Rethinking floral foam: Meet Phoam Labs

Floral foam has been a familiar part of professional floristry for decades. It provides a convenient way to support stems, create structure and build everything from traditional arrangements to elaborate floral installations.

But conventional floral foam comes with an environmental problem. Made from petrochemical-based materials, it doesn't readily biodegrade and cannot be recycled or composted through conventional systems.

For florists, flower arrangers and anyone who enjoys working with flowers, finding a more responsible alternative has become increasingly important. Phoam Labs is offering another option.

Traditional floral mechanics but less impact

Phoam Labs developed Phoam as a plant-based alternative to traditional floral foam. Its patented material is made primarily from polylactic acid (PLA), derived from renewable plant materials such as corn starch.

The intention is straightforward: provide florists with a familiar arranging medium while addressing one of the major drawbacks of conventional floral foam. Phoam is designed to perform a similar role, supporting flower stems and helping create structured arrangements, while offering a different end-of-life option.

Importantly, Phoam has received TÜV Austria certification for industrial compostability. This means it is designed to break down in suitable industrial composting facilities, rather than remaining as persistent waste in the way conventional floral foam does*.

How does Phoam work?

For anyone accustomed to using traditional floral foam, switching to a new material naturally raises questions about how it behaves.

Phoam is designed to absorb and retain water, providing hydration for fresh flower arrangements. It can be cut and shaped using a serrated knife, making it adaptable to different containers and designs.

There are two recommended approaches to preparing it. You can position the dry foam in a suitable container, secure it and add cold water, or gently compress it underwater to help it absorb water before use.

Unlike many conventional foam products, Phoam can also be re-wetted, offering additional flexibility when working on arrangements.

As with any floral material, the longevity of the flowers will depend on the varieties used, their condition, the surrounding temperature and how well the arrangement is maintained.

Who can use Phoam?

Although floral foam is particularly associated with professional floristry, its applications extend much further.

Florists can use it when creating structured designs, arrangements for events and larger floral displays. Flower clubs and floral design groups can explore it as an alternative material for demonstrations, workshops and creative projects. It also offers an option for hobby arrangers who enjoy experimenting with different techniques at home.

For anyone involved in flower arranging – such as flower clubs and church flower arrangers - the opportunity to work with a familiar type of arranging medium while considering its environmental impact is worth exploring.

A step towards more considered floristry

At Evolve Flowers, we're interested in practical changes that can help make floristry more responsible, from choosing British-grown flowers where possible to considering the materials used in arrangements.

Phoam Labs is an interesting development in that conversation. It gives flower arrangers another option to consider when choosing their mechanics, with industrial compostability built into the product's design.

Changing established working practices takes time, but having alternatives available is an important part of that process.

If you're a professional florist, a member of a flower club or simply someone who loves creating arrangements, discover Phoam Labs floral foam in the Evolve Collective at British Flowers Direct.

* It is worth noting that industrial compostability is different from home compostability. Phoam Labs does not guarantee that its product will break down in an ordinary domestic compost heap, so appropriate disposal arrangements are important.