Flats also known as trays are a common sight at garden centers and nurseries when spring arrives. But what exactly is a flat of flowers? This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about flower flats.
What is a Flower Flat?
A flower flat is a shallow plastic container used to hold groups of potted plants or seedlings Flats allow growers and retailers to easily transport many small pots of flowers together in bulk
Flats are typically rectangular with drainage holes, handles, and no interior dividers. This allows seedlings to be densely packed side-by-side for more efficient shipping.
Most often, flats are used for annual bedding plants and vegetable starts that will be repotted or transplanted into gardens by the customer. However, some flats may also contain small shrubs, perennials, or houseplants.
Standard Sizes of Flower Flats
While dimensions can vary slightly, most flower flats conform to standard sizing:
- 10 x 20 inches – Holds 50 to 72 plants in 3 inch pots
- 10 x 10 inches – Holds 18 to 36 plants in 2 to 3 inch pots
- 8 x 16 inches – Holds approx. 32 plants in 2.5 inch pots
Larger flats meant for tiny seedlings may contain upwards of 100 cells.
Plant/Cell Sizes Used in Flats
In addition to the flat dimensions, the most common pot or cell sizes inserted into the trays are:
- 4 inch pots
- 3 inch pots
- 2.5 inch pots
- 1.75 inch six-pack cells
Six-packs are plastic carrying trays with 6 individual starter pots or cells. This allows consumers to easily transport smaller numbers of plants.
How Many Plants are in a Flower Flat?
The number of plants per flat ultimately depends on the plant variety and pot size:
- 4 inch pots – 16 to 32 plants
- 3 inch pots – 32 to 72 plants
- 2.5 inch pots – 18 to 36 plants
- 1.75 inch cells – 36 to 72 plants
Smaller varieties like marigolds, petunias, or impatiens may have up to 100 plants in a flat. Larger varieties such as geraniums, pansies, and begonias will have fewer, around 16 to 32 plants per flat.
Buying Flats vs. Six Packs
When shopping for annuals, customers can choose between:
- Full flats – Most economical, allows creating mass plantings. Best for filling large beds.
- Six-packs – Allows mixing small quantities of different varieties. Good for filling small gaps.
Gardeners may also pick individual loose pots pulled from opened flats.
Typical Price Per Flower Flat
Prices fluctuate but general ballpark ranges are:
- Common annuals like marigolds or zinnias – $20 to $30 per flat
- Specialty annuals – $30 to $50 per flat
- Popular perennials like pansies – $30 to $50
- Unique specialty plants – $40 to $100+
Larger box stores tend to have the lowest prices on basic annual flats.
How Many Flats to Purchase?
To determine how many flats you need:
- Calculate the number of plants recommended for each bed or container.
- Divide by the number of plants per flat based on the pot size.
Round up to the nearest flat and buy a couple extra six-packs for flexibility. It’s better to have leftovers than come up short.
Caring for Flats Before Planting
Follow these tips to keep flower flats fresh until planted:
- Water daily, never letting soil dry out completely.
- Avoid direct sun/wind which can cause drying.
- Give bright, indirect light if planting is delayed.
- Don’t chill warm-weather plants like tomatoes or marigolds.
- Transplant into gardens within 1-2 days for best results.
Get the Most Value from Flower Flats
To maximize the use of your flats:
- Stick to 3-5 versatile annuals you know you’ll use a lot.
- Use some plants in containers and porch planters.
- Share extras with gardening friends.
- Plant same varieties together in flats for bold cohesive color.
Sizing Up the Flats
Most standard nursery flats, called “standard 1020s,” measure about 21 inches long by 9 1/2 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches deep on the outside. The number of flowers or other plants in a flat can vary according to the size of the plants or the pots in which theyre planted. The National Gardening Association says most nursery flats hold 50 plants. More Like This
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FAQ
How many are in a flat of flowers?
They have always measured about 18 by 18 inches and usually contain 64 plants though some contain fewer because the plants are larger. They are called flats because they are only 2 1/2 inches tall.
What is a flat of plants?
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Purpose:Flats are a cost-effective and efficient way to grow and store large quantities of plants, especially during the early stages of their development.
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Size and Shape:They are typically shallow, rectangular pans with no dividing lines, just their four perimeter walls.
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Planting:Flats are a good choice if you’re planning to transplant the seedlings into the garden as clumps, as you can scoop out a grouping of seedlings all at once and plant them in a large, wide hole together.
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Common Types:
- 1801 Trays: These are bedding plant flats that hold 18 plants and do not have an insert.
- Other sizes: Flats can come in various sizes, holding different numbers of plants, such as 6-packs, 12-packs, or even larger quantities.
- 1801 Trays: These are bedding plant flats that hold 18 plants and do not have an insert.
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Benefits:
- Space Efficiency: Flats allow nurseries to grow a large number of plants in a relatively small area.
- Cost-Effectiveness: They are a more economical way to purchase and transport plants compared to individual pots.
- Easy Handling: Flats are easy to move and store, making them convenient for both nurseries and gardeners.
- Space Efficiency: Flats allow nurseries to grow a large number of plants in a relatively small area.
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Examples of Plants Grown in Flats:
- Annuals: Petunias, Impatiens, Marigolds.
- Vegetables: Seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce.
- Flowers: Ageratum, Begonia, Celosia, Coleus, Dahlia, Dusty Miller, Flowering Vinca, Lobelia, Petunia, Portulaca, Salvia, Snapdragon, Verbena.
- Annuals: Petunias, Impatiens, Marigolds.
What is a small collection of flowers called?
A flower bouquet is a collection of flowers in a creative arrangement. Flower bouquets can be arranged for the decor of homes or public buildings or may be handheld. Several popular shapes and styles classify handheld bouquets, including nosegay, crescent, and cascading bouquets.
What size is a flat of plants?
Flat – used to describe 18, 3″ pots or cell trays of 50 small plugs. 1-gallon – most perennials. 2-gallon – larger or faster-growing perennials like peonies, grasses and hosta. 3-gallon – shrubs, trees.