How to Buy Flowers Wholesale

Co-authored by Lana Starr, AIFD and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

Flowers, while beautiful, are often quite pricey. You can cut costs and find a wider variety of blooms by purchasing them wholesale directly from the distributor.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Finding a Wholesale Distributor

1
Look for a wholesale market open to the public. Many wholesale flower markets are open to the public, meaning you don’t have to be a florist to shop there. Do an online search for “wholesale flower market open to public” and your zip code to find a location near you. There’s likely one in the closest big city.
- These markets have many retailers selling a wide variety of blooms. They are usually located in warehouses or other large buildings.
2
Search for an online wholesale distributor that sells to the public. Some wholesale distributors allow you to browse through their flower selection online. You can then select and pay for the flowers you want and they will be shipped right to your door! Some wholesale markets even have websites that do this as well.

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3
Check the florist department of a bulk store if you’re a member. Some stores that sell items in bulk, like Sam’s Club or Costco, have floral departments. You may be able to find cheap, beautiful blooms from the floral department of a bulk retailer near you. Also, check the websites of such stores to see if you can order the blooms, seeds, bulbs, or other items you may need online.
- Many of these stores require that you become a member in order to shop at their store or on their website. An annual membership may cost between $50-$100.
4
Shop from any wholesaler if you’re a florist or designer. Some wholesale markets, sites, and suppliers only sell to other people in the business. If you’re a florist, caterer, designer, or wedding planner, you’re in luck! Simply provide the name of the business you work for and any other pertinent information when asked by the wholesale distributor.

EXPERT TIP

Lana Starr, AIFD
Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers
Lana Starr is a Certified Floral Designer and the Owner of Dream Flowers, a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dream Flowers specializes in events, weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. Lana has over 14 years of experience in the floral industry and her work has been featured in floral books and magazines such as International Floral Art, Fusion Flowers, Florist Review, and Nacre. Lana is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) since 2016 and is a California Certified Floral Designer (CCF) since 2012.

Lana Starr, AIFD
Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers

Expert Trick: When you're choosing a wholesale flower vendor, ask them questions, like how to tell the difference between a fresh rose and one that's already been on the market for a week. When you find someone who's honest with you and who wants to build a relationship with you as a client, then you'll know you've found someone you can work with.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing Flowers

1
Arrive early to markets find the best flowers. Find out what hours the market is open, which varies by day of the week. In some cases, the market may open as early as 2 am! Other markets may open by 5, 6, or even 8 am. If you have a specific type of flower in mind, or need a lot of stock, aim to arrive when the market opens.
- Florists and designers often arrive when the market opens and may buy all of the available stock of a certain type of flower, leaving late-comers disappointed.
2
Look for flowers that are in season if you visit a market. You may be able to find some flowers, like roses and tulips, regardless of what time of year it is. Other flowers, like peonies, are only available in certain months and may be more expensive due to their rarity. Find out what flowers will be in season before deciding what you want from the market so you get the best deals.
3
Choose any kind of flowers if you shop online. One of the major benefits about using an online retailer is that you often have a wider variety of flowers to choose from. You may be able to get flowers that are in season in climates other than your own since the flowers will be shipped straight to you from the supplier.^{[1]
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4
Select your flowers from the photos provided on websites. If you’re ordering flowers online rather than picking them out in person, you’ll have to choose them based on the photos or descriptions provided on the site. Be sure to review the refund policy of the wholesaler and find out what they will do if the flowers you receive are damaged, dead, or otherwise not as expected.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making Purchases

1
Compare the prices between several wholesalers. One of the main reasons to buy flowers wholesale is due to the lower prices. However, just because a seller describes themselves as a “wholesaler” doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal. Compare the prices of several wholesalers to find one that has both high-quality and low-cost flowers.
- Similarly, shop around a flower market before making your purchases. Some retailers or stalls will have better prices than others.
2
Bring cash to wholesale markets. Some retailers do not accept credit cards. Others may charge you a fee for using a credit card. Either way, it’s best to bring cash. Keep in mind that even though you’ll be getting a good deal from a wholesale market, flowers are very expensive. Figure out what you plan to buy beforehand and bring enough cash to cover all your purchases.
3
Pay using a credit card or PayPal for online purchases. If you find an online wholesale distributor, you won’t be able to pay with cash. You’ll need to provide your credit card or PayPal information to complete your purchase. Make sure the site is secure before entering your information!
- A secure site has an icon of a lock or the word “Secure” on the left-hand side of the address bar, or a URL that begins with “https.”

Community Q&A

Question

How do I find growers as a wholesaler?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

A web search with the types of flowers sold wholesale as well as your local area location can provide the best options. You can also look up grower associations if you are looking for specific items; they can direct you to any specialists in their group.
Question

When are calla lilies in season?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Calla lilies grown in the US will bloom in late spring to midsummer. In other areas, they bloom from late summer to early fall. Cut blooms can last two weeks. Florists source them from around the world so they are always in season.