The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (2024)

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One of the most commonly used flower fillers in ready-made and custom flower arrangements is the baby’s breath. These are delicate little flowers that fill the void in between the main flowers in a bouquet, but frankly, we think it can offer so much more than being just a filler.

There are different varieties of the Gypsophila and it comes in varying hues as well. But the two most common are what’s known to us as Million Star and New Love. Between the two, Million Star has more dainty flowers and is the variety we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in many flower arrangements. New Love, also known as Cotton Cloud, is a newer, hybrid variety which is fluffier because it has double the number of petals the other variety has. New Love also happens to produce less pollen so that is a wise option for people who are allergic to pollen.

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Its volume and year-round availability are the reasons why florists and crafters love working with it. It’s a versatile flower that looks great when paired with other main flowers and foliage.

Here’s everything you need to know about the baby breath, how to use it, and where to find it.

Supplies

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The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (2)

BABY'S BREATH (WHITE SPARKLE)

$13.18

The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (4)

BABY'S BREATH (WHITE)

$12.36

The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (5)

STARGAZER FINISHED BOUQUET - SMALL

$32.40

How Long Does Baby’s Breath Last?

Baby’s breath is a hardy shrub. It’s a common joke among growers that the baby’s breath plant is something even the worst flower growers can’t kill. Fresh ones will last anywhere from 8-10 days, or more when properly cared for. Caring for fresh ones involves preventing bacteria growth, keeping the stems hydrated, and mixing flower food preservatives to the vase water.

You can also use preserved baby’s breath and it will look just as great in any bouquet and centerpiece. We have preserved baby's breath in various colors, but we’re head over heels with sparkly white and champagne! It’s the perfect addition to any neutral-theme wedding.

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Working with Baby’s Breath

It’s been known mostly as filler for flower arrangements because it can dramatically add fullness, especially when you’re running low on your main flowers. But until recently, no one has attempted to bring it to the spotlight. These tiny, fluffy flowers look amazing on their own and they’re perfect for rustic wedding themes. They also look great for all-white weddings.

To create a round bouquet, separate the bunch into individual stems and bundle the stems into a bouquet. Trim off the excess stem for the length of the bouquet you want. Add a collar of ferns or eucalyptus or just keep it simple and elegant with a simple bouquet in burlap cloth or satin ribbons. This simple flower can offer you a lot of room to get creative with your bouquet.

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Likewise, the range of centerpieces you can create with it are almost endless. Want a quick but elegant table centerpiece? Here’s a show-stopping baby's breath table centerpiecethat will leave your guests gushing days after your event:

  1. Get glass cylinder vases in varying heights and place a submersible tea light at the center. There are tea lights that are remote control operated and there are ones that need to be twisted to turn it on (if you choose the latter, remember to light up the tea lights before you proceed with the rest of the steps).
  2. Add fillers at the bottom (clear beads, fake ice, or faux diamonds work amazing in this centerpiece!) Bury the tea light in enough fillers to illuminate the bottom of the centerpiece.
  3. Arrange the flowers inside the vase. It’s important to fill the vase with baby’s breath flowers so it will look full whichever side you’re looking at.
  4. Fill the vase with water, leaving two inches at the top. Add a floating candle at the top and your centerpiece is done!
    The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (8)

    Do a quick search in Pinterest and you’ll see so many ingenious ways to decorate your wedding reception. From globes through garlands to flower arches, people all over the country are doing countless arrangements that highlight the beauty and versatility of this flower.

    How Much Baby’s Breath Do I Need?

    This is an age-old question that’s really tricky to answer. It largely depends on how big your venue is and what types of decors you’ll use it for. Is it only for the bride’s bouquet or will you be creating boutonnieres, cake decorations, and floral centerpieces with it, too? Are we talking about decor for both the wedding ceremony and the reception? There are a number of factors you need to consider to come up with an estimate of many bunches you’ll need.

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    A voluminous bouquet of baby’s breath flowers could use an entire bunch for the bride’s bouquet and around half of that for the bridesmaid’s bouquet. With centerpieces, you could be working with small mason jars that need 6-8 stems, or huge glass vases that need 25-30 stems. At the minimum, you’re looking at 3-4 dozens of flower bunches (or more if you have a larger venue and more intricate arrangements in mind).

    Where Can I Buy Baby’s Breath

    Baby’s breath is available on the Sola Wood Flowers website. Choose from the three different varieties: white, white sparkle, and champagne.

    Each bunch weighs 4 ounces and measures 14-18 inches tall. Considering that it’s dried and preserved, 4 ounces can be the same amount of 2-3 bunches of fresh ones. It’s a fairly big bunch and will go a long way.

    Whether you’re using these flowers as filler or as the focus of the arrangement, it’s an excellent choice favored by many florists and crafters. As with any art form, your creativity matters in bringing out the best in this flower. Allow yourself to think of designs that are out-of-the-box and be amazed at what you can achieve with these simple flowers.

    Do you already have ideas on how to incorporate it on your next occasion? Tell us all about it at the Sola Wood Flowers Official Facebook page! Whether you’re on the planning stage or you’re ready to let the world see your latest creation, snap a quick photo and post it in the group. We love seeing your projects so we can continue inspiring other crafters in the Sola Wood Flower journey.

    Supplies

    Select your items and add them to your cart below

    The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (10)

    BABY'S BREATH (WHITE SPARKLE)

    $13.18

    The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (11)

    MINI GYP - BASIL GREEN

    $10.71

    The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (12)

    BABY'S BREATH (WHITE)

    $12.36

    The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (13)

    STARGAZER FINISHED BOUQUET - SMALL

    $32.40

    The Ultimate Guide to Baby's Breath (2024)

    FAQs

    Is Baby's Breath difficult to grow? ›

    Growing Baby's Breath is very easy, and they are quick to bloom. It is a popular flower to accent bouquets, corsages and flower vases. It also makes a great filler for at-home gardens. These plants bear an abundance of white or pink flowers.

    What does baby's breath flower symbolize? ›

    Most commonly, this flower is a symbol of everlasting love—which is one reason why it's a popular wedding flower. Baby's breath also represents innocence, which makes it a lovely gesture to include in baby shower gifts and gifts for new mothers.

    How many baby breath fills a Mason jar? ›

    With centerpieces, you could be working with small mason jars that need 6-8 stems, or huge glass vases that need 25-30 stems. At the minimum, you're looking at 3-4 dozens of flower bunches (or more if you have a larger venue and more intricate arrangements in mind).

    Where is the best place to plant baby's breath? ›

    Baby's breath prefers full sun, so pick a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. 2. Prepare the soil. In terms of soil, baby's breath will do best in well-draining soil a little on the sandy side, with plenty of organic matter and a pH between 7.0 to 7.5.

    Why is baby's breath a problem? ›

    When Baby's breath invades grazing land, it reduces native grasses and forage for grazing animals and wildlife. When it develops seeds and matures, the plant breaks off at the ground and rolls long distances across the landscape with the ability to spread the over 10,000 seeds per plant!

    Can I grow baby's breath in a container? ›

    Baby's breath can be grown in containers or it can be planted directly in the ground. It can do well in dry, hot conditions. It will germinate within a week or two, and takes around 6-7 weeks to reach maturity. Baby's breath grows as small clusters of flowers.

    Is babys breath an expensive flower? ›

    The Good: Baby's breath is an inexpensive and affordable option for bridesmaids' bouquets or centerpieces. It's extremely hardy and has a long lifetime. This flower also offers a light, alluring and sweet look.

    What is baby's Breath good for spiritually? ›

    Meaning and Symbolism of Baby's Breath

    Purity and Innocence – Baby's breath flowers are commonly seen in white, making them a representation of purity, chastity and modesty. In religious contexts, they have been associated with spirituality and the power of Holy Spirit in Christian faith.

    Is babys breath good luck? ›

    Baby's Breath has long been used as a symbol of purity, innocence, hope, and new beginnings. For these reasons, it has been traditionally used in wedding bouquets and baby showers. In many cultures, Baby's Breath is given to new mothers for good luck, which is how this flower got its name.

    How long can preserved baby breath last? ›

    ✓ LONG LASTING – Most dried or preserved flowers can last up to 3 years. ✓ LOW MAINTENANCE – No need for watering, care or trimming of stems.

    How often do you water babies breath? ›

    Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry.

    Does fresh baby's breath need to be in water? ›

    You have to allow these blooms to absorb water for at least two to three hours. These stems of baby's breath saturated with water can easily survive for 2 to 3 days out of water.

    Does baby breath grow back every year? ›

    Baby's breath is a perennial; new plants come up every year from the same root system. It spreads via seeds, not a spreading root system, but one plant can produce well over 10,000 seeds.

    How do you keep a baby's breath alive? ›

    Refrigerate baby's breath at 33 F to 36 F and 90 percent to 94 percent humidity, and allow these flowers to take up water for at least two hours before designing with or selling them. cold storage if the blooms are wet and/or if the humidity level in the cooler is too high.

    How do you keep baby's breath blooming? ›

    They will benefit from deadheading as the flowers fade, as well as a complete cut back to allow them to bloom again. Baby's breath plants have terminal flower sprays and secondary sprays that grow to the sides. The terminal flowers will die first. Start deadheading those when about half of those blooms have faded.

    Why is baby's breath toxic? ›

    Baby's Breath and other Gypsophila species plants contain gyposenin, a saponin, which may cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. Common signs to watch for: Vomiting. Anorexia.

    What part of baby's breath is toxic? ›

    Keep in mind that the entire baby's breath flowers are toxic to pets as well as to people. It is best when used as decorations instead of for consumption. Vomiting and diarrhea can occur when you eat baby's breath flowers.

    Is baby breath easy to care for? ›

    Baby's Breath Care. Baby's breath plants generally require very little maintenance. Plant them in a spot that gets lots of light and has good soil drainage, and they'll practically take care of themselves. You'll typically only need to water during dry spells and feed annually.

    Is baby's breath toxic to dogs? ›

    Toxic to both cats and dogs are Tulips, Azalea, Bird of Paradise, Aloe, Begonias, Baby's Breath, and Amaryllis.

    Does baby's breath plant smell? ›

    While some like the scent, others complain that it is called baby's breath because it smells like spit. This is really a personal matter. Some like it, some don't, which is undoubtedly the case with most flowers. Just be sure that you take a whiff before you have multiple centerpieces and bouquets put together.

    Is Baby's Breath invasive? ›

    Like other invasive plants in the Top 12 for the region, baby's breath out-competes native plants and takes over their habitat, while providing no food or habitat for native wildlife.

    Is baby's breath outdated? ›

    These days, baby's breath is a pretty outdated filler—but that doesn't mean it has no place in wedding décor! Some brides are modernizing this trend by using baby's breath on its own.

    How long will baby's breath bloom? ›

    G. elegans, showy baby's breath, is an annual and it produces larger flowers that bloom wide open. This airy plant will bloom for four to six weeks.

    What is the most expensive flower? ›

    The Kadupul Flower is at the top of our list, even though it has never been sold for more than the other flowers in the list. The simple reason why the Kadupul Flower is the champion of the most expensive flowers in the world list is: it is completely priceless.

    What does blue baby breath mean? ›

    Presenting blue Baby's Breath flowers to them can be the right way to assure them they can trust you. Blue Baby's Breath symbolize loyalty, sincerity, confidence, wisdom, faith, and sincerity.

    Is baby breath a funeral flower? ›

    If you wish to express sympathy and grief at a funeral for a child, baby's breath would be a good choice for your arrangement. However, this flower can also be used to express these feelings for friends and family of all ages.

    What does purple baby's breath mean? ›

    White Baby's Breath means unity and spirituality while blue means honesty and respect. Orange flowers symbolize joy and optimism while red ones symbolize love and romance. Pink flowers are meant to express gentleness and emotions while purple ones convey royalty and beauty.

    What flower symbolizes pregnancy? ›

    Chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums makes great choice flowers for expecting mothers as they symbolize fidelity, long life, and cheerfulness.

    Is dried babys breath toxic? ›

    In the case of humans, the sap from baby's breath can cause contact dermatitis, so yes, baby's breath may be irritating to the skin and result in itching and/or a rash. Baby's breath may not only be irritating to the skin but, in some cases, the dried blooms can irritate the eyes, nose, and sinuses as well.

    How much is a stem of baby's breath? ›

    Baby's breath is a budget-friendly filler because a few stems can go a long way. Most varieties, like gypsophila overtime and gypsophila million star, range from $1.50-$1.90 per stem.

    Do babies know how do you hold their breath in water? ›

    The first reflex is the diving reflex, which means if your baby goes underwater they will naturally hold their breath. You won't see this reflex after six months of age, and that is why it looks so remarkable in babies who are just a few months old.

    Does baby's breath attract ants? ›

    Baby's Breath can be prone to ants. Unless you are cutting the blooms to bring them indoors, the ants don't cause much of an issue. If the pests bother you, simply pick off by hand or use a gentle homemade pest repellent such as a mix of dish soap and water.

    Can you color baby breath? ›

    Baby's breath flowers are naturally white in color. There are some varieties that come in light yellow or pink too. However, florists in Singapore may add a touch of color to baby's breath flowers by spraying them with dye. Tinted baby's breath flowers are popular and used for many different types of events.

    How long does it take to grow baby breath flowers? ›

    Baby's breath is relatively low maintenance, growing quickly and flowering in just 10 weeks.

    Is Baby Breath easy to care for? ›

    Baby's Breath Care. Baby's breath plants generally require very little maintenance. Plant them in a spot that gets lots of light and has good soil drainage, and they'll practically take care of themselves. You'll typically only need to water during dry spells and feed annually.

    How tall does baby's breath grow? ›

    Baby's breath is an underrated botanical specimen of striking softness and cloudlike grace. Gypsophila plants are upright and bushy, from 6 inches to 3 feet tall, depending on the species.

    How long does it take to grow baby's breath from seed? ›

    Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring. Cover the seeds lightly with ¼ inch of seed starting formula. Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days.

    Will baby's breath bloom the first year? ›

    Growing baby's breath from seed is easy and plants may produce flowers the first year. Once all blooms are open, cut the plant back to force a second flush.

    Does babys breath bloom in first year? ›

    Their light, airy texture and petite white or pink flowers make baby's breath a wonderful addition to the garden. This annual is native to the Caucasus and is related to carnations. Because they bloom for only 6 weeks, new seedlings should be started to replace those that have finished blooming.

    How long is baby's breath good for without water? ›

    These stems of baby's breath saturated with water can easily survive for 2 to 3 days out of water.

    Should you deadhead baby's breath? ›

    The best time for trimming baby's breath is after they bloom. Most of these plants bloom in the spring and summer. They will benefit from deadheading as the flowers fade, as well as a complete cut back to allow them to bloom again.

    Is babys breath invasive? ›

    Like other invasive plants in the Top 12 for the region, baby's breath out-competes native plants and takes over their habitat, while providing no food or habitat for native wildlife.

    Is baby breath toxic to cats? ›

    BABY'S BREATH

    Only mildly toxic, ingestion can still lead to vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy in your cat.

    How deep are baby's breath roots? ›

    Baby's breath is a perennial that reproduces by seed only. It is native to Eastern Europe & western Asia and was likely introduced as an ornamental. It develops deep tap root that can extend to 4m1 allowing it to access deeper groundwater during periods of drought.

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