kit from NatureIt is a beginner grow kit that makes an excellent gift for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, and other occasions. The set comes with everything needed to grow four different types of Bonsai trees: Colorado Blue Spruce, Loblolly Pine, Siberian Elm, and Black Spruce. The kit also includes four peat soil disks, biodegradable pots, and plant tags for marking growth stages, as well as a comprehensive, step-by-step guide. All seeds are organic, non-GMO and are sourced in the United States. Price at time of publication: $30 Best Succulents SaltSide Succulent Gift Box Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy Native to dry areas, succulents are easy to grow, and unlike classic flowers, they don’t require refrigeration to stay fresh. SaltSide Growers specializes in succulent arrangements for special occasions and offers a Succulent Gift Box containing 10 to 14 succulents (depending on plant size). Species vary but may include Graptopetalum Paraguayense (ghost plant), Golden Sedum and Adolphii Firestorm (bright, star-shaped plants), Echeveria (rose/cabbage shaped succulents) and Kalanchoe (thick leaves). The succulents are cuttings and may be planted in soil (not included) up to two weeks after delivery and are grown and shipped from Florida. Customizable gift cards are available. Price at time of publication: $35 Best Edible Flower Kit Spade to Fork Organic Edible Flower Garden Kit Courtesy of Grove Collaborative View On Grove.co Edible flowers are trending in restaurants nationwide and can add color, texture, and subtle flavor to dishes. If you’re shopping for someone who likes to cook, an edible flower growing kit can be a thoughtful, useful alternative gifting cut flowers. The Edible Flower Garden Kit from Spade to Fork (a small business in coastal Oregon), includes organic seeds in plastic-free containers (borage, dill, nasturtium, sunflower, and Thai basil) soil disks and peat pots, wood-burned plant markers, and a three-part, in-depth instruction manual complete with color photos. The kit is shipped in environmentally friendly packaging. Price at time of publication: $35 Best Seed Starter Lovewild Design Wildflower Seed Coins Courtesy of Lovewild Design View On Lovewilddesign.com If you prefer to give a floral gift (instead of herbs or houseplants) the Wildflower Seed Coins are an excellent budget-friendly option that allows the gift recipient to grow their own bouquet. The gift comes with 20 artfully packaged, non-invasive seed coins that are an artistic, eco-friendly substitute for traditional paper seed packets. The coins are made from recycled paper pulp that’s embedded with seeds, stamped with a letterpress, and wrapped with hemp twine. The set is placed in a gift bag and includes growing instructions. Price at time of publication: $10 The 7 Best Indoor Garden Systems of 2023 Best Cactus Beleaf and Grow Special Cactus Gift Box Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy Cactus plants are a low-maintenance gift and an excellent beginner plant for indoor growing. California based, Beleaf and Grow sells a hand-picked box of cactus plants with a different theme to fit the occasion whether that’s Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or simply saying “thank you.” In addition to selecting the box theme, a gift note can be customized. Each box includes six different rooted cactus plants (not cuttings) all packed in eco-friendly, compostable filler. When ordering in the winter, heat packs may be purchased separately. Price at time of publication: $30 Best Herb Grower Mountain Valley Seed Company Barnwood Planter Organic Culinary Herb Garden Kit Courtesy of True Leaf Market View On Walmart View On Etsy View On Trueleafmarket.com Any cook can appreciate having fresh herbs within reach in the kitchen, and the Culinary Herb Garden by Mountain Valley Seed Co. has all the ingredients for a practical, thriving herb collection. The kit includes four organic, non-GMO seeds: cilantro, basil, oregano and sage, and three soil pucks—designed to offer just the right amount of soil for the garden. The barnwood-style planter is handmade in the United States from red cedar, and treated with food-safe wax that has a pleasant orange fragrance. It measures 15 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches, a perfect size for a kitchen windowsill, and includes a drip tray for runoff. Price at time of publication: $50 The 6 Best Herb Garden Kits of 2023 Best Paper Flowers Dana's Paper Flowers Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy Paper is the traditional theme for those celebrating a first anniversary, but paper flowers are a thoughtful gift for all kinds of occasions and can be cherished for years to come. Danas Paper Flowers is a small business in California that handmakes paper flower bouquets from reused newspapers, comic books, maps, music sheets, book pages, and other paper sources. The flowers can be customized to suit different interests and styles, making them even more special for your recipient. They also make for beautiful home décor pieces or can be purchased as larger wedding packages. Paper flowers should be kept indoors, away from moisture and windows (direct sunlight can cause them to fade). Price at time of publication: $7 and up Best Artificial Flowers Global Goods Partners Handmade Felt Flowers Courtesy of Home52 View On Food52 Artificial flowers are a long-lasting option and are often made of fabric. These fair trade bouquets are made from felted wool. Female artisans in Nepal hand craft each blossom individually, making them into arrangements that are as unique as the real thing. Choose from seven different options, including a cherry blossom bouquet and a zinnia bouquet. Price at time of publication: $70 and $125 Final Verdict If you still want to give flowers but with a different twist, we suggest the Wildflower Seed Coins as a budget alternative to conventional cut bouquets. If you’d like to give a gift that doesn’t require pruning or maintenance, fabric flower bouquet is a fabulous dual-use option. What to Consider When Shopping for Alternatives to Cut Flowers Shipping When shipping live plants, it’s important to consider the distance the item will be traveling both for the health of the plant, and for the planet. Some companies, like Etsy, offset the carbon emissions created during packaging and shipping. Be aware that some plants, particularly succulents, may not fare well if they are shipped during the winter months, while others cannot tolerate extreme heat during the summer. Plant Type How much care and attention will the plant you’re ordering need? How much sunlight? If you aren’t familiar with the home that the plant will be going to, chose a plant that can survive in several types of environments. “If you're gifting a plant to someone and you don't know what their lighting situation in in their house, I'd recommend low light tolerant plants.” – Maria Failla, Bloom and Grow Radio Materials When purchasing a cut flower alternative, look at the materials being used. While artificial flowers are a better option that do not require refrigeration, many are still being made with polyester – which is not biodegradable and can shed microfibers. Flowers made with cotton, silk, or hemp are better options. In addition, check if the plant or flower bouquet container and packaging is reusable or recyclable. There are a lot of creative ways to display potted plants and flowers, including repurposing items as holders and flower beds (think: ceramic mugs, jars, teapots, baskets, and even tires). Many small businesses offer customizable options. The 29 Best Eco-Friendly Gifts of 2022