---
title: "Qingming flowers for florists: price surge and when to stock up (2026–2028) | Floreboard"
url: https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holidays/qingming/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-10-06
publisher: Floreboard (芳华绘)
---

# Qingming flowers: a florist's stocking guide

Before Qingming (Chinese mainland), chrysanthemum, lily wholesale prices typically run 1.5–2× normal; stock up about 14 days ahead. Dates and order-by dates for 2026–2028.

- **Market:** Chinese mainland

- **Flowers affected:** [Chrysanthemum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chrysanthemum/), [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/)

- **Typical price:** 1.5–2× normal wholesale

- **Stock up:** 14 days ahead

## Dates and order-by dates

| Year | Date | Start stocking by |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | 2026-04-05 | 2026-03-22 |
| 2027 | 2027-04-05 | 2027-03-22 |
| 2028 | 2028-04-04 | 2028-03-21 |

## How people buy for it

Tomb-sweeping day. Families visit graves with white and yellow chrysanthemums, white lilies and carnations in simple bunches and small baskets. Demand peaks over the weekend before and on the day itself.

## The flowers that surge

| Flower | Role | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Chrysanthemum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chrysanthemum/) | Focal flower | 10–14 days | Autumn | Light | mildly toxic |
| [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/) | Focal flower | 7–10 days | Year-round | Strong | ⚠ toxic to cats |

## 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× surge raises the whole design's material cost by:

| Affected flowers as share of material cost | At 1.5× | At 2× |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 40% | +20% | +40% |
| 60% | +30% | +60% |
| 80% | +40% | +80% |

[How florists price arrangements: cost, markup and margin](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/florist-pricing-and-margin/)

## 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 |
| --- | --- |
| [Chrysanthemum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chrysanthemum/) | [Carnation](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/carnation/), [Orchids (cut)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/orchid/), [Heliconia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/heliconia/), [Rose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/rose/) |
| [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/) | [Gerbera daisy](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gerbera/), [Calla lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calla/), [Rose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/rose/), [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/) |

## What florists should know

- Lily is highly toxic to cats — swap it for homes with cats.
- Lily pollen stains clothing — remove the anthers before delivery.
- Qingming is for tomb-sweeping: white and yellow chrysanthemums and white lilies in muted colours; avoid celebratory red.

## FAQ

### When is Qingming in 2026, 2027, 2028?

2026: 2026-04-05; 2027: 2027-04-05; 2028: 2028-04-04 (Chinese mainland).

### Which flowers get more expensive before Qingming, and by how much?

Chrysanthemum, Lily wholesale prices typically run 1.5–2× normal.

### How far ahead should florists stock up for Qingming?

About 14 days ahead — around 2026-03-22 for 2026 — and quote at holiday prices.

### What can florists offer instead of the flowers that surge before Qingming?

Instead of chrysanthemum: carnation, orchids (cut), heliconia, rose; Instead of lily: gerbera daisy, calla lily, rose, lisianthus.

## Other holidays for the same flowers

[Chinese New Year](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holidays/chinese-new-year/) · [Women's Day](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holidays/womens-day/) · [Mother's Day](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holidays/mothers-day/)

[Holiday flower price calendar](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holiday-flower-prices/)

Last reviewed: 2026-10-06. Surges are typical wholesale ranges for stocking and quoting; local markets vary.