What’s Really in Those Flowers?
When you bring home a beautiful bouquet, you could also be bringing home a cocktail of toxic chemicals. A groundbreaking 2017 study revealed that imported flowers can contain up to 111 different substances, including herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, with 90% of samples testing positive. This discovery is enough to make every flower lover reconsider their purchasing choices. But here’s the good news: natural, locally grown flowers are out there — and finding them is easier than you think.
While around 80% of flowers sold in the US are imported, your bouquet doesn’t need a passport to be beautiful, fresh, and safe. Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) currently has 473 farmers certified for growing flowers and produce. CNG ensures no synthetic chemicals have ever been used in the growth of produce or flowers.
Flowers Bypass Food Safety Rules
Because flowers aren’t considered food, the USDA doesn’t regulate them the same way — which means a lot more chemicals can be used, and without the protections you might expect. Even though we don’t eat our bouquets, they can still be harmful. Flowers don’t have withholding periods, which is the mandated time between chemical treatment and harvest. This means flowers can be treated with hazardous chemicals right up until they’re cut and shipped, leaving consumers vulnerable to exposure to these substances. In addition, flowers don’t have maximum level residues, which means the amount of chemicals used isn’t regulated, and could be beyond what is considered safe.
What makes this even more alarming? We don’t just look at flowers — we touch them, breathe them in, bring them into our homes. Often for days. Often around kids and pets. But let’s get back to the good news!
At Certified Naturally Grown—Our Standards Extend to Flowers
If it’s Certified Naturally Grown, it doesn’t matter if it’s a potato or a peony — our rules and standards are identical for both edible and ornamental crops. This means you can enjoy flowers that are as safe as they are stunning, suitable for smelling and arranging, wrapped in peace of mind.
CNG Flowers Are Safe For You AND the Pollinators
Flowers treated with synthetic chemicals poison the very bees and butterflies that feed on their nectar and pollen. Pollinators like bees are essential for growing the fruits and vegetables we depend on.
Less Shipping. More Freshness.
Local flowers are dramatically fresher than their imported counterparts. While imported blooms may travel thousands of miles and sit in cold storage for days or weeks, local flowers often go from farm to vase within hours or days. Shorter distances mean local flowers need less packaging, less refrigeration, and less impact to reach you. These details translate to a much longer vase life and more time to enjoy them!
Seasonal Beauty That Reflects Your Region
Local flowers offer a bonus: a direct connection to your local region and seasons. Spring tulips, summer sunflowers, autumn dahlias — local florals tell the story of your area’s seasonal rhythm.
Economic Impact: Flowers That Keep Your Community Growing
A bouquet grown nearby brings beauty to your table — and meaningful support to your local economy. Behind every purchase is a network of growers, workers, and neighbors you’re helping to support. Choosing locally grown flowers means more money stays in your farmer’s pocket and circulates within your community, rather than flowing to large international corporations.
Make the Switch — Here’s How:
- Visit your local farmer’s market — be sure to ask how the flowers are grown!
- Use our Farm Directory to locate a Certified Naturally Grown farm near you, where you can be sure your flowers are safe and gorgeous.
- Connect with local flower growers through CSA subscriptions — regular deliveries of farm-fresh blooms that celebrate the seasons and support your neighboring farmers. Blue Ridge Flower Exchange is a prime example.
- For Farmers: learn How to Have the Conversation That Will Change Perceptions Around Local Flowers
- Additional stats on flower imports from The Bootstrap Farmer Instagram
- Special thanks and photo credits to:
- Age Old Agriculture is a 1.5 acre female owned and operated farm located in Cotter, Arkansas. Founded in 2017, their goal is to provide Certified Naturally Grown produce and flowers to their community. They currently sell at the Mountain Home Farmers’ Markets, local grocery stores, florists, and their on-farm stand.
- Bell Urban Farm is a Certified Naturally Grown flower and plant farm in Conway, Arkansas. They sell at their on-farm grocery store called The Farmstand and boast fresh flowers from March-October.
Are You a Farmer Committed to Using Natural Practices and Curious to Learn More About Certification?
Click here to read more about becoming Certified Naturally Grown and click here to schedule a call!
