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Why You Should Buy Your Valentine's Day Flowers Early

Roses are timeless. Their prices are not.
Woman holding bouquet of fresh red roses on light background, closeup
Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock

Planning to express your love with flowers this Valentine's Day? While the gesture is timeless, the pricing certainly isn't. Waiting until Feb. 14 to purchase that perfect bouquet could cost you nearly double the regular price. But there's a smart solution that can help you save money while still delivering that heartfelt message. Here's why you should order your valentine's flowers as soon as possible.

Order Valentine's Day flowers right now

The bad news: Ordering back in January could've help you snag the lowest prices of the season. Nevertheless, the sooner you order, the less likely you are to pay the top-dollar prices the last-minute shoppers will shoulder.

When properly cared for, roses can stay healthy for five to seven days after purchase. By buying your flowers a few days before Valentine's Day, you can avoid the premium pricing while ensuring your bouquet remains fresh and beautiful for the special day—and hopefully a few days after.

For even more value and longevity, consider alternatives to traditional roses. Carnations and orchids are beautiful and tasteful while lasting up to two weeks. Not only will you be choosing something more economical, but also, you'll be showing your valentine that they're more special and unique than a boring old rose. (At least, you should be prepared with a little speech that explains something along those lines.)

Finally, you can save money by scheduling those roses for delivery a day or two ahead of Valentine’s Day, since many services mark up fees for delivery on that particularly busy day.

How to keep flowers healthy

To maximize the lifespan of your roses:

  • Keep them in clean water.

  • Trim the stems at an angle every few days.

  • Remove any leaves below the waterline.

  • Store them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

  • Add flower food to the water.

Remember, Valentine's Day is about expressing your feelings, not emptying your wallet. By planning ahead and making smart choices, you can create a memorable floral expression of love without the premium price tag. Your wallet—and your valentine—will thank you.

And if you're looking for gift ideas that aren't a bouquet, check out my Valentine's Day gift ideas here.

Meredith Dietz
Meredith Dietz
Senior Finance Writer

Meredith Dietz is Lifehacker’s Senior Finance Writer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Northeastern University, where she graduated as valedictorian of her college. She grew up waitressing in her family restaurant in Wilmington, DE and worked at Hasbro Games, where she wrote rules for new games. Previously, she worked in the non-profit space as a Leadership Resident with the Harpswell Foundation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; later, she was a travel coordinator for a study abroad program that traced the rise of fascist propaganda across Western Europe.

Since then, Meredith has been driven to make personal finance accessible and address taboos of talking openly about money, including debt, investing, and saving for retirement. Outside of finance writing, Meredith is a marathon runner and stand-up comedian who has been a regular contributor to The Onion and Reductress. Meredith lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Read Meredith's full bio