This the Wedding Flower of the Year, According to Experts

If 2026 has a floral star, it’s amaranthus. With its draping, sculptural stems and effortless movement, this bloom transforms anything from a bridal bouquet to a ceremony arch into a moment that feels modern and unexpected. According to trend experts, these dramatic lines and flowing texture have made it the “it girl” of wedding flowers this year. In fact, Michelle Edgemont, sales director at Poppy Flowers and a wedding pro with 15 years of luxury event experience, noticed a 285% year-over-year growth in requests, with couples embracing the personality, versatility, and statement-making power of amaranthus. 

Not getting hitched? You might still want to consider adding this bloom to your cut flower garden this spring. A warm-season annual that’s highly drought-tolerant and thrives in heat and poor soils makes for a perfect summer stunner. Read on as we explore why amaranthus fits into the year’s modern -maximalist mood, the color palettes it displays, and how even a few stems can make a big impact. 

The Shift in Wedding Florals

Ayla Rae Weddings

Couples are trading cookie-cutter arrangements for pieces that feel intentional and expressive. “Couples are definitely prioritizing more specific stems instead of a full style priority,” Michelle explains. “For example, they really want to use a lot of calla lilies and amaranthus in order to create more minimal sculptural items. In the past, couples would simply want a garden style, and it didn’t matter what types of stems we used. Now, couples are definitely leaning more into requesting specific stems and making sure their pieces have the aesthetic that matches their vision.”

And what does “sculptural” actually mean? Michelle clarifies: “Sculptural flowers have a specific shape and line to them, instead of simply being very petal-y and pretty like a rose. For example, calla lilies technically only have one petal, but the sides of the flower are very modern and clean, which lets florists use that stem to create a lot of movement and sculptural elements in an arrangement.” This shift marks the rise of modern maximalism: less “perfectly planned,” more “perfectly felt.” It’s all about movement, texture, and moments that feel alive.

Why Amaranthus Works

Betsi Ewing Photo

Part of the bloom’s power is its versatility. “Amaranthus works for both modern styles and more garden-like styles,” Michelle notes. “For modern styles, it creates a very long, dripping line in arrangements, which can bring the eye from the bottom of the arrangement to the top of the arrangement with correct design placement of the other flowers. For garden-type arrangements, it can be placed at the top of the arrangement, the middle, or also the bottom to create a whimsical, wildflower garden-like look. It’s also a very perfect color of green, which goes with both lighter, sage-y greens like eucalyptus, and darker, more saturated greens like ruscus and salal.”

And if amaranthus had a personality? Michelle says it’s “that one friend you have that always makes every hangout that much more better. They always come with the coolest outfits and the most interesting accessories that they’ve purchased from a local designer that nobody else knows yet. They’re definitely on the up and up when it comes to trends and letting their personality shine.”

Styling & Color Trends

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The beauty of amaranthus is that a little can go a long way. “There are two ways to use amaranthus perfectly,” Michelle says. “Only use one or two stems in a very intentional way in either a bouquet or an arrangement. Use an abundance of amaranthus in an arrangement or on a larger install to create a really big textural moment that also acts as color-blocking throughout the arrangement.” From cascading bridal bouquets to low, artful tablescape runners—or even just a few stems in bud vases—this stem delivers maximum impact with minimal fuss.

As for pitfalls? Michelle keeps it simple: “I don’t believe there are any mistakes that can be made when using florals, but my biggest piece of advice is to trust your florist and have them use their design expertise to discern the best places to use amaranthus in their wedding.”

Color plays a big role in the stem’s impact. While green dominates as the most popular shade for 2026, amaranthus also comes in burgundy and bleached white. “The burgundy color is starting to get a little bit more trendy since couples are thinking of ways to veer from the classic white and green color palette by adding a little bit more drama to their weddings,” Michelle says. This is especially true for fall weddings, where deep, moody tones pair beautifully with seasonal palettes. Think of amaranthus as a chameleon stem: soft and garden-like for spring, bold and editorial for autumn, and effortlessly sculptural year-round.

Growing Amaranthus: Spring Planting Tips

Want to take this trend from bouquet to backyard? Amaranthus is surprisingly easy to grow and makes a gorgeous cut flower for summer and autumn weddings. Here’s how to get started:

• Sun & Soil: Plant in full sun with well-draining soil. These blooms love warmth and won’t thrive in soggy ground.
• Timing: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost, or sow directly outdoors once the soil has warmed.
• Spacing: Give each plant 12–18 inches of room; amaranthus grows tall and loves airflow.
• Water & Care: Keep soil consistently moist while seedlings establish, then water moderately. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• Harvesting: Cut stems when flowers are fully developed but before the blooms start to fade. This keeps them looking lush and dramatic in arrangements.

A few strategically planted stems can provide months of beautiful blooms for bouquets, centerpieces, or just a playful pop of texture in your garden. And for those who love color experimentation, try some more romantic heirloom colorways like Amaranth ‘Coral Fountain’ or ‘Hot Biscuits’ that will take you into autumn arranging with style.