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7 Floral Tools Every Florist Should Have

Are these already part of your florist toolkit?

By: THURSD. | 06-03-2024 | 4 min read
Floral Education
Florist toolkit to create floral designs

Floral artistry is a delicate type of work that involves arranging flowers to create beautiful compositions that elicit emotions and capture the essence of the nature-filled world that surrounds us. Florists rely on their creativity and expertise, as well as a variety of specialized tools, to bring their visions to life.

Whether you're a new florist or a seasoned pro, having the right floral tools can make a huge difference in your creations. Let's take a look at seven floral tools that every florist should have in their toolkit.

7 Floral Tools Every Florist Should Have in Their Equipment

Floristry requires a combination of creativity, precision, and skill to be able to create and arrange stunning floral displays while elevating your technique. Florists use a variety of tools, each of which plays an important role in transforming their floral creations.

Recognizing the value of these tools is critical for florists seeking success. From trimming and sculpting stems to expertly arranging flowers, the careful selection and application of key florist tools are critical for achieving professional excellence and making floral visions a reality. Make sure to take note of these seven essential tools every florist should have as part of their gear.

1. Floral Knife

A sharp and precise floral knife is a florist's most valuable tool. It is used to cut stems cleanly and at the proper angle, allowing flowers to absorb water efficiently. A floral knife's sharp blade prevents damage to delicate stems and makes clean cuts, resulting in longer flower life.

 

A florist knife is an essential tool for florists
Floral knife. Photo: @billytheflorist

 

2. Floral Branch Cutters

Pruning shears, also known as floral shears or secateurs, are indispensable tools for trimming and shaping flowers and plants. They are designed with sharp blades and sturdy handles to effortlessly cut through stems and branches. Florists use pruning shears to remove unwanted foliage, and dead flowers, or to trim stems to the desired length, promoting healthier growth and aesthetics.

 

Floral branch cutter tool
Branch cutters or secateurs. Photo: @kennicott_warren

 

3. Floral Wires

As part of the eight floral tools every florist should have is also floral wire. Florist wire is a versatile and adaptable tool used by florists to support and secure floral arrangements.  It’s indispensable for creating elaborate floral designs and ensuring that stems stay in place. Floral wire is typically made of thin, pliable metal and is available in a variety of gauges and colors to meet the needs of different floral designs. Florists use floral wire to strengthen delicate stems, make loops for attaching flowers, and build frameworks for intricate designs such as corsages, boutonnieres, and floral crowns.

 

Wreath frame florist wire and eucalyptus
A wreath frame, florist wire, and eucalyptus branches

 

4. Floral Tape - An Essential Tool Every Florist Should Have

Floral tape is an adhesive tape specifically designed for floral work. It is made of a stretchable material that adheres to itself when stretched and wrapped around floral stems or wires. Florists use floral tape to bind together flower stems in bouquets and arrangements, providing support and stability while concealing the mechanics of the design. Floral tape comes in different colors to match various flower arrangements seamlessly.

 

Florist tape to cover up a succulent
Working with floral wire and tape. Photo: @lilybelarrangements

 

5. Floral Picks

As part of the eight floral tools every florist should have comes floral picks. These are small, pointed sticks used by florists to support and position individual flowers or foliage in arrangements. They come in various lengths and materials, such as plastic or wood, with a pointed end for insertion into bases. Florists use floral picks to secure delicate blooms, create height variations, and enhance the overall structure and stability of their designs.

 

Flower picks florist tools
Floral picks. Photo by Southern Charm Wreaths

 

6. Flower Thorn Strippers

A floral thorn stripper is a handy tool designed to remove thorns, leaves, and excess foliage from flower stems quickly and efficiently. It typically features multiple sharp edges or notches of varying sizes to accommodate different stem thicknesses. Florists use stem strippers to prepare flowers for arranging, ensuring clean and polished stems that enhance the overall appearance and longevity of floral designs.

 

Flower thorn cutters are an essential tool for florists
Thorn stripper. Photo: @rubcha

 

7. Floral Cages

Floral cages are sturdy plastic cages that can hold floral foam. This floral tool is an essential part of a florist's toolkit because they're easily attached to easels, candelabras, pillars, and other structures using floral tape or florist wire. Floral cages are an important tool for florists when designing sympathy, wedding, party, and oversized floral arrangements.

 

Floral metal cage as a sustainable option
A floral metal cage as a sustainable option to traditional floral cages, using agra-wool as non-plastic floral foam

 

What other tools do you consider essential for florists to have on their day-to-day floral duties?

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