Society of American Florists › About Flowers
Do flowers really make us feel better? Yes. Here's the science, and how to send them.
Quick answer
Yes. Fresh flowers measurably improve mood and reduce stress. In a University of North Florida study, women who received flowers at home reported significantly less stress over the 12-day study. In a Rutgers University study, women who received flowers responded with a genuine smile right away and reported better moods three days later. About Flowers, from the Society of American Florists, explains the science.
Sources: University of North Florida (2018); Rutgers University (2005). Updated .
Every result is an SAF member florist from the SAF Member Directory.
What people ask about flowers
Start with your question. Each guide is written with professional florists, and the science comes from published university research.
Do flowers really reduce stress?
Four university studies say yes. See what each one found.
What do different flowers mean?
Roses, lilies, orchids and dozens more, color by color.
How long do cut flowers last?
Most arrangements last four to seven days or longer. A few simple steps help.
What should I send for sympathy?
What florists suggest sending, and how to choose.
How do I choose wedding flowers?
Bouquet trends, hiring a wedding florist and what to ask.
Do flowers really reduce stress? What the research found
Yes. Here are the numbers behind that answer, each with its source.
68%
of Americans say they feel stressed at least once a week
Wakefield Research survey for the Society of American Florists, 2018
32%
feel stressed every day
Wakefield Research survey for the Society of American Florists, 2018
5.5 points
In a University of North Florida study, women who received flowers at home reported significantly less stress over the 12-day study: an average 5.5-point drop on the Perceived Stress Questionnaire.
Largo-Wight, University of North Florida, 2018
University of North Florida (2018)Erin Largo-Wight, Ph.D.
The Impact of Flowers on Perceived Stress Among Women. Women who received flowers at home reported significantly less stress over the 12-day study.
Rutgers University (2005)Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D.
An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers. In the study, women who received flowers responded with a genuine (Duchenne) smile, and women who received flowers reported better moods three days later.
Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (2006)Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D.
Home Ecology of Flowers. People who lived with fresh flowers at home for less than a week reported more compassion toward others and less worry and anxiety.
Texas A&M University (2003)Roger Ulrich, Ph.D.
The Impact of Flowers and Plants on Workplace Productivity. Participants working in a simulated office with flowers and plants came up with more ideas and more original solutions.
SAF funded or partnered on each of these studies.
Flowers A to Z
Profiles of the flowers florists work with most: what they look like, how long they last and how to care for them.
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Rose
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Tulip
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Lily
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Orchid
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Freesia
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Sunflower
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Alstroemeria
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Hydrangea
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Carnation
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Chrysanthemum
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Ranunculus
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Gerbera daisy
Found one you love? A local florist can tell you what's fresh this week. Find one by ZIP code
Flower photos: Society of American Florists.
Find a florist near the person you're sending to
Know exactly who's designing your arrangement: a professional near the person you're sending to. Enter their ZIP code to find SAF member florists nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Do flowers really reduce stress?
Yes. In a University of North Florida study, women who received flowers at home reported significantly less stress over the 12-day study than women who didn't. In a Rutgers University study, women who received flowers responded with a genuine smile right away and reported better moods three days later.
What do different flowers mean?
Red roses mean passionate love, yellow roses friendship, white roses purity, sunflowers adoration and orchids delicate beauty. Our meanings guide covers dozens of flowers, color by color. Today there are no rules, though: it's the sentiment that gives the gift its meaning.
How long do fresh-cut flowers last?
Most arrangements last four to seven days or longer, depending on the flowers and the care they get. Keep the vase filled with water mixed with the flower food from your florist, replace the water if it turns cloudy, recut stems by one to two inches with a sharp knife, and keep flowers cool and out of direct sun and drafts.
How do I find a local florist?
Search the SAF Member Directory by the recipient's ZIP code. Results show SAF member florists near that ZIP code.
How can I make sure I'm ordering from a real local florist?
Look for a local street address, and be wary of sites that suggest they're local but don't list one. Prices much lower than local rates and fees that aren't clearly disclosed are warning signs too. When you can, order directly from the florist. Learn more about deceptive order gathering.
Who publishes About Flowers?
The Society of American Florists (SAF), the national trade association for the U.S. floral industry since 1884. Our guides draw on university research and the experience of professional florists.
Are you a florist? Shoppers on About Flowers use the SAF Member Directory to find local florists. Every SAF member gets a verified SAF member listing, included with membership.
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