Hacks to Enjoy Flowers on Any Budget

Step up your flower game without breaking the bank! Find out how to enjoy flowers on any budget.

Aside from beauty, there are a few benefits to having fresh flowers in your space. Studies show they increase happiness, reduce pain, depression, and anxiety, and even boost energy and creativity. Think of how that can help you at home and work! This article has more examples. I love the sense of welcome (great when you live alone) they add to any room, which is why I don't put them out only for guests or wait until I receive a lovely bouquet to enjoy them. No green thumb? No problem! Check out my hacks to enjoy flowers on any budget below.

Be Choosy

• Roses and peonies are great but here are some longer-lasting, less expensive blooms that will give you the most bang for your buck: alstroemerias (personal fave and pictured above), mums, daisies, carnations, spray roses, hydrangeas, baby's breath, lilies, and gladiolas.
• To make your dollars stretch, skip the florist and head to your local grocer or farmer's market. Here in Houston, I frequent H-E-B and Trader Joe's for flowers.

• For a full bouquet look without the cost, choose voluminous blooms such as hydrangeas. You can get away with a single stem for under $5 (example below) or a bunch of three (like above) for under $10.
• For inexpensive vases, I hit up Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Joann (with coupons, of course). Believe it or not, the dollar store often has the best finds! Thrift stores and garage sales are wonderful for more unique vases at a bargain. You might also consider unconventional containers in things you have around the house like mason jars, empty candle jars, or pitchers. Lastly, HomeGoods and Target are my go-tos for decorative, coordinated vases like the watercolor one above.

Pro tip: Using small or bud vases, you can purchase one big bouquet for around $10 and separate it out into multiple little vases to have flowers in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, etc.

Make it Last (Dang Near) Forever

• Firstly, buy flowers that are as fresh as possible: avoid brown or browning leaves, curling petal edges, and any signs of wilting. Instead, look for "plump" looking and feeling bulbs, green stems and leaves.
• Cut the stems at an angle.
• Remove any leaves that will be below the water line to help keep the water fresh and be sure to use room temperature water.
• Add the included flower food to the water or use a bit of sugar and vinegar.
• Change the water every couple of days or so.
• Don't put them in direct sunlight.

Pro tip: Scrub your vase between uses rather than just rinsing it. This gets rid of bacteria from the previous flowers that will accelerate the decline of the next bunch you put in it if not cleaned well.

Fake it Til You Make it

• If you want the beauty of florals without the maintenance (just a little dusting required), consider dried foliage or faux arrangements. Dried foliage can be found for pretty good deals at your local home and craft stores and have a virtually unlimited shelf life. I recently grabbed the ones above for Fall at 70% off from Michaels. Alana Frailey has great tips on decorating with them here.
• Quality faux arrangements are a great option that require a small investment upfront but will last you just as long as dried flowers. Check places like HomeGoods or Target for these or online sales like Wayfair. While faux and dried options may not have the same reported benefits as fresh flowers, they are great for those who want to save time and money on florals.

Pro tip: If you've got time to water and occasionally prune, potted live plants (think succulents) are an option with the best of both worlds.

I hope this is helpful to you and, at least, great eye-candy. Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

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