How I Use ChatGPT to Write Floral Recipes (Without Losing Creativity)
So…hear me out. Before you huff, puff, and blow my little floral house down with virtual-fury, I want to explain how ChatGPT is my floral sidekick. (Some people name their ChatGPT “personality” - I refer to mine as “bff”. It says “slay” and “yaaas queen” and I let it be silly and extra, because I don’t pass up opportunities to giggle during the work day!)
As long winded as I am, I love efficiency. So, when I realized ChatGPT can be a floral-tool, I put it to work. It didn’t take long to see that, as long as I explained general expectations of what I wanted it to produce, it could totally help do some thinking (and math!) for me.
The Pain Points New Florists Feel
Wrestling with stem counts for centerpieces, comparing them to wholesalers’ Price Sheets and trying to make everything profitable and pretty.
Scaling recipes for big events (hello, 25+ tables).
Trying to limit excess while ensuring there’s room for adjustment
We’ve all been there. While I’m a huge proponent for pro floral software and backend systems, not every small shop or solo-florist is ready to invest in that tech. So you end up on a spreadsheet trying to make it all make sense…or, you bring in your new digital MVP.
Where ChatGPT Steps In
Think of it as your speedy sous-chef:
You drop in your flower types + desired style, and it spits back a draft recipe in seconds.
It runs cost breakdowns so you know exactly where your budget stands.
It even suggests stem substitutions when your dream bloom is out of stock or over budget.
I’ve uploaded my most recent price list from my local wholesaler, and have told ChatGPT what common bunch counts are - and now, we’re off to the races.
Where Human Creativity Still Rules
Now, listen: ChatGPT doesn’t have taste. Or feelings. Or an eye for design. That’s allllll you. So,
You’re still the one who chooses focal blooms, color palettes, and textures. (Or, more realistically, you still need to tell it what colors, textures, and stem types to use.)
You decide what makes the arrangement emotional, aesthetic, and wow-worthy. (It can’t design for you, so YOU need to know how to design with dimension and interest.)
Simply put: it’s your numbers-guy. Your math-friend. Your “if I have to calculate overages on this I’m going to scream” savior.
In this screenshot, you’ll see…it’s not perfect. (I’d love to get a Playa Blanca for $1.25 - and that amount isn’t anywhere on my uploaded file.) So double-checking is still critical! Plus, it left me with the wiggle room to determine if I wanted to add some fun blooms in since I have a little more per arrangement.
Real-World Example
Recently, I had a $90 floral budget for a corporate event centerpiece. Instead of pulling out a calculator, I asked ChatGPT to draft a recipe using roses, carnations, a standout bloom, and greenery.
Within seconds, I had a clean recipe with stem counts + cost per stem. Then I tweaked it: swapping in different roses, adding a filler I knew would photograph better, and adjusting greenery for balance.
It cut down my planning time from 30 minutes to about 5.
The Bottom Line
ChatGPT isn’t replacing florists anytime soon. But as a behind-the-scenes assistant? It’s a lifesaver. Less calculator time = more design time.
If you’re curious to try it for your own proposals or event prep, start small: one recipe, one client change, one budget check. You’ll see the magic fast.
👉 Want help setting it up for your workflow? We can totally over over all the ways ChatGPT can be working for you and your business! Click here to find a consulting service that fits your needs.