Tariffs Are Wilting Your Mother’s Day Flowers: Here’s How

Tariffs will impact Mother’s Day gifts this year, especially flowers and other top spending categories. Consumers are predicted to spend over $34 billion this year on Mother’s Day, which is 2% higher than last year. The largest category is flowers, accounting for 74% of gifts, followed by greeting cards and special outings. The caveat this year is that consumers will be spending a lot more for those gifts, especially flowers, where new tariffs are resulting in higher prices. While the tariff for imported flowers is 10%, the other items used by florists could be facing the 145% tariffs, including vases, baskets, and other supplies from China. Even a local florist may be hit with tariffs on getting bulbs from other countries. The bottom line is that U.S. consumers will be spending more on flowers for Mother’s Day.

Tariffs Hit America’s Beloved Gift For Mom

According to the Department of Agriculture, 80% of all cut flowers sold in the U.S. are imported, primarily from South America, with Colombia, where exports of flowers are valued at $1.3 billion, as the largest exporter of flowers to the United States. Canada and Ecuador are the next largest exporters to the U.S. In 2023, the U.S. imported a total of $2.2 billion worth of cut flowers and greens.

Mother’s Day represents the single biggest event for the floral industry often described as the “Super Bowl” for flower shops across America, where consumers in the U.S. are estimated to spend over $3 billion. However, the flower industry will continue to be hit with higher prices throughout the year, with other big floral events such as graduations and weddings starting in May and running through the summer.

Other Gifts For Mom Also Hit With Tariffs

The largest planned expenditure for Mother’s Day is jewelry, projected at $6.8 billion in the U.S., followed by special outings projected at $6.3 billion. Consumers will also see higher prices for gifts like jewelry where the tariff rate depends on the type of jewelry and the country of export. The range of tariffs is zero on gems and 7.0% on gold, but the tariff on a gold rope chain necklace is 5%. The complex nature of the tariffs has been a challenge for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. If you turn to getting mom a new hoodie or sundress, expect tariffs there, too.

Apparel tariffs have been assessed beyond China for U.S. imports. Vietnam, the second largest apparel exporter to the U.S., is subject to a 46% tariff, Cambodia will have a 49% duty, and Bangladesh 37%. China is currently at a 54% tariff for apparel imports.

Mom’s Day Spending

Consumers will spend $259.04 on gifts and celebrations. While tariffs have raised prices across many categories like flowers, jewelry, restaurant dining, apparel, and electronics, consumers plan to spend $5 more than in 2024. Americans will spend money on Mother’s Day despite the tariffs, but may look for more experiential gifts to commemorate the special day. Maybe 2025 is the day to swap the gift card and flowers for a homemade video posted on social media to tell the world we love our moms.