Why Costco Is A Hidden Gem For Buying Flowers

Costco's reputation for grocery savings is well established, but the warehouse giant is also a solid choice for buying flowers. Whether you need hanging baskets for your outdoor spaces or some pre-cut arrangements for indoors, the retailer offers plenty of deals on a wide variety of flowers — all you need is an active membership.

With a surprisingly large selection of seasonal items at warehouses and a year-round collection of showy bouquets in-store and online, Costco is a hidden gem for flowers. You're likely to find what you need for any occasion, often at a fraction of the cost of local florists and nurseries. Costco is able to offer these prices due to the sheer volume of business they do versus smaller, independent operations. Keep in mind that you will find regional differences at each warehouse location depending on what they stock and what grows well in your area.

As an added bonus, Costco's plants and flowers all come with the same quality-control and money-back guarantee that you'll find throughout the warehouse. If your flowers aren't performing well, you can bring them back for a refund, within reason. Due to the living nature of plants, it will be up to each warehouse's discretion to offer a refund, but they are not automatically excluded from Costco's generous return policy. 

Costco offers two types of flowers for purchase: potted and cut. Depending on the season, you may be able to find potted flowers to rehome in your garden or containers. You'll also always be able to find cut flowers and bouquets in Costco's refrigerated floral area, guaranteeing you can keep fresh flowers in your home year-round. These are brought in and restocked daily so they're always high quality.

When it comes to potted flowers, Costco offers different options depending on the season. In spring, stores carry hanging baskets and patio planters full of annuals in multiple colors and textures, expertly designed for a big visual impact. Generally, these tend to appear in Costco warehouses close to Mother's Day when the threat of frost has passed. As the seasons progress, you'll find other offerings (like mums) arriving in late summer to make their annual autumnal showings. A variety of bulbs will begin showing up by mid-August in the warehouses to remind us to do those fall plantings. 

Prices for Costco's seasonal in-warehouse offerings are reasonable compared to smaller flower operations, but similar prices may be available at other large competitor stores, so it's worth it to shop around. Despite Costco's reputation for quality, you should still always check the plant's soil when buying plants from big box stores to insure good health. These plants are being sold in bulk and may not receive the same level of care as plants at a smaller garden center. 

You don't even need to step foot in a Costco warehouse to get garden center products, including flower seeds, bulbs, and live plants, which are delivered right to your door — although some items may have delivery restrictions based on the customer's location. Garden plants are offered seasonally and differ based on region, similar to the in-store garden centers. It's a good idea to watch the website throughout the year to see what becomes available as the seasons change.

Costco.com also offers cut flowers and bouquets delivered for any occasion. Costco.com has a floral section with categories including bouquets, centerpieces, vase arrangements, and even wedding and event flowers. You can also take advantage of Costco's bulk flower deals for projects or occasions that might require many stems of a particular flower, such as gerberas, carnations, or sunflowers — you can even order rose petals. 

Compared to other online floral retailers, Costco's savings can be impressive. For example, this "Get Well" floral arrangement retails at just $50 compared to a similar bouquet (without vase) offered by FTD for literally twice the cost. All Costco.com floral items can be ordered up to one year in advance with deliveries on Tuesdays through Fridays, excluding major holidays. If you need something even faster than that, there are a limited number of bouquets available through Costco's Same Day partnership with grocery delivery service Instacart. Those can arrive at your chosen destination in just two hours.