A breath of fresh air: hay fever hacks for flower lovers

With vibrant colours and a sweet fragrance, a bouquet of fresh flowers is always an enchanting way to brighten the home and celebrate special occasions. However, if you suffer from hay fever and allergies, the simple joy of receiving a fresh flower delivery can be inadvertently overshadowed by itchy red eyes, bouts of sneezing, and a runny nose – yes, we’re about to enter hay fever season.

But relax, there are ways you can still enjoy your blooms without the symptoms of hay fever causing you issues. In this article, Court Florist of Christchurch share their practical tips to help you do just that.

Seek out low pollen varieties

Some flowers are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction than others, and you have diverse options of hypoallergenic flowers to choose from to suit the occasion. Roses, for example, create a surprisingly low amount of pollen which is too heavy to be airborne. Tulips, delicate orchids, peonies, carnations and hydrangeas are also hay fever friendly flowers. While the scent of fresh flowers can be delightful, highly fragrant blooms like lilies, freesias, and jasmine are best avoided as they can exacerbate hay fever symptoms.



Clean and prepare the flower delivery

Before you bring the flowers into your home, shake the flowers gently to remove any excess pollen. A quick light rinse with water further reduces the pollen on the flower surface which minimises the allergen exposure.

Trim stems and remove pollen-carrying parts

Trim the lowest part of the stem of the fresh flowers before you arrange them in a vase. This helps them absorb water better but also reduces their capacity to release pollen and lengthens bloom time. Removing the stamen and pollen nodes of the flowers, especially from a luxurious bouquet of lilies, is a wise move to prevent the pollen from spreading. Take extra care to wash your hands thoroughly after handling pollen to prevent accidental transference on to your face.

Display flowers in a well-ventilated room

Placing your fresh flower arrangement in a well-ventilated room makes a significant difference to allergy management by ensuring the pollen does not accumulate in one spot and is dispersed. What do we mean by well-ventilated? Near an open window, near an external door or in the vicinity of fans (but be aware that flowers do not like extreme conditions).

Be water aware

Change the flower arrangement’s water every couple of days to reduce pollen and inhibit the growth of moulds and bacteria which can inflame symptoms. If you order flowers for delivery in Christchurch online or visit us in person at Court Florist Victoria St flower shop, you will receive a flower preservative for the water. It helpfully inhibits the population of allergens as well as giving your flowers the nutrients it needs to thrive.



If you are prone to hay fever or wish to send flowers to Christchurch NZ for someone who may suffer, contact Court Florist to arrange the best hypoallergenic flower options. Our skilled team of Christchurch florists are expert at creating beautiful blooms without allergy-induced discomfort. Call 03 379 8255 or click here to send us a message.