How to Make Grocery Store Flowers Look Expensive!

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Crafts/DIY

Use these easy tips to achieve a more professional look from grocery store flowers.  

woman holding flowers at grocery store

Save money by arranging your own flower bouquets at home!

Gifting flowers doesn’t have to break the bank. Thanks to local grocers and stores like Trader Joe’s and Costco, picking up fresh flowers can be affordable. Creating your own bouquets can be a great way to stretch a dollar, plus I think it’s a fun activity!

arranging flowers in a vase

A bouquet of pretty flowers makes me HAPPY!

Fresh flowers are such a thoughtful way to brighten someone’s day and make them feel special. They’re a fantastic gift for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and pretty much any holiday or occasion. I also love to grab grocery store flowers and make DIY arrangements to spruce up my own home.

where to buy cheap flowers

Not all grocery stores have cheap flowers. I typically seek out Trader Joe’s if I am buying them, but my location is further away. On this day I made some bouquets using 24 roses at Costco for under $19 and some mixed flowers from my local Kroger store!

Where to Buy Cheap Flowers:

woman arranging flowers

Turns out it’s actually pretty easy to elevate grocery store flowers into a more professional arrangement. Whether you’re giving them away or keeping them for yourself, here are a few simple tips! 


1. Opt for hearty longer lasting flowers.

grocery store roses from costco

Having a fresh bouquet die right away is such a bummer. Be sure to pick flowers with thicker hearty stems that aren’t browned or turning mushy. Keep in mind the flowers that will last the longest such as roses, carnations, orchids, alstroemeria, and lilies.


2. Create a base with greenery.

bouquets of fresh eucalyptus

Grab a mixed bouquet of greenery to go along with your flowers. My favorites to include are a couple of varieties of eucalyptus. This will level up your bouquet to bougie status, and greenery is inexpensive. Place them first in your vase and then build your arrangement from there.


3.) Pick a pretty vase or vessel for your arrangement.

vases for flowers

When gifting flowers, I love to gift a vase along with a bouquet. Using a flower vase with a standard 4-inch opening is ideal. Any larger than that, and it will take a ton of flowers to fill.

I keep a collection of expensive vases from stores like TjMaxx. The thrift store is a great place to score a cheap vase, or use a ceramic pitcher as another idea. I also love repurposing large jars and empty candle containers for flowers!


4. Prep your flowers before arranging them.

cutting stems of flowers

Snip the bottom leaves that will be below the water line from each stem. This will prevent bacteria growth in the water and help flowers last longer. Also cut the ends of each stem at an angle so the flowers can suck up water easily, in turn lasting longer.


5. Open the roses to achieve that high-end florist look.

opening roses

Typical grocery store roses are usually super tight. For a more upscale romantic look consider opening your roses a bit. This process is called reflexing roses, according to Food52.com, and it’s super easy. You basically start from the outside of the rose and gently pull each petal open.


6. Stagger your stems.

staggering length of flowers

Instead of taking grocery store flowers and just inserting into a vase, try cutting the stems one at a time to varying heights, and arrange. Some find it helpful to arrange them flat on the counter first. I just snip as I go and try to create some balance when arranging.

Start with a base of greenery, add some larger focal flowers, then some smaller filler flowers.


7. Have fun and create your own rules.

woman holding a vase with flowers

Creating bouquets is honestly a super fun way to be creative and arrange how you’d like. Trust your instinct on what color flowers to pair together and placement. Let that creativity flow and enjoy!


two vases with grocery store flowers inside

I love my styled grocery store bouquets!

It’s amazing how much a few fresh flowers can really brighten up a space and create a whole new vibe. These would totally make an arrangement to give away as a gift. I spend about $40 in grocery store flowers for two large arrangements and that is much less than buying from a florist!

If you have any grocery store flower tips please be sure to share them in the comments! 


Here are our best sympathy gifts anyone would LOVE.


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 31

  1. Jodi P

    I’m a retired florist, you did a great job!
    One suggestion I have is when the outside petals of roses start looking too brown and tired, don’t be afraid to pluck them off.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh yay! Thanks Jodi! Great tip about the roses, thanks!

  2. Abby Holmes

    Wow, your bouquets are lovely. Great post!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh thanks so much Abby!

  3. Sarah

    Lina, your posts are always my fav! Thank you!!!! I was just trying to figure out a hostess gift for a dinner tonight and this was just the inspiration I needed. 🥰

    • Cheryl

      I totally agree! I LOVE Lina’s posts too! I usually save most of them 😉

      • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

        Aw thanks Cheryl! ❤️

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh yay! That is so fun! Thanks so much for your kind words ❤️

  4. Chantel

    Beautiful! This would be a great way to make some nice gifts around holidays too. Making several arrangements for teachers’ gifts or friends at Mother’s Day would be very affordable if you pick up vases from a thrift store or at Dollar Tree. I feel silly for passing those flowers at Costco and never thinking about arranging them myself.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh great idea! Thanks Chantel!

  5. Gina B

    I always love reading Lina’s posts too! Thanks for this helpful flower post! I was just trying to figure out the past few days how to give someone a thank you gift, and wanted to give them flowers, but wasn’t sure I could afford the cost. I probably can if I follow your tips! Thanks!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh yay, glad you found this helpful and fun!

  6. Beth

    I have no creative ability, but I have recently started buying vases or other things to use as vases when they are cute and I can get them for $1 or less. I don’t have a big budget, but like to brighten people’s days. So I’ve been buying inexpensive flower arrangements from the grocery store and putting them in a vase and gifting them. It’s not a big or expensive gift but something that brightens a day and I find most people don’t splurge on flowers for themselves so it’s just fun. I’ve thought of teachers, neighbors, family, and friends with this idea and it’s always appreciated.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yes love this!! So true. Thanks Beth.

  7. Margaret

    What a GORGEOUS arrangement. I love the step-by-step instructions.

    Thanks for these helpful tips, Lina! “Bougie status” cracked me up.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Lol thanks Margaret! ❤️

  8. Sara W

    I love these tips!!! Thank you!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh good thanks Sara!

  9. 5pink1blue

    You have a really good eye for color and design. Thank you for sharing this DIY.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh thank you!! ❤️

  10. Beverly

    Thanks for the tips! I’ll be using these the next time I get an Aldi bouquet.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh great idea!

  11. themayofamily

    You could always get a tall stainless steal wide mouth travel cup and arrange them in there and then they would have a mug to use after the flowers die.

    • Beverly

      I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh fun! Thanks for sharing ❤️

  12. Liz

    Great ideas! Our Costco’s flowers are not great, but our local Safeway has awesome, inexpensive flowers!!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh nice! Thanks for the suggestion Liz!

  13. lindalattimer

    I always buy supermarket flowers! This year my son gifted me a gift card to Publix for the sole purpose of buying fresh flowers. Currently enjoying a gorgeous bouquet of daisies, mums, and alstroemeria.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      What a great son!! ❤️

  14. Shelly

    Any tips on what to add to the water to make them last longer? Is the little packet that normally comes with flowers good to use or do you have another suggestion.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Hi Shelly! I do use the packets and add cool water. I checked online and tips are kinda scattered all over the place depending on the type of flower. If any other readers have specific tips let us know! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?