Is Sola Wood Flowers Legit? Yes, But It’s Not Real Wood
Yes, Sola Wood Flowers (the company) is a legitimate, well-reviewed seller – but the material itself needs a caveat: genuine sola wood is the ivory, cork-like pith of a marsh plant (Aeschynomene aspera), which is technically classified as a type of wood, not a real living flower. Cheaper listings using the same “sola wood flower” name sometimes substitute tapioca-root starch or balsa wood instead, which don’t hold color or last as long.
What Sola Wood Actually Is
Genuine Sola Wood Pick
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Sola Wood Flowers Mini Random Assortment (50 pcs) – $18.32 Sold directly by the Sola Wood Flowers brand itself – a low-cost way to see and touch the real material before committing to a full bouquet order.
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Most “is it legit” articles about Sola Wood Flowers stop at reviewing the company. The more useful question is what the material actually is, since the answer varies by seller:
- Genuine sola wood: Peeled from the stem of Aeschynomene aspera, a plant that grows wild in marsh areas of India and Southeast Asia. The ivory, cork-like material underneath the bark is classified as a type of wood, even though it’s often casually called “pith.” It holds dye well and keeps its shape for years – see our breakdown of what sola wood flowers are made of for more detail.
- Tapioca-root or balsa substitutes: Some cheaper listings use starch from the cassava/tapioca root, or balsa wood, shaped to look similar. These don’t hold color as vividly, are more brittle, and won’t last as long as genuine sola.
Neither version is a real, living flower – both are carved or molded from plant material to resemble one. If a listing doesn’t specify “sola wood” or “Aeschynomene aspera” by name, it may be one of the cheaper substitutes.
Pros and Cons
Weighing the real advantages and drawbacks of choosing sola wood flowers over fresh ones:
Advantages of Sola Wood Flowers
- Long-Lasting: Genuine sola wood flowers can last for years as a keepsake, unlike fresh flowers.
- Customizable: They take dye well and can be shaped to suit different arrangements and color schemes.
- Cost-Effective: A full bouquet typically costs less than fresh flowers once you account for the fact you’re not rebuying them.
- Low Maintenance: No water, no wilting, no refrigeration before an event.
Potential Drawbacks of Sola Wood Flowers
- No Fragrance: Unlike real flowers, they don’t smell like anything unless you add a scented oil yourself.
- Different, Not Identical, Look: The ivory, matte, slightly textured look reads as rustic/handmade rather than a perfect match for fresh blooms.
- Upfront Cost for DIY: A full DIY wedding order still requires buying stems, floral tape, and wire upfront.
- Material Varies by Seller: As covered above, not every “sola wood flower” listing uses the same material.
Customer Reviews: What People Actually Say
Reviews for genuine sola wood flower sellers are generally positive, with a few recurring, specific complaints worth planning around:
Positive Feedback
- Craftsmanship and attention to detail on individual flowers
- Wide variety of flower shapes and sizes for different arrangement styles
- Appreciation for the reusable, sustainable angle compared to fresh-cut flowers
- Responsive customer service on replacement/refund requests
Potential Concerns
- Shipping time can vary, and a few buyers report delays around peak wedding season.
- Occasional damaged-in-transit flowers, generally resolved with a replacement or refund.
- Screen color doesn’t always match the dyed color in hand – order a sample or undyed batch first if color-matching matters.
- Buyers new to the material sometimes want more detailed stemming/assembly instructions than the listing provides.
Pricing and Affordability
For a wedding-scale order, sola wood flowers are usually the cheaper option once you factor in that fresh flowers are a one-time expense you can’t reuse or resize after ordering:
| Item | Sola Wood Flowers | Fresh Flowers |
|---|---|---|
| Individual stems | ~$1–$3 each | ~$2–$8 each, varies by season |
| Bridal bouquet | ~$40–$120 depending on size | ~$150–$300+ |
| Lifespan | Indefinite with normal care | 1–2 weeks |
| Care Required | Minimal – keep dry, avoid crushing | Regular water changes, refrigeration, trimming |
The gap widens further if you keep the bouquet afterward as a keepsake, since a fresh arrangement has no value past the event.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
Genuine sola wood is a byproduct of a fast-growing marsh plant harvested for its stem pith, not a slow-growing hardwood tree, so it carries a much smaller environmental footprint than either timber or the water/pesticide/refrigerated-shipping footprint of commercially grown cut flowers.
- No pesticides or refrigerated shipping required, unlike fresh-cut flowers
- Reusable and keepable long after the event, reducing floral waste
- Biodegradable at end of life, unlike silk or plastic artificial flowers
Sola Wood Flowers vs. Real Flowers
The right choice depends on whether you’re optimizing for authenticity or practicality:
Aesthetics and Customization
Sola wood flowers offer wide color customization since the undyed material takes dye evenly, and shapes can be mixed and matched across a whole order. They won’t fully replicate the exact color gradients or scent of fresh blooms.
Practical Considerations
Sola wood flowers are lightweight, easier to ship and transport without crushing than fresh stems, and can be ordered weeks or months ahead of an event with zero risk of wilting before the day arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sola Wood Flowers
Are sola wood flowers real or fake?
They’re not real, living flowers – genuine sola wood flowers are hand-carved from the dried pith of the Aeschynomene aspera plant, which is classified as a type of wood. So the material can be real (actual plant wood), even though the “flower” shape is entirely handmade.
Are sola wood flowers cheaper than real flowers?
Generally yes, especially at wedding scale – a sola wood bridal bouquet typically runs $40–$120 versus $150–$300+ for a comparable fresh arrangement, and the sola version can be kept afterward instead of thrown away.
Was Sola Wood Flowers on Shark Tank?
No, Sola Wood Flowers was not featured on Shark Tank.
How long will sola wood flowers last?
Indefinitely with basic care – keep them dry and out of direct crushing pressure. Unlike fresh flowers, they don’t wilt or decay, so a bouquet can realistically be kept as a keepsake for years.
Conclusion
Sola Wood Flowers the company is legitimate, and genuine sola wood is a real, sustainably harvested plant material – just not a living flower. The one thing worth double-checking before you buy from any seller is whether they’re using actual sola wood (Aeschynomene aspera) or a cheaper tapioca/balsa substitute, since that’s what actually determines how well your flowers hold color and last.
