Preserved vs Fresh Flowers: Why and When to Choose Preserved Flowers Over Fresh Flowers?
Flowers add beauty to our lives. They bring a touch of nature and colour into our homes, and are also a way of expressing love and affection. But for the longest time, we could only keep the beautiful blooms for so long. These days, newer methods of preservation have made it so that we can keep these charming blooms for up to decades, with the right care and maintenance.
Some may then wonder: “Are preserved flowers better than fresh flowers?” We believe that there’s no single right answer to that question. It all depends on the situation and the individual. To help you find your own answer to that question, we’ve compiled a list of things to consider.
what are preserved flowers?
Before we delve into the differences between preserved flowers and fresh flowers, let’s go back to basics: what are preserved flowers? Preserved flowers are real flowers that have been chemically treated in order to retain their beauty for much longer. There are various methods of preserving flowers. From hanging the flowers upside down and air drying (commonly used for lavender), to freeze drying, to replacing the water in flowers with glycerine (this retains the supple texture of the plants), the increasing number of preservation methods available means more options and possibilities for floral gifts and designs.
Reasons for Choosing Preserved Flowers Over Fresh Flowers
Preserved flowers last longer than fresh flowers.
First and foremost, the biggest benefit of preserved flowers is that they last far longer compared to fresh flowers. Fresh flowers, while beautiful, can last only about 5 to 12 days (maybe even fewer in Singapore’s hot weather) depending on the type of flower and how well you take care of it. If you’d like to use flowers to decorate your home, the cost of replacing fresh flowers every week can add up really quickly. “How long do preserved flowers last, then?” With the right care, preserved flowers can beautify your home for years, even decades. They’re an investment that can save you money in the long run.
If you’re gifting flowers to a loved one, you might want to use preserved flowers to represent your lasting love. However, there is also a beauty in the impermanence of fresh flowers. The way they naturally fade away, to then be replaced by new ones, fresh ones, different ones. Just like the way you keep finding new reasons to love each other in your ever-changing relationship.
Preserved flowers are lower maintenance than fresh flowers.
“How do you make the flowers last as long as possible?” you may then ask. With fresh flowers, there are a number of things to take note of. You have to first ensure that the vase you use is clean and is filled with enough water. Next, cut each stem at an angle to help the flowers “drink” water more easily. If there are any bent or broken stems, cut it off above the break, and ensure that it can reach the water. Then, ensure that there are no leaves or other debris in the water (they will rot and lead to bacteria growth, which will kill the flowers faster). Finally, change the water and rinse the vase every day to prevent bacteria from forming. Following these steps will help prolong the lifespan of your fresh flowers.
“Does that mean that preserved flowers don’t require maintenance?” Not quite. Because preserved flowers are dried and don’t need water, they are much easier to care for, but they do still require care to help them last as long as possible. Just like with fresh flowers, you should keep them in a cool spot, out of direct sunlight. However, you should also make sure that the flowers are kept in a well-ventilated area, and away from humidity. Moisture can lead to mould, which would ruin the flowers.
Preserved flowers don’t trigger pollen allergies.
Many people suffer from pollen allergies, but still love flowers. What flowers are safe for people with pollen allergies? Preserved flowers. They no longer produce pollen, and therefore will not trigger any pollen allergies. However, over time, dust can settle on them (just as with everything else in our surroundings), and they may thus trigger dust allergies. To prevent that, gently dust the preserved flowers with a soft brush when doing your routine dusting. Alternatively, put them in a display case to greatly reduce the amount of dust collected.
Preserved flowers allow more opportunities for creativity.
When designing with preserved flowers that no longer require water to stay looking beautiful, florists don’t face the same limitations as they do with fresh flowers. Preserved flower arrangements are much lighter, without all the water weight. As the flowers don’t hold any water, they are lightweight, which means that the floral foam can hold more stems with less risk of breakage as compared to fresh flowers. Additionally, there is no need for the floral foam to be soaked in water, which eliminates the water weight. Thus, preserved arrangements can be made bigger and fuller without worrying about the support structure, and yet still be easier to transport than fresh flowers. Floral designers also don’t have to worry about hot weather or certain types of flowers not lasting as long as others, especially for outdoor arrangements. Preserved flowers also come in a wider variety of colours without a significant price hike, as it is easier to perform colour treatments on preserved flowers than fresh ones.
Best Occasions for Gifting Preserved Flower Arrangements
Preserved flowers can be an excellent gift for many occasions. Their long-lasting nature makes it possible for your gift and its accompanying wishes and sentiments to stay with the recipient for a long time to come. This has both practical and sentimental benefits. Here are some of the best occasions to give someone preserved flowers.
Milestone Occasions
The longevity of preserved flower arrangements can be used to commemorate milestone celebrations, such as certain wedding anniversaries. Flowers may be a standard gift for all anniversaries, but certain anniversaries hold extra weight as milestone years, such as the 1st, 10th, 20th, or 25th. Other special occasions worthy of being “immortalised” with preserved flowers include 18th and 21st birthdays, graduation days, and commencement days.
Housewarming Parties
Preserved flower arrangements can be a really thoughtful housewarming gift. They are home decor pieces that also serve as a reminder of you and your friendship (or relationship) to your host. Compared to live houseplants, they are also low-maintenance, and they don’t place on your host the responsibility of having to keep something alive. Be sure to make it a vase arrangement to make it easiest for them to display!
Christmas
Preserved arrangements are a practical choice when it comes to Christmas decorations. Instead of shedding pine needles all over the place and ending up sparse by Christmas Day, preserved plants can last all season, and even be reused in the coming years. Being made from natural plant elements, they are also a more eco-friendly alternative to artificial plant decorations made of plastic. Give the gift of sustainability this Christmas.
An Exception: Business Grand Openings
Have you wondered why floral stands for grand openings in Singapore are often fresh arrangements and not preserved? In Singapore (and other Asian countries), it is generally considered taboo to send preserved flowers to congratulate a new business on its opening. Preserved flowers were once living things that have since died. From a feng shui standpoint, dead objects bring negative energy, and would thus not make a very good celebratory gift in Asia, where many believe in the principles of feng shui. If you’d like to congratulate a new business on their opening and to wish them good luck, a better idea would be to send them a fresh flower stand or arrangement. Whether or not you believe in feng shui, fresh flowers have been proven to boost energy and improve moods. Just remember to throw the flowers out before they start wilting.
If you’re thinking, “I would really like my gift to them to last. Can I send preserved flowers to a grand opening event anyway?”, sure, if you know that the recipient is not concerned with feng shui or superstitions. To some, the long-lasting nature of preserved flowers may symbolise endurance, resilience, and longevity; qualities that would benefit any business.
The Verdict: Preserved Flowers or Fresh Flowers?
At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to both fresh and preserved flowers. After reading through our list, what do you think? Are fresh flowers better for you? Or are you going for the preserved flowers? Whichever your choice is, here at Jubilant Fields Floral Studio, we offer both preserved and fresh flower arrangements to suit your needs. If you’re still undecided and you need advice, reach out to us, and we’d be more than happy to hear you out and provide you with the best recommendations!