How to Order Flower Delivery Online: Steps, Delivery Options, and Checkout Checks

Updated

You can order flower delivery online in a few minutes if you prepare three things before you start: the recipient's full delivery address and phone number, the date you want the flowers to arrive, and your budget including delivery fees and add-ons. On 1-800-Flowers.com, the process runs from browsing (Best Sellers, Birthday, Sympathy, Occasions, Plants, Same-Day Delivery) through cart and checkout, and the site lists same-day delivery as an option alongside standard delivery. The steps below cover what to enter, what to verify, and where orders most often go wrong.

Before You Start: Information to Gather

Have these ready so you don't stall at checkout:

  • Recipient address — street, apartment or suite number, city, state, ZIP. For hospitals, schools, or offices, include the department, floor, room number, or company name.
  • Recipient phone number — used by the courier to arrange or confirm delivery, especially at institutions.
  • Delivery date — the exact day you want, not just "this week."
  • Card message — what you want written on the enclosure card.
  • Budget — item price plus delivery fee, tax, and any add-ons.

Step-by-Step: Placing the Order

1. Choose the arrangement

Browse by category (Best Sellers, Birthday, Sympathy, Occasions, Plants, Food & Keepsakes) or by flower type (roses, lilies, orchids, sunflowers, mixed bouquets, and others). Note the listed starting price — for example, the site shows a Fall Fresh Pick Bouquet starting at $39.99 — and check whether the price shown is for the base size.

2. Select size and add-ons

Most arrangements come in multiple sizes (typically good, better, best). Larger sizes mean more stems, not a different design. You may also be offered a vase, balloons, chocolates, or a plush add-on. Each add-on changes the total, so decide before you reach the cart.

3. Enter delivery details

Fill in the recipient's name, address, and phone. Add delivery instructions if the location is hard to find — gate codes, "leave with front desk," or "call on arrival." These notes matter most for hospitals, schools, and offices, where front-desk staff often control whether a courier can reach the recipient.

4. Pick the delivery date and method

Choose your date and review the delivery options presented. The site advertises same-day delivery as a category, so same-day is available for eligible items and locations — but eligibility depends on the item and the delivery ZIP, and cut-off times apply. If your date is fixed (a birthday or anniversary), order early enough that a delay doesn't cost you the occasion.

5. Add your card message and review the cart

Type the message exactly as you want it read. Then open the cart and check the item, size, add-ons, delivery date, and address one more time before paying.

6. Check out and save your order number

Complete payment, then save the order confirmation and order number. The site provides order tracking under "Track Your Orders," and an account lets you view order history and check status later.

Checkout Checks That Prevent Most Problems

Check Why it matters
Delivery date vs. cut-off Same-day and next-day options depend on the item and location; a missed cut-off pushes delivery to the next available day
Full address with unit/room/floor Couriers can't deliver to "Room 412" if the room number is missing
Recipient phone Needed for institutional deliveries and re-delivery attempts
Substitution policy Florists may substitute stems or containers based on seasonal availability; the delivered arrangement can differ from the photo
Vase included? Some arrangements arrive as flowers only; a vase may be a separate add-on
Total cost Item + delivery fee + tax + add-ons; confirm the final number before paying
Cancellation/refund terms Rules vary by item and timing — read them before you submit, not after

Delivery to Hospitals, Schools, and Offices

These are the highest-risk addresses. Confirm three things before ordering:

  1. Does the location accept flower deliveries? Some hospital units, schools, and secure offices restrict or refuse them.
  2. What are the receiving hours? A delivery that arrives after the mailroom closes may sit overnight.
  3. Who receives it? Add the department, floor, and a contact name or phone so staff can route it.

If any of these are unclear, call the location first. A five-minute call prevents a failed delivery.

After You Order: Tracking and Failed Deliveries

  • Use Track Your Orders with your order number to see delivery status.
  • If the order shows delivered but the recipient didn't receive it, check with the front desk or mailroom first — institutional deliveries are often signed for centrally.
  • If delivery fails, contact customer service with your order number and the delivery address you entered. The site lists customer service as part of its offering, and having the order number ready speeds up the resolution.

Quick Pre-Checkout Checklist

  • [ ] Recipient address includes unit, floor, or room
  • [ ] Recipient phone number entered
  • [ ] Delivery date confirmed against cut-off times
  • [ ] Size and add-ons match your budget
  • [ ] Card message proofread
  • [ ] Substitution policy and vase inclusion understood
  • [ ] Total (item + delivery + tax) reviewed
  • [ ] Order number saved after checkout