When a loved one’s birthday or anniversary rolls around, sending flowers is often the best way to show them how much you care. But if you’re a procrastinator or need an arrangement delivered on a tight deadline, finding the right flower delivery service can feel tricky. The best online florists are reliable, offer a wide selection and deliver the flowers you need at the speed of your choosing. To help you find the right match, we tested bouquets from several services and ranked them based on how well they matched their online photos, how fresh they were upon arrival and whether their petals and stems withered or drooped over time.
For last-minute procrastinators, we found Teleflora to be a great place to turn. The Los Angeles-based retailer partners with local florists, cutting out the variables that come from shipping and delivering the arrangements straight to your recipient’s door. We also like that you can choose to add on extras like a stuffed animal, balloon or chocolates to any floral order.
Another option for last-minute flower shopping is 1-800-Flowers, which boasts a huge selection and same-day delivery to almost all areas. Its website is easy to navigate, although it does feel a bit more commercial than most competitors. Depending on your zip code, you can shop by occasion or price point, with options grouped by color or season for easier shopping.
If you’re shopping for a more unique bouquet, try Fresh Sends. The site walks you through a quiz that asks about the recipient’s personality and preferences to pair your choice of flowers with a relevant meaning from the company’s research on historical flower symbolism. Its bouquets are a little more expensive than most others we tested, but testers say they’re consistently large and gorgeous.
A more budget-friendly alternative is Proflowers, which offers a wide variety of flower options starting at less than $50. We particularly liked the tulips and daisies that appear in many of its bouquets. You can also select a bouquet that includes roses, lilies or plants for an additional $10.
Lastly, we love that you can sign up for a flower subscription with Proflowers to get an arrangement shipped to your recipient each week or bi-weekly. It’s a good option if you know your loved one’s favorite flower or if you want to keep them happy with fresh blooms all year long. However, it’s worth noting that you’ll have to pay the shipping fee on any added gifts (like a stuffed animal or a box of chocolates) as well as on the flowers themselves.
Finally, if you’re looking for a sustainable option, consider buying your bouquet from Terrain. This company focuses on eco-friendly flowers that are sourced from farms and sent overnight directly to your recipient’s door. The website is easy to navigate and features a wide selection, including houseplants, wreaths and fruit trees. You can also add on a gift card, chocolates or a plant starter kit. Send flowers online