Whether it’s a romantic notion, birthday, congratulations, thank you, a just-because, or condolence, the gift of flowers is a sure option to express the sentiment you’re looking to get across. They’re a small token of appreciation and love, destined to bring a smile to the recipient. For those who want to go beyond the traditional grocery store flowers, send a bouquet long distance, or simply delight a loved one with an unexpected arrival, flower delivery services make it easier than ever that you’re thinking of them.  Get ahead of the curve and order early for the best selection, choice of delivery dates, and to avoid extra delivery fees. However, most of the larger flower companies acknowledge there are many of us who are prone to wait to the last minute, so they offer last-minute options including next-day, overnight, and some, like 1-800 Flowers and FTD can accommodate same day, before 2 p.m.  We’ve rounded up the best flower delivery services that deliver near and far, and even internationally, and have highlighted a fresh bouquet design from each that struck a chord with us. Hopefully, one of these will do the same for you. 

The best flower delivery services

Floral behemoth 1-800-Flowers is one of the originals when it comes to floral delivery. They have one of the largest collections of rose bouquets that we’ve seen, starting at $34.99 for a classic dozen of long-stemmed roses, of which they delivered approximately 15 million roses during Valentine’s Day.  Beyond simply roses, you’ll discover hundreds of flower options, many of which are available for same- and next-day delivery. They often try to push the bar on what you can expect flowers to be with unique hand-dyed or gold-dipped roses, one-of-a-kind artisan bouquets from local florists, and their very own preserved rose collection.  Their tremendous catalog also includes a giftable section where you can add on anything from chocolate to candles, jewelry to home décor, and so much more, in connection with its sister companies, Harry and David, Personalization Mall, Simply Chocolate, and others. Shipping is not included in the price, and delivery on the days surrounding major events like Valentine’s Day may incur a surcharge. If you do join their annual Celebrations Passport rewards program, for an annual $20 fee, you’ll receive free shipping among other perks, which is definitely worth it if you order flowers more than once a year.  Pictured: Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope Roses (opens in new tab), featuring white Mondial roses are individually color-enhanced with a kiss of red and ruscus | $64.99-$114.99 Bouqs partners with farmers who use sustainable growing practices like minimizing waste and recycling water, and highlight the origin story or farm where your selected flowers come from. Out of the hundreds of gorgeous arrangements, you can customize the size according to your budget, with original, deluxe, or grand arrangements, choose a vase, and select the desired delivery day.  Bouqs offers special discounts with subscription orders as well as next-day and same-day options and one-click roses if you’re in a bind. Many of the bouquets (especially next-day and same-day orders) are actually arranged by local florists too. Pictured: Storybook Romance (opens in new tab), featuring Antique hydrangea supported by roses, alstroemeria, mini carnations, and grevillea| $49-$89 For modern designs that you can’t just pick at your supermarket, UrbanStems is our go-to, with hundreds of spectacular arrangements that come with that certain wow factor, picked fresh from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.  Due to their highly curated and crafted approach, custom bouquets are not offered, but we feel that there is no shortage of fresh flowers, dried flowers (peep the adorable Bianca (opens in new tab)), and plants to entertain and delight. Though, as flowers are in rotating supply, some have limited availability and can sell out on your desired delivery date. If you’re in NYC or DC, you can even find same-day delivery, while those elsewhere in the US can opt for overnight shipping if in a rush, or schedule deliveries up to four weeks in advance. Free shipping is available on orders over $95, otherwise shipping and delivery cost $15.  Vases are typically sold separately, though arrangements over $100 tend to come with a coordinating vase, and the listing makes it very clear whether it comes with a vase or not. Before checkout, UrbanStems recommends a series of goodies, like Sugarfina candy, Apotheke candles, and other gifts.  Pictured: The Love Spell (opens in new tab), featuring Roses, Mini Calla Lilies, Lisianthus, Ranunculus, Snapdragons, Solomio Bono, Delphinium, Eryngium, Sweet William, Veronica, Ruscus in a 4.50" x 9" Lightly Speckled Ceramic Vase|$160 FTD, short for Florists’ Transworld Delivery, has over 110 years of floral experience, from a collective of 10 florists looking to expand flower delivery to an extensive network made up of thousands of local and international florists to bring flower delivery to far-reaching places. And, if you’ve waited to the last minute to order your delivery, FTD will be able to accommodate with tons of same-day and next-day options.  In order to see the flowers available for delivery, you must first select the delivery zip code and anticipated arrival date. In addition to searching via next-day or same-day delivery, FTD also offers categories like flowers delivered in a gift box, by hand, or with a vase.  Pictured: Grand Gesture Bouquet (opens in new tab), featuring peach gerbera daisies, pink roses, hot pink waxflower, white lisianthus, and pink snapdragons | $145-$175 The Teleflora difference is that the company partners with local florists to personally craft and deliver your flowers. While the site does not offer the ability to browse by florist, at checkout you can select, if desired, to a specific florist.  In addition to some really gorgeous arrangements, they also showcase some equally special vases. That said, the availability of some flowers or vases may differ slightly from the photos, but we trust that everything will turn out. After all, Teleflora is backed by over 80 years of floral history.  Teleflora recommends that you place your orders at least five days in advance before major holidays and notes that a service fee is applied to all flower and plant orders, which is typically around $20 but can cost more if you’re particular around a certain time of day or during peak holidays.  At checkout, you have the option to work with a particular florist or let Teleflora select that option for you.   Pictured: Wild Romance Bouquet (opens in new tab) featuring pink spray roses, pink alstroemeria, miniature hot pink carnations, seeded eucalyptus, parvifolia eucalyptus, leatherleaf fern and lemon leaf.| $59.99-$79.99 H.Bloom is a luxury flower brand that in addition to hand-delivered flowers, the company frequently works with hotels, restaurants, offices, residential and commercial buildings, salons, spas, retailers, event spaces, and private clients for premium, arrangements. H.Bloom only uses premium flowers, and even welcomes requests for custom arrangements, though their curated selection is truly eye-catching.   No matter where you live, H.Bloom connects with local florists and couriers to offer fresh hand delivery. The bouquets arrive readily assembled in a vase, and you have the option to add a personalized gift message, and optional gift, like Olivia macarons. The company typically charges a flat delivery fee rate of $15 on every arrangement. Pictured: Pink Berry (opens in new tab), pink roses, seasonal berries, and light green or white hydrangea | $90 After a bargain, For You Flowers offers some of the best prices around, with a good assortment of flowers under $40. Many of these prices even include delivery, but note, that’s not for Valentine’s Day deliveries which could see a surcharge between $3 and $10 depending on delivery date. They also offer a sale section, though those options might not be the most romantic.  Take a look around the website for the best deals, for instance, arrangements marked strictly Valentine’s Day tend to be slightly more expensive. If you’re in a rush, same-day delivery is an option, or if you want to send flowers to someone outside of the U.S., From You Flowers has partners all over the world they can work with.  Pictured: Blissfully Your Valentine Arrangement (opens in new tab) featuring Red Roses, Pink Alstroemeria, Red Carnations, and Pink Waxflower in a red vase|$39.99 Plants can definitely be romantic, and when taken care of properly, well, they can last for a long time. Bloomscape offers a gorgeous assortment of houseplant basics, like your pothos, fiddle leaf fig, or snake plants to unique, show-stopping introductions like a vining Hoya Heart plant, or a purple Tradescantia Nanouk.   If you know your recipient to be a plant parent at heart, well adding to her collection is definitely the way to go. Orders over $75 get free shipping, while plants under that price threshold are subject to a $10 shipping fee. Choose early if you want to arrive by Mother’s Day as Bloomscape has earlier shipping cut-offs. Plants arrive well-packaged and insulated, particularly important for temperature-sensitive ones. Pictured: Tradescantia Nanouk (opens in new tab) | $79 The saying used to be that diamonds are forever, but Venus ET Fleur has proved us differently. Their signature Eternity roses come in varying bouquets of all sizes across 26 vivid colors. Using real Ecuadorian roses, their unique preservation process transforms the blooms into long-lasting roses that are capable of maintaining their freshness and biological structure for more than a year when properly maintained. The flowers are designed to stay in the packaging that they arrive in, and should not be watered.  Pictured: Small Round Blush Suede with Blush Roses, $359 (opens in new tab) For those who want to perpetually gift or bring flowers to their home on a regular basis, Bloomsybox offers three tiers of subscriptions based on the number of stems starting at $45.99 a month, and offer free shipping every time! Weekly and bi-weekly subscriptions are also available for those who never want to be without fresh blooms in their space.  Bloomsybox promises a fresh, unique bouquet each month with a strict research-based schedule so you will never receive the same bouquet, twice. Flowers are shipped directly from partner farms in bud form and may take 2 or three days to fully bloom.  For those who need a bouquet for a single occasion, the offerings are also just as affordable as their monthly subscriptions, topping out at $70, but Bloomsybox does have a smaller selection of bouquets than some other companies.  Pictured: Pastel Daydream (opens in new tab), featuring pale peach and pink gerbera, light pink roses, eucalyptus and purple mini calla lilies| $49.99

What to consider when choosing a flower delivery service?

Shop early ‘We always encourage customers to shop early for the best selection and we are already seeing a large number of orders coming in for Valentine’s Day,’ said 1-800 Flowers’ Vice President of Merchandising, Alfred Palomares. ‘Those who order before January 31 will get the best offers and biggest selection for their loved ones.’  Flower types Roses are the most popular flower ordered for Valentine’s Day, according to 1-800 Flowers’ Palomares, who also explained that the rose colors have different meanings and symbols. 

  • Red: I love you - Pink: I appreciate you - Purple: I always knew you were the one - Hot Pink: I’m grateful you’re in my life Other popular flowers for the holiday include lilies, tulips, Gerbera daisies, and orchids. ‘These blooms are great if your Valentine prefers something a bit less traditional and are also great options for other loved ones in your life, such as friends and family,’ said Palomares.  Honor modifications Remember, flowers are living and thus, can be unpredictable, meaning they might not always look identical to the photo, but they should look pretty close.  Sometimes florists may swap out varying flowers or vases according to availability, or if the existing stock just isn’t up to their standards. Go with the flow… these flowers will turn out gorgeous.  Delivery dates and windows Some companies can deliver seven days a week, while others during weekdays only, or rely on third-party shipping companies. If you’re keen on a specific day, you’ll want to check the dates available for delivery before you fall in love with a particular arrangement.