Flowers are safe ... no evidence of contamination

Flowers are safe but scrupulous cleaning is required.

Following a number of questions, we’ve been doing research and cannot find any evidence that the Corona Virus can be transmitted through flowers. In fact quite the reverse given there is plenty of high powered research (Rutgers, Harvard, NASA et al) to prove that they do plenty of good by naturally lifting endorphins and so spirits. They don’t call it Flower Power for nothing!

That said there is evidence to suggest that the virus can lurk on things like plastic, glass and stainless steel so keeping the shop, your tools, vases and buckets etc squeaky clean is essential as is cleaning the van, washing your hands etc.  

It is also very important to keep the air flow going as well. We know shops are never warm but if you are operating on a shut door policy you should open windows/back doors or, if its the only one you have, the front and stand guard to let fresh air in to kill off any bugs.

When it comes to packaging there is no evidence to suggest any issues, indeed cardboard may actually squash the germ and the Post Office have said Public Health England are advising no issues with post and courier items so normal presentation wrapping should be fine. However in the spirit of good practice we would personally stick with unwaxed Kraft or similar or even, if you can, push the idea of ‘naked bouquets’ as a way of ensuring germ free flowers.

There are loads of articles out there and the first CV research by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) is being cited as a reliable source on the BBC and by The Economist.  This was the best article we have found.