We all know what buying flowers for Valentines day costs. Here's your hack!
Nattachart Jerdnapapunt/Getty ImagesAs January progresses, each day brings us closer and closer to the biggest romantic holiday of the year and so the price of a dozen roses rises. According to the National Retail Federation, which conducts an annual Valentine’s Day survey, consumer spending is predicted to reach $25.9 billion for the occasion, $2 billion more than in 2022. The average amount each person will spend? $192.80.
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If you plan to order Valentine’s Day flowers, a portion of that amount will likely be in delivery fees. And, the longer you wait to order, the more it will likely cost – especially if you want a guarantee that your flowers will arrive on the big day, which of course you do because no one really wants to give after Valentine’s Day roses, do they?
When should you order Valentine's Day flowers by?
The best time to order Valentine’s Day flowers is now, or at the very least, a week before the 14th if you can manage. Some floral companies call out Feb. 1 as the best day to order by. As anyone who has ever ordered an Uber on a stormy day in a large city or after a large festival can attest, last-minute price gouging – especially when demand skyrockets – is a sobering (and expensive) reality. And the closer we get to Valentine’s Day, the higher the demand for floral bouquets rises which has the potential to prompt suppliers to charge higher prices for the flowers and the delivery.
About 250 million roses are grown each year for Valentine’s Day. The logistics and human power required to deliver all of these flowers within a 24-hour period is immense. Both growers and florists hire additional labor during these times which is part of the reason why the actual cost of the flowers themselves rises proportionately with how close to the holiday they are purchased.
Where to order Valentine's Day flowers online
Here’s when (and how) to order Valentine’s Day flowers to avoid delivery (and other) gouging fees.
A bouquet of 2 dozen roses with a clear vase costs $86.99 as of Jan. 26th. The delivery surcharge for Feb. 14th was $14.99, bringing the total fee to $40. If you choose the option to accept possible delivery on the 13th (though you prefer the 14th), you can forgo the extra $14.99.
The Urban Stems Valentine's Day bouquet includes both garden and classic roses. The price with no vase is $85. For another $12, you can add a clear vase.
They offer an “estimated delivery by the 14th for $15.00 via FedEx ground. Or, you can pay $10 for hand delivery on the 15th.
Plants.com sells live plants, not cut flowers. Their Pink Rose plant (currently on sale for $49.19) regularly ships for $8.99 (standard delivery of two days transit). The site allows you to choose a future ‘arrives by date: the 14th is plus $10 and the 13th is plus $25.
The Sill offers live plants for Valentine’s Day as well as a selection of non-rose flower bouquets. The pink torch botanical arrangement features the pink torch ginger plant among greens and white chilis for a price of $102. Shipping (3-10 business days) is free but there is no option to choose a delivery date on their website, so planning is required on your end.
Bloomscape sells live plants delivered directly from the greenhouse. Like Sill, they don’t allow you to choose a specific delivery date. The Bromeliad Purple, a lovely flowering tropical plant, comes in an eco pot. Standard shipping (3 to 7 business days) is $9.00 and express (2 to 3 days) is $31.
FTD uses its local florist networks to supply and deliver flowers. Currently, on their website, a dozen long-stem roses cost $95 with a $19.99 hand delivery fee for February 14th.
One way to avoid delivery gouging fees is to visit a local florist. Many of the large, online companies, outsource some of their orders to local vendors anywhere (especially if they’re offering a hand delivery option). To ensure you’re able to get your first choice of flowers and schedule a Valentine’s Day delivery, you’ll still need to place your order in advance (again, at least a week out to be safe).
In my completely unscientific survey, hand delivery fees for Valentine’s Day in most urban areas hover between $15 and $19.
Rosa Rosa in Manhattan sells a dozen roses for $75 with a $15 delivery fee. The Plant Shed, a small chain of florists in New York City allows you to even schedule delivery time of day: between 12pm and 5pm on the 14th is $19 and before and after those times is $15. Rozgol’s in San Francisco offers a 15% discount on Valentine’s fresh flowers if ordered by Jan. 31st. Their delivery fees are based on the distance from their store.
The absolute best way to avoid delivery gouging fees: deliver the flowers yourself. If you order locally, you can usually choose to pick up your bouquet or arrangement on the day of your choice.
If you’re a procrastinator who suddenly realizes that Valentine’s Day is upon you, your Hail Mary move probably has to be joining all the other, poor last-minute shoppers at the grocery store, drugstore, or corner bodega. You’ll likely not find roses though, but hopefully your recipient will appreciate the effort – and the fact that you delivered them with a smile.
Some jewelry and an offer of a lovely dinner out wouldn’t hurt either.