Get Well Soon Flowers: What Helps
Sending flowers to someone who is ill is a beautiful thought, letting them know that you are thinking of them and that they are going to be just fine. Research consistently finds that flowers in a recovery space improve mood, reduce anxiety and contribute to a more positive outlook.
But there are a few practical considerations that most guides do not address clearly. Not all hospitals accept flowers and not all flowers are suitable for someone who is unwell.
This guide covers what helps and what bouquet to choose and understanding hospital restrictions and why a letterbox bouquet sent to their home is a wonderful sentiment.
Can you send flowers to a Hospital Ward?
This depends on the hospital, so please check before you order.
The NHS guidance is clear that many hospitals do not allow flowers on wards or in clinical areas for one reason or another. Stagnant vase water is a breeding ground for bacteria, allergic reactions and spillages.
Reception staff are not designated to handle patient mail, therefore your order is very likely to go undelivered or misplaced. Also, do consider that on a busy ward, a bouquet at the bedside creates clutter in a space that clinical staff need to be able to clean quickly and thoroughly.
The following ward types prohibit flowers entirely: intensive care units, neonatal units, transplant wards, oncology and haematology wards and any isolation room.
The simple rule: call the ward before you order. Most wards have a number listed on the hospital website. The smarter choice is to send the flowers to the person's home instead, timed to arrive when they are discharged or while they are recovering there.
Why home delivery flowers is our recommendation
There are good reasons why sending get well flowers to someone's home works better than sending to a hospital.
Hospital stays are uncertain as discharge dates can change, patients are moved between wards creating more challenges for your flower delivery.
Recovery at home is often the longer for some very lonely. The weeks of recovery at home, whether its post-surgery, post-illness or post-treatment often feels never ending. That’s why Flowers that arrive at the door during that period certainly delights more.
Flowers by Letterbox delivery adds another advantage, where If the person is unwell and resting or living alone they do not need rush to the door to receive a bouquet. The flowers come through the door in their packaging and wait for whenever the recipient has the energy to arrange them. Convenient flower delivery for your recipient and loved ones.
FlowerFix letterbox flowers range arrive in bud form specifically for this reason.
The best flowers for someone who is ill
When choosing get well soon flowers, a few specific things to consider, not essential of course but thoughts always count!
Low pollen: Someone who is unwell may be on medication tha sensitivity or may have respiratory issues, asthma or allergies that make high-pollen flowers genuinely uncomfortable rather than uplifting. Avoid any flower with openly exposed stamens or heavy pollen shed.
Gentle fragrance: This matters in a confined space especially in the hospital. An arrangement with highly fragranced flowers may be beautiful to look at, but could be overwhelming when someone is feeling nauseous or headachy (if that’s a word).
Long vase life: Someone recovering may have limited energy and mobility. Flowers that last 10 to 14 days require very little attention and continue to give pleasure for a long time.
Cheerful colours lift mood more effectively than muted arrangements. Pastel colours like soft yellow, peach, orange, coral and blush pink are better choices than the cooler white flowers commonly associated with sympathy.
The best flower for a get well soon bouquet could include:
Roses: Pet safe, low pollen available in all the right colours all year round. Let’s be honest, who does not like roses? Yellow roses specifically are associated with good wishes and friendship. Pink roses offer warmth and care.
Lisianthus: Beautiful ruffled flowers with excellent vase life of up to 14 days. One of the best choices for someone who is unwell, because they look stunning with little effort and are 100% pet friendly too.
A few examples of get well messages by relationship:
For a friend: "I'm thinking about you I cannot wait until you feel better again soon. I’m here whenever you need me. These should keep you company in the meantime."
For a family member: "Sending you all my love. Take it easy, let people look after you and know that we are with you. We love you."
For a colleague: "Wishing you a speedy recovery and we’re thinking of you."
For a longer illness or serious diagnosis: "I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and that I am here. Sending these with a lot of love."
Shop get well soon flowers from FLOWERIX
Designed by our lead florist, Good Housekeeping gave us the good housekeeping award in 2025. All arrangements are available in a pet-friendly option with free UK next-day delivery.
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