With Mother's Day approaching, local media across the U.S. are buzzing with stories about rising flower costs, and the main culprit is tariffs.
In South Florida, florists are feeling the pinch. One florist told CBS News Miami that an arrangement that used to cost $90 now goes for $125. And it's not just the flowers—prices are also climbing for vases, wrapping paper, and other supplies. Many shops are trying to absorb the extra costs or find creative alternatives to keep customers happy.
Click here to watch the CBS segment
Last year, the U.S. imported $2.2 billion worth of cut flowers, most of them from South America. On Social News, a CBS broadcast was published where Kate Penn, CEO of the Society of American Florists, explains that domestic flower farms have done well since the pandemic, especially with growing interest from brides who want to "buy local." However, these growers are not immune to tariffs—many rely on imported bulbs from countries like Italy and the Netherlands, which are now subject to tariffs. Also a grower says that for a small business, an extra $40,000–$50,000 a year in costs is nearly the equivalent of another employee. SAF also said hat that many shops stocked up on vases and accessories from China right after the U.S. elections in anticipation of policy changes.
Click here to watch the CBS eport
In Georgia, florists told WBS Atlanta that customer habits are shifting. While people are still buying flowers, they're cutting back—opting for smaller arrangements and choosing pickup over delivery to save money. Prices are also more volatile, changing daily based on supply and shipping.
Watch the WBS Atlanta story
The impact doesn't stop at Mother's Day. According to the Wall Street Journal, even weddings are being scaled back. With rising costs, many couples are ditching extravagant floral arches in favor of more budget-friendly alternatives—like bulk flowers from Costco.
Read the WSJ article: "Brides Settle for Costco Flowers and American Wine"