Common Flowers in Russia: A Florist's Guide to the Favourites

The most common flowers in Russia are roses, chrysanthemums, tulips, carnations and lilies, with gerberas, alstroemeria and peonies close behind. Roses dominate gift bouquets all year, tulips take over in early spring, and wildflowers such as chamomile, cornflowers and lily of the valley are the ones Russians feel most sentimental about.

Knowing which flowers are common is only half of the story. Russians also care about how many stems you give, which colours suit the occasion and what each flower quietly says. Below you will find the flowers you will actually see in Russian homes, gardens and bouquets, season by season, plus the small rules that make a gift feel right rather than awkward.

Roses: the flower Russians give most often

If you walk into any Russian flower shop on a Friday evening, most of the buckets will hold roses. They are the default choice for birthdays, anniversaries, first dates and apologies, and a long-stemmed red rose is still the clearest way to say "I love you" without words. Spray roses, with several small heads on one stem, are popular for softer, garden-style bouquets.

Colour carries meaning. Red is passion and serious feelings, so it suits a partner rather than a colleague. White and cream read as respect and tenderness and work for weddings and older relatives. Pink is the safe all-rounder for mothers, friends and teachers, while yellow, once linked to separation, is now mostly seen as cheerful, though some older people still notice it.

A practical tip: Russians are used to generous bouquets, and a dozen and a half or more roses is not considered excessive for a big occasion. Just make sure the number is odd, which we explain below.

Chrysanthemums, carnations and other long-lasting staples

Chrysanthemums are the workhorse of Russian floristry. Spray chrysanthemums are inexpensive, come in dozens of colours and can last two to three weeks in a vase, so people buy them for themselves, for the office and for elderly relatives. Unlike in parts of Western Europe, chrysanthemums in Russia are not tied to funerals and are perfectly fine as a cheerful gift.

Carnations have a more complicated reputation. In Soviet times red carnations were the official flower of Victory Day on 9 May and of state ceremonies, so many Russians still associate them with veterans, memorials and solemn occasions. A bunch of carnations for a grandfather on 9 May is touching; the same bunch for a girlfriend can look dated.

Lilies, gerberas and alstroemeria round out the everyday range. Lilies are loved for their scent but can be too strong for a small flat or a hospital ward. Gerberas look bright and modern and are a favourite for children and colleagues, and alstroemeria is valued because it opens slowly and lasts a long time.

Whatever the flower, the care is simple and makes a real difference. Trim the stems at an angle with a sharp knife, remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, and change the water every two days. Keep the vase away from radiators, which in Russian flats run hot from October to April, and away from a bowl of fruit, since ripening fruit shortens the life of carnations and lilies.

Bouquets we can deliver

Bouquet of 1 yellow sunflowers

$13

Bouquet of 3 white French roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Bouquet of 3 red French roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Bouquet of 3 pink roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Seasonal favourites through the Russian year

Spring belongs to tulips and mimosa. In the week before International Women's Day on 8 March, tulips are everywhere, sold by the armful on street stalls and in metro passages, and fluffy yellow mimosa sprigs are the nostalgic choice that many women remember from childhood. Daffodils and hyacinths follow as the weather warms.

Late May and June bring lilac and peonies. Lilac blooms in almost every courtyard and dacha garden, and Russians cut it in big branches for the kitchen table. Peonies are the luxury flower of early summer: lush, fragrant and expected at June weddings and graduations.

Peonies are worth a special word, because they are the flower many Russians associate with their grandmother's garden. The season is short, from late May to early July, so a peony bouquet in June is a small luxury that feels both romantic and nostalgic.

On 1 September, the Day of Knowledge, schoolchildren carry flowers to their teachers. Gladioli, asters and dahlias from home gardens were the classic choice for generations, and today roses and chrysanthemums share the honours. Autumn and winter then lean on chrysanthemums, roses and imported flowers until tulips return.

The wildflowers Russians feel sentimental about

Chamomile (romashka) is the closest thing Russia has to a national flower in people's hearts. It is the symbol of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity on 8 July, and children still pull its petals to play "loves me, loves me not". Bouquets with chamomile or chamomile-like spray chrysanthemums feel warm and unpretentious.

Cornflowers grow in wheat fields and appear in folk songs and paintings, and lily of the valley is the delicate scent of May, often given as a tiny posy. Birch branches and wild herbs are not flowers, but they appear in rustic arrangements because they look so typically Russian.

If you want a bouquet that feels personal rather than formal, ask for a field-style arrangement with white and blue tones. It reminds many Russians of summer at the dacha, which is about as emotional a memory as you can send.

Etiquette: numbers, colours and occasions

The most important rule: give an odd number of flowers to the living. Even numbers, two, four, six, are brought to funerals and graves, so an even bouquet for a birthday can genuinely upset an older recipient. Above roughly fifteen stems nobody counts, but for small bouquets it matters, and florists in Russia keep to it automatically.

Flowers are given far more often than in many Western countries. People bring them to a first date, to a hostess, to a teacher, to a new mother and to any woman on 8 March. Men receive flowers less often, but darker, structured bouquets of roses or chrysanthemums are fine for a birthday or jubilee.

For more ideas on occasions, see our guide to thank-you flowers for a Russian teacher and the piece on which flower is mostly used in a Russian wedding.

Sending these flowers to someone in Russia from abroad

You do not need to be in Russia to give a typically Russian bouquet. We deliver across the country: city delivery costs 500 RUB, and for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after confirmation, or you can choose an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a window such as 09-12 or 18-21, or pre-order 1-30 days ahead, which is useful for 8 March or a birthday.

Delivery is anonymous by default, and a card with your text is free. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arriving, and if nobody is home we agree a second delivery the same day or leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge with your consent. You can pay online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay.

Browse the bouquets catalogue, and if you want help choosing seasonal flowers or wording the card, write to a manager on WhatsApp; they can also send you a photo of the bouquet before delivery.