How to Put Fresh Flowers on a Cake Safely
Fresh flowers can make a buttercream cake look beautiful, elegant, and instantly more special. But they need to be added the right way.
In this tutorial, I’m sharing the methods I actually use to put fresh flowers on cakes safely, whether you want a simple topper, flowers tucked into the sides, or a fuller wedding cake look.
I highly recommend you use non-toxic flowers, keep stems and sap away from the cake, and add the flowers the same day whenever possible.
My favorite method is making a removable flower topper on a small cake round because it keeps the flowers off the cake and makes serving so much easier.
The Safest Way to Put Fresh Flowers on a Cake
The safest approach is to think about barriers. You do not want unwrapped stems pushed directly into frosting or cake layers, and you do not want to assume a flower is safe just because it is commonly used in bouquets.
For flowers on top of a cake, I like to create a removable flower topper on a small cardboard cake round. That keeps the flowers off the cake itself and makes cleanup and slicing much easier.
For flowers on the sides of a cake, I wrap the stems and insert them into clear bubble tea straws or flower picks so the stems are not touching the cake. This gives you more control over the angle and keeps the arrangement more secure.
Which Flowers Are Safe to Use on Cakes?
Start with non-toxic flowers only. I would not use toxic flowers on a cake, even if the stems are wrapped. There is just too much room for petals, leaves, or loose bits to end up where they should not. When in doubt, leave it off.
Some commonly used flowers that are generally considered better options for cake decorating include roses, pansies, violas, lavender, nasturtiums, and some flowering herbs. I also like using herb greenery when I want a softer, natural look around the flowers.
Flowers I would avoid around cake include hydrangeas, lilies, foxglove, azaleas, oleander, delphinium, and other known toxic flowers.
I also gently rinse and fully dry flowers before adding them to a cake.
I would also skip grocery-store bouquets unless you know they were grown without chemicals that are unsafe for food contact.
Tools You Need
You do not need a huge setup, but these tools make the process much easier:
- floral tape
- clean scissors or floral snips
- clear bubble tea straws or flower picks
- a small cardboard cake round for toppers
- a small offset spatula
- extra buttercream to anchor flowers in place
How to Make a Removable Flower Topper
This is my favorite method, especially for wedding cakes and celebration cakes.
Start with a chilled, frosted cake. Place a small cardboard cake round on top of the cake, then spread a thin layer of buttercream over it.
Arrange your flowers on top of that round instead of directly on the cake. You can build a small cluster or a fuller floral crown, depending on the look you want.
Use a bit of extra buttercream (about 1 cup) to anchor the flowers in place on the cake round. If you aren’t sure how much frosting to make, check out this post on how much buttercream you actually need.
When it is time to serve the cake, slide a large offset spatula under the cake round and lift the whole arrangement off in one piece.
It is cleaner, faster, and way less stressful than pulling individual flowers out while guests are waiting for cake. This is also the easiest way to decorate with flowers without having to wrap every single stem.
How to Add Flowers to the Sides of a Cake
For flowers on the side of a cake, I wrap the stem tightly with floral tape and insert the wrapped stem into a clear bubble tea straw that has already been pushed into the cake at the angle I want.
This does two things. First, it helps keep the stem from coming into direct contact with the cake. Second, it gives you much more control over placement, especially on taller cakes or tiered cakes where the flowers need to sit at a very specific angle.
I prefer clear straws because they are much less noticeable if any part of the support peeks out.
Above is a cake I made for a friend’s wedding, and I added the flowers to the cake at the venue. I use bubble tea straws to help keep them in place at the right angles.
I used the same flowers that were in the bride’s bouquet to give it a cohesive feel with the wedding venue and decorations.
This is also the technique I used to make my own wedding cake.
When to Add Fresh Flowers to a Cake
Fresh flowers always look best when they are added the same day the cake will be served.
If you absolutely need to work ahead, I would treat 24 hours as the outer limit, and sooner is better. Keep the flowers hydrated until the last possible minute, then add them once the cake is fully finished and chilled.
For most events, I recommend adding the flowers the morning of.
Tips for a Cleaner, Easier Setup
I like to buy more flowers than I think I need, so I can choose the prettiest ones and work around anything wilted or bruised.
A chilled cake is much easier to decorate with flowers than a soft room-temperature cake because the buttercream is firmer and less likely to dent.
When I’m using the removable topper method, I do not press the cake round down hard. I just set it gently into place and use enough buttercream to hold the flowers where I want them.
If the frosting softens as the cake comes to room temperature, a small piece of parchment under the round can help prevent sticking when you lift it off later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put fresh flowers on a cake the day before?
You can, but I really try not to. Flowers usually look best when they are added the same day, and morning-of is best for wedding cakes and special occasion cakes.
Do I have to wrap flower stems?
Yes, unless you are using a method where the flowers are fully separated from the cake, like a removable topper or a flower pick. I would not insert bare stems directly into a cake.
Can I use flowers from a grocery store bouquet?
They’re not my first choice. Even if a flower is technically edible, bouquet flowers may be treated with chemicals that are not intended for food use. If I can’t verify how they were grown, I prefer not to use them on a cake.
Can I refrigerate a cake with fresh flowers on it?
Yes, usually. I actually prefer keeping a decorated buttercream cake chilled until closer to serving time. Just make sure the flowers are fresh when added and avoid leaving them on the cake for too long.
Can I use toxic flowers if the stems are wrapped?
I would not. Wrapped stems help create a barrier, but petals and leaves can still brush the frosting.
Is it okay if flower petals touch the frosting?
I try to minimize direct contact whenever possible. Even with non-toxic flowers, I prefer to keep petals and leaves off the frosting or place a small piece of parchment under the flower if needed.
What is the easiest method for beginners?
A removable flower topper on a cake round. It is the simplest, cleanest, and most beginner-friendly way to get the look of fresh flowers without stressing about cutting around stems later.
Share Your Creations With Me!
If you try adding fresh flowers to a cake using these methods, or like to use a different method, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
You can also tag me on social media @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so I can see your beautiful creations.
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Thanks for the tips! I did struggle a bit with the flowers I added to a wedding cake this weekend but I wrapped the stems in siran wrap since I didn’t know what else to use!
omg I feel like that would be so hard!! I think floral tape is definitely easier to work with! You can order it on amazon and it’s not too spendy!! I def recommend trying it on your next floral cake <3
Props for making that work though! Sometimes you just need to work with what you’ve got!!
Hi Chelsea, Where is the recipe for the engagement cake with the crushed oreos inside that was on YouTube? Thank you?
Here’s the link 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO_cUY5nd2E
Hi! Your been very generous with your knowledge in baking wedding cakes!! I am learning a lot from you.. As a new baker I just want to ask if you own the cake stands that you in each wedding? If so what size do you recommend? For a wedding cake that is sturdy enough and able to hold any amount of tired cake. Thank you.
Thanks Sheena! I always love to share what I learn 🙂 That is a great question! A lot of stands out there (especially ones online) aren’t sturdy enough for a really big wedding cake. Sometimes I set it directly on a table, or even a tree round. I’d say your best bet is to see how much it weighs (the heavier it is the more sturdy it usually is). Hope that helps!
Hi! I just wanted to say how much I love your site and videos, they have provided so much knowledge, I really appreciate it so much. I’m making my brothers wedding cake and I’m going to try your way of adding the flowers on with a cake board ( genius by the way! ) I just an 8 inch semi naked cake as it’s a small wedding, do I have to dowel the cake from the weight of the flowers? ( just some white roses ) thank you ?
Thank you Belinda!! You are too sweet 🙂
If it’s just an 8 inch layer cake, there’s no need to add dowels! When I added my cake board / flower top to my layer cake, it was fine without supports. Hope that helps, and that your brother’s wedding cake turns out beautifully!!
Fantastic tips, thank you! Of petals touch a cake, so they need to be sealed in some way too? And what’s the safest way to attach artificial flowers please?
Hi Sarah,
I usually use edible, organic flowers, and wash them before adding them to a cake! For those reasons, I don’t mind too much if a petal touches the frosting. However, if you’re worried about it you can place a tiny bit of white parchment paper under the flower to keep it from coming in direct contact with the frosting.
I’ve never added fake flowers to a cake, but I hear that silk flowers work / look best! Here’s a great resource sharing how to prepare them for a cake: https://oureverydaylife.com/how-to-put-artificial-flowers-on-cakes-12234044.html
Hope that helps, happy baking!
Thanks for the tips, new/beginner to decorating and love the cake board suggestion. Wanted to know what was used to get the flowers to stick/stay in the cake board??? Thanks in advance!
Hi Christen,
I just use extra buttercream to stick them to the cake board!! 🙂
Hi there! First of all, thank you SO much for sharing all of your knowledge. I’m making my brothers wedding cake next month and am trying to read as much as I can! The wedding is on the smaller side (63 people), BUT the caterer is providing some other desserts (strawberry shortcake, mini cookie skillets), so the cake doesn’t have to feed every person … I’m driving myself crazy on what size to make! They want a simple two tier decorated with fresh flowers — any advice? I’m thinking maybe a 10” and a 7”? Or a 12” and a 9”?
Gorgeous cakes! Do you wrap the bottom cake board in something?
I’m making a cake for a friend’s engagement party and I’m so excited to try your techniques for adding fresh flowers to the cake! I know you said to not put the flowers on the day before, but my friend is picking up the cake the night before and her party is mid morning the next day. Do you think the flowers would be ok? It’s not a full day in advance. I’m not attending, so I would have to put the flowers on before.
Hi Chelsea! Love your blog and all the videos. I’m a novice baker and just attempted your 6 in WASC and almond buttercream and they were delish. I decorated with fresh flowers and placed a cake round on top in order to place the flowers on. Ran into a few hiccups as is expected as a first timer, when I removed the cake round, it lifted all the frosting from the top of the cake. The cake had been in the fridge for about 3 hours before I added the additional frosting and the cake board. Perhaps I shouldn’t have pushed down so hard with the cake board. Also, was wondering if I could keep the cake at room temperature all night, I don’t love cold cake. Thanks again for all the posts!
Hi!
I really like your blog posts and videos – thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Just wanted to ask what is the name of the filler flowers you used for the wedding cake in this post? I’m making a wedding cake soon and need ideas for some white filler flowers.
Thank you!
Hey Chelsey! I really need to know how you keep your fully decorated cakes from getting condensation in the freezer? Some people say cling wrap but I feel like that smooshes the sharp peaks in my buttercream on top. And yes, the cake is completely frozen first. And with your ganache drip? That doesn’t freeze very hard and remains tacky, sticking to the cling wrap. Please teach me your ways! ?
Hi
Can i put gypsophila flowers on the cake?
Hello Chelsweets,
I see you stated that sugar roses are time consuming. I do have a cake for next month and the bride requested the sugar roses. My issue is that I am using fondant. So can I use your method of the board on top of a fondant cake. The roses are on wire and I do not want to stick them into the cake.
Thanks, Millie
Hi Chelsweet! I have a few questions I am hoping you can answer. I have been addicted to your site and am really enjoying the plethora of information you share. I made your vanilla cake in 8″ pans (the one with the buttermilk/egg whites/butter) and I had to bake them way longer that the 35 minutes as stated in the recipe and they seem very dense and moist. Is this how they should be? Also, my cardboard cake rounds do not have a whole cut in the center how would you recommend cutting them and what diameter dowel do you use when stacking a cake? I am practicing as I am planning on making the wedding cake for our sons wedding. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for the great videos and awesome tips.
Hi Chelsea, if I put the flowers on the cake in the cake in the morning, and it is to be enjoyed in the evening, can I put the whole cake into the fridge during this time? Or will the flowers be damaged ?
@Saba, I’m not Chelsea, but I can tell you that florists actually refridgerate their flowers to keep them fresher 🙂
So with the stems wrapped with tape and inserted in a straw, does that make it safe to use toxic flowers? Won’t the petals still touch the buttercream? Especially a concern for flowers being inserted on the sides. Is it still best not to use toxic flowers anyway?
Hello… I am doing my wedding on a budget, so I am going to get a 3 tier cake from sams club. Just plain white butter cream. I am wanting to add my own flowers to it, using the bulk sams club flowers. I love all the tips you gave us about the floral tape and straws… but my question is.. how long in advanced should I put these flowers in? From what I have read on the internet, the sams club cakes “melt” & slide if left out too long. So I was gonna go ahead and predecorate my cake the day of the wedding and then stick the whole thing in the fridge until we are gonna eat it. So it will likely be decorated in the fridge (flowers/straws and all) for like 10hrs. Do you think that’s too long? Do u think the flowers will wilt or slide? I am WANT to just decorate it right before it goes out, but realistically, i know i will not have time to do that while i am entertaining at my wedding!
Thank you for these practical tips! So helpful. I’m attempting a wedding cake for a family member and this information and the photos were really useful to me!
My soon-to-be DIL wants sunflowers on her cake. We can’t be sure of the growing practices of the flower seller (online bulk wholesale flowers). Should she stick with artificial? I will have mini flowers left over from the corsages and boutonnieres that could be used. What do you think? Would the mini sunflower stems fit into bubble straws?
This article was very helpful. I found flower spikes to use for inserting the flowers into the buttercream so I do not have to wrap the stems but I am not sure how many roses I need for a cascading pattern, down one side for a 3 tiered wedding cake (serves 75). What would you suggest??
Would you recommend putting on the flowers when the cake is cold? Or would it be fine room temperature?
Hello. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. I have a client who asked for roses to have some gold on them. Have you tried using anything to add gold to fresh flowers?
I love the sprinkles used on the cake with white roses. Can you tell me the company?
Do you put anything under the cake board with the roses so it doesn’t stick?
Thank you!
Hi Lorraine,
I got those sprinkles from sweetapolita!! I think this was the blend: https://sweetapolita.com/collections/wedding-collection/products/happy-tiers
I usually add the board once the frosting is chilled and has crusted, so it doesn’t stick much. However, if you’re using a frosting that doesn’t crust you can also place some parchment paper under it to avoid pulling off any of the frosting. Hope that helps, happy baking!
I absolutely love all of your videos and tutorials. Your simply amazing at what you do. I am making my sons wedding cake this May. The knowledge I received from reading and watching all of your tips is a life saver. Knowing how to properly freeze the cake tiers, making the Buttercream and fillings ahead of time allows me to breathe. I’ve made wedding cakes in the past and it takes me 3 days practically. I made your wedding vanilla almond cake and your Buttercream for my sons birthday so they can see what one of their flavors will taste like. The filling was my homemade apricot filling. The finished cake was so delicious, perfectly moist yet very stable. I tried to cut the caramelized sides as you do but, that isn’t a good idea for me to do. I think I’ll leave that to you pro’s lol. I kind of butchered it. The cakes come out almost perfect before I leveled them anyways. Thank you so much for all of your knowledge and sharing pictures, videos and taking the time to share all of the details in everything you do. I appreciate you so much. Thank you…. Thank you… Thank you!!!!! You are amazing!
Hi Kathy,
I am so happy to hear that 🙂 That sounds like such a delicious cake!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Trimming the caramelization on the edges can definitely be a bit challenging, and honestly it tastes good so I don’t think there’s any harm in leaving it on!
What kind of garland did u use on the cake pictured on this page just above the “Share Your Creations With Me” paragraph? Thanks ?
Hi Natalie,
It actually was just flowers/leaves that the bride’s florist had set aside for me, so I’m not totally sure what the greenery was called. I’m so sorry!!