Flowers for a hospital visit: what to send and avoid
What to send to a patient and what to avoid: strong scents, heavy pollen, potted plants in Chinese custom, chrysanthemum and number taboos, and good choices.
Avoid
- Strongly scented flowers, which can bother patients and roommates: Lily, Narcissus (daffodil), Freesia, Hyacinth, Lily of the valley, Stock (Matthiola), Gardenia, Jasmine, Lavender, Marigold, Wisteria, Osmanthus, Sweet pea, Tuberose, Lilac
- Heavy-pollen flowers that trigger allergies: Lily
- Potted plants: in Chinese custom they suggest the illness will "take root".
- White or yellow chrysanthemums: associated with funerals in China, Japan and Korea.
- Quantities of 4 (China, Japan, Korea) and 9 (Japan) — see How many flowers to give: meanings and taboos by culture.
Good choices
Available year-round, lightly scented, lasting 7 days or more: Carnation, Lisianthus, Baby's breath, Bird of paradise, Orchids (cut), Calla lily, Statice, Anthurium, Dendrobium orchid, Craspedia (billy buttons), Alstroemeria, Heliconia, Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum), Bouvardia
FAQ
What flowers are good for a hospital visit?
Lightly scented, long-lasting flowers work best, such as carnation, lisianthus, baby's breath, bird of paradise, orchids (cut), calla lily — in a small arrangement that does not need fresh water often.
Why not bring a potted plant to a patient?
In Chinese custom a potted plant suggests the illness will "take root", so it is considered unlucky for patients.
Do all hospitals allow fresh flowers?
No. Many intensive care units and some wards do not accept fresh flowers for infection control, so check with the ward first.