I speak to couples all of the time who want flowers on their wedding cake. And between Pinterest, styled shoots, real wedding cakes and uninformed cake designers/florists, it’s easy to assume that anything goes. But I regularly see flowers on wedding cakes that are toxic, dangerous and potentially harmful. This list is designed for other wedding cake designers, DIY wedding cakers and couples to understand how to select and use flowers on a wedding cake.
There are two aspects to choosing ‘safe’ flowers. Flowers must be non-toxic varieties and they need to be grown in a way which means they’re safe to be around food.
Step 1: Wash And Trim The Flowers
Under a sink with cold water running, gently wash your flowers to make sure there aren’t any bugs or dirt lingering in the petals. Locate where you’d like to trim the stem (I usually keep it 2-3 inches long) and place it under the water. Snip the stem at an angle and keep the trimmed portion under the water for another few seconds. I consider that the flower’s final drink.
Pat the flowers and stems dry with a paper towel carefully.
You Will Need:
Know Which Flowers You Can and Cannot Use
While there’s a world of beautiful flowers out there, not all of them are safe to use on something edible like a cake. Flowers like hydrangeas and baby’s breath, while popular in bouquets, are actually toxic.
Even if you aren’t eating the actual flowers, just contact with the buttercream frosting you will eat could be dangerous, so it’s best to stick with flowers that are edible.
“Flowers that are beautiful as well as edible include roses, calendulas, nasturtiums, hibiscus, violets, and sunflowers, among others. One category that’s also pretty safe from top to bottom are herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chamomile,” says Susan Reid, Food Editor of King Arthur Flour’s Sift Magazine.
Beyond the flowers being edible, they should be grown in the proper way. “If you’re planning to put fresh flowers on a cake, and they’re going to make contact with frosting that’s going to be consumed, those flowers also need to be organically grown and not treated with any pesticides,” says Susan.
If you grow your own flowers, this is a great opportunity to use them, but if not, the farmers market or local florist are both great resources. Just be sure to talk with the grower or shop owner and learn their growing practices to make sure you’re using safe flowers.
FAQ
How do you put sunflowers on a cake?
- Step 1: Wash And Trim The Flowers. Under a sink with cold water running, gently wash your flowers to make sure there aren’t any bugs or dirt lingering in the petals. …
- Step 2: Wrap The Stems. Cut a piece of floral tape that’s about 2-3 inches long. …
- Step 3: Decorate The Cake. …
- 91 Comments.
What flowers are not safe to put on a cake?
