13 May 2025
Blog

Cake Decorating Cheat Sheet: How Many Edible Flowers Do You Really Need?

Pressed or fresh, here’s exactly how to plan your floral cake masterpiece with ease.

Decorating a cake with edible flowers is the perfect way to transform a simple bake into a blooming masterpiece. But how many flowers do you actually need? Whether you’re going for a light touch or a full-floral moment, here’s your go-to guide for planning the perfect flower-covered cake.

Limited Coverage

Subtle touches, scattered accents.

Cake decorated with edible flowers

Pressed Flowers: 1–2 packets per tier

Fresh Flowers: 1–2 punnets

Perfect for minimalist designs or delicate wedding cakes with just a hint of colour.

 

 

Medium Coverage

More floral detail, visible from every angle.

Decorating cake with edible flowers using tools

 

Pressed Flowers: 2–3 packets per tier

Fresh Flowers: 1–2 Edible Flower Selection Wheels
(Each wheel includes approx. 100–120 mixed flowers)

Ideal for creating a balanced floral finish with variety and texture.

 

Full Coverage

Statement cakes with vibrant blooms top to bottom.

Edible flower selection wheels from Nurtured in Norfolk

 

Pressed Flowers: 3–4 packets per tier

Fresh Flowers: 2–3 Flower Selection Wheels

A full-flower fantasy — perfect for garden weddings, photo shoots or floral fanatics.

 

Application Tips:

 

  • Use edible glue for attaching pressed flowers (most customers swear by it!)
  • Pressed flowers are best applied just before the event — refrigeration can cause them to rehydrate.
  • Fresh flowers should always be added on the day of the event for peak freshness and vibrancy.

 

Colour Guide:

 

Pinks: Cornflowers, Carnations, Dianthus, Fuchsia, Geranium, Mimulus, Pressed Paradise

Blues: Cornflowers, Borage, Violas, Oxford Blue, Pansies

Oranges: Calendula, Nasturtiums, Fire Feathers, Tiny Tagetes

Yellows: Snapdragons, Violas, Mini Daisies, Dried Sunflowers

Reds: Paradise Flowers, Verbena, Roses

Purple: Lavender, Dianthus, Sweet Rocket, Pansy

 

Size Guide:

Small: Violas, Borage, Tiny Tagetes, Bellis Daisy, Butterfly Sorrel Flowers, Oyster Flowers, Amaranth Pom Poms

Medium: Cosmos, Dianthus, Mimulus, Lavender, Pansy, Tagete

Large: Paradise Flowers, Dahlia, Amaranth Flowers

 

Final Tip:

Keep it fun and flexible! Start with a few packs and experiment — you can always build it up. Browse our edible flowers range or grab a selection wheel to get started.