Mother’s Day is one of the most important days on the calendar for the flower industry. In many countries, including Australia, it rivals or even exceeds Valentine’s Day in terms of sales volume, customer demand, and business activity. Florists work around the clock, suppliers run at full capacity, and delivery vans are stretched to the limit. But what happens after the big day? How does the flower industry regroup and sustain itself once the busiest period of the year has passed?
This article takes a closer look at the post-Mother’s Day landscape for florists, growers, wholesalers, and other players in the floral supply chain—and how the industry transitions from peak to planning mode.
A Natural Slowdown After the Surge
After the second Sunday in May, florists and wholesalers typically experience a noticeable drop in sales. Mother’s Day is a sentimental occasion that inspires people from all walks of life to send flowers—often in larger quantities and at higher values than at other times of the year. It’s not unusual for a florist to double or triple their average weekly revenue during this period.
But once it’s over, demand returns to baseline. This post-peak period often feels quiet in contrast. Regular weekly orders, birthday bouquets, sympathy tributes, and event flowers resume, but not at the breakneck pace experienced in the lead-up to Mother’s Day.
This slowdown isn’t a surprise—many florists plan for it. It’s a moment to reset, reflect, and recover. However, the quiet period can also present financial and logistical challenges if not properly managed.
Managing Inventory and Waste
One of the immediate tasks following Mother’s Day is managing leftover inventory. Florists must strike a delicate balance during peak holidays: ordering enough flowers to meet demand without overstocking and risking spoilage.
Some blooms may be repurposed into discounted arrangements, sold as budget bouquets, or donated to local hospitals, nursing homes, or community organisations. Other flowers that are no longer fresh may be composted or discarded.
Wholesalers and growers face a similar issue. Leading up to Mother’s Day, growers push hard to meet demand, often accelerating planting and harvesting schedules. Once the rush is over, greenhouses and farms may experience excess stock, particularly with high-demand flowers like chrysanthemums, roses, and lilies.
A Time to Rebuild and Reorganise
The post-Mother’s Day lull offers florists a valuable window to catch up on everything that was put on hold during the rush. This may include:
- Deep-cleaning workspaces and tools
- Reorganising cool rooms and inventory
- Following up on customer enquiries or issues
- Conducting financial reconciliations and performance reviews
- Restocking supplies (ribbons, cards, containers, floral foam, etc.)
- Repairing delivery vehicles and updating websites or e-commerce listings
It’s also a time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Were there delays in supply? Did the online store handle the traffic? Was there enough staff coverage? Analysing these aspects allows florists to plan better for the next big seasonal event—often Father’s Day, weddings, or Christmas.
Funeral Flowers Remain a Steady Stream of Work
One area that continues to provide steady, year-round demand is funeral and sympathy flowers. After Mother’s Day, many florists shift their focus to more personal and sensitive work such as casket sprays, wreaths, and sympathy arrangements.
Funerals don’t follow a calendar, and the demand for thoughtful, custom tributes remains consistent regardless of the season. This work often requires a different approach—more emotional connection with families, flexible timing, and the ability to incorporate meaningful details such as favourite flowers or printed ribbons.
Florists who specialise in funeral work may find the post-Mother’s Day period to be an ideal time to reconnect with funeral homes, refresh their sympathy flower offerings, and showcase services for upcoming winter memorials. At Spearwood Florist in Perth, for example, this period often sees increased demand for personalised sympathy flowers and printed ribbons, especially as families look for more meaningful, locally crafted funeral tributes.
Customer Retention and Ongoing Engagement
While Mother’s Day attracts a wave of one-time or occasional customers, savvy florists look at this as an opportunity for long-term engagement. After the holiday, many flower shops send follow-up emails thanking customers, offering discount codes for future orders, or showcasing upcoming promotions.
Loyalty programs and email subscriptions often see a boost after Mother’s Day, and florists can capitalise on this by encouraging repeat purchases for birthdays, anniversaries, or “just because” moments.
Events, Weddings, and Corporate Work
After Mother’s Day, many florists shift their focus to weddings and event floral work. In Australia, the cooler months from May to August are popular for weddings, particularly in regions with mild winters.
Corporate contracts—such as weekly flowers for offices, showrooms, and hospitality venues—may also resume after being temporarily paused during the Mother’s Day lead-up. For event florists, this is a period to reconnect with venues, planners, and long-term clients.
Growers: Recovery and Forecasting
For flower growers, the post-Mother’s Day period is a crucial time to recover. The high-volume picking and processing often strain labour resources, and greenhouses may need rest or replanting. Growers also use this time to review their yield performance, forecasting, and pricing strategies.
Weather also plays a key role. In Australia, May marks the transition into winter, and seasonal changes affect growing cycles. Cool-season flowers like stock, snapdragons, and tulips become more prominent, while heat-loving summer blooms taper off.
Some growers also use this quieter period to experiment with new varieties, test sustainable growing methods, or work on improving soil health.
Wholesalers and Importers: Shifting Stock and Sourcing
Wholesalers and importers must also pivot after Mother’s Day. With international shipping delays and global demand spikes, securing imported blooms before Mother’s Day is a massive operation. Once the date passes, focus shifts to managing leftover inventory, adjusting stock levels, and preparing for the next seasonal spike.
Many importers begin sourcing for winter weddings and Christmas orders during this time. They also assess trends—what flowers were in highest demand? What didn’t move? This feedback loop is vital for suppliers to remain competitive and relevant.
Sustainability and Waste Management Conversations
One of the emerging trends in the post-Mother’s Day period is renewed discussion around sustainability. The sheer volume of flower sales during peak holidays raises questions about packaging, waste, and carbon emissions—especially when imported flowers are involved.
Some florists use this post-peak moment to adopt greener practices. This might include switching to recyclable wrapping, eliminating floral foam, or supporting local flower farms instead of imports. It’s also a time for educating customers on sustainable options like dried flowers, potted plants, or native blooms.
Mental Health and Staff Wellbeing
Mother’s Day is an incredibly demanding time for florist staff—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Extended shifts, last-minute changes, and the emotional weight of the occasion (especially for sympathy flowers) can take a toll.
Once the holiday is over, many businesses prioritise staff wellbeing, encouraging days off, providing team lunches, or simply taking time to decompress. Maintaining a supportive work culture is vital for retaining skilled floral designers and delivery teams, especially after such a high-pressure season.
Looking Ahead: From Lull to the Next Launch
While Mother’s Day is a major milestone, it’s just one part of the yearly cycle for the flower industry. Smart businesses use the post-holiday period not just to rest—but to plan ahead.
Upcoming occasions like Father’s Day, winter weddings, Remembrance Day (for wreaths), and end-of-year corporate events will soon take the spotlight. In Western Australia, the wildflower season also begins to ramp up from July onwards, offering florists another unique selling point with native and seasonal blooms.
Final Thoughts
Mother’s Day might be the busiest time of year for the flower industry, but what happens afterward is just as important. From recovery and reflection to reinvention and forward planning, the weeks following the holiday reveal the resilience and creativity of florists, growers, and suppliers alike.
It’s a time to reconnect with regular customers, explore sustainable practices, and realign business goals for the seasons ahead. The buzz of Mother’s Day may fade—but the love for flowers, and the people behind them, continues to bloom all year round.
