Flowers in a Teacup: How to Make a DIY Arrangement

Flowers in a teacup make a small arrangement that fits on a desk, a bedside table or a breakfast tray. It is easy to make yourself from a pretty cup that has sat in the cabinet for years and a few stems of flowers. It makes a thoughtful gift for a colleague's birthday, Mother's Day, 8 March or simply with the morning coffee. Here is which cup to choose, which flowers and greenery work, how to assemble the arrangement step by step and how to make it last a week.

Which cup to choose

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• A cup and saucer is the classic choice: the saucer completes the look and protects the table from moisture.
• A vintage patterned porcelain cup invites you to match the flowers to the pattern.
• A mug suits a larger, homely arrangement and makes a good coffee-themed gift for a man.
• A teapot or sugar bowl gives more volume.

The cup must be intact without cracks, as the wet foam will sit in it for a week. If you want to drink from it afterwards, wash it thoroughly.

What you will need

Besides the cup and flowers you need floral foam for fresh flowers, a sharp knife, secateurs and a little greenery. Eco-friendly alternatives to foam include a ball of chicken wire, a small pin frog (kenzan) or a grid of clear tape across the top of the cup, so the stems stand directly in water. This works especially well for tulips and daffodils, which drink poorly from foam.

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How to make the arrangement step by step

1. Soak the foam. Place it on the surface of the water and let it sink by itself in 1–2 minutes. Do not push it under: dry pockets will remain and flowers placed there will wilt.
2. Cut it to size. The foam should fit snugly and rise 1–2 cm above the rim, so you can insert flowers at an angle to spill over the edge.
3. Build a greenery base. Short sprigs of eucalyptus, pittosporum or salal cover the foam and define the shape, usually a dome.
4. Add the focal flowers. Place 3–5 spray roses or large carnations in the centre and slightly lower around the edges, cutting the stems at an angle.
5. Fill the gaps. Small flowers such as santini chrysanthemums, hypericum, waxflower and lavender add texture and hide the foam.
6. Finish the presentation. Add a tea bag, a couple of macarons or a chocolate to the saucer and tie a ribbon with a card to the handle.

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Seasonal ideas

• Spring: a hyacinth bulb, grape hyacinths or primroses planted straight into the cup with soil.
• Summer: garden roses, daisies, cornflowers, mint and lavender.
• Autumn: chrysanthemums, berry sprigs and mini pumpkins on the saucer.
• Winter: fir sprigs, cones, red hypericum, cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices.

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Living plants in a cup

Instead of cut flowers you can plant succulents or a small cactus in a cup. As there is no drainage hole, add 2–3 cm of clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom, use a loose cactus mix and water very sparingly. Ideas in succulent arrangements and houseplant arrangements.

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How to make the arrangement last

• Add a little water to the foam every day; it must not dry out.
• Keep the cup away from radiators, direct sun and fruit.
• Remove faded flowers and replace them by inserting a fresh stem in the same spot.

With this care the arrangement lasts 5–7 days, and chrysanthemums and carnations up to two weeks. Browse ready-made gift arrangements in our gift basket catalogue.

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Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of floral foam?

Chicken wire, a pin frog or a tape grid across the cup, so the flowers stand directly in water.

How many flowers does one cup need?

A teacup usually takes 3–5 spray roses or carnations, 2–3 stems of small flowers and some greenery.

Can I drink from the cup afterwards?

Yes, once it has been washed thoroughly.

Which flowers do not do well in foam?

Tulips, daffodils, cut hyacinths and some wildflowers; put them in water instead.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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