Learn about flower frogs, their history, and how you can use them in your home. They are so fun to collect and really work well when creating floral arrangements.
While recently visiting my friend Lisa’s house, I was reminded of her beautiful collection of flower frogs.
You see, Lisa is an antique collector and has the most beautiful home, filled with all kinds of antiques, many of which are gardening related antique collectibles.
One of her collections, floral frogs, has often interested me, so I asked her if I could borrow some and write about them on my blog. Being the ever gracious person that she is, the answer was a quick “yes,” followed by a show-and-tell of some of her favorites she's collected from flea markets, antique shops, garage sales, and a few from Etsy.
What is a Flower Frog?
Ever heard of flower frogs? Well, maybe you’ve seen them but did not know what they were. Flower frogs date back to 14th century Japan as a means of assisting floral designers with flower arranging.
There are many different types of flower frogs, including glass, pottery, and metal. Most are used inside vases as a vessel to hold the flowers in place. Some are not used in vases but come with their own containers to hold the water and, even more interestingly, some are beautiful ceramic flower frog figurines with holes to hold stems of flowers as an art form.
Vintage Flower Frogs Gallery
Why are they called "Flower Frogs"
It seems that no one knows the origin of the term “frog,” though most agree it must have become a slang term for the fact that they sit in water, like a frog. Flower frogs became widely popular in the United States during the 1920s and ’30s. In the mid-1950s, however, a water-absorbent floral foam, called “Oasis,” was invented, driving the flower frogs to near extinction. Still, many people, like Lisa, enjoy collecting them and displaying them for their own beauty or re-purposing them for other uses.
Other Uses for Flower Frogs
Metal pincushion frogs
- Soap dish
- Cardholder (business cards, place cards, Christmas cards, mail, notes, small photos)
- In a pretty vignette
Glass frogs with holes
- Hold pens and pencils for your desk
- Hold makeup brushes
- Store embroidery scissor collections
Here's an all-in-one glass frog holding a tight set of daisies. Somewhat like the Pave arrangements that are very popular now. Imagine how cute they would look if you had several of them running down the middle of a long dining table. I think they would also look nice in antique teacups.
Here's a great example of their basic function. I used the same clear glass flower frog pictured above in the vase as a flower holder for this little bunch of alstroemeria. There weren't many stems in the bunch but the resulting look is pretty and full.
Here, a few flower frogs along with some chicken wire in the bottom of your container to help hold many branches of greenery for a Christmas centerpiece. Two have spiky pins with a heavy metal base and the third is the same glass one mentioned above.
They make floral design work so simple. Something all flower lovers would enjoy.
P.S. My friend Lisa was gracious enough to share some of her other garden-related collections and you can find them on this blog. One is all about ceramic antique posy holders. The other is a set of vintage cigarette wildflower prints. Tiny little cards that used to come in cigarette packages back in the '30s. They are so fun. Have you ever heard of them?
Cecilia
Thank you for your post I found it incredibly interesting as Florist I find the history of these frogs very interesting, I now have a collection of them myself. I try not to use oasis as it is not biodegrade so not environmentally friendly, the frogs make a great alternative.
Patti Estep
Cecilia, they are a great alternative to oasis and so fun to collect. Thanks for stopping by.
Angie Trotter
Hello! I hope this finds you well...
I have had my JPO 1930s cast iron frog since I was a child. It was my grandmother's. She passed away when I was young about 40 years ago but I remember it sitting on her dresser in her room. I never knew what it was until now. I just thought it was a small odd architectural piece of art. I loved it for it's curly ends and it's green color. Well I still do love it but it's very nice to know exactly what it is now. To me it was very important to find something about this. I was using Google reverse image because I didn't know what to call it and this was the first thing I opened. Thank you very much! Such a pleasure to learn that so many others enjoy these flower frogs as well...
Patti Estep
Angie, I'm so glad you found it. What a special heirloom to have from your grandmother. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Al Budelier
It's an acronym for "Flower Rearranging and Organizing Gizmo". This comes from a note on one I found in my mothers things, she was born in 1927, and I found it after her death, so I can't ask her if it was a joke or the truth! Anyway, if you ever write about them again, you might get a few laughs and maybe a bit of infamy if you use this definition 🙂
Patti Estep
Lol Al, that's great! I love the acronym. Thanks for sharing!
Patti (also..81 years old)
Can you use a frog that is all spikes to hold a potato if you need to grate a lot by hand or because it is probably lead, would that leach into the potatoes? Thanks!
Patti Estep
Hi Patti, I think it's a clever thought but I would be worried about the metal leaching into the potatoes. If it's not on the market yet you have a great idea for a new product.
Sophie Jones-Whittaker
Thank you for such a fascinating post! I had no idea of the history - so delighted to have found you!
Patti Estep
Sophie. So glad you like the post. Thank you for your kind words.
Yoli
Aloha Patti,
God bless you for sharing the unusual.
Mahalo,
Yoli
Patti Estep
Thank you Yoli for your kind words. ♥
Sandy
Morning - thanks for ideas! I have a few not enough to call a collection. I have some glass and metal pin cushion types and one frog frog that looks really old. Enjoy your Monday!
Patti Estep
Sandy, they are fun to collect. I only have a handful myself but I'm always looking for more. Enjoy your Monday too.
Jody
My mom had a lot of these. I guess not seeing them everyday anymore I forgot about them. They were all in a pile on the dining room table when she passed and no one knew what they were. Now I remember.
Patti Estep
Jody, I would have loved to see her collection. I'm glad this post reminded you of your mother.
Kathy Menold
I have collected a d used flower frogs for years and even have one favorite cast iron frog,frog! You gave me a great idea to use some of them in a cute vignette on my coffee table. I have a brass tray that will work and can mix in some small vases and fresh flowers. Thanks for the inspiration.
Patti Estep
Kathy, that sounds beautiful. Thanks for the great comment. You've made my Monday!
Bonita Olmer
I use a decorative glass with a clear glass, 4-hole flower frog in it as a toothbrush holder. I love it. 🙂
Patti Estep
That's a fantastic idea. Thanks for sharing.
Nan
I use mine to display my marbles.
Patti Estep
Hi Nan,
What a great idea. Some of the frogs would be perfect for a marble collection.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
lisa swartz
i have a rather extensive collection of flower frogs. would be happy to share a photo or 2! My husband does not understand my love of these things, and to be truthful, neither do I! I cannot resist when I see them (even the most common clear glass ones) at a flea or tag sale. They have to come home with me. Gald to see I'm not the only one out there!
Patti
Hi Lisa,
Glad to hear from a kindred spirit. That's what tag sales are for: collections! I would love to see your collection.
Tracey Radford
hi I came across this page via Pinterest and found it interesting. I often see these frogs at charity shops but never pick them up generally ignoring them. Having seen the lovely daisy display I think next time I will pick them up and start using. Excellent.
Patti
Thank you Tracey. I really appreciate your comment. Flower Frogs are pretty interesting and practical too. Enjoy.
Christine
Thank you for sharing this...I never knew where Frogs got their name...I am always on the hint for some but so far haven't come across any. Love the frog frog....he's too cute!
Patti
Christine,
Glad you liked it. The frog is too cute! I almost used it as the featured image but then I thought it was a little to unusual and might confuse the issue. Keep looking you'll find them. Lisa has me looking for them too! We'll have to start sharing our finds next. So glad you stopped by. Hope you have a great day!
Patti
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads
I just love that small flower frog and flowers in the teacup! I have a friend who has an extensive collection of frogs, many of which were collected by her mother. I have asked her if I could show her frogs on my blog but we just haven't gotten around to that. So I've started collecting a few of my own. My favorite ones are the glass ones.
Patti
Thanks Jane. I'd love to see your friend's collection. They are so cool. I'm keeping an eye out to start my own collection. Thanks for stopping by!
Traci
I had no idea that flower frogs came in so many different types. I love the ceramic frogs but the figure frogs are so unique. The only ones I have ever seen are the metal pin cushion type. Of course now I need to have one. Just one more thing to be on the lookout for.
Traci
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Traci, I'm glad you like them. They are do fun and it's always fun to have something to be on the lookout when you out antiquing or at the flea market. Stop back and show us your finds.