Popular Flowers in Russia: A Saint Petersburg Florist's List
The most popular flowers in Russia are roses, by a wide margin, followed by spray chrysanthemums, tulips, eustoma (lisianthus), alstroemeria and, in early summer, peonies. Roses are the all-purpose gift for birthdays, anniversaries and dates, while tulips dominate in spring and above all around 8 March, International Women's Day. Carnations, lilies, gerberas and gladioli are well known too, but each of them comes with specific occasions and associations.
We have run flower shops in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and customers from abroad often ask us the same thing: which flowers a Russian recipient will actually appreciate. The list below follows what people buy from us across the year, with the occasions, colours and stem counts that make a bouquet feel right to someone who grew up in Russia.
Roses: the flower Russians give most
Ask anyone in Russia what flowers to bring a woman for her birthday and the answer will be roses. They are the safe choice for almost any celebration: a partner, a mother, a colleague, a teacher. Long-stemmed roses in large mono-bouquets are especially valued, and a bouquet of 25, 51 or even 101 roses is a recognised romantic gesture rather than an eccentric one.
Colour carries meaning, and Russians read it fairly literally. Red roses mean love and are best kept for a partner; white roses stand for respect and a fresh start and suit weddings and formal congratulations; pink and peach are the friendly, warm middle ground for mothers, friends and colleagues. Customers buying for a business contact or a teacher usually choose white, cream or soft pink.
Spray roses, with several small heads on one stem, have become very popular in recent years for lighter, more relaxed bouquets. They last well and look generous with fewer stems, which makes them a good choice when the bouquet has to travel to an office or a hospital ward.
Seasonal favourites: tulips, mimosa, peonies and gladioli
Spring in Russia means tulips. From late February to mid-March they are everywhere, because 8 March, International Women's Day, is one of the biggest flower days of the year: women receive flowers from partners, sons, colleagues and friends. Tulips and sprigs of yellow mimosa are the traditional gifts, and many recipients feel a little short-changed without at least one bouquet that day. Order early for this date, since every shop in the country is at full stretch.
Peonies are the early-summer obsession. Their natural season in Russia is roughly June and early July, and customers ask for them by name for birthdays and weddings in that window. Irises and fragrant matthiola appear in the same season; matthiola is loved for its scent, which we describe in Matthiola in Russia: Fragrant Stems That Fill a Room.
On 1 September, the first day of the school year, children traditionally bring flowers to their teachers. Gladioli, asters and dahlias are the classic choices for this, together with roses and chrysanthemums in compact bouquets a child can carry. It is one of the few occasions where tall gladioli still feel natural rather than old-fashioned.
Bouquets we can deliver
Everyday choices: chrysanthemums, eustoma and alstroemeria
Spray chrysanthemums are the workhorse of Russian floristry. They are inexpensive, come in white, yellow, pink, green and burgundy, and last two to three weeks in a vase, which matters to recipients who like a bouquet to stay fresh for a long time. Large single-headed chrysanthemums are also popular in autumn, and unlike in some European countries they have no funeral association in Russia.
Eustoma, also called lisianthus, has become a favourite for its rose-like flowers and soft colours, from white and lilac to pale green. It is often the choice for customers who want something gentle and slightly unusual. Alstroemeria is another long-lasting option, with striped, lily-like flowers that hold for up to two weeks and add colour to mixed bouquets.
Gerberas are cheerful and popular for younger recipients, birthdays at work and congratulations to friends. Lilies are admired but divide opinion because of their strong scent, so we suggest them for large rooms rather than small flats or hospital visits; see Lilies in Russia: Popularity, Strong Scent and What to Expect for more.
Flowers with special associations
Red carnations are strongly tied to 9 May, Victory Day, when people lay them at memorials and give them to veterans. Because of that, many older Russians see carnations as ceremonial or commemorative rather than romantic, and a bunch of red carnations for a girlfriend's birthday can feel odd. In mixed bouquets, or in pastel colours, carnations are perfectly fine and valued for lasting a long time.
Yellow flowers carry an old superstition about separation or betrayal. Younger people rarely think about it and happily accept yellow tulips or roses, but if you are sending to a grandmother or a traditional family, a mixed bouquet with yellow accents is safer than an all-yellow one. Mimosa on 8 March is the big exception and is seen only as a sign of spring.
Flowers for medical staff, colleagues and officials also follow their own conventions: modest size, neutral colours, a bouquet that can stand on a desk. Our articles Flowers for a Russian Doctor or Nurse and Sending Flowers to a Russian Colleague on Their Work Anniversary cover those cases in detail.
The etiquette that matters as much as the flower
The rule every Russian knows is the odd number. Bouquets for happy occasions have 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or more stems, while even numbers are brought to funerals and graves. In large bouquets of more than fifteen stems the rule is relaxed in practice, but most people still count, so it is worth sticking to it whenever you can.
Flowers are given by hand, usually at the door or at the start of a visit, and men traditionally give them to women rather than to other men, except on professional occasions or anniversaries. A birthday, a visit to someone's home for the first time, a theatre premiere and a graduation are all occasions where arriving without flowers is noticed. A short written card is common and appreciated, especially when the bouquet arrives by courier.
Sending popular Russian flowers from abroad
If you live abroad and want to send roses, tulips or peonies to someone in Russia, you can pick a bouquet in our catalogue and pay online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay; foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa. A card with your text is free, and delivery is anonymous by default, so the courier does not name the sender.
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 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed, or you can choose an exact time within about 30 minutes, a window such as 09-12 or 18-21, or pre-order 1-30 days ahead, which we recommend for 8 March and birthdays. In Saint Petersburg delivery runs around the clock.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arriving; 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 bouquet, a variety or the right number of stems, call us at 8 (812) 507-67-05. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular flower in Russia?
Roses, by a large margin. They are the standard gift for birthdays, anniversaries and romantic occasions, with red for love and white or pink for respect and friendship.
What flowers do Russians give on 8 March?
Tulips and mimosa are the traditional choices for International Women's Day, alongside roses and spring bouquets. It is one of the busiest flower days of the year, so pre-ordering is wise.
Is it bad to give an even number of flowers in Russia?
Yes, for happy occasions. Even numbers are associated with funerals, so celebratory bouquets should have an odd number of stems.
Are chrysanthemums a funeral flower in Russia?
No. Unlike in some European countries, chrysanthemums are an ordinary everyday flower in Russia, popular for their long vase life and bright colours.
Can I give yellow flowers in Russia?
Usually yes, especially to younger people. Some older recipients still link yellow with separation, so for them a mixed bouquet with yellow accents is a safer choice.
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