When we stopped using floral foam in spring 2021, the main question we got from other florists was: what do you use instead? The honest answer is that it depends on the arrangement, and there is no single substitute that does everything foam does. But the alternatives are better than most people expect.
Chicken wire for vessels and installs ¶
Crumpled chicken wire inside a vessel gives you a three-dimensional grid that holds stems at almost any angle. It is reusable, recyclable, and once you learn to work with it, faster than foam for most vessel-based arrangements. We use a 5cm hex mesh for most work and a finer 2.5cm mesh for smaller vessels where we need more control.
Moss for structure and moisture ¶
Natural sphagnum moss, packed tightly into a vessel or around a wire frame, holds water and provides a soft base for stems. We use it for low centrepieces and for arrangements where we want a naturalistic, garden-floor look. It is heavier than foam, which is actually an advantage for outdoor events where stability matters.
Water tubes for individual stems ¶
For hand-tied work and for stems that need to be placed individually in a large install, we use small water tubes with rubber caps. Each tube holds about 15ml of water, which is enough to keep a stem fresh for a day or two. They are reusable and we wash and restock them after every event.
Wire armatures for large installs ¶
For ceremony arches and large structural installs, we build wire armatures in-house using heavy-gauge galvanised wire. The stems are attached with florist's wire and water tubes. It takes longer to build than a foam-based structure but the result is lighter, more open, and fully recyclable.
What we gave up and what we gained ¶
We gave up speed, mainly. Foam is faster for certain types of work, particularly tight, structured arrangements. What we gained was arrangements that look more natural, last longer (no bacterial buildup from foam), and produce no non-biodegradable waste. The transition took about one full season to feel comfortable. We would not go back.
If you are a florist considering the switch, we are happy to talk through what worked for us. And if you are a customer who cares about this, it is one of the reasons we are worth choosing. Find us at 14 Arch Lane, Vauxhall.