When Should I Use Wet or Dry Floral Foam?

In the previous article we learnt how wet floral foam can be used for fresh flower arrangements and included a step-by-step guide on how to soak the foam correctly. You can also watch our video on how to soak floral foam. This article will help you determine which floral foam to use in your arrangement. Essentially, it will depend on the type of flowers used; fresh, artificial or dried flowers.

Origins of Floral Foam

In 1954 a gentleman named V.L. Smithers pioneered the water-absorbing foam for florists and changed the floral industry. His company Oasis® Floral Products remains the leading global manufacturer and supplier of floral foam today. Floral foam, whether wet or dry allows the floral designer to create beautiful arrangements that will hold and stay fresh and vibrant with it’s steady supply of water. Wet floral foam needs to be saturated in water prior to use where as dry floral foam can be used without water.

Using Wet Floral Foam for Fresh Floral Arrangements

Wet floral foam is designed to hold water for lengthy periods of time which makes it the ideal floral foam choice when working with fresh flowers. Start with either a pre-made shape or one you’ve cut yourself. After fully saturating the floral foam in water, (see the guide on how to soak floral foam) it can be placed in any type of waterproof container to your liking or used just the way it is after which you can start adorning it with fresh flowers. The fresh flowers will remain hydrated between seven to 10 days. Continue to add water to the container once daily so that the foam is kept wet.

Using Dry Floral Styrofoam for Silk Floral Arrangements

Dry floral foam bricks (also known as floral styrofoam) are easy to cut and work with in the same way as wet floral foam except you do not need to soak them in water. They are mainly used for plastic plants, fake plants and artificial flower arrangements.

The dense and compact nature of the dry floral foam can also accommodate small and large artificial plants and artificial flowers with a stem that has been fitted with a sharp metal spike or florist wire and then dipped in hot glue before being pierced into position. The added weight of dry floral foam also ensures that the plastic plants and floral arrangement will hold it’s shape. There are many shapes and sizes to choose from and they usually come in either green or white.

Remember, you can also use floral styrofoam wreaths and shapes for dried flowers and artificial flower arrangements as an alternative to dry floral foam bricks.

Floral styrofoam’s robust design makes it the best fit for silk, dried and fake flower arrangements as the foam is denser and heavier and more unlikely to crumble. Typically, floral foam is found in a variety of shapes such as wreaths and crosses or spheres and cones. They are also used extensively in craft projects.

Using the right floral foam for different arrangements will ensure flowers and plastic plants will be kept secure and remain beautiful for as long as possible. Depending on whether you have small or large artificial plants and flowers will also determine how much floral foam you need.

General tips for handling floral foam:
– Store in dry and cool place, avoid direct sunlight.
– Clean hands after handling foam.
– Do not inhale dust.
– Do not swallow foam.
– Store in low area to avoid eye contact.

General tips for styling with floral foam:

Try using floral foam to create an artificial plant wall! A fake plant wall is a great home decor and outdoor garden feature. They are also ideal for photo backdrops as events! To create an artificial plant wall using floral foam simply secure your foam on to a panel of mesh (by inserting the pieces of floral foam through the openings. Then take your artificial plants and place poke the stems through the foam, arranging them how you like! Before you know it, you’ll have yourself a portable fake plant wall for every occasion.

For more information on how to use floral foam and answers to commonly asked questions, please read our other Blog article: The Benefits of Floral Foam.

You can also shop our entire range of plastic plants, large artificial plants and artificial flowers online at Koch & Co.

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