Tips for new florists: skills, training and mistakes

Floristry looks romantic: flowers, beauty and happy customers. In reality it also means handwork in a cool room, early wholesale runs, plant knowledge and the ability to make a bouquet to order quickly. Here is what a beginner florist needs to learn, how to gain first experience and the mistakes most often made at the start.

Our florists’ work: large rose bouquets and flower baskets.

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Skills you need

• Colour and design — the colour wheel, combining shades, proportions of bouquet and vase.
• Plant knowledge — varieties, seasons, vase life and how to condition flowers.
• Technique — spiral hand-tying, working with floral foam, wrapping.
• Communication — understanding what the client wants and meeting deadlines.

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How to start

• Take a basic floristry course — in person or online — and practise a lot.
• Work as an assistant in a flower shop: you will see deliveries, conditioning and real orders.
• Keep a portfolio — photograph your work.
• Follow trends, but learn the classics: core techniques matter more than fashionable tricks.

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What to expect from the job

• Cool rooms and wet hands: flowers are stored at low temperatures.
• Early wholesale runs and peak days — Valentine’s Day, 8 March, 1 September.
• Physical work: long hours on your feet, heavy buckets of water.
• If you are allergic to pollen or plant sap, talk to a doctor before choosing this career.

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Common beginner mistakes

• Too many flower types and colours in one bouquet.
• Skipping conditioning — uncut, unhydrated stems wilt faster.
• Wrapping that shouts louder than the flowers.

Assembly basics: DIY bouquet for beginners; shapes: Types of bouquets; wrapping: Bouquet wrapping.

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FAQ

Do I need an art education?

Not necessarily: a sense of colour and form can be developed through courses and practice, though an art background helps.

How long does it take to learn?

Basic techniques take a few months of practice; confidence and speed come with shop experience.

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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