Whether to show love, communicate gratitude, pass congratulations, send a message of appreciation, or as a gesture of condolences, flowers are by far among the best gifts you can get for literally anyone.
However, it is important to do so with one important thought in mind… Some people suffer from pollen allergies, which can range from mild to severe. In this case, pollen is the allergen, and at times, these people tend to show allergic reactions to certain kinds of flowers more than others.
All the same, the good news is that some flowers have extremely low levels of pollen, making them more suitable to send to someone with a history of pollen allergies.
Sometimes called hypoallergenic flowers, blooms with lower pollen amounts can also be a safer option when sending flowers to someone whose health or allergy history is little known to you.
With this in mind, below are some types of flowers with the least amount of allergens.
1. Tulips
Tulips are possibly the least allergic flower, in terms of pollen content. Because of the way they are grown, packaged, and stored, they tend to be the least likely to cause a pollen reaction. However, one striking fact is worth noting about tulips despite their popularity in the flower world. They usually grow well in colder climates, which perhaps explains why the Netherlands is so popular for these blooms.
They are also usually in season between late winter, fall, and spring in most places. Nonetheless, this doesn’t necessarily make it impossible to find tulips whenever you need them. If your local florist is short on supply, you can always send tulips online to a friend, loved one, or stranger despite the time of the year or your recipient’s destination.
2. Orchids
You will rarely go wrong by choosing orchids as a floral gift to anyone. Of course, they do contain pollen but in very little quantities. This puts them on the list of the most allergy-friendly flowers you can find.
And if you have a hunch that your intended recipient is sensitive to fragrances, consider picking varieties like Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, or Phalaenopsis so you don’t have to worry about affecting their health. You can even send them a live orchid as a gift for occasions such as housewarming, graduation, retirement, or anniversary.
3. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are among the most beautiful flowers in the garden and are incredibly popular for gifting on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and celebrations that happen around this time of the year when they’re in full bloom. Despite versatility in terms of colors, these gorgeous blooms are available in small to medium-sized petals, making them easy to carry.
Apparently, while pollen content isn’t incredibly low, one huge advantage makes hydrangeas a great option for a recipient you suspect to have a pollen allergy. The pollen is sticky, meaning that it doesn’t disperse easily in the air, and therefore won’t cause allergic symptoms. They’re also perfect for someone who’s not a fan of strong floral fragrances.
4. Peonies
Often considered a symbol of fortune and good luck, the beauty portrayed by these romantic flowers is arguably unbeatable. Peonies are available in a wide range of colors, from red to pink, white, and more. The best part is that they are hypoallergenic as well, making them a great pick for a gift to someone who potentially suffers from respiratory allergies.
5. Carnations
Besides boasting a plethora of color options to choose from, a few other things make these blooms a wonderful gift for just about anyone. Most importantly, they are lightly scented and do not have a pollen-heavy design despite carrying multiple petals.
Of course, different colors of carnations may carry different meanings, but they are generally thought to symbolize love (especially motherly love), distinction, and fascination. All in all, their low pollen content makes them suitable as well for people with allergies.
To answer your question, several flowers have a pollen content low enough to not trigger allergies to the recipient or gardener. Besides the ones mentioned above, other notable mentions include roses, irises, daffodils, geraniums, and lilies.
Written by Sofia Alves
