10 Awesome Flowers for People Who Have Allergies

Flowers are excellent plant parts to gift someone on special occasions, accentuate your landscape, or keep in your home. However, it’s vital to differentiate between flower species with pollen that might trigger allergies, from the ones that are totally harmless regardless of if you’re allergic or not. According to Ode Á La Rose, nearly 26 million Americans are reported to have common allergies to pollen, and springtime is when most are affected. Exposure to pollen from blooming flowers can trigger or worsen allergies for people with hay fever and asthma. Fortunately, here are ten awesome flowers for people allergic to airborne pollen. Read on to find out about the harmless flowers.

10. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Azaleas mostly rely on insects for pollination and hence don’t emit pollen to the wind. These woody shrubs bloom during spring, like other flowers. They are the best flowering shrubs for allergy sufferers, but avoiding sniffing on them is advisable. They mostly thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 and come in red, pink, orange, and white varieties.

9. Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)

According to The Spruce, hibiscus flowers have little pollen that doesn’t get pollinated by wind. But if you get hay fever often, be careful around drinking tea made with hibiscus as it contains pollen. A hibiscus plant thrives better in USDA growing zones 4-11. Their varieties come in colors such as purple, orange, pink, white, yellow, and peach.

8. Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Another hypoallergenic flower is carnation. These flowers boast many petals which don’t have designs suggesting they are pollen-heavy. They make excellent bouquet designs, thanks to their beautiful textures. Also, they come in many colors, encouraging you to create a gorgeous floral arrangement for your yard or house. One of the selling points carnations have over other flowers is they lack a center, an attraction for bees. They have little-to-no pollen, which is why they are great additions to your allergy-friendly floral arrangement or bouquet.

7. Sunflowers (Helianthus)

You’ve seen their beautiful and cheerful petals, which gets you wondering; are they suitable for people with allergies? Apart from their beauty, sunflowers have little pollen that mainly attracts insects for pollination. So, they are safe for allergic sufferers and are great additions to your flower arrangement. These flowers mostly bloom in summer and fall and are easy to find, regardless of the time of year.

6. Peonies (Paeonia)

One of the best rewards you can get for yourself or a loved one is a peony because they represent fortune and good luck, according to Country Greenery. Dubbed the “king of flowers” in China, Peonies make great flower arrangement additions to your lawn, yard, or house. Like other flowers on this list, peonies have little pollen and cannot trigger allergic symptoms like hay fever or asthma. Plus, they come in hues of pink, white, and red. You can choose any color and blend them with your allergic-friendly plants to accentuate your garden or indoor space.

5. Irises (Iridaceae)

“Iris,” in Greek, means rainbow, and it’s also the name of their goddess of the rainbow. The myth around it is that it bridges heaven and earth. That sounds like having a flower that makes you closer to a supernatural being to protect you. These flowers are also hypoallergenic because they are low in pollen. With more than 200 species at your disposal, you won’t have difficulty deciding which one suits your outdoor space. Gift this flower to anyone whose birthday falls in February or mark their 25th wedding anniversary, and they will never forget your goodwill gesture.

4. Asiatic Lilies (Lilium asiatica)

When you run out of options for which flower to gift your loved one, planting lilies can be the best gardening choice for your flowerbed. These flowers hardly produce pollen; hence safe for everyone. Also, they symbolize beauty and serenity. People gifted lilies during Easter and 30th wedding anniversaries in ancient times because of their colors. Some are white, portraying innocence and purity, while the pink variety is perfect for romantic couples. Remember, some have fragrances, so you might want to keep them away from allergy sufferers.

3. Orchids (Orchidaceae)

Orchids’ family has more than 25,000 species and most suit people with pollen allergies. Consequently, it’s imperative to go for those with milder scents to prevent allergy triggers. The safest ones to plant or gift to your loved ones are Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, and Phalaenopsis. These varieties have milder scents and are low in pollen.

2. Daffodils (Narcissus sp.)

Daffodils trace their origins in Spain, Portugal, and other European countries. Thanks to their low pollen count, they have been spread worldwide. They also come in three colors; white, yellow, and peach. Most believe they symbolize joy and vitality because they mostly bloom in spring. Any March-born person with allergies will love this flower as it is their birth month.

1. Roses (Rosa)

If there is any flower that most people with allergies love, it is a rose. The most common varieties are red and white. They suit almost all occasions, making them excellent gifts for weddings, graduations, Valentine’s Day, and even graduation. You can even gift them to a sick loved one because of the aura of sympathy they bring out. Because they are hardly airborne, allergy sufferers can rest assured they won’t get triggered when sniffing on them.

Pro-tip

According to Amazing Grace Flowers, supermarkets and some florists often spray fragrances on flowers to improve their scents. However, these fragrances can turn toxic to a person with allergies. Unless you don’t have a choice, it’s best to buy these flowers from a certified and licensed florist with knowledge of ones that can trigger allergic attacks.

Conclusion

People sensitive to pollen can still plant, receive, or buy flowers with little to no pollen. These ten flowers are scientifically proven to be low in pollen and safe for allergic people. Remember, some flower species might have harmful scents, so take caution when choosing one to plant in your flowerbed, gift someone, or keep in your home. Also, make sure you consult a professional florist before buying so you don’t put anyone at risk.