How Many Flowers Make a Bunch: Answers From Our Shop Counter
A bunch of flowers is generally 10 to 12 stems of one variety, held together without much arranging. In the flower trade, roses and tulips often move in bunches of ten or a dozen, while branched flowers such as spray chrysanthemums are counted per stem even though each stem carries five or more heads. A designed bouquet usually has more: 15 to 25 stems with greenery.
We have run flower shops in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and "how many is a bunch" is one of the questions we hear most, usually from customers ordering for someone else and trying to picture the result. The honest answer depends on the flower, the vase and the occasion. Below are the explanations we give at the counter, along with the numbers that work for gifts in Russia.
What customers usually mean by "a bunch"
When someone walks in and asks for a bunch, they almost always mean flowers of one kind, simply wrapped, without a complex design. In shop terms that is 9 to 15 stems, depending on how large the heads are. People asking this way want the flowers themselves to do the talking, and a single variety in one colour does exactly that.
A bouquet, by contrast, is assembled: a focal flower, a supporting flower, greenery and a shape, usually a spiral that opens into a dome. Because foliage and filler add volume, a bouquet of 15 stems can look as full as a bunch of 25 single roses. When comparing two offers, it is worth looking at both stem count and composition, not just the word used in the title.
The third format we are asked about is the large mono-bouquet: 51, 75 or 101 stems of one flower. Structurally it is a big bunch, but the effect is ceremonial, and in Russia it is reserved for proposals, anniversaries and very special birthdays.
Stems versus heads: why counts can mislead
A common surprise is the difference between a stem and a flower head. One stem of spray rose carries five to eight small roses, one stem of eustoma three to five buds, one stem of alstroemeria up to a dozen blooms. Seven stems of these varieties look richer than eleven single-head roses, and that is why branched flowers are sold in smaller numbers.
Single-head flowers work the other way. Standard roses, gerberas, tulips and calla lilies show exactly one bloom per stem, so the count is what you see. Here we suggest at least eleven stems for a bunch that feels complete, and fifteen or more for tulips, which are slim and look sparse in small numbers.
Peonies and hydrangeas are a special case. A single hydrangea head can fill a small vase, and five open peonies look abundant. For these flowers the size of each head matters far more than the number, so judge by the photo and the description of contents.
Bouquets we can deliver
How many stems fit the vase at home
Customers often forget the vase until the flowers arrive. A standard household vase with an opening of 8 to 10 cm comfortably holds 11 to 15 roses or 15 to 21 tulips. A bunch of 25 stems needs a wide, heavy vase so the stems are not squeezed, and a 51-stem gift really needs a bucket or a floor vase.
Overcrowding is not just a looks problem. Tightly packed stems drink less water, the outer flowers dry first, and bacteria build up faster. If the recipient lives in a small flat or is elderly, a compact bouquet of 9 to 15 stems is usually the more thoughtful choice.
For a large gift, an arrangement set in floral foam inside a box or basket removes the vase question altogether. The recipient only needs to moisten the foam every day or two, which suits someone who does not keep large vases. Flowers in foam last a little less than in a vase, so this format works best for long-lived varieties such as chrysanthemums and roses.
The odd-number rule and the counts we recommend
Every customer from abroad hears the same advice from us: for living people, give an odd number of stems. Even numbers are traditionally laid on graves and brought to funerals, and in Russia, especially among older people, this is still noticed. That makes a dozen roses, a standard gift in many countries, the one number to avoid here. Our article on the Slavic flower rule explains where the custom comes from.
In practice, the counts we assemble most often are 7, 11, 15, 25 and 51. Seven or eleven is right for colleagues, teachers and friends; fifteen or twenty-five for a mother, a partner or a jubilee birthday; fifty-one for a grand romantic gesture. Above roughly fifteen stems few people count, and in mixed bouquets the overall look matters more than arithmetic, but we still finish on an odd number.
Budget follows count, but not in a straight line. A smaller bunch of premium long-stem roses can feel more luxurious than a larger bunch of short ones. For more guidance by relationship and budget, see how many flowers to send.
How long a bunch lasts and how to keep it fresh
The second question after "how many" is usually "how long". With fresh water every two days and a fresh cut on the stems, chrysanthemums and alstroemeria last up to two weeks, roses about a week or a little more, tulips five to seven days and open peonies only a few days. Lilies sit in the middle and keep opening new buds for over a week; our note on lily vase life covers them in detail.
The routine is simple and the same for any count. Cut 1 to 2 cm off each stem at an angle with a sharp knife, remove leaves below the waterline, and use a clean vase with cool water. Keep the flowers away from radiators, which in Saint Petersburg flats run hot from October to April, and away from a bowl of ripening fruit, which speeds up wilting. Pull out faded stems as they go, and the rest of the bunch will look fresh for longer.
Ordering a bunch to Saint Petersburg or elsewhere in Russia
Our bouquets catalogue lists the contents of every bouquet, so you know how many stems will arrive before you pay. You enter the recipient's address and phone, choose the delivery time and add the card text; the card is free. Delivery is anonymous by default, and the courier does not name the sender unless you sign the card.
We deliver across Russia. 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, or you can choose 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. In Saint Petersburg delivery runs around the clock, which helps when you are ordering from a different time zone.
Payment is online on the site by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival; if nobody is home, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge. For questions about a particular stem count, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05, and see delivery and payment for full details.
Frequently asked questions
How many flowers are in one bunch?
Usually 10 to 12 stems of a single variety. Branched flowers such as spray roses or alstroemeria are sold in smaller stem counts because each stem carries several blooms.
What is the difference between a bunch and a bouquet?
A bunch is one kind of flower simply gathered and wrapped. A bouquet is designed by a florist with several flowers and greenery, and typically contains 15 to 25 stems.
Is it rude to give 12 roses in Russia?
For a living person it is best avoided, because even numbers are associated with funerals. Choose 11 or 15 roses instead.
How many tulips make a nice bunch?
Tulips are slim, so 15 stems is a modest bunch, 25 a full one and 51 a real statement. Always keep the count odd for a gift in Russia.
Can I pay for delivery in Russia with a foreign card?
Yes, foreign bank cards are accepted via Robokassa. You can also pay by Russian bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay.
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