Parents' Day flowers: a florist's stocking guide
Before Parents' Day (Korea), carnation wholesale prices typically run 1.5–2.5× normal; stock up about 21 days ahead. Dates and order-by dates for 2026–2028.
- Market
- Korea
- Flowers affected
- Carnation
- Typical price
- 1.5–2.5× normal wholesale
- Stock up
- 21 days ahead
Dates and order-by dates
| Year | Date | Start stocking by |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026-05-08 | 2026-04-17 |
| 2027 | 2027-05-08 | 2027-04-17 |
| 2028 | 2028-05-08 | 2028-04-17 |
How people buy for it
On 8 May in Korea, children pin a red carnation to their parents' chests or give carnation baskets and corsages. Demand is almost entirely carnations, in red and pink.
The flowers that surge
| Flower | Role | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnation | Focal flower | 10–14 days | Year-round | Light | mildly toxic |
What the surge does to material cost
If the affected flowers make up the share of a design's material cost shown below, a 1.5–2.5× surge raises the whole design's material cost by:
| Affected flowers as share of material cost | At 1.5× | At 2.5× |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | +20% | +60% |
| 60% | +30% | +90% |
| 80% | +40% | +120% |
Alternatives that are not priced up
Flowers with the same role that are available at this time of year and not on this holiday's surge list — the basis for a "holiday-proof" option:
| Instead of | Consider |
|---|---|
| Carnation | Orchids (cut), Heliconia, Rose, Bird of paradise |
What florists should know
- For Chinese, Japanese and Korean clients avoid 4 stems (it sounds like "death"); for Japanese clients also avoid 9.
FAQ
When is Parents' Day in 2026, 2027, 2028?
2026: 2026-05-08; 2027: 2027-05-08; 2028: 2028-05-08 (Korea).
Which flowers get more expensive before Parents' Day, and by how much?
Carnation wholesale prices typically run 1.5–2.5× normal.
How far ahead should florists stock up for Parents' Day?
About 21 days ahead — around 2026-04-17 for 2026 — and quote at holiday prices.
What can florists offer instead of the flowers that surge before Parents' Day?
Instead of carnation: orchids (cut), heliconia, rose, bird of paradise.