Plants and flowers brighten up our spaces, bring freshness, and make for wonderful gifts, adding a touch of nature indoors. But has anyone ever thought about the environmental impact of their favorite blooms? Recently, I’ve been exploring the differences between potted plants and cut flowers, and it turns out their environmental footprints vary significantly.

Potted plants can last for a long time. They require regular watering, occasional repotting, and some care, but with proper maintenance, they can thrive for years. This means their resource consumption is spread out over time. In contrast, cut flowers have a much shorter lifespan. They grow quickly, are harvested and cut, then wrapped in plastic and transported over long distances, only to be discarded after just a few days. For something so short-lived, that’s a lot of waste.

So, how can we make floriculture more sustainable? A circular economy approach might provide the answer—composting flower waste, using biodegradable packaging, and reusing plant pots instead of throwing them away. Even small changes, like choosing locally grown flowers, can help reduce transportation emissions.

As I continue exploring this topic, I plan to talk to florists and visit plant markets to see what’s really happening behind the scenes. Hopefully, I’ll discover some practical solutions to help both individuals and businesses enjoy flowers and plants in a more eco-friendly way.

Potted plants with cut flowers / Xizhi Zhang / Circular Economy: KIPP and Futures Project by is licensed under a