Gifting Guide: Get Well Soon Flowers

How To Choose The Right Get Well Flowers?

It's the thought that goes the distance – this we all know. The smallest of gestures can mean so much to others, especially during challenging times. When someone we care about is unwell, whether recovering in a hospital bed or resting at home, these thoughtful acts become powerful symbols of support and care.

Research has shown that get well flowers do more than just brighten a room – they can actually aid in the healing process. Studies from universities like Rutgers and Harvard have found that the presence of flowers can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and even improve pain management. The simple act of receiving flowers triggers emotional responses that promote positive feelings and boost overall wellbeing.

A carefully chosen floral arrangement from Lily's Florist delivers more than just blooms – it carries your well-wishes and provides a daily reminder that someone cares. For patients enduring the monotony of recovery, these vibrant bursts of colour and natural beauty can become anchors of hope and connection to the outside world.

However, sending flowers to someone who's unwell isn't quite as straightforward as other occasions. Hospitals have specific policies, medical considerations come into play, and practical aspects need careful thought. Making the wrong choice could potentially cause discomfort rather than bring cheer. That's why understanding the nuances of get-well flower gifts is so important.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting, arranging, and delivering the perfect get-well flowers. From considerations about allergies and scents to timing, size, and meaningful messages – we've covered all the essential dos and don'ts to ensure your floral gift brings maximum comfort and joy to your loved one during their recovery journey.

Think Allergy-Free

The fragrance and pollen of certain flowers can be more than just a minor inconvenience for someone who's unwell—they can exacerbate existing conditions or trigger new symptoms. For patients with compromised immune systems, respiratory issues, or known allergies, the wrong floral choice could potentially:

• Trigger asthma attacks
• Cause allergic reactions (sneezing, watery eyes, congestion)
• Worsen breathing difficulties
• Create uncomfortable sensory overload in an already stressful situation
• Interfere with medical treatment protocols

Flowers to Avoid

⚠️ High-Risk Flowers for Hospital Settings:

• Lilies (especially Stargazer and Casablanca varieties) - Extremely high pollen, intense fragrance
• Jasmine - Strong scent that can trigger headaches
• Hyacinth - Powerful fragrance, high pollen count
• Gardenia - Overwhelming scent in enclosed spaces
• Baby's Breath - Tiny flowers contain surprising amounts of pollen
• Chrysanthemums - Common allergen for many people
• Sunflowers - Large pollen producers

Practical Allergy-Free Tips

• When in doubt, ask first - Contact family members if you're unsure about allergies
• Check hospital policies - Some units prohibit all fresh flowers regardless of type
• Consider alternatives - Silk arrangements or potted plants may be better options
• Consult the professionals - Ask your florist for their low-allergen seasonal recommendations
• Go for single-variety arrangements - These are easier to remove if problematic
• Request pollen removal - Professional florists can remove stamen from certain flowers
• Choose closed or tight buds - These release less pollen than fully opened blooms

Hospital Department Considerations

Different hospital departments have varying policies on flowers. As a general rule:

• ICU/Critical Care: Almost always prohibit live plants and flowers
• Oncology Units: Often restrict certain flower types due to immunocompromised patients
• Maternity Wards: Usually allow flowers but prefer low-scent varieties
• General Recovery: Most permissive, but still appreciate low-allergen choices

When ordering from Lily's Florist, our staff can help guide you through these considerations to ensure your thoughtful gesture brings only comfort and joy—never complications—to your loved one's recovery journey.

Small is Best

Why Size Restraint Benefits Everyone

For Medical Staff:

• Preserves critical access to patients for examinations and emergency procedures
• Prevents obstacles when moving medical equipment
• Reduces the risk of accidental spills that could damage sensitive equipment
• Minimises the need for staff to rearrange patient spaces

For the Patient:

• Prevents feeling overwhelmed in an already cluttered environment
• Reduces allergen concentration in limited air space
• Allows clear sightlines to visitors, television, and windows
• Minimises excess stimuli that could interfere with rest

For Other Visitors:

• Creates space for family members to place personal items when visiting
• Allows room for other gifts and cards
• Prevents one arrangement from dominating shared spaces

Lily's Florist's Space-Conscious Solutions

We've developed several specialised collections specifically for healthcare environments:

• Bedside Beauties: Arrangements under 25cm in height, designed to not obstruct views
• Space-Saver Series: Slim profile arrangements with vertical rather than horizontal emphasis
• Micro-Arrangement Collection: Tiny but impactful designs under 15cm in all dimensions
• Modular Designs: Arrangements that can be separated into smaller pieces for flexible placement

When in Doubt: Size Guidelines

• ICU/High Dependency Units: The smallest possible arrangement, under 15cm in all dimensions, if allowed at all
• Shared Rooms: Maximum 25cm in height and width
• Private Rooms: Maximum 35cm in height and width
• Paediatric Units: Small arrangements with engaging elements, but without loose parts

Remember that in the case of flowers, thoughtfulness isn't measured in centimetres. A perfectly sized, appropriately placed arrangement will be appreciated far more than an imposing display that creates challenges for everyone involved in the patient's care.

Understanding Hospital Delivery Dynamics

Timing your flower delivery perfectly can be the difference between a meaningful gesture and a logistical headache. Hospital environments operate on precise schedules with specific protocols that directly impact when and how your floral gift will reach your loved one.

Hospital Delivery Realities:

• Hospital flower delivery windows typically run between 10am-4pm, outside of shift changes and meal service times
• ICU and critical care units maintain strict no-flower policies due to infection control protocols
• Delivery delays of 2-4 hours from hospital reception to patient rooms are common and should be expected
• Weekend deliveries often face additional delays due to reduced administrative staffing

Strategic Timing Considerations

The patient's treatment schedule and hospital routine should guide your delivery timing decisions:

• Avoid procedure days when patients may be away from their rooms for extended periods
• Consider post-op recovery timing - wait at least 24-48 hours after surgery when patients are more alert
• Morning deliveries (10am-noon) typically reach patients the same day
• Late afternoon deliveries (after 3pm) may not reach patients until the following morning

Essential Information Checklist

For successful hospital deliveries, provide your florist with:

✓ Complete patient details:

• Full legal name (as registered with the hospital)
• Exact room number and bed position (if known)
• Ward or department name
• Floor number and building name/section

✓ Delivery contact information:

• Patient's mobile number (if they have access to it)
• Alternative contact (family member or friend who visits regularly)
• Your contact information for delivery confirmation

✓ Stay duration assessment:

• For stays under 48 hours: Consider home delivery instead
• For transfers between facilities: Verify timing to ensure flowers arrive at the correct location
• For extended stays: Consider scheduling delivery mid-stay when initial visitor traffic has decreased

Special Timing Scenarios

Post-Surgery Considerations: The optimal window for post-surgical flower delivery is typically 24-72 hours after procedures, when patients have moved beyond immediate recovery and can better appreciate your thoughtfulness.

For Home Recoveries: When someone is recovering at home, aim for delivery between 10am-5pm on weekdays when they're more likely to be alert and able to properly care for the arrangement.

For Unexpected Hospitalisations: In emergency situations, consider these guidelines:

• Wait for stabilisation before sending flowers (typically 24-48 hours)
• Confirm current location, as patients may move between departments
• Verify visitor and gift policies, which may be restricted during initial assessment

Lily's Florist Delivery Advantages

At Lily's Florist, we understand hospital logistics and offer specialised services:

• Flexible rescheduling if patient circumstances change
• Priority hospital delivery routes designed to minimise wait times
• Delivery confirmation via text message to both sender and recipient (when possible)
• Coordination with nursing stations for optimal delivery timing

Remember: When timing hospital deliveries, patience and flexibility are essential. The right arrangement delivered at the right moment provides maximum comfort during what can be a challenging time.

What Message to Send With Get Well Flowers?

Along with your flower gift, adding a small note of encouragement or wishes for healing is the perfect personal touch. Not sure what "get well soon" message to write? Try these:

• From our hearts to yours, we hope you feel better soon.
• Times are tough, but you're tougher. And you're not alone.
• Praying for your complete healing and recovery.
• Take extra good care of yourself. I miss having you around.
• Sending strength and healing your way.
• Get some rest.
• Wishing you a quick recovery.

This guide was originally published 30.10.23. We felt as though it needed a bit of love so we gave it a grease a tune with some updated content, and a cool new bar chart and published again on 16.10.24, then again on 11.4.25.