2026 Floral Foam Reformation: Your Questions Answered

2026 Floral Foam Reformation: Your Questions Answered

Title Photograph: Annie Spratt, Unsplash.

The Church of England's 2026 'Sustainable Church Flowers' Motion changes the way we arrange. In this article we're focusing on floral foam.

Let's get started.

What is the Motion?

Flowercomb®: The 'Sustainable Church Flowers' Motion was introduced by the Diocese of Worcester, and passed with overwhelming support on 12 Feburary 2026.

It sets out three main principles:

  • Embrace and promote the use of local, seasonal and fully biodegradable or compostable flowers and foliage.
  • Encourage Cathedrals and churches - wherever possible - to source their blooms locally and seasonally.
  • Call on churches to eliminate the use of floral foam, and similar non-biodegradable products, while rediscovering traditional and environmentally friendly methods of display.

 

Photograph: Tanya Barrow, Unsplash.


Is there an official 'ban' on floral foam in churches now?

Flowercomb®: Not exactly. The motion passed by the General Synod is advisory, not a legal prohibition. It 'calls on' and 'encourages' the 16,000 CofE churches and cathedrals to eliminate the use of floral foam.  While it isn't a mandatory ban, it sets a clear direction for the Church's 2030 NetZero goal.

 

Why is the Church of England targeting floral foam specifically?

Flowercomb®: The concern lies in environmental stewardship. The motion seeks to 'rediscover traditional and environmentally friendly methods' that align with the Church's mission to care for creation.

Modern floral foam is a petroleum-based plastic that does not biodegrade.  It crumbles into microplastics that can enter the soil of churchyards and water systems.  To illustrate the impact, the Bishop of Dudley (who introduced the Motion) noted that a single block of floral foam contains as much plastic as ten carrier bags.

Photograph: Annie Spratt, Unsplash.

I'm a bride - Can my florist still use floral foam for arrangements at my wedding?

Flowercomb®: Yes. The BFA has clarified that the motion is primarily focused on internal guidance for church flower rotas and teams.

While individual parishes may set their own policies for weddings or funerals, there is no national rule preventing professional florists from working in churches with their own materials.

The key is communication—parishes are being encouraged to share their sustainability guidelines with external providers well in advance.

 

Photograph: Dan Farrell, Unsplash.

How can I create large church displays without foam?

Flowercomb®:  This is the most common concern! It is actually a beautiful opportunity to return to the sculptural roots of floristry. For centuries, church arrangements relied on reusable mechanics like twigs, glass flower roses, and chicken wire.

Some options to consider are:

  • Chicken wire and string: Essential for larger, heavy vessels.

  • Grouping: Clustering small vases or jars to build a grand, singular effect.

  • Structure: Using sturdy branches and twigs in urns combined with flowering branches and strong stemmed flowers

  • Pot et fleur': A Victorian technique of combining cut flowers with potted plants. You can read more about this in our Flowercomb® Histories journal.

Flowercomb®: For those seeking a clean, high-performance evolution of these traditions, we developed pure copper Flowercomb®. It is a sustainable, lasting, and flexible alternative to floral foam that works beautifully for both small at-home posies and larger scale church displays.

Unlike chicken wire, it won't rust and can be easily cleaned to its original shine with simple lemon and salt.Because it can be divided or rewoven together, it adapts to the shape of any vessel you choose, offering a permanent solution for the mindful arranger.

  • Photograph: Gabriel Miklos, Unsplash.

    To learn more about the transition to sustainable flower arranging, you can watch this excellent video featuring Shane Connolly, who provided and designed floral arrangements for the King’s Coronation and the weddings of the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

     

Image taken from video: Diocese of Worcester, Vimeo.

You can also can read the following articles from industry sources:

 

  • Sustainable Church Flowers  A thoughtful resource offering deeper insight into sustainability, practical techniques, and the ideas shaping the 2026 movement.

    Sustainable Flowers Research Project A research-led resource exploring the environmental, social, and economic challenges of the modern flower industry and pathways toward more sustainable floristry

    The BFA Response: Understanding the Industry Shift  An update from the British Florist Association on the Church of England Synod motion encouraging more sustainable approaches to church flowers and floral design.

     

     

     

 

 

 

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