With Love and Sustainability,

We know well before February that Valentine’s Day is upon us. Our local grocery stores begin to look very cute, very sweet, and very pink. Aisles are filled with chocolates, stuffed teddy bears, and lastly, roses. The full package.

The ever-present quality of roses leads to the misconception of just how common they are this time of the year. After all, they are available nearly everywhere in nearly every color. In reality, it takes a great deal of time, energy, and fuel to get those flowers transported just in time for that special day.

Contrary to belief, roses are not in season during February, but they are in warmer countries such as Colombia or Ecuador where the conditions are much more ideal for the rose. Now, these flowers are then typically shipped on passenger planes, making their regular trips around the world. However, the month before, additional ones are made by cargo planes, carrying more than 15,000 tons of flowers. This isn’t the first time you’ve heard that transpirtation contributes largely to global warming; it makes up a great percentage of the greenhouse gases that go into our atmosphere. 

The thing is, the issue doesn’t end with air transportation. Once flowers land, they must be moved with refrigeration in order to retain their freshness. This requirement burns more fuel meaning more carbon emissions meaning an even bigger footprint. Suddenly, your rose doesn’t seem that lovely at all. 

The demand of flowers on this special day is a potential problem, but the arranged transportation is a much bigger one; the environmental footprint is just massive. This doesn’t mean you have to settle with no flowers at all on Valentine’s Day. Instead, consider more sustainable (yet romantic) options:

Go local, go green:

Visit your local farmer’s markets and floral shops that are in your area, supporting local businesses. In fact, there’s a movement known as the “Slower Flowers” movement, an initiative encouraging people to buy in-season flowers from small growers. Flowers are still beautiful, still fresh, and now environmentally-friendly too. Sounds like a win-win-win. 

Buy seasonal:

Consider buying flowers beside roses. This time of the year, carnations, chrysanthemums, lilies are in season. Other choices include ranunculas, hydrangea, and irises. And while the rose may be the representative gesture of love, meanings also include admiration, affection, and charm. Any of these seasonal flowers do the job of conveying a special thought, and is definitely more meaningful.

Look into organic:

There are a number of overseas growers, such as FlorVerde Sustainable Flowers, that have been certified with titles like “organic” and “cruelty-free”. Growers like FlorVerde measure carbon footprints while also preventing contamination, recycling, water recirculation, composting, and so on. California Organic Flowers or Organic Bouquet are other representative examples of responsible and sustainable florists. It supports a bigger, more broader conversation of ethical shopping, that begins with a green purchase.

Gift potted:

Consider gifting potted plants and move away from conventional bouquet. Freshly cut flowers are only fresh for so long, while potted plants can be eventually moved into your garden and into your home. Whether it be a succulent or an orchid, gift a plant that will bloom every year with a little extra love and care.

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