Phoam Labs
Floral Foam
By replacing traditional floral foam with a TÜV-certified industrially compostable polylactide (PLA) foam, Phoam Labs' patented floral foam bricks are bringing a plant-derived, renewable and fully functional option to the floral industry.
BIOBASED
Made from renewable plant materials.
Non-toxic
No harmful chemicals.
Compostable
Breaks down into environmentally friendly components.
About Our Product
Phoam Partners with COM:POST
Phoam Launches in the UK
We're proud to announce that Phoam, the world's first compostable floral foam, has now launched alongside COM:POST, the specialist floral waste composting company that's become an inspiring sustainable success story for the floristry industry.
The simplicity of their concept, the convenience of their collection service, and the practicality of their self-standing composting bags mean the COM:POST team, along with their amazing community of florists, have diverted thousands of tonnes of green waste that might have headed to landfill, turning it into compost for British growers instead.
Here's How it Works
COM:POST members can now order boxes of Phoam delivered with their green waste bags.
Once you're done with your arrangement, Phoam goes in the same bag as your floral waste which will be composted locally, and returned to British growers as nutrient-rich compost.
Because Phoam is plant-based, it breaks down alongside your green waste. Its bulk also helps the composting process, adding structure that combines with a variety of green waste to help build a richer, more balanced compost.
Why Closed Loop Matters
Most floral foam ends its life in general waste, sent to landfill where it can take a lifetime to break down.
A closed loop is a circular solution provides the opportunity for green waste and Phoam to be disposed of together and converted into compost. This goes back to the soil that grew the flowers in the first place, with no waste, just a simple return: from soil, to flower, to soil again.
Learn more about COM:POST
This is just the beginning! We'll be sharing news about wider availability soon.
How to work with Phoam
A New Standard in Floral Foam
Phoam is easy to cut and shape. For best results, use a serrated knife and cut with a gentle sawing motion. It performs best when placed in a vase or container with a water reservoir. Phoam is a versatile arranging medium and thereare two ways of soaking Phoam.
Method One: Wedge & Top-Up
No need to pre-soak, add Phoam to your vase or container dry. Wedge it in and secure with tape. Because Phoam absorbs water at a gentler pace, it will be buoyant at first, so it's important to secure it with tape or twine to keep it submerged while it absorbs water. Fill the vase to the top and always use cold water (warm water may affect the foam's texture). Begin arranging after a minute, then top up once your design is complete.
Method Two: Gently Compress
Alternatively, pre-soak the block by gently compressing it underwater for about 20 seconds, or until the bubbles stop. Tease the block back into shape as it absorbs more water, then transfer it into your container and top up with cold water.
Arranging in Phoam
Arranging in Phoam is easy, and it will receive most stem types. Cut your stem at an angle and insert it a couple of centimetres. Hold your stem low, like a pencil, to insert it. For thin or delicate stems, creating a pilot hole first might help. Always remember to top up with water after arranging.
Familiar but different
Phoam handles much like the foam florists already know. Let's recap on the key differences.
Cutting
For best results, cut with a serrated knife. Phoam cuts and shapes best to a gentle sawing motion rather than a firm cut.
Mechanics
Securing is more important with Phoam: because it absorbs water more gently, it stays buoyant at first and needs tape or twine to keep it submerged while it absorbs water.
Soaking & Topping Up
Unlike traditional foam, Phoam is re-wettable, so we recommend topping up before and after arranging, with regular top-ups for the life of your arrangement.
Designed to Disappear
Working with Phoam is familiar, but the difference lies in its plant-based material that composts at the end of its life.
Why Choose Phoam
Safe For Designers
Phoam Labs’ floral foam is bio-based and contains no harmful chemicals for our employees, users, and the environment. Switching to our floral foam means using a PLA product, which is derived from corn starch and totally renewable within a 12-month cycle.
Less Waste
Our products are designed to be compostable - made from nature, they are engineered to degrade and return to nature - to reduce the unnecessary waste in the floral industry.
Highly Functional
Our floral foam is designed to be as functional as any other foam - there will be no sacrificing function for sustainability.
