The Best Flowers for Large-Scale Installations That Hold Up Without Water

Flowers need water!

One of the biggest challenges to solve as a florist tackling a large-scale installation is figuring out where your water source will come from.

Sure, you can use water pick tubes, floral foam, plastic vases, and other mechanics to keep stems hydrated. But sometimes, you just need a list of durable flowers in your back pocket for those larger installs where water isn’t an option.

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It goes without saying (though we’re saying it anyway) that silk flowers are always an option for installations—especially in tricky spots or extreme temperatures.

But if you’re like us and think there is nothing dreamier than a fresh flower installation, here are some tried-and-true flowers that will hold up without water! They won’t last forever, but they’ll probably look great for the length of the event, especially if it’s indoors with air conditioning. If your event is outdoors—sorry—you’re going to need a water source to keep the blooms looking fresh throughout the day and into the evening!

  • Carnations

  • Chrysanthemums (mums, spider mums, button mums)

  • Roses (especially spray roses—avoid garden roses without water)

  • Lisianthus

  • DELPHINIUM

  • Alstroemeria

  • Statice

  • limonium

  • Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)

  • Eucalyptus (seeded, silver dollar, and gunnii)

  • Ruscus (Italian and Israeli)

  • Protea (king, queen, and pincushion types)

  • Waxflower

  • Solidago (Goldenrod)

  • Thistle (Eryngium)

  • gomphrena

  • strawflower

  • sedum

  • Amaranthus (especially hanging varieties)

  • Dried blooms or preserved greenery (they’re already without water, so no wilting worries)

  • Anthuriums – modern, sculptural, and long-lasting

  • Tropicals like ginger and ORCHIDS – bold shapes and vibrant color

  • Calla lilies – elegant curves and strong stems

  • Pampas grass & other ornamental grasses – big texture, zero wilting

  • Leucadendron – structured, colorful, and hardy

Pro tip: If you’re using these blooms without water, keep them cool, hydrated and out of direct sun as long as possible before the event. The less stress they face before install time, the fresher they’ll look for the big reveal.

If you’re looking for more help with an upcoming installation, consider booking a 1:1 mentorship! We can talk through mechanics, how much product to order, production timelines and more!

Flower friends, what did we miss? Any go-to flowers for when you don’t have a water source? Let’s chat in the comments!

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