Christmas flowers: a florist's stocking guide
Before Christmas (Worldwide), pine, holly, heavenly bamboo (nandina) wholesale prices typically run 1.2–1.6× normal; stock up about 30 days ahead. Dates and order-by dates for 2026–2028.
- Market
- Worldwide
- Flowers affected
- Pine, Holly, Heavenly bamboo (nandina)
- Typical price
- 1.2–1.6× normal wholesale
- Stock up
- 30 days ahead
Dates and order-by dates
| Year | Date | Start stocking by |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026-12-25 | 2026-11-25 |
| 2027 | 2027-12-25 | 2027-11-25 |
| 2028 | 2028-12-25 | 2028-11-25 |
For florists
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Try it as a design — freeHow people buy for it
Evergreens, holly and berries go into wreaths, garlands and table pieces in red, green, white and gold. Wreath-making starts in late November for Advent, so greens are needed well before the day itself.
The flowers that surge
| Flower | Role | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine | Branch | 14–30 days | Year-round | Light | — |
| Holly | Branch | 14–30 days | Winter | None | mildly toxic |
| Heavenly bamboo (nandina) | Accent / texture | 14–30 days | Autumn, Winter | None | mildly toxic |
What the surge does to material cost
If the affected flowers make up the share of a design's material cost shown below, a 1.2–1.6× surge raises the whole design's material cost by:
| Affected flowers as share of material cost | At 1.2× | At 1.6× |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | +8% | +24% |
| 60% | +12% | +36% |
| 80% | +16% | +48% |
Alternatives that are not priced up
Flowers with the same role that are available at this time of year and not on this holiday's surge list — the basis for a "holiday-proof" option:
FAQ
When is Christmas in 2026, 2027, 2028?
2026: 2026-12-25; 2027: 2027-12-25; 2028: 2028-12-25 (Worldwide).
Which flowers get more expensive before Christmas, and by how much?
Pine, Holly, Heavenly bamboo (nandina) wholesale prices typically run 1.2–1.6× normal.
How far ahead should florists stock up for Christmas?
About 30 days ahead — around 2026-11-25 for 2026 — and quote at holiday prices.
What can florists offer instead of the flowers that surge before Christmas?
Instead of pine: juniper & arborvitae, bamboo, curly willow, photinia; Instead of holly: bamboo, red-twig dogwood, curly willow, photinia; Instead of heavenly bamboo (nandina): leucadendron, winterberry, firethorn (pyracantha), banksia.