Salal Care Guide

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is one of the most popular and widely used greeneries in the floral industry. With its large, leathery, deep green leaves and sturdy stems, it adds a lush, full texture to any arrangement. We carry two forms of salal: full salal stems and salal tips. Both are beautiful and versatile, but they have slightly different looks and uses, so read on to find out which one you have and how to care for it.

Salal vs. Salal Tips

Salal refers to the full stems with large, mature leaves. These are ideal for adding bold, lush fullness to arrangements, garlands, and installations. The large leaves make a big impact and fill in quickly.

Salal Tips are the tender, younger growth at the tips of the salal plant. They have smaller, softer leaves and a more delicate, airy appearance. Salal tips are perfect for adding a lighter, more refined texture to bouquets and smaller arrangements where full salal might feel too heavy.

The care instructions below apply to both, though salal tips are slightly more delicate and benefit from extra attention to hydration.

What You'll Need

• A clean vase or bucket
• Fresh, cool water
• Sharp scissors or floral shears

Step-by-Step Care Instructions

1. Unpack promptly. Remove your salal from the packaging as soon as it arrives and let it breathe.
2. Trim the stems. Cut 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle to improve water uptake.
3. Remove lower foliage. Strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline to keep the water clean.
4. Fill your vase. Use clean, cool water. Salal is hardy and does not require floral preservative, though it won't hurt.
5. Change the water every 2 to 3 days. Re-trim the stems each time to keep them drinking well.
6. Keep in a cool spot. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources for the longest vase life.

Pro Tips

• One of the hardiest greeneries: Salal holds up very well out of water for extended periods, making it a top choice for garlands, arches, and event installations.
• Use salal tips for delicate designs: When you need a lighter, softer touch, salal tips are the perfect choice. They add a refined, airy texture that full salal can't quite achieve.
• Great for garlands: Full salal is one of the best greeneries for building garlands and table runners. Its large leaves fill in quickly and create a lush, full look with minimal effort.
• Individual leaves work too: Individual salal leaves can be removed from the stem and used on their own as a base layer in boutonnieres, corsages, and small arrangements.

Florist Secret

Salal is one of the best greeneries to use as the foundation of a hand-tied bouquet. Start by building a base of salal stems around the outside of your bouquet to frame and protect the more delicate flowers inside. Use full salal for larger bouquets and salal tips for smaller, more delicate designs. The sturdy leaves create a natural collar that holds the arrangement together beautifully!

How Long Will They Last?

With proper care, salal typically lasts around 7 to 10 days in a vase. Salal tips may be slightly more sensitive, so keep them well hydrated and cool for the best results.