The Most Popular Flowers in Russia, Explained by a Florist
The most popular flowers in Russia are roses, tulips, chrysanthemums, peonies, alstroemeria, eustoma (lisianthus) and carnations, with seasonal favourites such as lilacs, mimosa and sunflowers. Roses dominate all year round, tulips are the symbol of spring and especially of 8 March, and chrysanthemums are the practical favourite because they last so long in a vase.
Flowers in Russia are not reserved for big occasions. People bring them to birthdays, first dates, school celebrations, dinner invitations and simple visits to parents, so the choice of flower carries quite a lot of meaning. Here is how each popular flower is used, what it says and what to keep in mind if you are sending a bouquet from abroad.
Roses: the year-round number one
Roses are by far the best-selling flower in Russia. Red roses are the classic language of love and are given on anniversaries, Valentine's Day and proposals; white and cream roses read as respect and tenderness and suit weddings and older recipients; pink roses are the safe, warm choice for a birthday, a mother or a colleague. Spray roses, with several small heads on each stem, are popular for softer, garden-style bouquets.
Russians are used to quite generous rose bouquets, and large mono bouquets of 25, 51 or even 101 roses are a well-known gesture for a grand romantic occasion. For most situations, though, a smaller, well-composed bouquet looks more elegant than sheer quantity.
Remember the key Russian rule: for any happy occasion the number of stems must be odd. Even numbers are brought to funerals and graves. With bouquets of more than about a dozen stems people are less strict, but most florists and buyers still keep the count odd just to be safe.
Tulips and the spring flower rush
Tulips are the flower of spring in Russia, and above all of International Women's Day on 8 March. On the days before the holiday, tulips are everywhere: men buy them for wives, mothers, daughters, colleagues and teachers, and offices give them to every woman on the team. Bright mixed colours, pastel pinks and classic red are all popular; yellow tulips are fine in spring, even though some older people still link yellow flowers with separation.
Mimosa, the fluffy yellow acacia, is the other emblem of 8 March, especially for older generations who remember it as the main holiday flower of Soviet times. Later in spring come lilacs, lily of the valley and muscari, which many people associate with dacha gardens.
If you plan to send flowers for 8 March, order well in advance. Demand peaks in the first week of March, and pre-ordering is the easiest way to secure the time slot you want.
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Chrysanthemums, carnations and alstroemeria: the long-lasting classics
Chrysanthemums are hugely popular in Russia, especially the bushy spray varieties with many small flowers on one stem. They are affordable, cheerful and can last two to three weeks in a vase, which is why people love them for teachers, colleagues and grandparents. Large single-headed chrysanthemums are more formal and are also used for memorial occasions, so for a celebration the spray types are the better choice.
Carnations had a long period of being seen as an official, Soviet-era flower: they were given on Victory Day, at parades and to veterans, and red carnations are still laid at memorials on 9 May. Today florists use carnations in new colours, from dusty pink to burgundy and cream, and they have become fashionable again in modern bouquets. We wrote more about this in Carnations in Russia: Still Popular, Still Beautiful.
Alstroemeria completes this trio of hard-working flowers. It comes in many colours, has several flowers on each stem and easily lasts two weeks, so it often appears in mixed bouquets that need to look good for a long time.
Peonies, eustoma and the summer favourites
Peonies are the most desired flower of early summer. Their season in Russia is short, roughly from late May to early July, and a bouquet of fluffy pink or white peonies is a real event for a birthday or anniversary in June. Out of season, florists often offer peony-shaped garden roses or ranunculus instead.
Eustoma, also called lisianthus, has become one of the favourite flowers of Russian florists over the last decade. It looks like a delicate rose, comes in white, lilac, pink and green and lasts well, which makes it ideal for elegant, airy bouquets. Hydrangeas, sunflowers, field-style daisies and asters are other summer and early-autumn favourites.
Autumn adds its own popular combinations: chrysanthemums, dahlias, asters and dried elements. For 1 September, the first day of school, children bring large bouquets of gladioli, asters or roses to their teachers, a tradition that still shapes autumn flower demand across the country.
Flower etiquette Russians actually follow
Beyond the odd-number rule, a few customs are worth knowing. Old-school etiquette says a man should remove the paper before handing flowers over; today a bouquet in neat craft paper or a box is perfectly acceptable. Men usually give flowers to women, but bouquets for men are increasingly common, typically in darker colours, with roses, chrysanthemums or anthuriums and greenery.
When visiting someone's home, bringing a small bouquet to the hostess is a warm gesture. For a teacher, doctor or colleague, a medium bouquet of spray chrysanthemums, alstroemeria or roses is appropriate. For a mother or grandmother, softer pastel colours and long-lasting flowers are a thoughtful choice.
A card makes the gift personal. Russians appreciate a short, sincere message more than a long formal text; our guide on adding a gift card message shows how to write one.
How to send popular Russian flowers from abroad
With Turboflora you can order online and we deliver the bouquet ourselves. Choose from the bouquets catalogue: roses, tulips in spring, chrysanthemums, peonies in season and mixed compositions. If you are unsure what suits the occasion, write to a manager on WhatsApp. They help choose a bouquet, 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 1-2 hours after confirmation, or you can pick an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or pre-order 1-30 days ahead. Delivery is anonymous by default and the card with your text is free.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival; if nobody is home, we agree a second delivery the same day or hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge with your consent. Payment online is by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular flower in Russia?
Roses, all year round. In spring, and especially around 8 March, tulips and mimosa take the lead.
Why should a bouquet in Russia have an odd number of flowers?
Even numbers of flowers are brought to funerals and graves, so for happy occasions Russians give odd numbers. The rule matters most for small bouquets of counted stems.
Are yellow flowers a bad sign in Russia?
Some older people still associate yellow flowers with separation, but most people today see them as cheerful. Yellow tulips and mimosa in spring are completely normal.
Which flowers last longest for a gift?
Spray chrysanthemums, alstroemeria and carnations, which can last two weeks or more with fresh water. Eustoma and roses also hold up well with good care.
Can I send flowers to Russia anonymously?
Yes. Delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender, and you decide what the free card says.
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