8 Best Flower Delivery Services Available Online, According to Testing
Inexpensive bouquets, floral subscriptions and next-day delivery options, all tested and approved by our experts.
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A beautiful bouquet of flowers is a great gift for Mother's Day, a loved one's birthday or a special occasion. That said, it can be tough to figure out which online flower delivery service will deliver on-time and with quality florals. Whether you're sending a large bouquet of long stem roses or a unique mixed floral arrangement, the delivery should be in great condition, have the correct advertised flowers and last for about a week.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Lab analysts have tested and evaluated 19 popular flower delivery services in the last two years (!). We also enlisted a large group of consumer testers and surveyed our GH+ community to gain even more insight on flower delivery services. After hours of research and months of testing, we stand by these picks as the best options for every style, budget, delivery timeline and occasion.
Our consumer testers were fans of Bouqs's thoughtful and stylish packaging, while Lab analysts appreciated that the bouquets included instructions on how to keep the flowers fresh for as long as possible. The best part? Even after a week, testers noted that there was no sign of wilting. In fact, The Bouqs Co.'s arrangements lasted longer than any other similar bouquet we tested. And when we surveyed our GH+ community, over 28 people from all over the country filled out their survey about Bouqs and only one person said they wouldn't recommend using the service because they didn't like flower delivery services in general.
Pictured here is a Bouqs pink rose arrangement. Our analysts were very impressed with how well it matched the advertised imagery.
"They are still as bright and cheerful as they were the day after they arrived," said one of our analysts who purchased the Wild About U arrangement. Other testers noted how easy the website was to navigate too.
We've tested many bouquets from Bouqs in the last year alone and have always received a beautifully arranged bouquet that's in great condition. In fact, we're currently testing out their subscription and have found it easy to navigate and a great way to brighten a loved one's day on a regular basis. Who says flowers are just for holidays!
Not only are the bouquets from 1-800-Flowers significantly less expensive than those offered by its competitors, they still arrived looking fresh and beautiful in our Lab evaluations. In addition to bouquets, 1-800-Flowers offers house plants and gift bundles that include roses and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
1-800-Flowers is also one of the most popular services in America, according to our survey results, with over 200 GH+ community members giving us valuable insights about their experience with 1-800-Flowers. Most notably, consumers talked about how easy and convenient this flower delivery service is to use, with many commenting on its moderate pricing.
Pictured here is a bouquet from 1-800-Flowers on the day it arrived to our Lab in great condition and at an affordable price point.
One consumer tester did note that their plant arrived damaged, but that the issue was quickly resolved by the company once they reached out. "The second plant was even prettier than the pictures," they said. "I was happy they were willing to replace the plant with a new one." Another tester noted that the arrangement didn't look exactly like the photo online, however, the website does note that the color assortment may vary based on availability.
You can purchase beautiful arrangements à la carte or subscribe to their subscription service, whether you want to continuously have fresh blooms at home or are looking for a gift idea. Choose from three plans (Classic, Seasonal or Luxe) and how often you would like to receive flowers (weekly, biweekly or monthly). Every plan includes a vase but the Seasonal and Luxe plans come at a higher price tag given the more premium florals. You can modify, cancel or pause your subscription at anytime.
Urban Stems performed well in our Lab testing, with high scores in delivery, instructions and appearance. The floral arrangement lasted the full week of testing, but was ready to be thrown out after that. Consumers also loved their deliveries. "The quality of the flowers was excellent and held up perfectly throughout the entire week (and a few days past that)," said one tester. "The arrangement looked beautiful and smelled divine! These are definitely more of a "premium" pick compared to other delivery services I've tried, from the super thoughtful packaging to the flower quality."
From florals based on your zodiac sign to best-selling arrangements that will arrive the next day. Urban Stems can run kind of pricey, but they do have a section dedicated to bouquets on sale.
If shopping local is important to you, Teleflora offers flowers that are 100% arranged and delivered by local florists, so you're supporting small businesses by shopping through the brand's website.
The hand-delivered bouquets we received from Teleflora rated high on the "wow factor," with lovely looking flowers arranged in a pretty vase. However, one consumer tester noted that while they loved their arrangement, they wished they could have picked the vase and that care instructions had been included.
Another was surprised to see that the peonies in their bouquet were swapped for roses, but was still happy with the final results. "The color was spot on, so it wasn't a big issue," they said. "I went back to the website and saw a disclaimer that does say flowers will be replaced based on availability."
There's no denying the convenience of ordering flowers online from Amazon. In fact, Amazon Prime members can get fresh blooms delivered from dozens of brands with free two-day shipping. While we still have to test more of the brands offered on Amazon, we did Lab and consumer test Floral Compass which arrived quickly and in good condition. They offer floral arrangements that are relatively affordable as well, but they don't offer the largest floral selection.
Amazon reviewers also like florals created by the Country Living magazine and Colour Republic brands. "Sent as a birthday gift [and] arrived in wonderful condition. Although not fully bloomed, once watered, they bloomed within two days," said one recipient. We have found that many of the flower delivery brands on Amazon offer a smaller selection of floral arrangements.
Farmgirl Flowers
Farmgirl Flowers offers a wide variety of unique flower arrangements from rare rose varietals to hard-to-find seasonal blooms in a signature burlap bundle. In Lab testing, the roses arrived a little bruised, but after a few days of opening, they were absolutely stunning and smelled sweeter than any other arrangement tested. The roses were packaged nicely and came with detailed instructions, though they did have a lot of thorns, so be careful as you unbox.
One consumer tester who worked as a professional florist for years said, "The flowers were quick to arrive, less than 12 hours after ordering. The packaging was well thought out and effective in protecting the tender blooms, and the instructions were clear. Plus the roses were drop-dead gorgeous!"
Farmgirl also has a free ship shop, different subscription offerings and fun gift add-ons like a box of gourmet chocolates or a soy wax candle.
Brighten your loved one's day with a vibrant delivery from Fresh Sends. In our testing, we were most impressed with the packaging of this online flower delivery service. Each bouquet is securely wrapped in newspaper paper and the interior box has their signature "you get flowers today" slogan. As a sender you can choose from a variety of fun card designs at no additional charge and at an additional charge you send along hand cream, perfume or various other gifts.
You can even send over a custom video or voice note for three additional dollars! "I paid a little extra to be able to add a custom video QR code, which was powered by Snapchat," said one consumer tester. "I was able to record a short video with a fun filter and then upload it — my husband was able to scan the code and watch the video when the flowers arrived. The video option is a silly but fun touch that made the flower delivery feel more personal!''
Fresh Sends has a smaller flower selection than other delivery services we tested, but popular flowers are accounted for with rose, tulip or lily bouquets. They also have their signature bouquet called "The send" which comes at three different price points and sizes. We found the prices of this company to be of good value, but shipping fees to be on the higher side, around $25.
Amelia's Flower Box
Sifting through online flower delivery websites can be daunting for some. If you cannot decide which arrangement is right for your partner or best friend, look no further than Amelia's Flower Truck. Their nationwide service sends a monthly curated bouquet of seasonal blooms in two sizes, an affordable $50 bouquet and a larger $100 version.
This service performed very well among our Lab analysts and consumer testers. "What made this bouquet cool and special was the variety in flowers, heights and colors, especially because I love wild flowers and this almost gave that same 'wild' appearance and was fuller looking," said one tester, while another said, "everything was so thoughtful and pretty. I felt like I was getting a gift from friends with the care and attention they clearly put into every detail. I was very impressed." The team of florists at Amelias certainly puts a lot of care into the design of each bouquet and we noticed.
How we test the best flower delivery services
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Lab analysts have tested 19 online flower and plant delivery services since 2022. In that time, we've evaluated 57 arrangements, enlisted 38 consumer testers and received surveys from 475 GH+ members from all over the country for their valuable insight on flower delivery services.
We put bouquets of flowers through rigorous in-Lab testing and at-home consumer testing, judging each service on a list of criteria that includes delivery time, initial appearance and longevity.
During Lab testing, for each service, we placed an order for pink roses (if available) in a clear glass vase, paying extra for the vase if needed. Upon arrival in our Lab, we inspected the packaging to ensure that the flowers were safely secured during delivery. We also evaluated the packaging to see if it was gift-worthy or a headache for the recipient.
In addition to Lab testing, we conducted consumer testing for all services to see how the flowers arrived in real homes and how long they lasted. For anonymity and to test out how easy it is to order online, all testers ordered directly from flower delivery services on their own with a provided gift card. Consumer testers could order any flower bouquet or plant that appealed to them.
Flower delivery services are often given as a gift and the sender does not necessarily see what actually arrives. If they are not as attractive as what is pictured online, or they wither or droop soon after arrival, they can be a disappointing gift.
In our testing, we evaluated all bouquets' appearance on arrival to see how they compared to their online photos and what condition the petals, stems and leaves were in.
Some bouquets were delivered by florists, while others were shipped directly from a farm or warehouse. While most services provided detailed instructions, very secure packaging, flower food and vases, others weren't ideal for giving as a gift and required a lot of work to put together.
A floral delivery should last at least a week without wilting, but that isn't always the case. We tested for longevity in our Lab to see how long flowers lasted and if they wilted gracefully or needed to get thrown away immediately. By evaluating these services and reporting our findings, we aim to help readers make a more educated purchase.
One additional tip to note: Flowers are very temperamental and sometimes a company cannot control how it is delivered or damaged in the mail. Always reach out to the company if you're unhappy with your results. Most flower delivery services will send a floral replacement if you are not satisfied with your delivery.
What to look for when shopping for flowers online
✔️ Appearance: Ordering flowers online from a flower delivery service does require a level of trust that the arrangement you will receive or send to a loved one is exactly what is pictured on the website. If an arrangement doesn't look the way it was supposed to, we recommend reaching out to their customer service team. From our thorough testing, we do stand by the appearances of the services on this list.
✔️ What are you trying to say: Most flower delivery service websites have categories where you can select arrangements designed specifically for a birthday, holiday or special occasion. Utilize the website as a tool to figure out which style of arrangement is best for your loved one.
✔️ Delivery method and speed: Some flower services have their arrangements delivered by local florists in your area, usually without any packaging. Other services ship directly from a farm or floral warehouse with lots of packaging to keep flowers secure. If you need flowers at the last minute or want flowers that arrive on a specific date look for websites that offer easy scheduling.
✔️ Budget: Sending flowers can be expensive. Know your budget before purchasing, look for sales around the holidays and keep in mind that some services don't include free shipping and shipping fees can be as much as $25 a bouquet. Some flower delivery services also offer specific bouquets in three different sizes; you can select a smaller bouquet if you're on a budget or go all out for a special occasion with an extra large arrangement.
✔️ Packaging and customization: The majority of flower delivery services offer the option to include a card with a short note, but other services also offer more customizations like colored ribbon, balloons or chocolates. Receiving flowers is special, but if you want to make it extra special for your recipient look to see how it will be delivered (florist vs. mail), packaged (vase vs. wrapped bouquet) and if you can customize the experience.
Top five tips for keeping flowers fresh
We interviewed Hudson Valley-based florist, Sasha Allison, for her top tricks and tips for ensuring your floral arrangement lasts longer.
- "Give them a good cut with sterilized clippers. You should cut them at an angle, this way, they will absorb more water," says Allison. A 45-degree angle cut on most flower stems ensures that the entire stem's surface area is in contact with the water for maximum hydration.
- "Take off all dead leaves and dead petals. For roses take off the stiff petals on the outside of the flower," instructs Allison, "I like to take off all of the leaves, so the energy from the water goes straight to the flower."
- "Water should be crystal clear and there should be no leaves below the waterline," says Allison. "You should be able to look at the water and say 'could I drink that?' This also starts with the vase that you're using. It should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized otherwise bacteria from a previous arrangement could shorten the life of your new, beautiful arrangement.
- "Place in cold water. The most important aspect to keeping your flowers fresh longer is the temperature that you keep them at," instructs Allison. "General guidelines are: cut flowers should be stored at 34 to 38° F, while tropical flowers and orchids should be stored at 55 to 60° F. If you don’t have the opportunity to put them in a cooler or a refrigerator (or simply want to enjoy your flowers on your kitchen table), then you can add ice cubes to the water."
- "Some people use flower food, I personally have not found it to make a difference either way," says Allison. Our analysts use flower food in our testing, if it is provided by a flower delivery service and have noticed longer longevity on some blooms.
Keep in mind that floral care varies from bloom to bloom, you should always consult your online flower delivery services's care instructions first before arranging your bouquet.
When should you order flowers around major holidays?
Depending on the flower delivery service, we recommend ordering flower arrangements for a major flower holiday like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day at least two to three weeks prior. Placing your order far enough ahead ensures that you get the best selection of available arrangements and that you get a favorable delivery date. We also recommend securing a delivery date a few days prior to a major holiday, just in case there is a delay in delivery.
Are fresh flowers safe around pets?
If your loved one is a pet parent, keep in mind that some flowers can be toxic for animals to ingest. According to the ASPCA the following flowers are safe for pets to be around:
- Roses
- Gerber Daisies
- Sunflowers
- Orchids
- Snapdragons
- Fresia
- Limonium
- Madagascar Jasmine
- Stock
- Waxflowers
- Statice
- Lisianthus
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer is the reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute. Eva tests and writes about all things home, kitchen gear, culinary products and beyond. Eva has tested over 19 flower delivery services in her time at Good Housekeeping and hopes to test even more companies.
Eva’s mom is a professional florist and she grew up playing in the walk-in flower cooler while her mom was working. Eva has a wealth of knowledge in plant and flower varietals, building arrangements, gardening and farming thanks to her mom and the agricultural classes she took while in college at NYU. In her free time, Eva loves visiting botanical gardens, farms and arranging beautiful bouquets for her dining table.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
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