Keep it fresh: Van refrigeration solutions for florists
June 26, 2025
Nobody wants to receive wilted or browning flowers, but what do florists do when someone orders a delivery in the height of summer? And are drivers expected to keep their vehicles like an icebox in the dead of winter to prevent the bouquets they’re delivering from drying out? Thankfully, there are florist van refrigeration solutions for these issues and more.
The experts at Tranzfreeze have been providing businesses like florists with premium refrigerated van solutions for more than 30 years. With a range of van sizes and types available, you can rest assured that we have one to suit your needs. Contact us for more information.
What temperature is required for flowers?
You cannot load flowers into a refrigerated van meant for food and expect them to arrive in one piece. Food requires low humidity and high airflow to prevent spoilage, which can actually be quite damaging to blooms.
As a general rule, most flowers do well in a temperature range of 0.5°C to 2°C. It’s important to remember, however, that different species need different temperatures to thrive. Tropical flowers, for example, may need a slightly warmer environment to prevent wilting. You can always ask your supplier for further guidance if needed.
Humidity levels should also be considered. For most flowers, a higher humidity level of 80 to 95% is best. This allows them to stay hydrated without drying out or drooping too rapidly.
Why should florists invest in refrigerated vans?
A refrigerated van offers many benefits to florists, whether they operate a store that offers deliveries or need to transport arrangements to events. Their benefits include:
1. Increased flexibility
Refrigerated vans designed to transport flowers offer the ideal environment for maintaining freshness and vitality. This offers florists flexibility in how long they can store their blooms, whether for the short- or long-term.
Perhaps you have to travel a considerable distance to deliver flowers for an event. Maybe you want some extra storage space to accommodate the Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day rush. Whatever the reason, have peace of mind that your arrangements will be protected against wilting, drooping, and discolouration.
2. Aesthetic preservation
While temperature is certainly important for ensuring that your blooms arrive looking their best, a van should also have ample space to ensure that they can be transported intact. Flower stems and petals are incredibly delicate, and all it takes is a pothole or speed bump to damage them.
As sunlight can pose a real hazard for cut flowers (it can heat the blooms it touches, not to mention cause browning), a windowless storage compartment is a must.
3. Cost-effectiveness
It may seem counterintuitive, but the right florist van refrigeration solutions can actually save you money. Firstly, it will help you to cut down on wastage, as your blooms will arrive as pristine as they looked when they were loaded, without wilting or other damage.
Refrigerated vans can also help you reduce operational costs, allowing you to accept more orders (as you will be able to store a larger number of flowers), broaden your local outreach (as you will be able to deliver further distances), and ultimately, expand your business.
4. Minimises vehicle wear
Have you ever considered the toll that using a vehicle unsuitable for flower deliveries can have on its engine? Most vehicles require the engine to be running for the air conditioning to stay on, which can overwork the engine and lead to premature wear. A specially designed refrigeration van, on the other hand, will continue to run even when the engine is turned off.
5. Customer satisfaction
How do you think a customer will react if their arrangement arrives in a less-than-ideal condition? Whether they’re sending a friend flowers to celebrate a birthday, to commemorate a loss, or just to brighten their day, they want them to arrive in vibrant, fresh condition.
Refrigerated vans help to boost customer satisfaction, giving them peace of mind that what they ordered is what they’ll receive. This helps build a loyal client base that will return again and again.
Tranzfreeze’s floral refrigerated van solutions
Not all refrigerated vans are created equal. At Tranzfreeze, we offer vans in a range of sizes to cater to florists’ unique transportation needs. If you need a suitable solution for your flower business, get in touch with our expert team today. We can recommend which of our vans will best meet your needs, as well as some optional extras (such as a florist floor, which will help to keep your arrangements stable during transit).
