How Many Flowers Are in a Bunch? A Florist's Straight Answer
There is no legal or official number, but in everyday trade a bunch of flowers is usually 10 to 12 stems of a single kind, loosely gathered and tied or wrapped. Roses are often sold as a dozen, tulips and carnations in tens, and spray flowers such as chrysanthemums or alstroemeria by the stem cluster rather than the head. A florist's arranged bouquet is a step up: it typically holds 15 to 25 stems plus greenery.
That is the short answer. The longer one matters when you are ordering from abroad and cannot see the flowers in person, because a photo of "a bunch" can mean very different things depending on the flower, the stem length and the country. Below we explain how florists actually count, how a bunch differs from a bouquet, and how to choose the right size when sending flowers to someone in Russia, where the number of stems carries its own etiquette.
Bunch, bouquet, armful: what the words really mean
A bunch is the simplest unit in floristry: stems of one variety, cut to roughly the same length and held together with a band or a sleeve of paper. It is how flowers move through the trade and how many people buy them for their own kitchen table. Nobody has styled it; its beauty comes from the flowers themselves.
A bouquet is designed. A florist chooses a focal flower, adds secondary blooms and foliage, spirals the stems in the hand so the heads open into a dome or a fan, and finishes it with wrapping and a water source. Because some of the volume comes from greenery and filler, a bouquet of 15 stems can look fuller than a bunch of 20.
An armful is not a technical term, but you will see it used for very large one-variety gifts: 51 roses, 101 tulips. These are bunches in structure and bouquets in intent, and they are popular in Russia for anniversaries, proposals and big birthdays.
Typical stem counts by flower
Stem count depends heavily on the flower's size. Roses with large heads look generous from 11 stems; 15 to 25 is a classic gift size, and anything above 35 starts to feel grand. Spray roses carry five to eight small heads per stem, so even seven stems read as a full bunch.
Tulips are slim and light, which is why they are sold in larger numbers. Fifteen tulips make a modest bunch, 25 a pleasant one, and 51 is a proper spring statement. Peonies are the opposite: five to seven fully open heads already fill a vase, and nine to eleven look luxurious.
Chrysanthemums, alstroemeria and eustoma (lisianthus) are branched, so five to nine stems make a bunch with dozens of blooms. Gerberas and sunflowers sit somewhere in between: seven is cheerful, eleven is generous. When you compare offers, ask how many stems, not how many flowers, and check whether the price is for single-head or spray stems.
Bouquets we can deliver
Why the number matters in Russia
If you are sending flowers to Russia, count carefully. For living people the custom is an odd number of stems: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15 and so on. Even numbers are traditionally reserved for funerals and remembrance, and many recipients, especially older relatives, will notice. A dozen roses, perfectly normal in London or New York, is the one count to avoid in Moscow.
The rule relaxes once a bouquet is large: above roughly 15 stems few people actually count, and mixed bouquets are judged by overall look rather than arithmetic. Still, florists in Russia almost always finish a bouquet on an odd number, and we do the same. For a fuller explanation of the custom, see our guide to odd and even flower counts in Russia.
Some numbers carry a message of their own. Three roses say "I love you" in a quiet way, 11 is a warm, safe choice for colleagues and friends, 25 suits a significant birthday, and 101 is the famous grand romantic gesture. Our article on flower number meanings goes through the popular counts one by one.
How to choose the right size for the occasion
Think about where the flowers will live. A bunch of 9 to 15 stems fits an ordinary vase and a small flat; a 51-stem armful needs a bucket and a free corner. For an elderly parent, a compact bouquet that is easy to lift and water is often kinder than a huge one.
Match the size to the relationship. For a teacher, colleague or neighbour, 7 to 11 stems or a small mixed bouquet is polite without being overwhelming. For a mother, partner or a milestone birthday, 15 to 25 stems feels generous. Large one-variety gifts work best for romance and big celebrations, when the size itself is the point.
Finally, think about season. Tulips in March and peonies in June look abundant even in modest numbers because they are at their best. If you are unsure, choose by the photo and the description of how many stems are included rather than by the word "bunch".
Ordering a bunch or bouquet to Russia from abroad
Start in our bouquets catalogue, where each item lists what it contains, so you know exactly how many stems will arrive. If you want a specific count, a colour change or an odd number swapped in, message a manager on WhatsApp: they can help you choose, agree the time, address and card text, and send a photo of the bouquet before delivery.
City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities express delivery takes 1 to 2 hours after confirmation. You can also pick an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or pre-order 1 to 30 days ahead, which is handy for birthdays across time zones.
Delivery is anonymous by default, so the courier does not name you unless you say so in the card, and the card with your text is free. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival; if nobody is home, we arrange a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge. You pay online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay. Full details are on the delivery and payment page.
Keeping a bunch fresh once it arrives
Whatever the size, the care is the same. Trim 1 to 2 cm off each stem at an angle with a sharp knife, strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline, and use a clean vase with cool water. Change the water every two days and re-trim the stems when you do.
Large bunches need a wide, heavy vase so the stems are not crushed together; crowding restricts water uptake and the outer flowers wilt first. If a bouquet arrives in a water pouch or aqua box, it can stay in it for the first day, but it will last longer once moved into a proper vase. Keep flowers away from radiators, direct sun and fruit bowls, since ripening fruit speeds up wilting.
Expect different lifespans from different flowers. Chrysanthemums and alstroemeria can last two weeks, roses usually a week or more with good care, tulips five to seven days, and peonies a few days once fully open. Tulips keep growing in the vase and bend towards the light, so turn the vase daily. Peonies opened in warm rooms fade quickly; if you want them to last, keep them somewhere cool overnight. A mixed bouquet will not fade all at once: pull out spent flowers as they go and the rest will look fresh for longer.
Frequently asked questions
How many stems are in a standard bunch of flowers?
Usually 10 to 12 stems of a single variety. Roses are often counted in dozens and tulips in tens, while branched flowers like chrysanthemums are sold in smaller numbers because each stem carries several blooms.
Is a bunch the same as a bouquet?
Not quite. A bunch is one kind of flower simply gathered together, while a bouquet is arranged by a florist, often with several flower types and greenery. A bouquet typically has 15 to 25 stems.
Why should I avoid an even number of flowers in Russia?
Even numbers are traditionally brought to funerals and graves, so for living people Russians give odd numbers. In large bouquets of more than about 15 stems the rule matters less, but it is still polite to keep the count odd.
How many roses look generous as a gift?
Eleven roses already look full and are a safe choice for most occasions. For a partner or a milestone birthday, 15 to 25 stems feels generous, and 51 or 101 is a grand romantic gesture.
Can I choose the exact number of stems when ordering to Russia?
Each bouquet in our catalogue lists its contents. If you want a different count, message a manager on WhatsApp to agree the details and get a photo before delivery.
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