Mother’s Day vs. Valentine’s Day: which season is stronger in the flower industry?

Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day are two of the most important events of the year for the flower industry, accounting for a significant spike in flower demand. However, which one is the biggest? To understand this, it is important to recognize the distinct characteristics that separate these occasions and their varying flower needs.

Here, we will discuss the differences between these two seasons, their significance to the flower industry, and how you can prepare for the inevitable spike in demand.

Flower Sales Revenue
According to reports by the Society of American Florists (SAF), Valentine’s Day ranked number one in flower sales generating approximately $2.3 billion in revenue, i.e., 28% of the floral sales volume in 2022. However, Mother’s Day was not far behind, ranking fourth and accounting for an estimated 24% of floral revenue that year.

Who Buys Flowers
Despite a comparatively lower sales volume in the US, Mother’s Day is still considered the Superbowl for Florists. It is a universally beloved holiday officially celebrated in over 90 countries on the second Sunday of May, which makes the consumer base much broader to cover multiple demographics.

While Valentine’s Day will always be the day for lovers, it has become more inclusive in recent years. Many now use this occasion to appreciate other forms of affection, including non-romantic relationships between friends and family members.

Those most likely to buy fresh flowers on Valentine’s Day included:

• Adults ages 18 – 34 (33%)

• Men (28%)

• Married (26%}

• Children in a household (38%)

Flower Choices
There is no question the red rose is the most popular flower choice on Valentine’s Day, with an estimated 250 million stems sold that day. Other popular flowers include red and pink variations of tulips, carnations, chrysanthemums, and ranunculus. The demand for alternative color options, such as yellow and white, has also increased as many tend to avoid red florals in arrangements for non-romantic relationships.

On Mother’s Day, flower choices are much more varied. The most popular options include roses, peonies, cyclamen, dahlias, begonias, poppies, gardenias, crocus, tulips, amaryllis, and even sunflowers. Color preferences for this holiday are lighter, such as pink and yellow. Still, more vibrant colors such as purple and burgundy are also popular.

Preparing for the Holiday Spike
Time and time again, the flower industry has seen the demand for flowers skyrocket around these holidays, which can lead to shortages as the holidays come closer.

Preordering flowers and greenery can save you from a great deal of stress and anxiety. Florists should start preparing up to a month in advance, connecting with supplier booking orders as soon as possible. Any delay can lead to problems such as limited flower options. For both these busy holidays, it helps to think in terms of color palette and have some premade bouquets on display to inspire customers.

By preordering, you will have all the floral you need on hand and be able to handle the orders as they come in on both Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

Opinions of Florists and Flower farms
Many in the flower industry agree that thorough preparation is the key to managing the drastic influx of flower arrangement orders on Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

Many florists prefer to connect directly with flower farms, where they have the opportunity to order a wider selection of flowers and even specialty blooms, such as painted or tinted roses in vibrant colors such as blue. On both Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, florists agree they are always customers looking for unique blooms for one-of-a-kind arrangements to mark either occasion.