Guest Post By Caity FitzGerald of The Wild Sola Flower

Sola wood flowers are becoming much more well-known and common as they are sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternatives to fresh cut flowers. Most of the people I know have never heard of wood flowers but seeing as most of the sola community that I have gotten to know is in other regions, I think that it is far more common elsewhere. I’d love to know if you are familiar with them and if you are not, I am happy to introduce you. 

What are Sola Wood Flowers? 

Sola flowers are wood flowers but they’re not made from the typical kind of hard wood that tables and chairs are made out of. Sola flowers come from a plant called Shola, aka Aeschynomene aspera, which grows naturally in marshy areas. It is extremely lightweight and the texture is almost like Styrofoam. Because this type of wood is not stiff or hard like other woods and are instead very soft and pliable, they make a great substitute to traditional flowers.

How are Sola Flowers Made?

The root of the plant has a layer of bark which is usually stripped and then the inside is turned into a pulp. The pulp is then made into sheets which are hand-rolled into the flowers and held together with string.

They come in over 150 different styles and the natural un-dyed color is a light cream. They are usually dyed which makes them perfect for customizing to the exact look and theme that you are hoping for. 

Occasionally, there are imperfections such as small pieces of bark, a knot, or a tiny hole might be found. This is natural and not a result of handling or the dyeing process. 

Do Sola Wood Flowers Look Real?

Sola flowers vary in how realistic they look. The skin-on flowers are obviously wood, but the “skinned” flowers generally look very realistic. When sprayed with vegetable glycerin and water mixed together, (I prefer 1 part glycerin to 8 parts water), the flowers become soft and workable. They are still a little delicate but not as much as real flowers. Petals are at risk of falling off or tearing if you are too rough, obviously, so being gentle is still advised. 

Some designers will purchase the sola sheets and make their own flowers but most order them from a supplier already in flower form.

Once they arrive, they are dyed or sprayed with softener. (When dyeing, I mix the glycerin right into the paint). I then dip them into the acrylic paint and let them dry for 24 hours.

One could also hand-paint them or airbrush them, which creates a really gorgeous look. The amount of water you add to the paint will affect how well the paint coats the flowers, which is why I like to use crafter’s paint or house paint rather than the type of acrylic you would use for fine art. 

Once the flowers have been dyed, we glue stems onto them. This can be 18-gauge wire, plastic flower stems, wood stems, bamboo skewers, or even paddle wire if you are making a wreath or garland. You will want to choose the stem based on your purposes. A bouquet would want wire with a stem cover over it or you could hide the wires with grass after you have finished arranging it. 

How Long do Sola Wood Flowers Last?

Sola flowers can last forever. Keeping them out in the open and out of direct sunlight is the best way to make them last forever.

Storing them in an airtight container or a plastic container is not a great idea because they can get moldy. Also, keeping them in a humid garage will create mold. If you really want to store the flowers for a while, put them in a cardboard box with large holes in it and keep it in a cool place with some silica desiccate packets inside.

Pro tip: If you want to keep them from getting dusty while on display, you can use a can of air held 2 feet away to dust them off or just blow on them. 

Benefits of Using Sola Wood Flowers

1. Affordable

Sola flowers are a great alternative for a low budget wedding. When browsing for Sola flowers on Etsy, you may notice the prices are not that different from fresh flowers because they are still time consuming to make and arrange (we use the same techniques as fresh florists when arranging). However, you can order some sign “swag” or just a few bouquets rather than a full-scale florist and still save quite a lot of money.

If you’re looking to save money on your wedding, using wood flowers is a great option to keep costs down.

2. Available Year Round

Additionally, using fresh flowers means that you are at the mercy of the seasons and geography. Perhaps the flower you want is only located in another region of the world – it can be expensive to have them imported and to time it correctly so they are still fresh for your big event.

3. Customizable

Depending on what time of the year you are getting married, you may not be able to use certain flowers. With wood flowers, you don’t have to worry about this. You can choose whatever style flower you like as well as what color. Sola flowers can be dyed any color and are not impacted by the time of year. 

4. Durable

Sola wood flowers are very durable. They can withstand all different kinds of temperatures and climates so whether you’re getting married where it’s super hot and humid, cold and windy, or wet and rainy, you can be confident that the flowers should hold up pretty well.

Obviously you want to err on the side of caution and take care of them. Treat them gently but they should be able to withstand more than the typical real flower.

5. Sentimental

Are you sentimental? If so, Sola flowers are perfect because you can throw your bridal bouquet right into a vase and keep it on display in your home for as long as you wish. Each of your bridesmaids can have a bouquet that is unique to them as well and they can keep it as a gift. As for the centerpieces and other sola flower wedding decor, let guests take it home. They’re gorgeous home décor and in some cultures such, it is customary to let the guests take home some of the decorations.

6. DIY

If you love making things yourself, you can totally try DIYing sola wood flowers for yourself! You can buy the flowers already formed and customize the colors as you like. There is a learning curve but once you master it, you can have some amazing floral pieces. 

7. Eco-Friendly

When using sola wood flowers instead of real flowers, you help protect the Earth and keep more plant intact, in the ground. They are made from the wooden root of a sustainable plant, so you wont be contributing to any extra waste or other unsustainable practices when it comes to your wedding florals.

8. Resell or Reuse

You can totally resell your wood flowers from your wedding if you don’t want to save them! There are tons of online places to sell used items like Facebook Marketplace, Offerup, Etsy and more. If you don’t want to save your wood flowers, selling them is a great way to free up space and make some money back. You can also reuse them for home decor other projects.

How Much do Sola Wood Flowers Cost?

From what I’ve seen, each flower cost about a $1 but it depends on the size, style, type of flower, and whether or not it’s dyed or colored. Wood flowers are definitely more affordable that real flowers and the biggest benefit is that they are not as delicate as real flower. They can last forever and can be much more easily fixed and managed.

Where is the Best Place to Buy Sola Wood Flowers?

For DIY options, you can usually buy wood flowers at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and even places like Walmart and Amazon. Etsy has a good selection of handmade wood sola flowers and there are other wood flower wholesalers out there that you can find online.

If you’re looking for someone to create special wood flowers for your wedding or event, check out my business at The Wild Sola Flower. I’d love to help you create something special for your celebration!

Are Sola Wood Flowers Worth it?

I’d say yes! But ultimately, this is a very personal decision and the flowers you select will depend on a variety of factors and figuring out what is most important to you. Enjoy the process and I know your wedding will be beautiful no matter what.