What the Number of Roses Means: From 1 Rose to 101

When you send roses, the number says something too — just like the colour. These meanings aren't official rules but conventions that florists and traditions have settled on over time; picking the right number still makes your message clearer. For colours, see rose colour meanings.

Common meanings of rose numbers

• 1 rose — Love at first sight, or "you're the one". Simple but powerful.
• 2 roses — Shared, mutual love.
• 3 roses — "I love you." Popular early in a relationship or for a first anniversary.
• 4 roses — "Until death do us part." (Avoid in Russia — see below.)
• 5 roses — Deep admiration and love. bouquet of 5 red roses
• 6 roses — "I want to be yours."
• 7 roses — Infatuation; a favourite for a new romance. bouquet of 7 red roses
• 9 roses — "Together forever." 9 red and white roses
• 10 roses — "You're perfect."
• 11 roses — "You're my one true love." bouquet of 11 red roses
• 12 roses — "Be mine." The classic dozen, lovely in a vase. 12 red roses in a glass vase
• 13 roses — A secret admirer. Considered unlucky in some cultures, so choose carefully.
• 15 roses — "I'm sorry." The go-to number for making up. bouquet of 15 red roses
• 20 roses — Sincerity. 20 red roses
• 25 roses — Congratulations: graduation, promotion, a new job. bouquet of 25 pink roses
• 50 roses — Unconditional love; big anniversaries.
• 51 roses — A showpiece number much loved in Turkey and Russia: "my one great love". bouquet of 51 red roses
• 99 roses — "I'll love you until I die."
• 100 roses — A hundred years of devotion.
• 101 roses — "You're my only one" — the classic proposal number. bouquet of 101 red roses

Careful: even numbers mean mourning in Russia

In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan flowers for happy occasions come in odd numbers; even numbers are for funerals and memorials. Don't send 4, 6, 10, 12 or 20 roses there — choose 5, 7, 9, 11 or 15. More in flower etiquette in Russia. In very large bouquets (more than fifteen stems) people rarely count.

How many roses for which occasion?

• First date or new relationship: 1, 3 or 7 roses.
• Anniversary: one rose per year together, or 11–12.
• Apology: 15 roses.
• Congratulations: 25 roses, pink or mixed.
• Proposal: 51 or 101 red roses.

All rose bouquets: roses. Sending abroad? Choose the country on our international flower delivery page.