Top Flowers for Hayfever Sufferers: Breathe Easy Around These Blooms19 August 2025There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet brightening up your space or marking a special occasion. But if you're someone who suffers from hayfever, even the sight of a blooming bunch can bring on a flurry of sneezes, watery eyes, and endless nose-blowing. Luckily, it’s entirely possible to enjoy flowers without the allergic aftermath. While many people assume all flowers are off-limits for hayfever sufferers, the truth is – not all blooms are created equal when it comes to pollen. Some flowers are much gentler on the sinuses – low in pollen, less fragrant, or simply structured in a way that keeps allergens to themselves. Whether you’re buying for yourself, a partner, or a friend with seasonal allergies, we’ve pulled together a complete guide to hayfever-friendly flowers so you can build beautiful bouquets without the itchy eyes. For more floral inspiration, check out our Seasonal Flowers Collection, you’ll find plenty of allergy-friendly favourites. What Causes Hayfever from Flowers? Do All Flowers Have Pollen? What Makes a Flower Hypoallergenic? Top 10 Flowers for Hayfever Sufferers Flowers to Avoid if You Have Allergies How to Arrange Allergy-Friendly Bouquets What Causes Hayfever from Flowers? Hayfever, or allergic rhinitis, is caused by the body reacting to pollen as if it were a threat. Your immune system responds by releasing histamines, which leads to all those annoying symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and even fatigue. While grass and tree pollen are the main culprits during peak allergy season (spring and summer), flowers can also contribute, particularly those that release large amounts of airborne pollen into the air. Do All Flowers Have Pollen? Technically, yes all flowers produce pollen, as it’s an essential part of plant reproduction. However, not all flowers spread that pollen in a way that bothers allergy sufferers. The key factor is how the pollen travels: Wind-pollinated flowers release light, dry pollen that easily becomes airborne and is most likely to trigger hayfever. Insect-pollinated flowers produce heavier, stickier pollen that clings to bees and butterflies, and stays out of your nose. So yes, all flowers have pollen, but that doesn’t mean they’re all bad news for allergies. What Makes a Flower Hypoallergenic? A flower is considered hypoallergenic if it is unlikely to trigger allergic reactions in most people. This usually means: It produces very little pollen Its pollen is heavy and sticky (so it doesn’t float through the air) It’s pollinated by insects rather than wind It’s double-flowered (more petals, fewer pollen-producing parts) Many popular and elegant flowers fall into this category, they’re not just easy on your sinuses but beautiful to look at too. Top 10 Flowers for Hayfever Sufferers Let’s dig into the top blooms that won’t make you reach for the antihistamines. These are our favourite low-pollen, hypoallergenic flowers you can confidently enjoy, even during peak allergy season. 1. Roses Do roses have pollen? Yes, but their pollen is sticky and doesn’t become airborne, making them a top choice for hayfever sufferers. Double-flowered and tightly petalled varieties (like garden roses or tea roses) are especially allergy-friendly. Best for: Romantic gifts, anniversaries, classic centrepieces Pro tip: The larger and fluffier the rose, the better, these varieties usually have the least exposed pollen. 2. Peonies These lush, dreamy blooms are not only a wedding favourite, but they’re also generally gentle on allergies. Peonies rely on insects for pollination, so the pollen isn’t flying through the air. Best for: Spring bouquets, bridal arrangements, seasonal styling 3. Orchids Orchids are practically the gold standard for allergy-friendly flowers. Their pollen is enclosed in a sac called a pollinium, meaning it doesn’t get released into the air at all. Best for: Long-lasting indoor arrangements, modern bouquets Bonus: Orchids have a surprisingly long vase life, so they’re a great low-maintenance option. 4. Tulips Tulips are another springtime favourite that’s unlikely to set off allergies, especially when not fully open. Their neat, cup-like shape keeps the pollen tucked safely inside. Best for: Easter bouquets, and brightening up kitchens or desks Pro tip: Some people may react to handling tulip stems (known as “tulip fingers”), so always wash your hands after arranging. 5. Hydrangeas These cloud-like clusters are popular for weddings and centrepieces, and thankfully, they’re very low in pollen. Their pollen is often sticky and stays contained. Best for: Weddings, home décor, and romantic garden-style bouquets 6. Carnations With their ruffled petals and faint clove scent, carnations are one of the most underrated allergy-friendly flowers. They’re also long-lasting and incredibly versatile. Best for: Funeral tributes, everyday bouquets, and budget-friendly gifts 7. Irises Irises are elegant and often overlooked. Their structure makes them naturally low-pollen, and their bold colouring (purples, whites, yellows) adds a lovely pop to any bouquet. Best for: Contemporary floral arrangements and spring displays 8. Daffodils While daffodils technically contain some pollen, they’re generally not a trigger for hayfever. Their early spring bloom time also means they’re less likely to affect those with summer allergies. Best for: March bouquets, Easter décor, and windowsills 9. Pansies Small but mighty. Pansies are a charming, low-pollen option ideal for allergy sufferers and look lovely in both arrangements and potted gifts. Best for: Garden gifting, windowsill pots, and cheerful surprises 10. Zinnias Bold, bright, and brilliant in bloom, zinnias are perfect for adding a splash of colour without the pollen punch. They’re also a favourite with pollinators, bees love them, but your nose won’t mind. Best for: Summer bouquets and rustic wildflower themes Flowers to Avoid if You Have Allergies Now for the less sneeze-friendly list. These flowers are known to cause the most trouble for allergy-prone individuals: Lilies - Their pollen is large and plentiful (and their scent can be overpowering) Chrysanthemums - From the same family as ragweed, a notorious allergen Daisies - Another ragweed relative with airborne pollen Sunflowers - Beautiful but brimming with wind-pollinated pollen Baby’s Breath - Often used as filler but surprisingly allergenic If you’re unsure about a specific flower, ask your florist to recommend allergy-friendly alternatives, they’ll know what works best. How to Arrange Allergy-Friendly Bouquets You’ve picked your flowers, now what? Here’s how to make your bouquet both beautiful and breathable: Choose tightly closed blooms - These release less pollen Stick to double-flowered varieties - More petals = less pollen exposure Add greenery - Ferns, eucalyptus, and foliage help fill out your bouquet without allergens Use sealed containers or vases - Keeps pollen from floating around Avoid artificial fragrances - Some sprays can irritate sensitive noses Want to send a low-pollen bouquet to someone special? Our team can help you customise a hayfever-friendly floral design, just get in touch! Key Takeaways for Hayfever Flowers Not all flowers trigger allergies, some are surprisingly gentle on the sinuses. Stick to low-pollen, insect-pollinated flowers like roses, peonies, and orchids. Avoid high-pollen blooms like lilies, daisies, and chrysanthemums if you’re sensitive. A little planning goes a long way, you can build beautiful bouquets that won’t bring on a sneeze-fest. Julie’s Flowers can help you create allergy-friendly floral gifts that look stunning and feel safe. Frequently Asked Questions Do lilies cause allergies? Yes, unfortunately, lilies are one of the worst offenders when it comes to flower allergies. Their prominent stamens release lots of pollen into the air, and even the scent can be overwhelming for some people. If you love lilies, ask a florist to remove the stamens, but you're usually better off choosing a safer bloom. Do roses have pollen? Yes, all flowers do, but rose pollen is sticky rather than airborne, so it generally doesn’t affect hayfever sufferers. Double-flowered roses are especially good as their structure reduces pollen exposure even further. What flowers are best for allergy sufferers? The best flowers for allergy sufferers include: Roses (tight petal varieties) Peonies Orchids Tulips Hydrangeas Carnations Irises These blooms are low-pollen and less likely to trigger hayfever symptoms. Fill Your Home with Low-Pollen Blooms from Julie’s Flowers If you’ve ever turned down a flower bouquet because of hayfever, now you know, it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right flower choices, you can enjoy gorgeous blooms without worrying about red eyes or endless sneezing. At Julie’s Flowers, we believe everyone deserves beautiful flowers, no matter the season or sensitivity. Whether you’re buying for yourself, surprising a friend, or planning a special event, we’ll help you find the perfect low-pollen blooms for the occasion. Shop our latest bouquets and order before 2pm for same day delivery across Newcastle and Sunderland, in which our flower shops are based. Related Articles Flower Meanings: The Language of Flowers Which Flowers Symbolise Friendship? How to Preserve Flowers Like a Pro: Top Tips for Making Blooms Last