Flowers have become the centre of several art and craft-related works. Be it the various designs of bouquets, the exotic cuttings of crowns, or even the making of paper flowers, all these tasks require certain accessories. Floral wires are a part of these common accessories used by the florists or designers performing these tasks.
The best floral wires can be used to support a weak stem structure, hold a flower bouquet in place, and also to showcase a design that is highlighted by the wire itself. They come in the form of threads made of stainless steel or aluminium. The material conveniently wraps around a flower stem to support particular positions and displays certain designs that are impossible to achieve without it. Not all floral wires are of the same quality! So we bring for you the top-rated floral wires in 2023 in this category to save all the time and effort of searching for the best options.
High-Quality Floral Wire Worth Considering for 2023
Best Floral Wire Overall
We start our list with a stem wire as it is easier to bend and better for new users. It’s also 26 gauge in thickness which makes it one of the more thinner floral wires and hence easier to bend into any shape you want. 100 pieces of purely clothed wires provide for a stronger grip than naked ones.
The dark green color blends perfectly with mainstream flower stems. This helps you achieve your desired design without undermining the natural look of a flower. These wires can also be used for making dolls and other decoration pieces.
Pros
- They are very thin but durable! This makes the pieces very convenient to work with.
- Clothed wires are generally stronger than painted ones.
- A pack of 100 pieces helps arrange for several flowers with a single purchase.
Cons
- It is not suitable to hold together a heavier head of blooms.
Runner Up
Some designers are more suited to paddle wires. Don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted as well! Paddle wires are not pre-cut like stemmed ones. Therefore, you have to be careful while cutting and bending them. Each roll has a 38 yard long thread wrapped around it. This provides for ample wire length to arrange your blooms for a mid-sized event.
The 22 gauge thickness makes it ideal for both smaller and heavier craftwork. The coated paint gives it a bright color to underline the beautiful stems of your blossoms. Don’t worry about the paint fading out! It has been specially baked over the wires to account for longer usage.
Pros
- A very strong product that is easy to bend and can withstand high pressure.
- A pack of 3 makes it an extremely reasonable product to purchase.
- Can be used for a wide range of purposes.
Cons
- Painted wires are usually harder to grip at.
Honorable Mention
If you’re looking to give your event a more rustic touch then go no further. We’ve got just the right option for you! This 26 gauge wire is thin enough to easily bend for using in bouquets, crowns, and even artificial flowers. However, the metal makes it the most suitable material to wrap around natural stem colors.
The 673 feet roll will be enough to arrange for the floral patterns in a mid-sized event. It’s been specifically designed to cut easily making it very convenient to use. The brown paper coating makes it one of the more unique wires you’ll come across in the market.
Pros
- Paper coated wires provide a strong grip and are hard to find.
- The coated metal is resistant to water and provides proper support to your blossom stems when placed in vases.
- There’s no need to tape these wires.
Cons
- They’re not as easy to use as stem wires.
Contender
Let’s come back to the options available for stem-wires. This package provides 200 pieces of pre-cut wires that are coated with dark green cloth. The color not only blends perfectly with blossom stems, but also helps maintain the natural look. These iron wires are slightly thicker (22 gauge) and are suitable for various kinds of craftwork.
Whether you want to work upon paper flowers, or make some beautiful smaller crowns, or even design the best bouquets, these wires are ideal accessories to support your designs. The length (40 cm) is ideal for mid-sized bouquets and can be cut smaller to fit perfectly for smaller sets of blooms.
Pros
- Clothed coating provides for a great grip on bouquets.
- Very convenient to twist and bend.
- Highly durable and hence does not break off easily.
Cons
- The iron makes these wires slightly sharper.
Also Consider
If you’re looking to work upon single stems, then this 18 gauge wire is the best accessory you can buy. It comes in a pack of 50 pre-cut pieces. The strong metal used to design these floral wires makes them one of the best options on the market.
They are wrapped with dark green paper, which not only helps underline the color of your stems, but also provides a stronger grip. The thickness makes them better for usage on stems and slightly heavier branches. The paper-coating also ensures a stronger grip on heavier craftwork such as wreaths and bouquets.
Pros
- Stem wires are pre-cut and hence save you from excessive hassle.
- They are easy to bend and twist.
- One of the more thicker options on this list; the best one for heavier craftwork.
Cons
- They’re not suitable for usage on smaller petals and buds.
Buying Guide: Finding a Great Floral Wire
Well, now you know about a range of different wires available on the market. You might still be wondering about how to figure out if the wire you’re buying is of the best quality. We’ve got your backs here as well! Before diving into the features of quality floral wires, let us discuss the two broad types you’ll find on the market to secure greenery.
Types of Floral Wires
Stem wires
These are pre-cut pieces of wire available in different sizes. Stem wires save you from the long and precise measures to cut the wire before using it. Most of them are thinner (26 gauge), but you can also find pieces that are 18 or 22 gauge. We suggest going for these pieces while making floral arrangements, if you’re a beginner or are looking to work upon artificial flowers and blooms with heavier heads.
Paddle wires
Also known as wire spools, these threads are wrapped around a paddle or a spool and can be cut according to the quantity required. These are widely available in various sizes and colors. Although paddle wires increase your workload, they are ideal to use on projects where you require a wide range of colors to fit the theme. They’re the perfect kind if you’re looking for something to hold onto the blossom stems.
Features To Look Out For
Floral wires differ in the kind of material used in making them, the coating ran over them, their thickness, their color, and in many other regards. The ones listed here will not only secure the greenery but will also make your floral arrangements look beautiful. So if you find an option that fulfills this set of criteria, don’t hesitate in buying it!
Quality of material
You can easily find floral wires made of steel, aluminum, metal, and iron. There’s no best pick in this regard. Metal and aluminum are very easy to twist, while steel wires are known to be very durable and long-lasting. No matter which type of wire you go for, make sure it uses 100% pure material. The wires made by mixing various elements are usually fragile and can break off while bending.
Type of coating
Our list comprises wires that are coated with paper, paint, and cloth. You will also come across naked floral wires. Although this detail seems insignificant, it will determine the bend and grip of your wire. We prefer cloth and paper coatings. They’re highly durable and the color does not fade off. They also ensure a stronger grip when used on floral arrangements like bouquets and wreaths.
Paint coatings, which are available in the art supplies box provide bright colors but you have to make sure that pure paint was used and baked upon the wire so that it does not fade over time. Naked wires can also be used to secure greenery. They are usually the cheapest options but are not long-lasting.
Gauge
A gauge is a unit used to measure the diameter of a wire. It simply shows how thick or thin a wire is. Floral wires come in sizes 8, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 36 gauge. A lesser gauge size indicates a thinner wire.
Thicker wires are naturally harder to bend but are pretty useful when working with singular stems or bigger leaves. Thin wires are preferred with foliages, wreaths, and crowns. You can also secure bows using thin wires to make your floral arrangements look more alluring. The ideal size can only be determined by the nature of your task and your personal preferences.
Others
Just like any other floral supplies, some wires come with excessive features that make them stand out. Colors can prove to be very important for people looking to work upon their blooms under a certain theme. The fade will not only decide the flowers’ outlook but also help highlight or hide the natural color of the stems (according to your preference).
Similarly, some wires are resistant to water. This helps you comfortably place the flowers in a vase without worrying about the grip or fade of the wires holding them together.
Apart from these specific features, always look out for the brand/store you’re buying from. We’ve made all our picks from reliable sources that ensure the best user experience!
Check the video from Southern Charm Wreaths to learn more about the usefulness of the commonly used florist wire gauges.
How To Use Floral Wires?
Well, you’re most likely to get an instruction manual with a good quality floral wire. In case you don’t get one, it’s not that hard to use. Use floral tape to wrap the wire in case you’re working on a bouquet. The tape provides a better surface for ribbons and other decorative pieces to grip upon.
You can simply glue the base of your bloom and let it sit in. After a while, you can insert some part of the wire in it (usually half-an-inch) and you’re good to go. The measurements and procedure will differ according to the task at hand.
People Also Asked
What gauge floral wire is the best?
There is no specific answer to this question. As we said earlier, the wire gauge indicates thickness. The required gauge size would depend upon the task you want to perform. A thinner wire (greater size) is ideal for working on flower crowns, petals, and paper flowers, but if you’re working on single stems, you’d want a thicker wire.
What is the thickest floral wire?
An 8 gauge floral wire is the thickest one. It is very sturdy and considerably harder to bend. However, this size is rarely used. The more common thicker wire is gauge 16.
Is floral wire washable?
It’s only washable if the material used to design it is resistant to water. The basic element and coating of a floral wire will decide its resistance to water. If it stays put under water without losing its color, you can wash it. Always check with the seller before doing so.
What wire do you use for a wreath?
A moderately thick wire is the most suitable one for making a wreath. You’d ideally need a 22 or 24 gauge floral wire that twists but does not lose its sturdiness. Some designers use a 26 gauge wire as well, but it’s too thin and can break-off.
What can I use instead of floral wire?
Some people adhere to using various kinds of tape instead of proper floral wires. Scotch tape and electrical tape are very commonly used equipment. We do not suggest using them though! They might hold the set together, but can spoil the grip and even affect the longevity of your blooms.
