# Florist step 2: stems, bunches and freshness dates

> Count flowers by the stem, buy and sell them by the bunch with sub-units, and track each delivery's freshness with lot numbers and expiry dates.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/florist/step-2-stems-bunches-and-freshness/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

Growers sell roses by the bunch; customers buy them by the stem or in a bouquet. And every stem has a short life. This step sets up units so you can buy and sell either way, and lots with expiry dates so you always know what's fresh.

## Before you start

**Enable Sub Units**, **Enable Product Expiry** and **Enable Lot number** are on ([step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/florist/step-1-shop-and-modules/)).

## 1. Units: Stem and bunches

1. Open **Products › Units** and click **Add**: **Stem**, short name **stem**, **Allow decimal** = No.
2. Click **Add** again: **Bunch of 10**, short name **bn10**. Tick **Add as multiple of other unit**, type **10** **times base unit** and pick **Stem**.
3. Add **Bunch of 25** the same way (25 × Stem).

![Units page with Bunch of 10 (10 stem), Bunch of 25 (25 stem), Pieces, Service and Stem](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/florist-units-stems-bunches.B9E_vgDX.png) (web app page: `/units`)
*Bunches are sub-units of Stem, so all stock is counted in stems.*

## 2. A flower product sold by the stem

1. **Products › Add Product**: name ("Red Rose 60cm (Ecuador)"), **Unit** = **Stem**.
2. In **Related Sub Units**, pick **Bunch of 10** and **Bunch of 25**.
3. Category **Fresh Flowers**, sub-category **Loose Stems**.
4. On **Pricing**, enter the price per stem. On **Stock**, set an **Alert quantity** (for example 36 stems).
5. Save.

![Edit product for Red Rose 60cm (Ecuador) with Unit Stem and Related Sub Units Bunch of 10 and Bunch of 25, category Fresh Flowers and sub category Loose Stems](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/florist-rose-stem-product.D4Wngn7D.png) (web app page: `/products/{id}/edit`)
*Stem as the unit, bunches as related sub-units.*

## 3. Receive flowers with a lot and expiry date

1. Record the delivery in **Purchases › Add Purchase**. On each line, choose the unit you bought in (for example **Bunch of 25**) and the quantity.
2. Type the grower's code (or your own) in **Lot Number** and the last selling day in **EXP Date**.
3. Save. Stock rises in stems, by lot.

Opening stock on the product's **Stock** tab also takes a lot number and expiry date per row:

![Stock tab of the rose product with Manage Stock ticked, Alert quantity 36, and an opening stock row with quantity, unit cost, Lot number and Expiry date](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/florist-rose-stock-expiry.j6k7_Uqz.png) (web app page: `/products/{id}/edit`)
*Each stock row has its own lot and expiry date.*

## 4. Selling stems and bunches

At the till, add the rose and change the unit on the line to **Bunch of 10** if the customer takes a bunch. The quantity and price follow the unit. Pick the lot in **Lot & Expiry** if you want to sell a specific delivery first.

## What to check every morning

**Reports › Stock Expiry Report** (and the stock report filtered by category) shows which lots expire soon, so you can use them in today's bouquets or put them on offer. See [Expiry and batches](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/expiry-and-batches/).

**Caution:** 
Price the stem first and check the bunch prices on the POS. A bunch is priced as stems × the multiplier, so a bunch discount needs its own product or a discount.

Next: [step 3: arrangements and recipes](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/florist/step-3-arrangements-and-recipes/).

  - [Categories, brands and units](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/categories-brands-units/)
  - [Expiry and batches](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/expiry-and-batches/)
  - [Purchases](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/purchases/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Why use Stem as the main unit?

Because you sell single stems and use stems in arrangements. Stock is always counted in the main unit, so a bunch of 25 bought adds 25 stems.

### Can I sell a bunch at a better price than 10 single stems?

The POS calculates the bunch price from the stem price × the multiplier. For a bunch deal, add a product such as "Rose bunch of 10" or use a discount.

### What expiry date should I enter for flowers?

The last day you'd sell them, usually 5–10 days after delivery depending on the flower. Use the vase life you know from your growers.

### What happens when flowers pass their expiry date?

That depends on On Product Expiry in Business Settings, Keep Selling or Stop Selling n days before. Either way, remove wilted stems with a stock adjustment.

### Which lot is sold first?

If the cashier doesn't pick a lot, stock is taken according to your stock accounting method (FIFO = oldest first), which suits fresh flowers.

### Do plants and vases need expiry dates?

No. Leave the expiry empty for non-perishable items such as vases, pots, cards and chocolates with long dates.