Floral foam is a light-weight, water-absorbent material that can be placed in the bottom of vases and other vessels to create a foundation for flower arrangements. It was invented in 1954 and has been an essential tool in modern floral design ever since. Floral foam is a plastic foam that contains the same amount of plastic as 10 plastic carrier bags. It is not biodegradable and can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down into smaller and smaller micro-plastics. Floral foam is harmful to the environment and the health of wildlife. It contains toxic chemicals such as carbon black, formaldehyde, and phenolic foam.

Despite its negative impact on the environment, floral foam is still widely used by florists because it is a water source that holds up to 50 times its weight in water, and it can support a flower or foliage stem in a desired position and conduct water into the stem. It can be easily cut and shaped to fit into a container, and it is cheap to purchase, especially when compared with the cost of fresh flowers.

Fortunately, there are green alternatives to floral foam that are more sustainable and eco-friendly. Some of these alternatives include:

• Chicken wire: This can be used to create a framework for flower arrangements and is reusable.
• Flower frogs: These are small, spiked holders that can be placed in the bottom of a vase to hold stems in place.
• Water tubes: These are small plastic tubes that can be filled with water and used to hold individual stems in place.
• Eco-friendly foam: This is a biodegradable foam made from natural materials such as coconut fibers and is free from toxic chemicals.

In conclusion, floral foam is a plastic foam that is harmful to the environment and the health of wildlife. Although it is widely used by florists, there are green alternatives that are more sustainable and eco-friendly.