Winter Flowers in Season: What Florists Have in December and January

Winter has a reputation as the quiet season for flowers. In reality, December and January bring some of the most beautiful blooms a florist works with all year. Anemones with their dark velvet centers, ranunculus with paper-thin petals stacked like a rose, amaryllis the size of a fist and the first tulips of the year all show up between Thanksgiving and early February.

This guide walks through what is truly in season, what each flower costs, how long it lasts and which ones make sense for holiday gifts, sympathy, birthdays and the long stretch of January when everyone could use something bright on the table. If you just want to order, our full flower collection is updated with what is freshest each week.

What does "in season" mean for winter flowers?

Flowers are grown all over the world, so almost anything can be found in a cooler at any time if you are willing to pay for it. When florists say a flower is in season, we mean three practical things:

• Peak supply. Growers are harvesting the most stems, so quality is high and prices are stable.
• Best condition. The flower is grown in its natural cycle, which usually means stronger stems, fuller heads and longer vase life.
• Fair price. You are not paying extra for a stem flown in out of its natural window or forced in a greenhouse at high cost.

Winter-season flowers come from a mix of sources: California and South American farms for roses, ranunculus and anemones, Dutch and domestic greenhouses for tulips and hyacinths, and bulb growers for amaryllis and paperwhites. In Southern California the mild weather also keeps local growers producing through most of the winter.

The winter flower calendar at a glance

Here is a quick reference for the flowers you will see most often from December through January, with typical vase life and the price range of a bouquet built around them at FlowerEase.

Prices depend on stem count, vase or wrap and the other flowers mixed in. A dozen roses is about $89, 24 roses about $179, and a luxury arrangement starts around $200.

The stars of December

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is the signature flower of December. A single stem carries three to five large trumpet blooms that open one after another, so one stem can look fresh for well over a week. Red is the classic holiday choice, but white, striped and soft pink varieties are just as lovely and feel less seasonal if you want the arrangement to stay up into January. If you want the full story on caring for them, we wrote a separate amaryllis holiday guide.

Paperwhites

Paperwhites are a type of narcissus with clusters of small white star-shaped flowers. They are most often given as forced bulbs in a pot or bowl, and they bloom within a few weeks of planting. One honest note: their scent is strong and some people find it musky rather than sweet. If you are sending them to someone you do not know well, a potted amaryllis or orchid is a safer choice.

Cymbidium orchids

Cymbidiums are the large, waxy orchids you see in winter arrangements, often in green, white, blush or burgundy. As cut flowers they are one of the longest-lasting blooms available, often two to three weeks in a cool room. They are expensive per stem, so they usually appear as accents in luxury arrangements, but a few blooms change the whole look of a bouquet.

Evergreens and winter foliage

Pine, cedar, juniper, eucalyptus and holly are not flowers, but they are what make a winter arrangement look like winter. They also last a long time, smell fresh and add volume without adding much cost. A red rose and pine bouquet, for example, reads as festive without any ornaments at all.

The stars of January

January is when florists quietly get excited. The holiday rush is over and the first spring flowers from greenhouses and California fields arrive.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus hits its stride in January. The blooms are dense, round and layered, in shades from white and blush to coral, burgundy and buttery yellow. They last 7 to 10 days and keep opening wider, which makes them one of the most rewarding flowers to receive. Our ranunculus guide covers colors and care in more detail.

Anemones

White anemones with black centers are the look of the season for modern arrangements. They open in daylight and close slightly at night, so they seem almost alive on the table. They are a little more delicate than ranunculus, with 5 to 8 days of vase life, but nothing else looks quite like them.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths bring fragrance to the coldest weeks of the year. Cut hyacinths last about a week, and potted ones bloom for two weeks or so and can be planted outside afterward. White, blue, purple and pink are all common. Because of the strong scent, they are best for people who love fragrance and less ideal for a small office.

Tulips

The first tulips arrive in December and supply builds steadily through January. Early tulips are slightly smaller than spring ones but last well in a cool home. Remember that tulips keep growing in the vase and bend toward light, which many people find charming. If you like their story, read why tulips keep growing after you cut them.

Which winter flowers last the longest?

If vase life is your top priority, especially for a gift that needs to look good through a long holiday weekend, these are the most reliable winter choices:

1. Cymbidium orchids: two to three weeks as cut blooms, longer as a plant.
2. Calla lilies: 7 to 14 days with clean water.
3. Amaryllis: 7 to 12 days as buds open in sequence.
4. Chrysanthemums and alstroemeria: 10 to 14 days, though they are more fall than winter in feel.
5. Roses: 7 to 10 days with a fresh cut and clean water every two days.
6. Evergreens: two weeks or more, often outlasting every flower in the vase.

Indoor heating is the biggest enemy of winter flowers. Keep arrangements away from heater vents, fireplaces and sunny windows, and top up the water daily. Our guide on how to make flowers last longer has the full routine.

Winter flowers by occasion

Seasonal flowers are not only beautiful, they also carry the right mood for the holidays and the weeks after. Here is how florists match them to common winter occasions.

Christmas and holiday gifts

Red roses with pine, red amaryllis, white flowers with silver eucalyptus and potted amaryllis or orchids are the classics. For a modern take, try white anemones with dark accents and cedar. Christmas is on Friday, December 25, 2026, and the last few days before it are the busiest delivery days of the year, so order a few days ahead. See our Christmas flowers collection for ready-made options.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah runs from the evening of December 4 to December 12, 2026. Blue and white arrangements with hydrangea, white roses, delphinium, iris and white anemones are popular and avoid any Christmas symbolism. Our Hanukkah flowers page collects arrangements in those colors.

Sympathy in winter

White lilies, white roses, calla lilies, white hydrangea and orchids are traditional. Losing someone during the holidays is especially hard, and a calm white arrangement or a long-lasting plant is a gentle way to show you remember.

January birthdays and "just because"

January birthdays get overlooked because they fall right after the holidays. Ranunculus, tulips and anemones feel fresh and new, which suits a birthday at the start of the year. The carnation, the January birth flower, is also having a well-deserved comeback.

How much do winter flowers cost?

Winter pricing has two distinct phases. From early December to Christmas, demand for red roses, amaryllis and evergreens climbs, and supply of some premium flowers tightens. After New Year's, prices relax for most flowers, then red roses begin climbing again in late January as growers prepare for Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 14, 2027.

Typical FlowerEase prices during the winter season:

• Small seasonal bouquet: $39 to $69, often tulips, ranunculus or spray roses.
• Dozen roses: about $89, any color.
• Medium seasonal arrangement in a vase: $89 to $149.
• 24 roses: about $179.
• Luxury winter arrangement with orchids or amaryllis: $200 and up.
• Delivery: $14.99, free on orders from $149.

If you are watching your budget, ask for a seasonal designer's choice. When the florist can use what arrived freshest that morning, you get more flowers for the same price than if you insist on a specific out-of-season bloom. Our affordable flowers page shows the best value picks.

Flowers that are not in season in winter

Some flowers can be found in December, but they are expensive, short-lived or simply not at their best. Consider skipping or swapping these:

• Peonies: the main season is late spring. Winter peonies are imported from the Southern Hemisphere, cost a lot and often open poorly. Garden roses or ranunculus give a similar soft look.
• Dahlias: they peak from late summer through fall. By December they are scarce. Ranunculus is the winter stand-in.
• Sunflowers: available, but smaller and less vibrant than in summer. Yellow tulips or ranunculus give the same cheer.
• Lilacs: spring flowers that are very expensive in winter and wilt quickly.

How to choose a winter bouquet that looks its best

When you are picking a bouquet for someone, a few simple rules help you get the most out of winter flowers:

1. Start with the season's stars. Ranunculus, anemones, amaryllis and tulips are at their peak, so a bouquet built around them is fresher for the money.
2. Add greenery with texture. Pine, cedar and eucalyptus give a winter feel without holiday clichés, so the bouquet stays relevant after December 25.
3. Choose a color story. Red and green for Christmas, blue and white for Hanukkah, white and silver for elegance, soft blush and cream for January.
4. Pick a vase for gifts. In winter, many people are traveling or busy, so an arrangement in a vase is ready to display immediately.
5. Think about scent. Hyacinths and paperwhites are strongly fragrant. Roses, tulips and anemones are mild or unscented, which is better for offices and hospitals.

How FlowerEase handles winter delivery in Irvine

We design every arrangement in our Irvine studio from flowers that arrive fresh several times a week. In winter that means more ranunculus, anemones and amaryllis on our worktables and fewer summer blooms.

• Order by 2 PM for same-day delivery, every day of the week.
• Delivery windows run from 8 AM to 8 PM across Irvine and Orange County.
• We send you a photo of the arrangement before it leaves the studio.
• Every order includes a free handwritten card of up to 200 characters.
• Flowers are covered by our 7-day freshness guarantee.

During the week before Christmas and the days before Valentine's Day, delivery windows fill quickly, so ordering a day or two ahead is the easiest way to get the time you want. Learn more about how it works on our same-day flower delivery page.

Not sure which winter bloom to choose? Our seasonal flowers page is updated as new deliveries arrive, so whatever you see there is what is at its best this week.

Winter flowers FAQ

Order winter flowers today

Winter flowers are some of the most beautiful of the year, and they are at their freshest right now. Browse our seasonal flower collection, pick a bouquet built around anemones, ranunculus, amaryllis or roses, and add a handwritten card. Order by 2 PM and we will deliver it today, with a photo before it leaves our studio.

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