Fresh Flowers on Cakes: How to Safely Decorate Cakes with Real Flowers

Fresh flowers on cakes: Quick answers

Question	Answer
How far in advance can you put fresh flowers on a cake?	Ideally the same day, within a few hours of serving.
How long do fresh flowers last on a cake?	Most stay fresh 6-24 hours if refrigerated.
Are fresh flowers safe on cakes?	Only if the flowers are non-toxic and properly wrapped or placed in floral picks.
Can you decorate a cake with grocery store flowers?	Yes, but make sure they are pesticide-free and thoroughly cleaned.

When buttercream bails - Embracing my floral expertise

For my Mother-in-laws birthday, I decided to try my hand at making a 3-layered cake. I easily grabbed all the supplies and ingredients from my DIY Kitchen Baking Station. My first ever! It was an adventure for sure and in the end, it was not the worst cake ever... it leaned a bit but overall not too bad for the first time. The original plan was to make buttercream frosting flowers using my new frosting tips. Well since the cake tested my patience I decided to go straight to decorating the cake with fresh flowers. Now, THIS is something I know how to do!

Are flowers safe on a cake?

When it comes to decorating cakes with fresh flowers, safety should always be your top priority. Not all flowers are safe to use on food, even if they're just for decoration. As a florist, these are some of the flowers I most often recommend when decorating cakes:

1. Roses
2. Lavender
3. Violets
4. Pansies
5. Marigolds
6. Carnations
7. Chrysanthemums
8. Daisies
9. Sunflowers
10. Orchids

Remember, while these flowers are non-toxic flowers, they aren't necessarily edible. Always remove flowers before serving the cake. For a more comprehensive list of edible flowers, check out this link: list of edible flowers

Use fresh herbs as greenery

When it comes to adding greenery, herbs are a great choice. Not only are they safe, but they can add a lovely aroma to your cake. Consider using mint, basil, rosemary, or thyme.

Tip: Flowering herbs are one of the safest choices: One of my favorite tricks when decorating cakes with fresh flowers is to use flowering herbs from the garden. Herbs like thyme, oregano, basil, mint, rosemary, dill, cilantro, and lavender all produce delicate blooms that are naturally associated with culinary use. Because these plants are already commonly used in the kitchen, they're one of the safest and easiest choices for decorating cakes. The tiny flowers add beautiful texture and a light, garden-style look that works especially well on rustic or spring cakes. Just make sure the herbs are freshly picked, clean, and free of pesticides before placing them on your cake.

Add fruit for flair

Want to elevate your design even further? Incorporating fruit can add both color and an edible element to your cake decoration. Try using berries, citrus slices, or even edible flowers like nasturtiums for a pop of color and flavor.

Remember, always ensure that any flowers or plants you use are free from pesticides and thoroughly cleaned before placing them on your cake. When in doubt, consult with a professional florist or use flowers specifically grown for culinary use.

Pre-made toppers and freestyle designs

Floral suppliers sell cake topper forms for this purpose, here is something similar. These are made with floral foam and can be made ahead of time and simply placed on the top of the cake. Many of my clients wanted a more free form/loose flower design with just the blooms placed directly on the top and the layers. After the cake was done I always added a little ribbon-tied cluster of flowers on the bridal cake knife. This was...well...the icing on the cake!

For these loose flower design, I make sure to choose non-toxic flowers and greens. Non-toxic does not mean edible and these flowers need to be removed before serving. For a list of true edible flowers click here.

How to decorate a cake with fresh flowers

Once your cake is frosted (or bought!) and placed on the cake stand, it's time for the fun part - decorating! Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful floral design:

1. Gather Your materials
   • Choose your flowers (like spray roses or small blooms)
   • Select complementary greenery (such as ivy leaves or herbs)
   • Have additional accents ready (like tiny flowers for filler)
2. Prepare the flowers and greenery
   • Gently wash the greenery and let it dry on paper towels
   • Trim the stems of your flowers as needed
3. Create the base design
   • Start by placing larger blooms at key points around the cake (e.g., at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions)
   • This helps shape the overall design and ensures balance
4. Add greenery
   • Lay leaves around and between the flowers
   • Allow some to trail over the edges for a natural look
5. Fill in with smaller flowers
   • Use smaller blooms or buds to fill gaps and add detail
   • This creates depth and interest in your design
6. Final touches
   • Step back and assess your design, making adjustments as needed
   • Ensure the arrangement looks balanced and natural

Tips:

• Buttercream frosting works well for holding flowers in place
• For extra security, you can use floral tape or wrap parchment paper on stems to prevent any sap from leaking into the frosting
• Remember, less is often more - don't overcrowd your design

Storage for cakes with fresh flowers and herbs

When it comes to storing a cake decorated with fresh flowers, timing and temperature are key. Ideally, you'll want to add the flowers on the same day you plan to serve the cake. If you need to prepare in advance, it's fine to bake and frost your cake a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight. On the day of your event, take the cake out, add your beautiful floral decorations, and then pop it back in the fridge until it's nearly time to serve. About 30 minutes before your guests arrive, remove the cake from the refrigerator to let it come to room temperature - this ensures the best flavor and texture.

If you're transporting your masterpiece, try to keep it cool to maintain the flowers' freshness and prevent any frosting mishaps. Remember, fresh flowers can wilt quickly, especially in warm conditions, so keeping your cake chilled until the last possible moment will help it look its best when it's time for the big reveal. With these tips, your floral cake creation should stay fresh and stunning from kitchen to table!

Frequently asked questions

Some serious sweet inspiration:

This beautiful chocolate cake has sliced strawberries, dried chamomile blooms and fresh thyme and mint as the greenery.

I gave these store bought cupcake a mini makeover for Easter. I used violet blooms, mint and jelly beans.

This yummy lemon cake was topped with slices of fresh lemon, fresh pansies and rosemary as the greenery.

This Lavender Lemon Pound Cake was decorated with fresh lavender and thyme leaves from the garden.

More fresh flower inspiration

Please feel free to leave me any messages or questions you have about decorating a cake with fresh flowers. Meanwhile, I'll keep working on my cake making, I'm determined to get it right! If you are looking for more fresh flower inspiration please visit my Lily Topiary post and my Floral Candle Ring one too!

Keep creating friends!