Compostable Floral Foam Blocks by Phoam Labs- Standard 22cm - (3 or 12 blocks) - INCL. DELIVERY
- In stock, ready to ship
Revolutionise your floristry with Phoam, the world’s first plant-based, compostable floral foam, made for florists, event designers and home arrangers.
Developed over seven years of research at the University of Minnesota, this patented polylactide (PLA) foam is a non-toxic alternative to traditional phenolic floral foam. Phoam is derived from corn and is TÜV-certified as industrially compostable, which means it needs a commercial composting facility and is not suitable for home composting.
Whether you are crafting lush wedding centrepieces, seasonal Christmas wreaths or everyday vessel arrangements, Phoam gives strong, secure support for fresh cut stems, dried botanicals and silk displays alike.
For fresh, dried and artificial displays:
Once fully hydrated, Phoam holds fresh flowers securely. For the best hold, cut with a serrated knife, trim stems to a point and insert at a slight angle.
Special Launch Offer & Spring Giveaway
Special Introductory Rate: Take advantage of our special launch pricing available to start with on all 3-pack and 12-pack boxes!
Tag & Win a Box of Spring Flowers!
Show us your eco-friendly creations! Tag and share photos of your arrangements using Phoam on Instagram:
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Tag:
@evolveflowersand@phoamlabs -
Prize: A winner will be selected on 30th January to receive a FREE box of fresh spring flowers!
Technical Soaking & Conditioning Guide
Phoam absorbs water differently from traditional phenolic foam due to its unique plant-based cell structure. For optimum hydration with fresh cut flowers, follow either of the recommended techniques below:
Option A: The Container-First Method (Recommended)
- Wedge the dry Phoam block firmly into your watertight vase, dish, or container.
- Secure with waterproof anchor tape or twine if necessary, as Phoam remains lightweight and buoyant.
- Pour cold water directly into the container around the block. Phoam drinks at a gentler rate and will draw water up through its cell structure.
- Top up the reservoir with cold water after inserting your stems to keep flowers fully hydrated.
Option B: Gentle Underwater Compression Method
- Place the block in a clean bucket of cold water.
- Submerge and apply gentle, even pressure to assist water absorption.
- Gently ease the block back into its natural shape while fully submerged under water.
- Transfer to your vessel and top up the container with water.
- Florist Tip: When working with fresh flowers in Phoam, trim stems at a steep angle to a clean point and insert them with a smooth, continuous push for optimum water uptake and stem stability. For dried or artificial arrangements, use straight out of the box—no soaking required.
After use:
Take it to an industrial composting facility that accepts PLA. If you don’t have access to one, dispose of it with general waste.
Florist Fast Facts
| Feature | Detail |
| Brand | PHOAM LABS |
| Product Type | Compostable Floral Foam Blocks |
| Material | Plant-based Polylactide (PLA) |
| Certification | TÜV Certified (Industrial Composting) |
| Block Dimensions | 22cm x 10cm x 7cm |
| Pack Weight | 300g (3-Pack) |
| Pack Options | 3 Blocks / 12 Blocks |
| Suitable For | Fresh, Dried, Silk, and Artificial Flowers |
| Disposal | Green waste / Local industrial composting |
Delivery & Shipping Information
At British Flowers Direct, we pride ourselves on getting seasonal blooms from the field to your door as quickly as possible. We deliver Tuesday through Friday (no deliveries on Sundays or Mondays).
Quick Summary of Rates
| Service Type | Cost | Best For... |
| Gifts Nationwide | £10.00 (Inc. VAT) | Royal Mail Tracked 24. |
| Small Parcels Nationwide | £ 6.50 (Inc. VAT) | Less than 2KG |
| Orders under £100 | £15.00 (+ VAT) | DPD Next Day (by 1pm). |
| £20.00 (+ VAT) | DPD Next Day (before 10:30am) | |
| Orders over £100 | £25.00 (+ VAT) | DPD Next Day (by 1pm). |
| £30.00 (+ VAT) | DPD Next Day (before 10:30am) | |
| Orders over £300* | £75.00 (+ VAT) | DVS Specialist (In water/Early arrival). |
*Minimums apply according to postcode zones for DVS service.
We can deliver to most UK postcodes but there are exceptions in the highlands and Islands as it can take two days to reach by van and sadly our flowers don't suit that environment. Unfortunately we are unable to deliver to: AB37-38, AB41-56, IV1-20, IV25, IV30-37, IV63, KW1-3, KW6-10, KW14,PH15-26, PA21-35, PA37-39, PH33,49, IV21-24, IV26-28, IV40, KW5,KW11-13, FK18-21,PA36, PA40, PH30-32, PH34-41,PH50, HS1-9, IV41-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA41-49, PA62-76, PH42-44, ZE1-3 Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scilly Isles.
Hot Weather Protocol
During periods of extreme heat, standard hub-and-spoke courier networks can expose delicate British blooms to damaging temperatures. Please read our temporary terms carefully:
- No Heat Claims: We cannot accept credits or refund claims for flowers impacted by third-party courier heat stress or transit delays.
- Extended Packhouse Conditioning: All wholesale orders are currently subject to an extra 24-hour hydration and chilling cycle in our fridges to give them the maximum thermal mass possible before boxing.
- Florist Care Notice: Stems will look thirsty upon arrival. Do not strip foliage immediately. Hydrate in a cool, dark room using flower food and allow 12–24 hours for full recovery before working with them.
Premium Option: Specialised Direct Door-to-Door Delivery
Reserved exclusively for orders over £300 (excl. VAT) within designated DVS delivery zones.
For high-value orders, weddings, or event work where transit risks cannot be taken, we can bypass the standard courier depots entirely using a dedicated point-to-point service.
- The Service: One man, one dedicated van. Flowers travel directly from our cold stores to your door. Unlike standard couriers, your orders are never put on harsh mechanical conveyor belts or automated chutes. Instead, they are exclusively hand-sorted and cross-docked by specialist, flower-trained drivers at a dedicated facility in Milton Keynes before heading straight to your regional area.
- How they travel: Stems can be transported dry-packed or standing beautifully on water in crates, requiring significantly less cardboard and plastic packaging. For softer, delicate varieties vulnerable to the heatwave, we also apply professional transit gel to keep them perfectly hydrated and cool.
- Eco-Friendly Circular Packaging: We utilise robust, returnable crates for transit. To help reduce waste at your studio, we offer a complete packaging return service—we will pack up and take away all cardboard and outer packaging with us.
- Eligibility: Minimum order value of £300 (Excl. VAT). Available only for specific postcode zones. Full DVS tracking alerts are provided from dispatch to your doorstep.
- Booking Notice: A absolute minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to schedule a dedicated vehicle.
Please contact the office via email or WhatsApp to confirm your postcode eligibility and/or secure a dedicated van slot.
Our Delivery Services
DVS Specialist Flower Courier
Reserved for orders over £300 in DVS zones.
This is our premium "white-glove" service for flowers. Your blooms arrive pre-conditioned and on water—never in a dry box.
- Timing: Arrives early morning (latest by Noon).
- Bespoke Transit Care: To ensure maximum freshness, hydration-sensitive flowers arrive professionally pre-conditioned and standing in water. Other varieties (such as select foliage and sunflowers) are securely packed in dry boxes where it is best suited for the product.
- Capacity: Can handle foliage and branches up to 10ft tall, plus plants and breakables.
- Eco-Friendly: We use returnable crates and offer a return service for all cardboard and packaging.
- Alerts: Full DVS tracking alerts provided.
⚠️ Booking Requirement: This specialised one-man, one-van service requires a minimum of 24 hours' advance notice to schedule a vehicle and is strictly dependent on postcode eligibility.
DPD Express Delivery
For orders under £200 or specific nationwide zones.
- Timing: Next-day service with delivery by 1pm or special delivery before 10:30am
- Requirements: Order by 1pm the day before.
- Limits: MMaximum stem length is 75cm (to fit our 90cm boxes). Note: The only exception to this rule is flexible, bendy foliage that can safely curve to fit!
- Flexibility: Includes DPD tracking alerts and a "Leave Safe" option.
Gifts & Small Parcels
- Service: Royal Mail Tracked 24.
- Timeline: Nationwide next-day service (Order by 1pm).
Delivery Areas & Postcode Zones
We deliver across most of the UK mainland.
Please note:
- We do not currently deliver to Northern Ireland
- We do not deliver to Scottish Highlands or Islands
- Some remote postcode areas may require adjusted courier services
Full postcode availability is automatically applied at checkout.
DVS Specialist Zones:
- MK ZONE: AL, B, BB, BD, BL, CB, CF, CH, CV, CW, DE, DN, DY, GL, HD, HG, HP, HR, HU, HX, IP, L, LD, LE, LL, LN, LS, LU, M, MK, NG, NN, NP, NR, OL, OX, PE, PR, S, SA, SG, SK, ST, SY, TF, WA, WF, WN, WR, WS, WV, YO
- ASHFORD ZONE: BR, CM, CO, CR, CT, DA, EN, GU, HA, IG, KT, LONDON, ME, N, NW, PO, RG, RH, RM, SE, SL, SO, SS, SW, TN, TW, W, WD
- BRIDGEWATER ZONE: BA, BH, BS, DT, EX, PL, SN, SP, TA, TQ, TR
DPD Express Zones:
- LA, DL, TS, SR, DH, CA, NE, DG, TD, ML, KA, EH, KY, FK, G, DD, AB, PH, PA
Delivery Timing
- Orders are dispatched Tuesday to Friday
- Specialist DVS deliveries arrive early morning (by midday)
- Standard courier deliveries are usually next working day
We recommend ordering in advance for time-sensitive or event-based deliveries.
Tracking Your Order
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive tracking details by email from the relevant courier. You can track your delivery via the courier tracking links provided in your dispatch email, or by using the quick links below:
Courier Specifics & Tracking Apps
DPD Express
On the morning of your delivery, DPD will send you an email or SMS with a precise one-hour delivery window. We highly recommend downloading the DPD App, which allows you to see exactly where your driver is on a map and upload a photo of your chosen "Safe Place." Alternatively, you can track your parcel directly on the DPD portal using your tracking number.
DVS Specialist Delivery
Because our specialist drivers deliver in the early hours to ensure the coolest, optimal temperatures for your flowers, deliveries usually arrive between 4:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
- Pre-Delivery Logistics: Upon booking this service, our team will contact you directly to confirm your exact drop location. We will require your location and up-to-date contact details.
- Arrival Alerts: You will receive DVS tracking alerts advising you of an approximate delivery time, and the driver will call or email you one hour prior to arrival.
Royal Mail
For smaller parcels and gift items, you will receive a tracking number once the item is dispatched. You can monitor its progress via the Royal Mail Tracked 24 portal using your tracking number.
Packaging & Handling
We take great care to ensure your flowers arrive in excellent condition.
- All orders are securely packed for transit
- DVS deliveries use water-conditioned arrangements and protective crates
- Royal Mail and DPD orders are packed to withstand courier handling
- We recommend handling parcels carefully upon delivery and unpacking immediately
While we take every precaution, flowers are a perishable product and may be affected by transit conditions.
Claims & Damaged Deliveries
We take great care in packing all orders to minimise damage during transit. However, once an order has been handed to the courier, it is in their care. If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 12 hours of delivery.
What to do:
If your order arrives damaged, please follow the steps below:
- Contact the relevant courier (DVS, DPD or Royal Mail) immediately to log a formal damage report
- Then notify us as soon as possible via email with your order details and photographs of the issue
Required evidence for claims:
To investigate any issue, we must receive clear videos/photographs showing:
- Outer packaging (box)
- Inner packaging
- Shipping label
- Contents (affected flowers/products)
For perishable items, we also require:
- Clear images of all affected stems/items grouped together
Individual close-ups alone are not sufficient for assessment.
Example:
Important information:
- Claims must be submitted within 12 hours of delivery
- If packaging or product has been disposed of, we may be unable to process the claim
- All courier damage claims are subject to third-party investigation and approval
- We are unable to guarantee refunds for damage caused in transit by third-party couriers
Late or Missing Deliveries
If your order has not arrived on time:
- Please check your tracking information first
- If there is no update, contact us as soon as possible (ideally before 13:00 on the expected delivery day)
We will always do our best to assist, but final delivery control sits with the courier.
Delivery Issues & Cancellations
Occasionally, couriers may cancel or reroute shipments due to operational or safety reasons.
If this happens:
- Your order is not cancelled
- We will rebook your delivery with an alternative courier where possible
- You will receive updated tracking information once re-dispatched
Delivery Instructions
You can leave delivery notes at checkout, such as:
- Safe place instructions
- Gate codes
- Access details
- Special handling requests
This is especially helpful for early morning DVS deliveries.
Need Help?
If you have a question about an order, please contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.
