OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam Review: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
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As sustainability continues to influence the floral industry, florists are increasingly looking for ways to reduce environmental impact while still meeting the practical demands of commercial floral design. One of the newest developments in this space is OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam.
Before diving in, it's important to understand what OASIS® Renewal™ is — and what it isn't. While it has been developed using plant-based renewable materials and is designed to be a more sustainable option than traditional floral foam, it is not compostable and not biodegradable. Florists looking for a fully compostable floral mechanic may wish to explore alternatives such as floral wool, chicken wire, AgraWool, or reusable support systems.
Instead, OASIS® Renewal™ is best viewed as an evolution of traditional floral foam, offering a reduced reliance on fossil-fuel-derived materials while maintaining the performance characteristics that many florists require for commercial floral design.
However, as with any new product, many florists are asking the same question:
Is OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam worth the extra cost?
The answer largely depends on your business, your design style, and what you expect from floral foam. To provide a balanced perspective, we've included feedback from florists who have used the product in real-world floral design applications.
What Is OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam?
OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam is a newer floral foam developed by Smithers-Oasis. It has been designed to incorporate plant-based renewable materials while still functioning as a professional floral mechanic for fresh flower arrangements, event work, sympathy designs, and large-scale installations.
Unlike traditional green floral foam, Renewal™ features a very dark colour that many users describe as charcoal or nearly black.
The sustainability conversation around floral foam is often nuanced. Many florists continue to explore foam-free techniques where practical, while recognising that some commercial applications still benefit from floral foam's speed, consistency, and structural support.
Rather than presenting itself as a fully biodegradable or compostable solution, OASIS® Renewal™ positions itself as a step towards incorporating more renewable materials into a product category that many florists still rely on for certain designs.
One of the Most Talked-About Features: The Colour
Interestingly, one of the most commonly mentioned benefits has nothing to do with sustainability.
Several florists noted that the darker colour makes the foam significantly less visible within arrangements.
A florist on Reddit, theseusernamez, commented:
"I thought I wouldn't like the black but actually found it way less noticeable than the standard green."
Another florist, Bleh10290, shared a similar experience:
"I do like that it's not noticeable. It's super dark. It's almost black."
For arrangements where mechanics may be visible through stems, branches, or open floral designs, the darker colour can be an unexpected advantage.
How Does It Perform?
The biggest concern for most florists is performance. Sustainability is important, but not if it compromises the structural integrity of an arrangement.
Feedback suggests that OASIS® Renewal™ performs similarly to traditional floral foam, although many users note that it feels somewhat softer.
Leopoldo Gomez Design shared on Facebook:
"Great holding water, a little softer than the traditional but with the right techniques you definitely can use it for big works and heavy flowers."
Similarly, florist and educator Flower Joos reported positive results on a YouTube video when working with larger materials:
"This foam has acted really well as a support for larger materials."
This is encouraging for event florists and designers who regularly work with heavier stems, branches, and structural materials.
Is OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam Softer Than Traditional Floral Foam?
Some users have noticed that the foam can feel slightly more delicate than traditional green floral foam.
Reddit user theseusernamez described it as:
"A little more delicate/breaky."
This doesn't necessarily mean it is unsuitable for professional work. Instead, it may require slightly more care during handling and stem placement, particularly for florists who are accustomed to the firmness of traditional floral foam.
Several users who initially noticed the softer texture also reported successful results in large-scale designs once they adjusted their technique.
It's worth noting that a softer feel doesn't automatically translate to poorer performance. As several florists have reported, the foam still provides reliable support for larger flowers and structural materials when used with appropriate floristry techniques.
A More Sustainable Option, Not a Perfect Solution
For many florists, the primary reason for considering OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam is sustainability.
However, it's important to approach the product with realistic expectations. OASIS® Renewal™ is not biodegradable and not compostable, so it isn't a complete replacement for foam-free mechanics such as chicken wire, AgraWool, floral wool, or reusable support systems.
Instead, it represents a step towards incorporating more renewable materials into a product category that many florists still rely on for certain applications.
This distinction is important because, while foam-free techniques continue to gain popularity, there are situations where floral foam remains the most practical solution. Large event installations, sympathy work, and high-volume production often require the speed, consistency, water retention, and structural support that floral foam provides.
Reddit user Bleh10290 explained:
"Sometimes, unfortunately, I do need to use foam and I feel a little better grabbing this one over the regular green one."
This reflects a reality faced by many commercial florists. While reducing waste and exploring alternative mechanics is an important goal, businesses must also balance sustainability with efficiency, reliability, and the practical demands of client work.
Florist and educator Flower Joos summarised this perspective well:
"With this new Renewal floral foam, it allows us to continue doing floristry in a very commercial way, which is good."
For florists who still require floral foam in parts of their workflow, OASIS® Renewal™ may offer a middle ground — retaining the functionality of traditional floral foam while incorporating more renewable materials than previous generations of the product.
The Biggest Drawback: Price
The biggest hesitation among florists isn't usually performance — it's price.
OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam typically costs noticeably more than standard floral foam, which can have a significant impact on material costs for florists producing large volumes of arrangements, event work, or sympathy designs.
For florists using dozens or even hundreds of bricks each week, the additional cost may need to be carefully weighed against the sustainability benefits and customer expectations.
Before making a large purchase, it may be worthwhile to test a smaller quantity in your own workflow to determine whether the benefits justify the investment for your business.
Our Verdict
Based on florist feedback, OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam appears to be a capable alternative to traditional floral foam rather than a complete reinvention of it.
Users consistently highlight:
- Less visible dark colouring
- Good water retention
- Suitable support for heavy flowers and branches
- Compatibility with commercial floristry workflows
- A sustainability-focused alternative to standard floral foam
At the same time, florists should be aware that:
- It feels softer than traditional floral foam
- Some users find it slightly more delicate
- It carries a higher price point
It's also important to note that OASIS® Renewal™ is not biodegradable or compostable. Rather than being a complete replacement for foam-free mechanics, it represents an incremental step towards incorporating more renewable materials into commercial floristry products while retaining the performance many florists rely on.
Ultimately, whether OASIS® Renewal™ is worth it will depend on your priorities. If sustainability is an important consideration and floral foam remains a necessary part of your workflow, many florists feel it offers a practical step in the right direction. If cost is your primary concern, testing a smaller quantity before fully switching may be the best approach.
As with any floral mechanic, the best solution is the one that balances performance, efficiency, budget, and the needs of your designs. For more information about OASIS® Renewal™, see our blog OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam: Frequently Asked Questions Answered.