Flowers are beautiful and cheerful, and they can brighten and warm any room. After receiving a disappointing diagnosis, falling ill, or recovering from surgery, it can be difficult to keep one’s spirits high and hopeful. During these times, you can send a thoughtful floral gift accompanied by your “get well” sentiments to lift your recipient’s spirits by showing your support and care. This guide will cover everything you need to know about the best types of flowers for get-well gestures.
- Are Flowers an Appropriate Gift for Get-Well Gestures?
- When Should I Give Flowers as a Get-Well Gesture?
- The Best Types of Flowers for Get-Well Gestures
- Can I Send Get-Well Flowers to Men and Women?
- Are Plants a Good Option for Get-Well Gestures
- Popular Online FLorists for Get-Well Flowers
- Know Someone Who’s Seen Better Days? Lift Their Spirits With Flowers
Are Flowers an Appropriate Gift for Get-Well Gestures?
Yes, flowers, along with a thoughtful note conveying your supportive and encouraging sentiments, are a very appropriate gift for get-well gestures. They not only show that you care and are thinking about your recipient, but they will also brighten up your recipient’s room, giving them something beautiful to look at while they rest and heal.
When Should I Give Flowers as a Get-Well Gesture?
Many different types of flowers can be given as a get-well gesture or gift when a friend, family member, loved one, colleague, or acquaintance is sick, injured, diagnosed with any kind of illness, in the hospital, or recovering from surgery.
The Best Types of Flowers for Get-Well Gestures
Which flowers make an excellent choice for get-well gestures? In the Victorian language of flowers, also known as floriography, the following blossoms symbolize meanings such as sympathy, love, kindness, hope, compassion, friendship, support, and positivity. Consider these flowers when giving a gift to a friend or loved one to convey your support.
1. Iris
When a person is sick, it can be tough to keep a positive attitude, remember what it is like to feel well, and maintain hope and a belief that they will eventually heal, recover, and feel well again. Blue irises are symbols of faith and hope, which are both sentiments that anyone with an illness can benefit from. Irises (which blossom in blue, white, yellow, and purple) are beautiful on their own or in a mixed bouquet containing a variety of flowers.
2. Gladiolus
Gladiolus flowers produce large and lovely cone-shaped stalks of trumpet or bell-shaped flowers. They bloom in various bright and vibrant colors that can help cheer up a person when they aren’t feeling their best. Thanks to their deep roots in Roman history, gladioli are also a symbol of strength, which is necessary for overcoming illness. Gladiators were said to wear gladioli blooms into battle to help them be victorious and protect them from death.
3. Daisy
Purity and innocence are the most common symbolic meanings attributed to daisies. However, they also symbolize hope and new beginnings. Plus, their cheerful, starry-shaped faces with white petals and bright yellow centers are a surefire way to cheer someone up when they are feeling under the weather. With their delicate, spindly stems in vibrant green, they make lovely bouquets on their own and beautiful accents in mixed floral arrangements.
4. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums offer an enormous variety. They blossom in countless shades of every color of the rainbow, and their flowers also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making their possibilities for use in floral arrangements endless. Chrysanthemums symbolize joy, happiness, longevity, and love, making them great flowers to give as a get-well gift when a friend, loved one, or acquaintance is ill.
5. Daffodil
A period of poor health can feel like winter in life when possibilities are limited, and everything seems grey and drab. With their bright yellow and white trumpet-shaped noses, daffodils are among the first flowers to appear in springtime, and as a result, they symbolize the end of winter, new beginnings, hope, and rebirth. This makes a beautiful way to send get-well sentiments to a friend who is currently experiencing a cold winter season in their life.
6. Yellow and/or Pink Tulips
Tulips are a favorite flower. They’ve been popular and coveted for centuries, which means there are thousands of cultivars to choose from. Like other flowers, different colors of tulips have different symbolic meanings. For example, pink tulips represent happiness and confidence, red tulips represent perfect love, and yellow tulips symbolize positive thoughts.
Although different colors have different official symbolic meanings, tulips are often associated with cheerfulness and optimism thanks to their bright colors and the endless possibilities their countless cultivars represent.
7. Sunflower
When it comes to getting well, fighting off illness, or recovering from a surgery or injury, attitude plays a major part. Just like sunflowers, you’ll want your loved ones to be able to keep their head up while always facing the warmth and positivity of the sun.
Sunflowers make lovely, lively bouquets, and they are symbols of loyalty and adoration. These symbolic meanings can be used to show your friend or family member how much you admire their strength and also that they can count on you to remain by their side through thick and thin.
8. Magnolia
Magnolias are large, bowl-shaped flowers. The blossoms range in color from a gentle pinkish purple shade to a snowy white. These large blossoms have a delicate beauty that feels strong thanks to their weighty presence and size.
Magnolias symbolize perseverance and the gentle and feminine qualities of female beauty. A bouquet of magnolias is an excellent get-well gift for anyone who is ill, but their symbolic meaning can carry a particularly special sentiment when given to a woman.
9. Lavender
Lavender flowers are beloved for their calming energy associated with their scent and essential oils. As a result, they are associated with healing, rest, relaxation, serenity, peace, and tranquility. They are also symbols of silence, purity, devotion, and grace.
Lavender flowers make a wonderfully thoughtful gift for a person who is unwell or recovering from surgery. Their calming fragrance can help promote your friend’s restful energy to heal and get better.
10. Carnation
Carnations are stunning flowers that are frequently used in floral bouquets. They blossom in various colors, making them a versatile addition to floral designs intended for any recipient. Among other meanings such as distinction, love, and fascination, carnations symbolically represent protection, healing, and strength, making it a fantastic choice to include them in a get-well bouquet.
11. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are gorgeous flowers. They make a great statement on their own and are also charming when used as accents in mixed bouquets. Each globe-shaped group of hydrangea blossoms features a bulbous cluster of petite flowers.
Hydrangeas bloom in white, pink, blue, and purple. Generally, these blossoms symbolize gratitude, grace, and beauty, making them the perfect choice for telling your recipient how grateful you are to have them in your life, how graceful they are even during illness, and how beautiful they are, too!
12. Roses
Roses are universally loved and recognized as beautiful, making a good choice for just about any occasion. Like most flowers, the symbolic meaning of roses changes depending on the color of the rose you choose to give. For get-well gifts, there are a few colors of roses that work well:
- Red roses are most strongly associated with romantic love, but they also symbolize courage, which is a great value to wish upon a sick friend.
- Peach roses represent gratitude and appreciation, and they can be a good way to tell a friend how much you care and miss them.
- Yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy, making them an excellent way to show your support to an unwell friend.
- Blue roses symbolize the impossible becoming possible, and they can be an excellent option for a friend who is facing a long or difficult illness.
13. Marigolds
Marigolds are a symbol of both power and strength. Plus, with their close resemblance to the color of the sun, they also represent the light that lives inside each person. If you hope your floral, get-well gift can light a fire within your friend or loved one to help them find their strength and overcome their illness, then marigolds make the perfect choice of flowers. Whether your recipient is familiar with their symbolic meanings or not, the cheerful and bright shades of yellow, gold, and orange will be sure to lift their spirits.
14. Goldenrod
Goldenrods have feathery, flame-like fingers of golden-yellow blossoms that symbolize encouragement and growth, and these flowers are often given during tough times to show support. Goldenrods with lighter yellow flowers represent hope, peacefulness, and warmth. These flowers can be given on their own for a rustic, just-picked look or as a thoughtful addition to a mixed floral arrangement.
15. Gerberas
Popular in get-well floral bouquets, gerberas (also called gerbera daisies) are not actually daisies, but their flowers do have a striking, daisy-like appearance. They blossom in vibrant, spirit-lifting shades of colors like white, pink, red, burgundy, purple, orange, and yellow.
Generally, gerbera flowers symbolize cheerfulness, loyal love, innocence, and purity. In Celtic culture, gerbera flowers were thought to lessen the burden felt under the weight of the sorrows of everyday life.
Can I Send Get-Well Flowers to Men and Women?
Yes! When it comes to flowers, beauty is not in the eye of the beholder; everyone loves flowers, and they are a wonderfully thoughtful way to show your support and caring when a friend, loved one, or colleague is ill.
Are Plants a Good Option for Get-Well Gestures
Both plants and flowers have scientifically proven health benefits that can speed up a person’s recovery from an illness or surgery. Plants, however, do require some care. So, keep that and your recipient’s physical abilities in mind when making your selection. If you choose a living plant, we recommend selecting a low-maintenance one that requires minimal care and maintenance.
Popular Online FLorists for Get-Well Flowers
Whether you can’t be there on the day or looking to send flowers to a friend or loved one, these popular online flower delivery specialists curate a wide variety of get well flower arrangements throughout the year:
Teleflora ($$)
Teleflora is an online floral delivery service provider with an enormous selection of floral designs featuring contemporary and classic looks. Teleflora uniquely features special get-well gift categories for her, him, and kids. These categories include floral designs and living plants that are appropriate, fun, and thoughtful for any particular recipient. Plus, many of their get-well gifts are made extra special with cheerful containers, decorative floral picks, and cuddly teddy bears.
Prices range from around $40 to $70. Teleflora offers designs with same-day, next-day, and international delivery options.
UrbanStems ($$)
UrbanStems is a contemporary, online florist that creates 100% unique floral designs in-house. They’re dedicated to using the freshest, most popular seasonal flowers they can find, partnering exclusively with Rainforest Alliance Certified flower farms. The online florist offers a special category of low-maintenance plants, floral arrangements, and thoughtful gifts that have been specially curated in their get-well category.
Flowers feature a combination of both calming and uplifting designs that range in price from about $45 to $110. UrbanStems provides same-day delivery to recipients in Washington D.C. and New York City and next-day delivery nationwide.
From You Flowers ($)
From You Flowers is an online flower delivery service specializing in playful, fun, and beautiful floral designs. From You Flowers has a dedicated category of get-well flowers that contains nearly 300 unique floral arrangements, living plants, and get-well gifts that range in price from just under $30 to $130.
These gifts are all cheerful, bright, thoughtful, and appropriate for brightening just about any recipient’s day. From coast to coast, From You Flowers provides next-day delivery on all of their items and same-day delivery on select designs. When in doubt, chat with one of their online flower experts who can help you choose the perfect get-well gift.
The Bouqs Co. ($)
The Bouqs Co. is an online florist that features modern bouquets with a whimsical flair. These bouquets have an elegant contemporary feel that is still playful and fun. Their specially curated collection of get-well designs features a wide variety of cheerful floral arrangements and easy-to-care-for plants that are perfect for any recipient in need of your support and encouragement.
Base prices range from about $50 to $90, and The Bouqs Co. flower subscription members can take 30% off the price of their bouquets. Both same-day and next-day delivery options are available to customers across the country.
Ode à la Rose ($$$)
Ode à la Rose is a high-class online flower shop brand that features seasonal floral designs with an elegant yet playful French flair. Arranged with the freshest flowers you can find, their designs have that certain, special je ne sais quoi. Plus, they have a conveniently curated category of flowers selected for their positive and serene qualities that will be sure to brighten the spirits of your friend or loved one as you wish them a speedy return to health.
Get-well design prices range from just under $60 to about $130. Nationwide next day delivery is available from Ode à la Rose, and same-day delivery is available to recipients in Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, DC, and Los Angeles.
FLOWERBX ($$$)
FLOWERBX is an international online flower shop that captures high elegance through simple, clean floral design. Uniquely, each of their bouquets features only one type of flower in a single hue. This uniform look is surprisingly striking and stands out from the designs created by other florists. FLOWERBX offers a “Get Well Soon” category featuring the designs they recommend for bringing peace and lifting spirits.
Prices range from about $60 for smaller arrangements to just under $400 for the most extravagant designs, such as one bouquet that features a cluster of 100 blushing sweet avalanche roses. They offer same-day and next-day delivery options to recipients in need of a cheerful surprise worldwide.
Floom ($$$)
The online flower company, Floom partners with local, talented, and reliable independent florists operating in your recipient’s location. Floom does not have a specially curated collection of designs that they specifically recommend for sending “get well” wishes. Still, they do have a large selection of flowers, plants, and gifts that are available at a wide range of prices, which means you shouldn’t have a problem finding a gift to fit your budget and your recipient’s taste.
Plus, they offer next-day shipping across the nation and same-day shipping to recipients in nearly 20 major U.S. cities.
ProFlowers ($$)
ProFlowers has a large selection of flowers, plants, and gifts that have been carefully selected for their “Get Well” occasion category on their website. This includes a variety of equally cheerful and serene bouquets, potted plants, and treats that can lift anyone’s spirits. At the same time, you show them your support, care, and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Nationwide and international same-day, next-day, and scheduled delivery are available, depending on your recipient’s location.
Know Someone Who’s Seen Better Days? Lift Their Spirits With Flowers
No matter what kind of flowers or floral design you choose to send your recipient as a get-well gesture, a fragrant gift of beautiful blossoms will be sure to lift their spirits, show them just how much you care, and help them find their way to healing.
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