Innovative Research, Sustainable Solutions, and Global Reach in Floral Care

FloraLife is a company rooted in decades of experience in postharvest flower care, tracing its origins back to 1938 with the creation of what is recognized as the very first flower food.

Since that time, it has developed into a division of Smithers-Oasis Company, sharing a commitment to innovation in the floral industry.

Based in Walterboro, South Carolina, FloraLife houses sales, manufacturing, and research facilities under one roof, all dedicated to advancing the science and technology behind fresh cut flowers.

The company focuses on providing products and services to various segments of the flower supply chain, from growers and wholesalers to retail shops, supermarkets, and e-commerce channels, ensuring that consumers ultimately receive flowers in a fresh and long-lasting condition.

The roots of FloraLife can be traced to a joint venture between a rose grower, William Bussert, and a Chicago cut-flower wholesaler, James Sykora, Sr, who aimed to create a viable flower food product at a time when the market for such innovations was virtually nonexistent.

World War II sugar rationing initially hampered sales, but the FloraLife name re-emerged in 1944 with renewed success.

By focusing on the challenges facing floral businesses such as preventing wilt, prolonging vase life, and offering simple, effective treatments for various flower types the company began building its reputation as a key resource in the floral sector.

Over the ensuing decades, FloraLife introduced a range of solutions that allowed florists and retailers to dye flowers, reduce spoilage, and handle different water types.

The introduction of a light-hearted cartoon spokesperson named “Dew-y” in the 1980s exemplified the company’s approach of combining scientific rigor with user-friendly education.

Progressing into the digital era of the 1990s, FloraLife capitalized on the internet’s potential by launching an online platform, making it easier to share research findings and product information.

This spirit of innovation carried over into a monumental breakthrough when the company introduced EthylBloc Technology, a product designed to mitigate the harmful effects of ethylene a natural plant hormone that accelerates wilting and leaf yellowing.

By reducing ethylene’s impact, FloraLife significantly extended the life of many cut flowers.

In 2006, the company was acquired by Rohm & Haas, and then transferred to Smithers-Oasis the following year.

Joining forces with a recognized leader in floral foam products allowed FloraLife to expand its distribution network worldwide, reaching North and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, FloraLife prides itself on a comprehensive range of flower care options that address everything from harvesting to vase presentation.

The company has consistently invested in research and development, maintaining one of the largest teams in the field of fresh-cut flowers.

Its chemists and horticulturists work on-site in Walterboro to test new products, refine existing formulas, and respond to emerging needs in an industry that continually evolves.

This commitment to research ensures that each solution whether for hydration, storage, transport, or feeding is tailored to different flower varieties and conditions encountered along the supply chain.

Although FloraLife is keen on continuous improvement, it strives to position itself as a resourceful partner rather than merely a product vendor, offering guidance and education that help reduce waste and optimize flower longevity.

One of the main reasons that FloraLife stands out in the floral industry is its consistent emphasis on sustainability.

The company’s 2025 Sustainability Plan highlights five key commitments: climate change, water stewardship, product portfolio, sustainable packaging, and stakeholder awareness.

To illustrate how FloraLife puts these goals into practice, it has introduced initiatives aimed at reducing plastic usage and has embarked on projects to neutralize the carbon footprint of certain products.

An example is FloraLife® Express Clear ULTRA 200, a storage and transport solution whose carbon emissions have been assessed in partnership with Carbon Footprint Ltd.

Other notable advancements include the FloraLife® Bouquet Wrap, launched to keep flowers hydrated during shipping.

By wrapping the stems in a water-and-flower-food solution, this product maintains the flowers’ water weight, preventing wilting during the critical “last mile” of transport.

When properly used, this wrap significantly reduces the chance of flowers arriving in a dehydrated or wilted state.

FloraLife has addressed growing environmental concerns by offering recyclable paper packaging for some of its flower food packets.

This approach aligns with the company’s intention to eliminate at least 100 million pieces of plastic from the supply chain by 2025.

The paper packaging holds the OK biobased, four-star certificate, ensuring that most of the material is sourced from renewable resources.

While FloraLife is committed to developing new products and refining existing ones, it also engages with industry partners and associations to promote better floral practices overall.

The company recognizes that effective collaboration is essential for addressing challenges like logistics, consumer education, and environmental impact.

This openness to partnerships underscores a broader perspective on what it means to flourish in a globalized floral sector, one where every link in the supply chain from seed to vase has an important role to play.

FloraLife’s story is one of continuous adaptation, underscored by the belief that well-researched products and transparent guidance can help the entire floral supply chain thrive.

In focusing on postharvest science, the company has established itself as a significant force in keeping flowers not just alive, but vibrant.

Although it operates as part of a larger corporation, its mission remains rooted in advancing quality and sustainability for those who grow, sell, and appreciate flowers.

By balancing innovation with an ongoing commitment to reducing waste and environmental impact, FloraLife offers a glimpse into how a specialized brand can have a broader influence on an entire industry without making that aspiration too conspicuous.