Are you looking to invest in a new set of floristry tools or add to your existing collection? The good news is that you don’t need to buy every tool on the market or have a shed full of equipment; here are my seven must-have items

No matter whether you’re looking to buy the perfect gift for a flower-obsessed friend or hoping to start your own collection, there is an array of floristry tools and materials available. In fact, the selection is so vast that it can feel a little overwhelming and overly complex at first. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to own every tool that’s out there. I’ve found it’s best to invest in just a few, high quality tools that have a range of uses and allow me to create the designs I love.

Here are the seven things that I think are essential in any floristry toolkit:

Floristry scissors and secateurs

If you can only splash out on one floristry tool, it needs to be a good pair of scissors. Don’t be tempted to use them for everything; I promise that you’ll really notice the difference if you only use your floristry scissors for cutting flowers and reach for another pair to open your letters or get into those extra-stubborn Amazon parcels!

Over the years, I’ve tried and tested several different types of scissors – and there are plenty to choose from! All that experimentation led to me finding my favourite pair: the Niwaki Sentei secateurs. If I could only save one pair of scissors from my collection, they would be my top pick. They’re incredible versatile, passing effortlessly through wood branches while also providing a sharp, accurate cut on more delicate stems. These secateurs scream quality, are comfortable to hold, and are fitted with a carob blade, which helps to reduce bacteria and rust build up over time.

Chicken wire

Another must-have tool in my opinion is chicken wire. While some florists may prefer using floral foam, I think chicken wire is a fantastic, sustainable alternative. It’s easy to cut to the size you need, it can be moulded into shape, and supports stems perfectly without adding too much extra weight. These qualities make it an incredibly versatile material. I use chicken wire in bowls, vases, trays, and hanging installations to create light and airy designs that last.

Pot tape

While you might be more familiar with Sellotape, I’d recommend investing in high quality pot tape when securing chicken wire to whichever vessels you’re using in your floral arrangements. There are several reasons why it’s worth spending more to buy specialist tape: it’s strong, waterproof, and reusable. Depending on the type of arrangement, I flit between using dark green and clear pot tap and often also use it to secure my hand tied bouquets. 

Paper covered wire

Paper covered wire is used in a variety of crafts, including jewellery making, cake decoration, and, of course, floristry. I like to use it to create garlands as it helps to offset the weight of the foliage while also providing additional support and security. It’s a neat alternative to pot tape when you want to secure a flower crown or bouquet; there’s no need to knot it or create a bow, instead, you can simply twist it into place.

Floristry buckets

As someone who can’t resist seasonal stems and is always heading out on foraging trips with the family, it’s not unusual for me to come home with armfuls of materials and nowhere to put them! These days, I reach for a bucket. It’s almost like they were designed with florists in mind; as buckets are narrower at the bottom and wider at the top, the stems can feel supported but also have enough space to spread out, rest, and rehydrate. Even so, that doesn’t mean that just an old bucket will do. Make sure you choose one that’s the right height so that it fully supports the stems and branches while minimising the chances of causing damage or spillages.

Wire wreath frame

It’s no secret that I love making wreaths; in fact, our seasonal wreath kits are some of my favourite products that we offer at The Suffolk Nest. A wire wreath frame provides the foundation for my designs and allows me to get creative, knowing that I have a solid base at the heart of each arrangement. If you’re buying your first wreath frame, you’ll likely need to choose between a flat or raised version. In my opinion, it doesn’t really matter which you prefer but I always opt for frames that are at least 12 inches in circumference. I reuse each frame again and again and adorn them with a range of different foliage and moss throughout the year.

Bind wire

The final floristry tool that I’d recommend you have in your kit is bind wire. It’s another essential item in my wreath kits. Unlike standard twine, bind wire offers the strength and support I need to secure all the moss and foliage to my wreath frames. This is especially important if you plan to display your wreath on an exterior door where it’ll have to withstand all the elements: wind, rain, and perhaps even snow in the winter months!