Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Florist
What florists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a florist?
Receive a flower shipment and process stems. From there, the day usually includes process and care for fresh flowers, design bouquets and arrangements, and consult with clients on events. Hours include early mornings, weekends and long days around holidays and weddings.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a florist working full time.
- Receive a flower shipment and process stems.
- Design arrangements for today’s orders.
- Consult with a bride about wedding flowers.
- Create a sympathy spray for a funeral.
- Prepare centerpieces for an event.
- Load the van for deliveries.
- Clean the cooler and plan orders.
Where florists work
Florists work in shops, coolers, studios and event venues, standing and lifting buckets.
Hours and schedule
Hours include early mornings, weekends and long days around holidays and weddings.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Process and care for fresh flowers
- Design bouquets and arrangements
- Consult with clients on events
- Take orders and handle sales
- Create sympathy and holiday arrangements
- Set up event flowers
- Manage inventory and orders
Tools you’ll use every day
- Floral knives and shears
- Floral foam and frogs
- Vases and containers
- Ribbon and wire
- Coolers
- POS and order systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Creative, beautiful work
- Part of happy and meaningful moments
- Learn on the job
- Own a shop
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Holiday rushes
- Modest pay
- Standing and lifting
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love flowers
- I’m creative
- I like working with my hands
- I enjoy helping customers
- I don’t mind holiday rushes
- I might want my own shop
Not sure? Take the free Florist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use knives and shears safely
- Lift buckets with proper technique
- Watch for allergies and toxic plants
- Drive safely on deliveries