Get-Well Flowers for Someone in Hospital: What to Check Before You Order

Someone you love is in hospital and you can't be at their bedside. Flowers are one of the warmest ways to let them know they're on your mind — but a bouquet sent with the best intentions doesn't always make it to the ward. Not every hospital accepts flowers, and the rules differ from one country to the next. A few quick checks before you order make all the difference.

Start with a phone call

Ring the hospital's front desk or the patient's ward and ask: "Can patients have flowers in their rooms?" That short call stops your bouquet being turned away at the door. If the answer is no, the nicest alternative is to have the flowers waiting at the patient's home on the day they're discharged.

No-go zones for flowers

• Intensive care and oncology or chemotherapy wards — because of the infection risk, these accept flowers in almost no country.
• Neonatal intensive care and post-operative recovery rooms.
• Potted plants — many hospitals don't want them, since soil can harbour microorganisms.

Flowers that suit a hospital room

• Gentle scents: roses, gerberas and daisies. Rooms are small, and heavily scented, pollen-laden flowers such as lilies can be too much.
• Ready to display: finding a vase on a ward is tricky, which makes arrangements and small bouquets the most practical choice.
• Uplifting colours: yellow, orange and pink. It's no surprise that daisies and gerberas rank among the best-loved get-well flowers.

Four countries, four sets of habits

Turkey: General wards usually accept flowers, and private hospitals tend to take them at reception and carry them up to the room. Intensive care is off-limits. Some state hospitals may not allow flowers on wards, so checking first is the safest move.

Germany: Most hospitals are fine with flowers on the ward, with the exception of intensive care and some oncology units. Potted plants are generally frowned upon.

United Kingdom: Many NHS hospitals won't accept flowers on wards for infection-control reasons. If you'd like to send get-well wishes to someone in the UK, delivering to their home is often the wiser option.

Russia: In most hospitals flowers aren't allowed in the rooms, and visiting rules can be strict. A bouquet that greets them at home on discharge day tends to mean far more.

What to put in the address

The hospital's name and full address, the patient's full name, their ward and room number if you know them, and a phone number for the patient or a family member. Florists usually leave deliveries at reception, and the phone number lets them confirm the flowers reached the patient.

Browse our picks for recovery in get well soon flowers. Orders placed before 12:00 noon Turkey time arrive the same day; we don't deliver on Sundays.