Well-Loved Flower Substitutions for Popular Blooms
We talk a lot about adaptability and flexibility in the floral industry. Whether it’s with an event, in a retail shop, or as a wholesaler, these are two characteristics we must practice and flex often.
Finding quick flower substitutions for popular flowers is a crucial skill for any florist where both adaptability and flexibility come into play!
Sometimes, the flowers your clients (or you!) desire are unavailable due to factors like seasonality, flower shortages, or a misread order. Whatever the reason, getting word that you won’t be receiving the blooms you ordered can be alarming and overwhelming.
That’s why it’s vital for floral designers and wholesalers to be ready to implement a plan B—and maybe even a plan C—to avoid panic. We’re here to help!
In this guide, you’ll discover:
Preparing your floral business for when flower substitutions are needed
Alternatives for popular focal flowers, such as peony substitutions
Substitutions for sought-after line flowers, such as foxglove alternatives
Alternates for popular filler flowers, such as sweet pea and baby’s breath
Favorite solutions for replacing well-loved dancer flowers, such as butterfly ranunculus
Favorite greenery substitutions, such as seeded eucalyptus
Alternatives for commonly used texture flowers, such as ornamental grasses
Feel free to skip around this handy guide as needed, and make sure to pin it or bookmark it for future reference!
How to Wisely Prepare for Flower Substitutions
So how can you prepare for the unknown? Even when we do our best planning, a substitution might be inevitable.
Here are a few ways to prep your floral business for substitutions and alternatives before the need arises.
Establish a good relationship with local flower farmers and wholesalers. If you’re a floral designer or retail shop owner, these incredible people are your lifeline and the flowers’ best advocates! They’ll do what they can to get you what you need—and if they can’t, they’ll likely have smart suggestions for other options.
Grow your own flowers! Not only will this help you supplement your floral orders, you’ll also be able to choose what you grow based on what you want to design with. (Need help learning to grow flowers? Check out our comprehensive online flower growing classes here.)
Constantly look for opportunities to forage. Nature abounds with greens and blooms! As you drive around town or go for a walk through your neighborhood, keep your eyes peeled for flora you might be able to use in your arrangements. Just remember, before you snip, know what is poisonous and protected. Check out these resources for more tips on foraging: 7 Rules of Responsible Foraging for Floral Design and Foraging for Flowers and Greenery Through the Seasons.
Lastly, become familiar with flowers to substitute. How do you know what to use instead? There are thousands of blooms out there! How do you narrow it down? We’ve compiled this resource to help in this exact situation! Below, you’ll find several charts with comparable flowers.
Please note, this guide is not a comprehensive list. However, it includes some of the most popular flowers and their potential substitutions. A good substitute has a similar color, shape, size, or texture. And a great substitute has all four of those elements!
Substitutions for Popular Focal Flowers
Focal flowers are your showstoppers! Typically, you’ll choose focal flowers in the main color scheme you’re going for since they are the star of your arrangement. They set the tone for your entire artistic creation, so choose wisely.
Rose Alternatives for Garden and Standard Varieties
| Rose Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Double Tulip | White, Red, Shades of Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Coral |
| Ranunculus | Red, White/Cream, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Yellow, Dark Purple, Maroon |
| Lisianthus | Cream, Light Yellow, Light Pink/Peach, Purple/Blue, Dark Purple/Black, Brown |
Rose substitutions: Large Ranunculuses have a similar look, feel, and air of elegance as roses. (heather payne)
In this arrangement, there are Roses and Ranunculuses. Can you identify which is which? (almond leaf)
Peony Alternatives for Tree, Herbaceous, and Itoh Peony Types
| Peony Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Double Tulip | White, Red, Shades of Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Coral |
| Ranunculus | Red, White/Cream, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Yellow, Dark Purple, Maroon |
| Garden Rose | White/Cream, Yellow, Shades of Pink, Purple, Red, |
Peony Substitutions: Garden Rose or Peony? Both have a large round shame with (mostly) high petal counts. (Heather Payne Photography)
Dahlia Alternatives
These alternatives could work for anemone-flowered and collarette dahlias, decorative dahlias, as well as cactus and semi-cactus dahlias of various colors.
| Dahlia Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Zinnia | White/Cream, Red, Shades of Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Coral, Lavender, Green |
| Football or Cremone Mum | White/Cream, Yellow, Lavender, Green |
| Protea | White/Cream, Shades of Pink |
| Clematis | Purple, White, Pink, Red |
| Cone Flower | White/Cream, Pink, Green |
Anemone Alternatives in Various Colors
| Anemone Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Zinnia | White/Cream, Red, Shades of Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Coral, Lavender, Green |
| Gerbera Daisy | White/Cream, Yellow, Pink, Orange, Red |
| Poppy | White/Cream, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Coral |
| Hellebore | Cream, Green, Maroon |
| Ranunculus | Red, White/Cream, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Yellow, Dark Purple, Maroon |
| Anemone Flowered/Collared Dahlia | White/Cream, Yellow, Red, Coral, Purple, Pink, Multi-Colored |
Anemones are known for their contrasting center. (heather payne)
With their vibrant yellow centers, poppies are a great alternative for anemones! (Heather Payne Photography)
Other Focal Flowers to Use as Substitutes When Needed
| Flower | Colors |
|---|---|
| Orchid | White, Red, Shades of Pink, Purple, Yellow, Orange |
| Iris | White/Cream, Shades of Pink, Yellow, Shades of Purple, Orange, Blue, Multi-Colored |
| Rudbeckia | Yellow, Orange/Brown |
| Anthurium | Red, White/Cream, Pink, Coral, Purple, Black |
| Tulip | White, Red, Shades of Pink, Shades of Orange, Yellow, Shades of Purple |
| King or Queen Protea | White/Cream, Shades of Pink |
Alternatives for Popular Line Flowers
Line flowers help you take color from the center of your arrangement out and help to add height and dimension. They reach out to the viewer and wrap them in a big flower hug!
Line flowers are great for large installations, garden-style bouquets and arrangements, pageant bouquets, and boho-style arrangements.
Foxglove Alternatives
Foxglove is a very toxic plant, although beautiful! If you want to incorporate the look without using the plant specifically, check out popular foxglove substitutions below in white/cream, shades of pink, shades of purple, yellow, and coral.
| Foxglove Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Delphinium | Royal Blue/Purple, Light Blue, White |
| Larkspur | White, Purple, Pink |
| Snapdragon | White/Cream, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Coral, Burgundy |
| Bells of Ireland | Green |
| Lilac | White, Lavender, Purple, Pink |
| Eremurus | White, Pink, Peach, Yellow |
| Dubium | Yellow, Orange, White |
Foxglove substitutions: The blue delphinium!
Flower substitution lists can be a great tool for finding like-flowers and boosting creativity. (Almond Leaf)
Other Line Flowers to Use as Well-Loved Substitutes
| Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Veronica | White, Purple, Pink |
| Lisianthus | Cream, Light Yellow, Light Pink/Peach, Purple/Blue, Dark Purple/Black, Brown |
| Lysimachia | Yellow |
| Heather | White/Cream, Shades of Pink, Purple |
| Spirea | White, Pink |
| Stock | White/Cream, Yellow, Coral/Peach, Purple, Lavender, Shades of Pink |
| Amaranth | Green, Burgundy, Red, Brown, Peach/Coral |
Substitutions for Popular Filler Flowers
While these flowers won’t be the one ones to catch the eye of the beholder, they are essential to the overall cohesiveness of your arrangement!
Filler flowers cover your floral mechanics, add dimension and texture, and can act as a middleman between various color schemes in your creation.
Baby’s Breath Alternatives (Also Known As Gypsophila) and Its Varieties
| Baby’s Breath Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Wax Flower | White, Shades of Pink |
| Leptospermum | White, Shades of Pink |
| Rice Flower | White/Cream, Pink, Dyed Red, Dyed Yellow, Dyed Blue |
| Chamomile | White |
| Feverfew | White |
| Queen Anne’s Lace | White, Green |
| Daucus | Burgundy, Shades of Pink |
| Limonium (or Caspia) | Purple, White/Cream |
| Heather | White, Purple |
bridesmaids here are holding a bundle of fluffy baby’s breath So the bridal bouquet Can shine.
Baby’s breath alternatives: Wax Flower is one of the best solutions.
Spray Rose Alternatives of Various Colors
| Spray Rose Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Lisianthus | Cream, Light Yellow, Light Pink/Peach, Purple/Blue, Dark Purple/Black, Brown |
| Alstroemeria | White/Cream, Shades of Pink, Red, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Multi-Colored |
| Mini Carnation | White/Cream, Red, Purple, Burgundy, Shades of Pink, Yellow, Coral, Multi-Colored |
| Ranunculus | Red, White/Cream, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Yellow, Dark Purple, Maroon |
| Button Mum | White/Cream, Green, Shades of Purple, Yellow, Orange, Shades of Pink |
Round Hydrangea Alternatives
Below you’ll find multiple varieties and colors (shades of blue, purple, white/cream, pink, green) for hydrangea substitutions.
| Round Hydrangea Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Stock | White/Cream, Yellow, Coral/Peach, Purple, Lavender, Shades of Pink |
| Dianthus | White/Cream, Shades of Pink, Red, Purple, Multi-Colored |
| Hyacinth | White, Purple, Pink |
| Rice Flower | White/Cream, Pink, Dyed Red, Dyed Yellow, Dyed Blue |
| Trachelium | White/Cream, Green, Shades of Purple |
| Sedum | White/Cream, Shades of Pink |
| Lilac | White, Pink, Shades of Purple |
| Tweedia | White, Light Blue |
| Yarrow | Cream/White, Red, Yellow, Shades of Pink, Orange, Coral |
Often, hydrangeas are the unseen “glue” in an arrangement, but every so often, a designer creates something where they steal the show.
Sweet Pea Alternatives
You can find the below sweat pea flower substitutions in shades of pink, white/cream, light yellow, shades of purple, and black.
| Sweet Pea Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Butterfly Ranunculus | Red, White/Cream, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Yellow, Dark Purple, Maroon |
| Astrantia | White/Cream, Maroon |
| Fritillaria | Dark Pink/Red, Maroon, Orange, Yellow, White/Cream, Black Speckled |
Butterfly Ranunculuses are a lovely Sweet Pea substitution. (heather + jake)
Giant and Regular Scabiosa Alternatives
This list includes scabiosa substitutions that can be found in shades of purple, white, shades of pink, light yellow/cream, and black.
| Scabiosa Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Cornflower | White, Royal Blue, Maroon |
| Nigella | White, Shades of Blue, Shades of Pink |
| Astilbe | Cream/White, Shades of Pink, Red |
| Strawflower | White, Shades of Pink, Coral, Maroon, Orange, Yellow |
Scabiosa flowers can be used as filler flowers, focal flowers, and dancer flowers! (Heather Payne Photography)
Other Filler Flowers That Can Work as Alternatives
| Solidago/Goldenrod | Yellow |
| Buplerum | Yellow, Green |
| Thistle | Blue, White, Purple |
| Mimosa | Yellow |
| Brunia | Gray, Red |
| Aster | Purple, White, Pink |
| Flannel Flower | Cream |
| Statice | Purple, White, Pink, Yellow |
| Mock Orange | White |
Substitutions for Popular Dancer Flowers
Want to add a bit of magic to your arrangements? Dancer flowers are the go-to flowers for popping in a delicate bloom that catches the wind and does a sweet little shimmy in celebration of what you’ve created.
These types of flowers can help add depth and dimension to your arrangement.
Butterfly Ranunculus Alternatives
Below you’ll find butterfly ranunculus alternatives in shades of pink, orange, cream/white, yellow, coral, red.
| Butterfly Ranunculus Substitution | Colors |
|---|---|
| Cosmos | White/Cream, Yellow, Red, Purple, Lavender, Shades of Pink |
| Fritillaria | White/Cream, Orange, Yellow Purple, Black, Multi-Colored |
| Freesia | White, Purple, Red, Yellow |
| Scabiosa | White/Cream, Shades of Pink, Black, Maroon, Purple, Light Yellow |
| Japanese Anemone | White, Pink/Magenta |
| Nicotiana | White/Cream, Pink, Purple |
| Columbine | White, Shades of Pink, Red, Shades of Purple, Yellow, Multi-Colored |
The frilly shape of The Sweet Pea Flower is a great sub for Butterfly Ranunculus. (Almond Leaf Studios)
Other Dancer Flowers for High-Quality Substitutions
| Nigella | White, Light Pink, Light Blue, Dark Blue, Purple |
| Billy Balls | Yellow |
| Forget-Me-Nots | White, Pink, Blue |
| Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena) | White/Cream, Red, Shades of Pink, Orange, Shades of Purple |
| Geum | Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow |
| Astrantia | White/Cream, Maroon |
| Allium | White, Pink, Blue, Purple |
| Lily of the Valley | White |
Alternatives for Popular Greenery
Almost everywhere you look in nature, greenery abounds. While some events require only greenery, generally they are reserved as the frame for the main picture—the flowers!
Greenery accentuates the loveliness of the flowers, but can also be used to tie into the color scheme and/or add texture and interest to your floral creation.
Seeded Eucalyptus Alternatives
In this list, you’ll find suggestions for cut greenery with collections of small seed pods with medium lens shape leaves in dusty green colors.
| Seeded Eucalyptus Substitution | Leaf Shape/Size |
|---|---|
| Silver Dollar Eucalyptus | Dusty Green Round Medium Leaves |
| Bay Leaves | True Green Large Long Lens Shape Leaves |
| Olive | Light Green Small Long Lens Shape Leaves |
| Nandina | True Green Medium Long Lens Shape Leaves |
Smilax Alternatives
Below are suggested substitutions for smilax, including long full vines with small oval leaves in true green.
| Smilax Substitution | Color and Shape of Leaf |
|---|---|
| Italian Ruscus | True Green Multi-Stem Small Lens Shape Leaves |
| Huckleberry | True Green Multi-Stem Small Oval Leaves |
| Salal | True Green Large Oval Leaves |
| Boxwood | Dark Green Multi-Stem Small Round Leaves |
Any type of vine will add movement and play to your arrangement. (mark andrew photography)
Other Popular Greenery Choices for Substitutions When Needed
| Greenery | Color and Shape of Leaf |
|---|---|
| Pittosporum | Light Green or Variegated Medium Oval Leaves |
| Leatherleaf Fern | True Green Tiny Fern Leaves |
| Florida Ruscus | Dark Green Medium Lens Shape Leaves |
| Maidenhair Fern | Light Green Multi-Stem Tiny Fern Leaves |
| Ninebark | Burgundy or Light Green Medium or Small Three Point Leaves |
| Dusty Miller | Gray/Silver Velvety Long Lens Shape or Lacy Leaves |
| Myrtle | True Green Small Oval Leaves |
| Cedar | Light Green Multi-Stem Small Fern-Like Leaves |
| Kale | Dark Green, Dusty Green, or Burgundy Large Frilly Leaves |
| Sumac | True Green Large Long Lens Shape Leaves |
| Mock Orange | Light Green Large Lens Shape Leaves |
| Cotinus | Burgundy Medium Round Leaves |
| Explosion Grass | Light Green or Burgundy Leaves |
| Feather-Leaf Eucalyptus | Dusty Green Long Feather-Like Leaves |
| Baby Blue Eucalyptus | Silver Green Tall Stemmed Small Round Leaves (Very Fragrant) |
Including unique flowers, berries, seeds, and pods will bring interest and texture.
Alternatives for Texture Flowers
It may sound odd to talk about texture in flowers, but adding texture to your arrangements makes such a huge impact!
Think about how flowers feel—smooth, rough, fluffy, waxy, spiky, etc.—and transfer that to how your eyes take those textures in. Utilizing the blooms below will add interest and keep your arrangements full of life and nature.
Pampas Grass Alternatives
Pampas grass is a look all its own, but here are some suggestions for tall, fluffy ornamental grasses in beige (or bleached)!
| Pampas Grass Substitution | Color |
|---|---|
| Oriental Feather Grass | Beige, Burgundy |
| Feather Reed Grass | Beige |
| African Love Grass | Light Green, Beige |
| Muhly Grass | White, Beige, Burgundy |
| Giant Wildrye Grass | Beige |
| Bleached Cipressina | Cream |
| Eulalia Aurea | Natural or Bleached, Beige or Cream |
| Stypha | Cream, Beige, or Dyed Various Colors |
Check out our full guide on where to buy pampas grass wholesale, popular pampas substitutions, and other design tips for this dramatic ornamental.
Alternatives for Pods & Seeds in Floral Design
| Seed or Pod Substitutes | Shape and Color |
|---|---|
| Poppy Pod | Round Dusty Green |
| Scabiosa Pod | Neutral/Tan Textured Round |
| Silver Bell Pod | Small Silver Bell-Shaped |
| Lunaria Seed Pod | Cream/White Round |
| Nigella Pod | Green with Burgundy Stripes Round |
These privet berries are a lovely deep navy color! Adding them into an arrangement will surely give your designs a distinctive look. (Nancy Ray Photography)
Other Texture Flower Alternatives
| Texture Flower Substitutes | Description |
|---|---|
| Protea (King, Queen, Blushing Bride) | Small to Large, Round Tropical Flower with “Spiky” Petals in Shades of White, Cream, or Pink |
| Sedum | Several Small Blooms Bunched on One Stem in White, Shades of Pink, Yellow, or Purple |
| Bunny Tails | Small Floof in Cream or Dyed Various Colors |
| Thistle | Small to Medium with Spikes in Dusty Blue or White |
| Pieris | Several Small Bell-Shaped Droopy Blooms Bunched on One Stem in White/Cream or Pink |
| Trachelium | Several Small Blooms Bunched on One Stem |
| Celosia | Long Pointed Blooms or Brain-Shaped Blooms in White/Cream, Red, Pink, Orange, or Yellow |
| Strawflower | Small Round Flower with Papery Petals in White/Cream, Shades of Pink, Orange, Yellow and Dark Purple |
| Astilbe | Long Multi-Stemmed with Tiny Blooms in Cream/White, Shades of Pink, Red |
| Succulent | Various Shape Cacti in Silver, Shades of Green and Shades of Burgundy |
