---
title: "Flowers for a hospital visit: what to send and what to avoid | Floreboard"
url: https://floreboard.com/en/guides/hospital-flowers/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-10-31
publisher: Floreboard
---

# 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](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/), [Narcissus (daffodil)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/narcissus/), [Wintersweet](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/wintersweet/), [Freesia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/freesia/), [Hyacinth](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hyacinth/), [Lily of the valley](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lilyvalley/), [Stock (Matthiola)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/stock/), [Gardenia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gardenia/), [Jasmine](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/jasmine/), [Lavender](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lavender/), [Marigold](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/marigold/), [Wisteria](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/wisteria/), [Osmanthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/osmanthus/), [Sweet pea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sweetpea/), [Tuberose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/tuberose/), [Lilac](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lilac/), [Mugwort](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/artemisia/), [Buddha’s hand citron](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/buddhahand/), [Winter daphne](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/daphne/)

- Heavy-pollen flowers that trigger allergies: [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/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](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flower-numbers/).

For florists

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## Good choices

Available year-round, lightly scented, lasting 7 days or more: [Carnation](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/carnation/), [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/), [Baby's breath](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gypsophila/), [Bird of paradise](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/strelitzia/), [Orchids (cut)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/orchid/), [Calla lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calla/), [Statice](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/statice/), [Anthurium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/anthurium/), [Dendrobium orchid](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dendrobium/), [Craspedia (billy buttons)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/craspedia/), [Alstroemeria](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/alstroemeria/), [Heliconia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/heliconia/), [Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/ornithogalum/), [Bouvardia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/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.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-31.