Odd or Even: How Many Flowers to Give in Russia
In Russia, flowers given as a gift should be an odd number: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and so on. Even numbers are traditionally brought to funerals, graves and memorials, so an even bouquet for a birthday or a date can feel like a bad omen, especially to older people. The rule mostly applies to small and medium bouquets; once a bouquet passes about fifteen stems, few people count.
At our Saint Petersburg shops, open since 2011, customers from abroad ask about this almost every week, often after ordering a dozen roses as they would at home and hearing a Russian friend gasp. The rule is simple, but it has nuances: what counts as a stem, how mixed bouquets are treated, what to do if you already gave an even number. Here is how we explain it at the counter.
What customers ask first: why odd for the living and even for the dead
The custom goes back to old Slavic beliefs in which even numbers stood for completeness and an ended cycle, while odd numbers suggested life that continues. Over time this settled into a firm etiquette rule: pairs of flowers, usually two, four or six carnations or roses, are laid at graves, war memorials and funerals. Because that image is so familiar, an even number in a gift bouquet reminds people of mourning.
Not every Russian is superstitious, and younger people in big cities often do not care. But flowers are frequently given to mothers, grandmothers, teachers and hosts, and those are exactly the people for whom the rule still matters. We recommend following it whenever you are not sure, because nobody will ever object to an odd number.
For a deeper look at where the custom comes from, see our article on why Russian bouquets have odd numbers of stems.
How to count: stems, sprays and mixed bouquets
Customers often ask what exactly should be odd. The answer is the number of separate stems you can see, not the number of flower heads. A spray rose or a spray chrysanthemum has several buds on one stem and counts as one. A stem of alstroemeria with five flowers is still one stem.
In a mixed bouquet, the total is what matters, and greenery is usually not counted. Florists still try to keep the main flowers odd, for example seven roses with filler and foliage around them. If you are building a bouquet of two kinds of flowers, aim for an odd total, such as four roses and three lisianthus.
A single flower is perfectly acceptable and quite romantic in Russia: one rose on a first date or for a small occasion is a classic. Three stems is the smallest proper bouquet, and five or seven is the most common size for everyday gifts.
Wrapping and decorations do not change the count. Ribbons, paper, berries and decorative branches are not counted, and neither are dried elements or eucalyptus. If a customer asks us for a bouquet of eight peonies because the shape looks fuller, we usually suggest seven or nine; the difference in volume is barely visible, and the recipient will never have a reason to frown.
Bouquets we can deliver
When even numbers are fine
Large bouquets are the main exception. Once you go past fifteen stems, the eye no longer counts, and big compositions of 25, 51 or 101 roses are traditionally given as grand gestures. Many people still prefer an odd total even here, which is why 51 and 101 are so popular, but an even number in a large bouquet is not read as a funeral sign.
Flowers in a box, a basket or a hatbox arrangement are also judged less strictly, because nobody counts the heads in a dense arrangement. Potted plants have no count at all. If you are giving a dozen roses for cultural reasons from your own country, the gift will be understood, but expect someone to mention it; the article on even numbers of flowers and the exceptions covers these cases in detail.
What to do if you already gave an even number
Customers sometimes call us after the fact, worried that a gift of ten roses has offended someone. In most cases it has not: hosts and partners understand that a foreigner may not know the custom, and many younger Russians ignore it anyway. If the comment came up, a light explanation and a smile usually close the topic.
There is also a simple fix that people use at the table. Take one stem out and put it in a separate glass, or keep it yourself, and the bouquet becomes odd. Some people quietly add a stem from another arrangement. Nobody treats this as strange; it shows you respect the tradition.
For older recipients, especially grandmothers, it is worth avoiding the situation altogether. They notice the count, and for some of them an even number genuinely spoils the mood of a birthday.
If the even number was the florist's choice rather than yours, for example in a ready-made bouquet bought abroad, simply explain that customs differ. Russians who live with foreign partners or friends hear this explanation often, and it is received with good humour far more often than with offence.
Other details that matter as much as the count
Colour carries meaning too. Red roses are for a partner, white and pastel shades suit mothers, teachers and formal occasions, and yellow flowers were once associated with parting, although that association has faded. Carnations, especially red ones in pairs, are strongly linked to Victory Day and memorials, so as a gift we usually suggest other flowers unless the recipient loves them.
Russians give flowers often: birthdays, 8 March, 1 September for teachers, anniversaries, visits to someone's home, premieres and graduations. In all these cases an odd number of fresh, unwrapped or neatly wrapped stems is the safe choice. Bringing flowers when invited to dinner is common, and the host will put them in water right away, so a bouquet that is easy to place in a vase is appreciated.
Ordering a bouquet to Russia with the right count
When you order from our bouquets catalogue, the stem counts in our compositions already follow the tradition, so you do not have to calculate anything. If you want a custom number, say so when ordering or call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05 and we will advise.
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 you can choose express delivery within 1-2 hours after confirmation, an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a time window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or a pre-order 1-30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg delivery is around the clock.
Payment is online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa. Delivery is anonymous by default and the card with your text is free. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, and if nobody is home we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Should flowers in Russia be odd or even?
Odd for gifts and celebrations, even for funerals, graves and memorials. The rule matters most for small and medium bouquets.
Is a single rose acceptable in Russia?
Yes. One flower is an odd number and is a classic romantic or modest gift.
Do large bouquets have to be odd?
Not strictly. Above about fifteen stems the number is rarely counted, though many people still choose odd totals like 25, 51 or 101.
How are spray roses counted?
By stems, not by flower heads. A spray rose with several buds counts as one stem.
I gave an even number of flowers by mistake. What now?
Usually nothing serious happens, especially with younger recipients. You can simply remove one stem to make the number odd.
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