What “im Russischen” means, with a guide to giving flowers

“Im Russischen” is German for “in Russian” or “in the Russian language”; it usually introduces a point about Russian words or usage. If you mean “in Russia”, the German expression is “in Russland”. For someone choosing flowers for a Russian-speaking recipient, the useful next steps are understanding bouquet etiquette, writing an appropriate message and arranging delivery.

Customers at Pyat Tsvetov (5 Flowers) often need help connecting those details: a bouquet should suit the relationship, while the card should say exactly what the sender intends. We have been working in Saint Petersburg since 2011 and have three flower shops in the city. This guide covers the language and practical choices that matter when sending flowers to relatives, friends or someone you love in Russia.

Use the right Russian phrase for the occasion

For a birthday card, “S dnyom rozhdeniya” means “Happy birthday” and works for family, friends and colleagues. For a general congratulatory message, “Pozdravlyayu” means “Congratulations”, but adding the occasion makes the message clearer. “Spasibo” means “Thank you” and can introduce a short explanation of what you appreciate. These are transliterations into Latin letters, so you may see different spellings of the same Russian expression.

Keep the wording within the level of closeness you already share with the recipient. “S lyubovyu” means “With love” and suits an affectionate personal message, while a simple greeting followed by your name is easier to judge for a colleague. If you cannot confidently write a longer Russian sentence, use a short phrase and continue in a language you both understand. A clear, sincere message is more useful than an elaborate translation whose tone you cannot assess.

Choose flower numbers and meanings with care

In Russian gift-giving, an odd number of flowers is the customary choice for a celebration when the stems are individually counted. Even numbers are traditionally associated with mourning, so counting deserves particular attention with a simple bunch of roses or tulips. With a mixed bouquet, branching stems and several flower types can make the count less obvious. If you are unsure, state the occasion when ordering rather than trying to apply a counting rule to every visible bloom.

Colour gives a bouquet a mood, but it does not provide a reliable translation of your intentions. Red roses often suggest romance, while soft pink, white or mixed colours can suit many different relationships and occasions. Yellow flowers sometimes carry an association with separation, although preferences and interpretations vary between recipients. If the person loves yellow tulips, that knowledge is more useful than a rigid colour rule; if their tastes are unknown, let the card explain your gesture.

Bouquets we can deliver

Bouquet of 3 white lilies

$49

★ 5.0 · 70 reviews

Mixed bouquet of 7 red roses and 8 alstroemerias

$86

★ 4.8 · 40 reviews

Bouquet of 7 alstroemerias mix

$43

★ 4.9 · 37 reviews

Mixed bouquet of 3 chrysanthemums and 3 alstroemerias

$46

★ 5.0 · 37 reviews

Match the bouquet to the recipient and setting

Start with the recipient's preferences, then consider where the flowers will stand. A large arrangement needs an appropriate place, and a tall bouquet may be awkward for someone with only a small vase or limited table space. For a workplace gift, consider whether the recipient has room at their desk and can comfortably carry the flowers home. Browse the bouquets catalogue with those practical details in mind, alongside colour and overall appearance.

Fragrance also deserves attention, especially in a shared office, a bedroom or a home where someone is sensitive to scent. Flower species and varieties differ, so do not judge fragrance from a photograph alone. For a hospital gift, check the institution's rules before arranging delivery, because flowers may be restricted in some wards. For a household with pets, check the suitability of the flowers first; lilies are particularly hazardous to cats, including their pollen and vase water.

Plan the delivery around the recipient's day

Choose a delivery period when the recipient is likely to be at the address and able to answer their phone. We deliver flowers across Russia, with express delivery in large cities taking 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed. You can also arrange an exact time with a tolerance of plus or minus 30 minutes, or choose a window of 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21. Orders can be placed 1–30 days ahead, which helps when you are planning from another country.

The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, so a surprise still involves a brief practical conversation. If the recipient is absent, we agree a second delivery that day or, with the sender's consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge. In Saint Petersburg, delivery is available around the clock; this should not be assumed for other cities. When ordering from abroad, check the time difference and make the intended date and destination clear, especially near midnight.

Order flowers to Russia and make the card unambiguous

Choose your bouquet, then check the recipient's name, phone number, delivery address and requested date before submitting the order. Include useful access details where relevant, such as the building entrance or office name, and avoid relying on a familiar landmark as the whole address. City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs, the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. Consult delivery and payment information while arranging the order so that the destination and timing are clear.

Delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender, and a card with your text is free. Sign the card if you want the recipient to know who sent the flowers, rather than expecting the courier to explain. Online checkout uses CloudPayments; check the payment options displayed there, as acceptance of every foreign card cannot be guaranteed. For questions about an order, call 8 (812) 507-67-05 and have the delivery details ready to explain.

Help the recipient care for the flowers

For cut stems intended for a vase, begin with a clean container and fresh water, then remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Recut the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool before placing them in water, and use flower food according to its instructions if you have it. Check the water daily, topping it up as needed and replacing it when it becomes cloudy. Clean the vase when changing the water, because a fresh refill alone will not remove residue from its walls.

Place the flowers away from radiators, direct sunlight and ripening fruit, and avoid leaving them beside a source of hot air. If the bouquet arrives from cold weather, let it adjust gradually indoors before removing all its protective wrapping. Care depends on the flowers and how they are arranged: an arrangement in floral foam needs water added to the foam rather than being treated as loose stems. Remove fading flowers and submerged foliage as they appear, and avoid promising a fixed vase life because conditions and varieties differ.