The Best Time to Order Flowers: Day, Time and Holiday Lead Times (2026)
Last updated: September 26, 2026
Quick answer: Order in the morning, a day or two before you want the flowers to arrive, for delivery on a weekday. Weekend cutoffs are earlier and Sunday delivery is limited or unavailable. For same-day delivery, order before the cutoff in the recipient's time zone: 1:00 PM with The Flowers Directory, 2 p.m. on weekdays with FTD and Teleflora, and 3 p.m. on weekdays with 1-800-Flowers. For Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, order at least a week ahead: 21% of a year's flower spending happens in the two weeks before Mother's Day.
Fast facts
- Same-day cutoffs are in the recipient's time zone, not yours.
- No major service guarantees a delivery time of day for standard florist delivery.
- Weekend cutoffs are earlier than weekday cutoffs at FTD, Teleflora and 1-800-Flowers.
- Mother's Day and Valentine's Day together account for nearly 40% of annual flower purchases at top US florists.
- Cutoffs checked on each company's own website on September 26, 2026.
When to order flowers so they arrive on the right day: same-day cutoffs by service, the best day of the week, delivery windows, and how far ahead to order for the big flower holidays.
Same-day delivery cutoffs by service
| Service | Monday to Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Flowers Directory | 1:00 PM | 1:00 PM | No delivery |
| FTD | 2 p.m. | 1 p.m. | 1 p.m., select areas |
| Teleflora | 2 p.m. ($2.99 extra) | 12 p.m. ($2.99 extra) | 12 p.m., if a local shop is open |
| 1-800-Flowers | 3 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 12 p.m. |
| ProFlowers (florist delivery) | 2 p.m. | Earlier times may apply | Not stated |
All times are in the recipient's time zone. Services note that cutoffs can be earlier in some areas, on weekends and around holidays.
What is the best day of the week to order flowers?
Order on a weekday for delivery Tuesday to Friday. That gives you the latest same-day cutoffs and the fewest surprises, because weekend cutoffs are earlier and Sunday delivery is limited: The Flowers Directory does not deliver on Sundays, Teleflora delivers on Sunday only where a local shop is open, and FTD offers Sunday delivery in select areas. Some consumer guides claim flowers are freshest midweek because shops restock early in the week; we could not find trade data that confirms it, so plan around cutoffs and delivery days instead.
What time of day should you order?
In the morning, in the recipient's time zone. An early order gives the florist more time to make and deliver the arrangement that day. Remember the time difference: a 1:00 PM cutoff in New York is 10:00 AM in California.
What time are flowers delivered?
Standard florist delivery happens during business hours with no guaranteed time. FTD and ProFlowers say they "cannot guarantee delivery at a specific time of day," and during major holidays deliveries "may be made as late as 9 p.m." 1-800-Flowers delivers between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the recipient's time zone and extends those hours around Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. For a funeral service or a hospital, order a day ahead: some hospitals deliver flowers to rooms only on weekdays.
How far ahead should you order for Mother's Day?
At least a week ahead. Mother's Day is the biggest flower holiday of the year: 21% of annual flower spending happens in the two weeks before it, and FTD, 1-800-Flowers, Farmgirl Flowers and The Bouqs all had their top-selling day of the year in that window (Bloomberg Second Measure). Spending is rising too. In 2025, 38% of Americans bought flowers or plants for Mother's Day, and the average purchase was $71, up from $60 in 2024 (Society of American Florists).
How far ahead should you order for Valentine's Day?
At least a week ahead, and earlier if Valentine's Day falls on a weekday. Weekday Valentine's Days bring more orders because people send flowers to workplaces, and the flower supply is planned up to a year in advance: FTD orders its Valentine's flowers and containers nine months to a year ahead (Supply Chain Dive).
Sources
- FTD delivery policy and FTD same-day delivery
- Teleflora FAQ
- 1-800-Flowers local florist delivery details and customer service FAQ
- ProFlowers delivery policy
- Bloomberg Second Measure, Mother's Day flower spending
- Society of American Florists, Mother's Day 2025 survey
- Supply Chain Dive, the Valentine's Day flower supply chain
Our own cutoff was measured in our florist network's ordering system, checking same-day availability every minute around 1:00 PM on a weekday and again on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Other services' cutoffs are from their websites on the same day. Our editorial standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day of the week to order flowers?
A weekday, for delivery Tuesday to Friday. Weekday cutoffs are later and delivery is most reliable. Weekend cutoffs are earlier and Sunday delivery is limited or unavailable.
What time do I need to order flowers for same-day delivery?
It depends on the service, in the recipient's time zone: 1:00 PM with The Flowers Directory, 2 p.m. on weekdays with FTD and Teleflora, and 3 p.m. on weekdays with 1-800-Flowers. Weekend cutoffs are earlier.
Can I choose a delivery time for flowers?
Usually not for standard florist delivery. FTD and ProFlowers say they cannot guarantee a specific time of day, and 1-800-Flowers delivers between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. For a funeral service, order a day ahead and put the service time in the delivery instructions.
How early should I order Mother's Day flowers?
At least a week before. The two weeks before Mother's Day account for 21% of a year's flower spending, and national florists hit their busiest days of the year in that window.
