The Best Flower Delivery Services

There’s a reason why a timeless, beautiful bouquet of flowers never fails to be a great go-to gift, whether you’re celebrating a holiday like Mother's Day, marking a milestone (think: an anniversary, a new home, or a big birthday), or just letting someone know you’re thinking of them. Fresh flowers just have the magical ability to instantly brighten a mood (even science says so!), plus they’re an easy and convenient gift if you can order your arrangement online. That is, of course, assuming your blooms arrive looking wow-worthy, rather than wilted. (Yes, we’ve all received a photo of our gift...only to realize the flowers don’t look anything like the peonies we picked out.)

After weeding out the duds, we curated a list of the best flower delivery services that’ll ship the most gorgeous blossoms right to your loved one’s door. Some sites, like Urban Stems, specialize in rustic, fresh-from-the-farm arrangements, while other places—such as 1-800 Flowers—ensure same-day arrival, which is ideal for any last-minute shoppers. And some, like FTD, ProFlowers, and Costco offer a variety of slightly cheaper options (think: $50 and under) that’ll be equally stunning. There’s even a relatively new service, Bouquet Box, which is perfect for any DIY devotees.

Ahead, we have rounded up the best places to order flowers online—all of which are sure to delight and dazzle your friends and family members. When all else fails, say it with flowers.

Tips for buying flowers online

To ensure your recipient ends up with the best arrangement possible, heed this expert advice:

• Shop in-season: Choose bouquets that contains seasonal blooms, because they're more likely to arrive fresh.
• Opt for flowers in bud form: They may look a bit sparse when they first arrive, but flowers that come in bud form (like those from The Bouqs Co.) will ultimately last longer than stems that have already flowered.
• Trim them and put them right into water upon arrival: When the bouquet arrives, trim about half-inch from each stem. Then, place flowers right into room temperature water. Proper care will keep your flowers looking fresh for longer.
• Use the food packets: If your blooms come with a food packet, make sure to put that into the water, following package directions.
• Re-trim and change the water every two to three days: This helps prevent bacterial growth that can cause premature spoilage. Plus, trimming the flowers ensures they're soaking up enough water to stay hydrated.

How we picked and tested online flower delivery services

To help you weed through all of the different options out there, our team of experts took a hard look at the most highly rated offerings. We analyzed every aspect of each, from start to finish, considering the following attributes:

• Selection: Is there a wide range of both flowers and plants available to choose from? Are there both bouquets and potted options? Are recurring subscriptions available?
• Ordering process: How intuitive is the ordering process? Are costs clear right from the start?
• Arrival times: Are last-minute options available? How long are blooms en route and, therefore, out of water?
• Overall quality: How do the flowers look when they arrive? Are any wilted? Is the bouquet or plant sizable? Do they look like they did in the picture?
• Value: Given all of the above, do the blooms delivered offer good overall value?

Who has the best flower selection?

There are so many services that offer a wide range of choices based on your budget and personal preferences. Overall, though, our testers found that The Bouqs Co. and Urban Stems offered the best flower options and value. Both of these companies have a fantastic selection and, across the board, in-person arrangements were just as impressive as any of the options pictured online.

Which flower delivery service is cheapest?

If you're looking for budget-friendly blooms, our testers recommend ProFlowers. The retailer has a generous selection of flowers, including an entire section devoted to choices under $50. They also have many options that can be planted in the garden after you enjoy the bouquet, which instantly adds to the overall value of the product. Our testers also found Costco to be the best service for overall value, especially for Costco members. Non-members pay a small 5% surcharge on orders, but either way, it's a wallet-friendly offering for everything from bouquets and bulk flowers to vase arrangements and roses.

How can I save money on flower delivery?

Flowers can be very expensive, but there are plenty of ways to save on delivery. Some retailers, like ProFlowers, have sections devoted to arrangements under a certain price threshold. And even if your chosen retailer doesn't offer this, we recommend filtering by price while shopping, to show the less expensive options first. Also look for retailers that offer free shipping. GlobalRose and The Sill both offer this perk, while others like FTD grant free shipping to members of their rewards program.