How to Cut Floral Foam for Tropical Arrangements

Floral foam, also called an oasis, is an important part of your floral arrangement. With the foam, your flowers can drink plenty of water and will live longer without drying out as quickly. The floral foam must be cut to size according to the vase or container that you are putting your arrangement in.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bowl of water
• Floral foam
• Long knife
• Container for the floral arrangement
• Large leaves

1. Fill a bowl with water. Make sure the bowl is large enough to fit your foam brick into it.

2. Place the foam brick on top of the water so that the brick will absorb the water. It will begin to sink in the water as it absorbs it. Wait until the brick is completely saturated and dark green before removing it.

3. Remove the floral foam from the bowl and let the excess water drip back into the bowl.

4. Lay the floral foam on top of the container you will be putting it into. You will be wrapping the foam with leaves, so leave a little extra room for the leaf. Leave about 1/2 inch on one side.

5. Press the foam into the container, letting the foam be cut by the container to mark the spot that you will trim the foam.

6. Use a long knife to cut into the foam. Cut a little further into the foam that will go into the container to make sure it will fit.

7. Lay the foam into the container to make sure that it fits properly. If it does not, trim a little more off the end.

8. Cut the stems off of several large leaves such as tea leaves. Wrap the tea leaves all around the foam so that it can not be seen.

9. Lay the wrapped foam into the container and you are ready to create your floral arrangement.

Tips & Warnings

• Never pour water on top of the floral foam to moisten it. This will cause the pores of the foam to not absorb the water correctly. Part of the brick will stay dry and your flowers will not last as long in the foam.