Honorable Mentions
Courtesy of The Sill
The Sill Pink Watercolor Orchid for $79: Not everyone wants flowers. The Sill specializes in potted plants, including orchids, fruit trees, and succulents. It even offers faux plants for those with pets or who prefer low-maintenance care. I love how they carry unique seasonal finds, like a Genoa lemon tree, an olive tree, or a Texas pink pomegranate tree. The Sill also offers plant subscriptions, including a pet-friendly option for nontoxic flora.
Proflowers Sweet As Can Be Bouquet for $60: Proflowers sells a selection of flowers for a variety of occasions, from retirement to housewarming. They offer same-day delivery for certain orders, hand-delivered from local flower shops. For other orders, they’re packaged to withstand a one to two-day delay. Unfortunately, that means they’re shipped in water (and a lot of it), which is prone to leaks and spillage. My flowers also came bloomed and blossomed, which is something to consider if you prefer yours still budding.
From You Flowers You Are My Heart for $60: From You Flowers reminds me of 1-800-Flowers in terms of variety. Beyond flowers and plants, they also offer gift baskets, baked goods, and teddy bears. The You Are My Heart is a cherry-red bunch of roses, carnations, and mini carnations, in a clear glass vase, wrapped in a red ribbon. It’s a stunning bouquet for Valentine’s Day, but mine did arrive fully bloomed. It also does ship in water, which is not my favorite method of shipping.
Courtesy of Via Citrus
Via Citrus Calamondin for $70: What if you didn’t send just flowers, but sent flowers that turn into fruit? Via Citrus’ goal is to make it easier to grow your own fruit tree, even if you don’t have a yard or large space. The seedlings are all grown for about nine months before they’re shipped. They’re not so young that they’ll wilt away during shipping, but they still have plenty of room to grow once you get them. I got a calamondin (a unique fruit that’s like a cross between a mandarin orange and a kumquat) delivered to my door, and it took just over a week after it shipped to get to my house in San Diego. My little tree wasn’t too much larger than an elaborate bouquet, and while it has just a handful of flowers, it smelled great from the moment I unboxed it. It traveled well in its little box, and the soil was still a touch damp. These little trees can thrive indoors or outdoors, but if it gets cold where you live, be ready to bring the tree inside when cold weather comes back around. —Nena Farrell
Unwilted Peony for Your Thoughts: Handcrafted Paper Peony Bouquet for $110: Watching a hundred-dollar bouquet shrivel and die within five days is the definition of heartbreak. That’s why I adore Unwilted. Its bouquets look better as the years go on. The petals are made of Italian crepe paper, hand-cut, painted, and shaped by artists. The florals are also built on flexible wire stems, so you can adjust the height or spread them out. I ordered the Peony for Your Thoughts, which is curated of three tones of peonies—ivory, pale pink, and cotton candy pink—complemented with greenery. Keep them out of direct sunlight unless you’d like a soft fade, and if you’re gifting to a perfectionist, a spritz of UV protectant spray will keep them pristine. To clean, hit them with a cool hair dryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
I ordered from each service mentioned, evaluating freshness, longevity, and overall aesthetic. I took note of any damaged or wilting flowers, prioritizing blooms that were still budding. Careful (and lovely) packaging is an essential. Ideally, the bouquet is delivered in a durable vase or gift box and without water to avoid any accidents and leakage.
Delivery speed and reliability are key factors; bonus points if the company offers same-day and next-day delivery. I prefer services with seamless online shopping and checkout experiences, and those that provide nationwide shipping. Note that some companies will rely on local florists, meaning the bouquet you receive may not exactly match the photo online. Those should be explicitly mentioned if so.
What Are We Testing Next?
