The Least Expensive Flowers

Flowers may seem like a luxury, but they can be an affordable. Whether you are planning a wedding or other event, purchasing a bouquet for a friend, or just hoping to treat yourself to some pretty blooms, it is possible to save money on flowers by knowing which types tend to be the least expensive. The following list will describe some of the most affordable flowers—those that bring happiness without breaking the bank.

With their dense, ruffly petals, sweet and spicy scent, and long stems, carnations are an affordable choice. They come in a wide assortment of colors and are long lasting in cut-flower arrangements. A bouquet of only carnations, clustered closely together with no filler and very few greens, will look lush, modern and lovely for many days.

Chrysanthemums are available in a many colors and styles, from yellow-centered, white, daisy-like blooms to the bright green buttons known as "Kermit mums." In addition to being inexpensive, chrysanthemums offer you plenty of bang for your buck, because each stem contains from four to eight blooms.

Stock, or Matthiola, has an intoxicating scent, which is wonderful because most fragrant flowers tend to be costly. Although the stems are fairly short, it still has a long, lean shape, with densely clustered blooms covering the top portion of each stem. Stock comes in different colors, including white, buttercream and purple.

Like a chrysanthemum, each stem of alstroemeria (or Peruvian lilly) contains several blooms, giving you a lot of visual impact for a small amount of money. The alstroemeria’s long, elegant stem branches out into several shorter stems, each of which has its own bloom. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, orange, yellow, and red. Each bloom on an alstroemeria contains a few colors within it, such as dark pink, light pink, and gold.

Larkspur is tall, narrow, and delicate, with a wildflower-like appearance. It lends a slightly rustic, country effect to any bouquet, and looks impressive on its own. Deep purple, lavender, and white are the most common larkspur colors. For an impressive visual impact, leave the stems long.

Cut flowers are typically priced by the stem. Some retailers and florists, however, offer pre-wrapped bunches of flowers as well as individually priced stems. The pre-wrapped bunches are often priced fairly low and can be an economical choice. Typically, you will get more blooms for your money if you buy a prepared bunch. Make sure all the flowers included in the bunch are fresh and healthy.

Flowers that are available at most floral shops all year round, like all of the ones mentioned here, are generally less expensive than those that come in and out of season. Because they are so abundant, they don’t cost as much.