Summer heat can be brutal on flowers. Whether you're processing daily orders or building installations for events, warm weather demands a different level of care. Here’s how to protect your product, your time, and your reputation when temperatures rise.
1. Keep the Cooler Cool
Your cooler is your strongest defense against heat, but only if it’s used properly. Every time the door opens, warm air enters and humidity fluctuates, putting flowers under unnecessary stress.
• Limit how often the cooler is accessed.
• Organize inventory to reduce search time.
• Assign one person to manage cooler flow during busy periods.
• Keep the door close between pickups and restocks.
• Organize inventory to reduce search time.
• Assign one person to manage cooler flow during busy periods.
• Keep the door close between pickups and restocks.
Cooler consistency directly impacts flower life. Treat it like climate control for your product.
2. Prioritize Hydration
Summer heat accelerates moisture loss in all flowers. Even hardy varieties need more attention.
• Recut stems every 1–2 days.
• Change water daily and keep buckets clean.
• Mist delicate or exposed flowers frequently.
• Use hydration solutions during processing for water-sensitive varieties like hydrangeas, sweet peas, and lisianthus.
• Recut stems every 1–2 days.
• Change water daily and keep buckets clean.
• Mist delicate or exposed flowers frequently.
• Use hydration solutions during processing for water-sensitive varieties like hydrangeas, sweet peas, and lisianthus.
Dehydration isn’t always visible right away, but it shortens vase life quickly.
3. Deliver with Care
Hot weather makes delivering to your customers extra challenging. Flowers are at risk the moment they leave your shop.
• Pre-cool vehicles before loading.
• Pack flowers in insulated or cooled containers.
• Plan routes to minimize time in transit.
• Avoid leaving arrangements in the car between stops.
• Communicate with recipients to ensure someone is available to receive the delivery.
• Pre-cool vehicles before loading.
• Pack flowers in insulated or cooled containers.
• Plan routes to minimize time in transit.
• Avoid leaving arrangements in the car between stops.
• Communicate with recipients to ensure someone is available to receive the delivery.
A beautiful arrangement won’t stay that way if it spends 30 minutes in a hot car.
4. Time Events Strategically
Event work in summer adds pressure. You’re often working outdoors or in venues without proper cooling.
• Avoid midday installs in direct sun, or during peak periods of sunlight.
• Use more resilient blooms for exterior setups.
• For sensitive flowers, build designs in the studio, transport in water, and install just before the event begins.
• Use shade cloths or cooling towels if setups can’t be delayed.
Timing is critical. A centerpiece that looks perfect at noon can wilt by the time guests arrive if placed too early.
5. Choose Summer-Friendly Flowers
Some flowers thrive in heat, others don’t. Make smart substitutions to avoid unnecessary stress and waste.
Heat-tolerant options:
• Zinnias
• Sunflowers
• Celosia
• Marigolds
• Orchids
• Protea
If you need to use delicate blooms, make sure you're giving them every advantage: cool transport, hydration solutions, and minimal sun exposure.
Final Takeaway
Summer requires tighter systems and more attentive care. Hydration, temperature control, and strategic timing are your best tools to keep flowers looking their best. Train your team, prep your space, and adjust your routines for the season, your flowers (and customers) will thank you.