There’s something truly magical about a cake decorated with flowers.
Cake decorating flowers add a floral flourish instantly elevates a cake from a delicious dessert to a piece of art.
Have you ever wondered what type of flowers to use?
While fresh flowers have always been a classic choice, modern bakers and decorators are now embracing more creative and sustainable options.
Here we go! Let me introduce these cake decorating flowers.
The Natural Charm: Dried Flowers for Cakes
For a beautiful and long-lasting way to decorate your cakes, dried flowers are your best friend. They offer a unique, rustic charm perfect for creating a bohemian or vintage-inspired look.
The subtle, earthy tones and delicate textures add a touch of timeless elegance that fresh flowers simply can’t replicate.
Why bakers love them?
1. The most significant advantage of dried flowers is that they won’t wilt, fade, or die.
You can decorate your cake well in advance, giving you one less thing to worry about on the day of the event. They’re also much more durable during transport.
Plus, many of our customers love that the flowers can be saved as a beautiful keepsake, a lasting reminder of a special day.
2. The romantic, muted tones and delicate textures of dried flowers add a sophisticated and soft look to any cake.
Imagine a semi-naked cake adorned with sprays of dried ruscus and ethereal gypsophila—it’s a showstopper.
3. Choosing dried flowers is also a sustainable option. They often require less water and energy to produce than fresh-cut blooms and have a much longer lifespan, reducing waste.
4. They aren’t restricted by seasons. You can get the exact flowers you want, whenever you need them, without worrying about a supplier running out.
Important Safety & Sourcing Dried Flowers for Cakes

It’s absolutely essential to use dried flowers that are safe for use on food. We always recommend sourcing from reputable suppliers who provide food-safe dried flowers grown without harmful pesticides.
If you decide to use dried flowers for cake decoration, these are my recommendations:
- Dried Lavender: Adds a beautiful pop of purple and a delicate, calming scent.
- Dried Roses & Rose Buds: A classic choice for an elegant and timeless look.
- Dried Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath): Creates a light, airy filler, but make sure it’s a food-safe variety.
- Dried Eucalyptus: Perfect for adding a modern, green element.
- Dried Pampas Grass: Ideal for creating a soft, textural statement on a simple cake.
Quick Tip: While some dried flowers are edible, many are not. For non-edible varieties, always create a barrier between the stem and the cake using floral cake picks or by wrapping the stem in floral tape.
The Evergreen Solution: Artificial Flowers for Cakes
Sometimes, you need a flower with a specific colour or size that you just can’t find in nature. This is where artificial flowers truly shine. Their versatility and durability make them an excellent choice, especially for intricate, pre-planned designs.
Why artificial flowers are a great choice?
- Cost-Effective & Reusable: Artificial flowers are often more affordable than fresh ones, especially for large, elaborate arrangements. And you can keep them as a permanent decoration or reuse them for multiple events.
- Ultimate Versatility: They come in an endless variety of colours and types. You can perfectly match any colour scheme or theme imaginable without worrying about seasonality or flower availability.
- Zero-Maintenance: There’s no risk of them wilting, drooping, or falling apart. This makes them a stress-free option for transporting and displaying cakes.
Crucial Safety Tip: Remember! Artificial flowers should never be in direct contact with the cake’s surface. The wires, plastics, and dyes used in their creation are not food-safe.
The Golden Rule: Always use a barrier! We can’t stress this enough. Use a food-safe floral pick or straw to create a protective barrier between the artificial stem and the cake. Simply place the stem inside the pick before inserting it.
The Timeless Classic: Fresh Flowers for Cakes
No guide would be complete without a nod to the timeless beauty of fresh flowers. They offer a vibrant colour, natural fragrance, and a softness that’s truly unmatched.
Why bakers love them? These are 2 main reasons:
- Vibrant Colours & Scent: Nothing quite compares to the vibrant hues and natural aroma of fresh flowers.
- Soft & Delicate: They have a beautiful, soft look that is perfect for elegant wedding cakes and celebrations.
Things to keep in mind:
- Many common flowers are toxic. Always use organic, food-safe flowers from a trusted florist. Never use flowers from a garden centre or a supermarket as they are often treated with pesticides.
- Fresh flowers will wilt and droop over time, so they must be added to the cake as close to the event as possible.
Step-by-Step: How to Decorate Your Cake with Dried Flowers
Ready to give it a go? Here’s a simple guide to creating a beautiful floral cake design:
| Steps | Guide |
| Step 1: Plan Your Design | Lay out your flowers and greenery on a flat surface to visualise your design. Decide on a focal point, like a cluster of roses, and then add filler flowers and foliage around it. |
| Step 2: Trim Your Stems | Use a sharp pair of scissors, trim the stems of your flowers to the desired length. For a more professional finish, trim them at an angle. |
| Step 3: Prepare Your Barrier | For non-edible flowers, this is the most crucial step. Push a floral cake pick (or a food-safe straw) into the spot where you want the flower to go. |
| Step 4: Arrange & Attach | Gently insert the flower’s stem into the pick. You can use a small dab of melted white chocolate or a bit of buttercream on the back of the pick to secure it to the cake. |
| Step 5: Build Your Design | Start with your larger, focal flowers and then fill in the gaps with smaller blooms and foliage to create a natural, flowing look. |
| Step 6: Finishing Touches | Add a few single petals or smaller buds around the base of your arrangement for a delicate, scattered effect. |
Ready to start decorating? Explore our beautiful collections of dried flowers to find the perfect match for your cake.
FAQ
Can I use fresh and dried flowers together?
Absolutely! Combining fresh and dried flowers creates a beautiful contrast of textures and tones. Just remember to follow the safety guidelines for both types.
How do I store dried flowers for cakes?
Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A cupboard or drawer is perfect. This will help them maintain their colour and prevent them from becoming brittle.
What if I don’t know if a flower is toxic?
When in doubt, don’t use it. The best rule of thumb is to only use flowers that you have personally sourced as being safe for food use. If you’re unsure, use them as a non-edible decoration and always use a barrier.
Will strong-smelling dried flowers make my cake taste like them?
Yes, it’s possible. Flowers with strong natural scents, especially lavender, can subtly infuse their aroma and flavor into the frosting they are touching.





