What Flowers Are Good For Floating Candles?
Floating candles have risen in popularity in recent years for their beautiful and mesmerizing glow when floating in water. They are made of candles or wax that have been shaped and designed to float on top of water when lit. The candle and floral combination creates a tranquil ambience. When choosing flowers for floating candles, certain types work better than others. Factors like the flower’s sturdiness, size, and shape should be considered to complement the floating candle. This article will explore different flower options and which ones make the best pairings for floating candles.
Flower Considerations
When selecting flowers for floating candles, there are a few key factors to consider:
Flower size – Smaller flowers like baby’s breath or lavender buds tend to work better than large blooms, which can be top heavy and tip over the candles. Opt for flowers around 2 inches or less in diameter.
Flower structure and sturdiness – Delicate flowers like roses shed their petals easily, while heartier flowers like carnations and chrysanthemums hold up better. Look for flowers with sturdy stems and petals that won’t fall apart when floating in water.
How long flowers last – Hardier flower varieties like orchids and lilies tend to last 1-2 weeks while floating. More delicate flowers may only last 2-3 days. Consider flower longevity depending on the occasion.
Overall, smaller, sturdier blooms that can withstand some water exposure are best for floating candles. Focus on flowers that complement your candle holders in size and color.
Recommended Flowers
When choosing flowers for floating candles, there are several classic options that work beautifully.
Roses
Roses are one of the most popular choices for floating candles. Their large, elegant blooms provide beautiful pops of color on the water’s surface. Opt for fully opened roses so the petals can spread out around the candle. Roses come in every color, so you can easily match your decor.
Carnations
Ruffled carnations are another excellent flower for floating candles. Their ruffled texture catches the candlelight beautifully. Like roses, carnations come in a wide range of colors so you can find the perfect match. They tend to be more affordable than roses too.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, also known as mums, make a great flower choice for floating candles. Their large, full blooms provide great surface area around the candle. Chrysanthemums come in bold fall colors like burnt orange, burgundy, and yellow that complement floating candles nicely.
Orchids
Exotic orchids are a luxurious, eye-catching flower to use with floating candles. Their delicate blooms and long stems drape elegantly around the candles. Phalaenopsis orchids work especially well. Choose orchids in white, pastels, or vibrant colors.
Lilies
Lilies are a classic, elegant flower that pair beautifully with floating candles. Long-stemmed lilies like Calla lilies or Asiatic lilies allow their large blooms to float regally on the water’s surface. Go for white or pastel lilies for a relaxed, romantic look.
Roses
Roses are one of the most popular flowers to use in floating candles because they come in a wide variety of sizes, from miniature roses to large, full blooms. Their sturdy structure also makes roses a good choice for floating candle arrangements.
Miniature roses and spray roses work especially well in floating candles since their small size allows the roses to float evenly on the water’s surface. Larger roses can also be used if they are fully opened and have very sturdy stems.
When using roses in floating candles, expect them to last 1-2 weeks if cared for properly. Feed the water with floral preservatives to extend the vase life. Roses come in virtually every color, so they provide great options for coordinating with any event theme.
Carnations
Carnations are a budget-friendly option for floating candles. They are inexpensive compared to more exotic flowers, so they allow you to fill your floating candle vases without breaking the bank. Carnations are commonly available at most florists and grocery stores, so they are easy to find. You likely won’t have to special order them or go hunting around town to find them. The affordable price and wide availability make carnations a convenient go-to flower. Carnations also have a long vase life of up to 14 days when properly cared for. Their hardy nature will allow your floating candle flower arrangements to last over a week with the right care. The long-lasting flowers mean you can enjoy the ambiance and beauty of your floating candles without the flowers wilting prematurely.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are a popular choice for floating candles because of their wide variety of colors, long-lasting blooms, and sturdy petals. There are over 200 varieties of chrysanthemums to choose from, ranging from classic white to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, purples, and more. This diversity allows you to easily find a hue that complements your candle color and decor.
In addition to their color range, chrysanthemums are known for having exceptional longevity compared to many other flower types. With proper care and hydration, the blooms can last up to 3 weeks in a floating candle arrangement. Their sturdy, dense petals hold up well in water over time without wilting or shedding.
The chrysanthemum’s natural sturdiness makes them ideal for floating candles. Their firm, full blooms provide beautiful structure that sits nicely atop a candle’s surface. The flowers maintain their form throughout the candle’s burn time for a consistent decorative statement.
Orchids
Orchids are one of the most popular choices for floating candles due to their beautiful and exotic appearance. They have a wide diversity of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Orchids are known for having long-lasting blooms, often lasting 2-3 weeks or longer in the vase, which makes them an ideal choice for floating candles and centerpieces. The unique and delicate shape of orchid blooms also lends well to floating candle displays.
However, orchids do require some special maneuvering to use for floating candles. The stems of orchid blooms are thinner and more flexible than other flowers, so they require floral putty or tape to affix them onto the candle base. Their blooms are also a bit top-heavy, so using orchids may require some balancing tricks to keep the floating candle from tipping over. But the extra effort is worth it for the beautiful exotic look orchid floating candles can provide.
Lilies
A flower that immediately comes to mind when thinking of floating candles is the lily. Lilies are known for their large, showy blooms that can beautifully adorn floating candles. The big trumpet-shaped flowers provide fantastic visual interest and make lilies an eye-catching addition to any floating candle design.
While stunning, one consideration with lilies is that their blooms are quite heavy. Unlike roses or carnations which have sturdy, upright stems, lilies have flexible stems that don’t provide much support. The large flower heads will tend to droop or flop over in the water. To use lilies on floating candles, you’ll need to provide a support system to keep the blooms upright. Small floral tubes or pins can help give stability to keep the flowers positioned attractively above the waterline.
Another signature feature of lilies is their delightful fragrance. Many popular lily varieties like Asiatic, Oriental and stargazer lilies release beautiful floral scents. Adding these sweetly perfumed flowers to floating candles will infuse your event space with their lovely aromas. It creates a multi-sensory experience for guests to both see the stunning blooms and enjoy their lingering fragrances.
With their impressive size, supportive care needs and wonderful fragrance, lilies can be an exceptional choice to elevate any floating candle displays. Their big, showy blooms command attention while also treating guests to lovely scents.
Other Flower Options
In addition to the main flowers listed above, there are a few other varieties that can make beautiful floating candles:
Gerbera Daisies – With their wide, vibrant blooms available in a rainbow of colors, gerbera daisies are an eye-catching choice for floating candles. Their large flower heads help them float well. Go for single stem daisies to keep things simple.
Hydrangea – Lush hydrangea blooms work nicely submerged in water. Opt for small, compact mophead varieties which will float better than large ones. White and pale green hydrangeas look lovely illuminated by candlelight.
Sunflowers – The wide faces and sturdy stems of sunflowers make them ideal for floating candle vessels. Yellow and golden orange hues pair nicely with flickering flames. Go for smaller blooms for the best float.
Conclusion
This article has provided an overview of the best flowers to use with floating candles, including key considerations when selecting flowers and recommendations for roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, orchids, and lilies. When choosing flowers, it’s important to consider the vase shape, flower size, and flower sturdiness. Roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums are classic choices that look beautiful floating in candles. Orchids and lilies add an elegant, exotic touch.
When arranging your floating candle display, focus on creating height variation, using different flower colors, and mixing flower types. Cut stems at an angle and change the water daily to keep flowers fresh longer. Consider addinginteractive elements like flower petals or lights around the candles. Layer the candles and flowers for a fuller, more abundant look. With the right flowers and creative touches, floating candles make a gorgeous centerpiece for any occasion.
