Sending Flowers to a Hospital: Rules in Turkey, Germany, the UK and Russia

Sending flowers to someone in hospital is one of the kindest ways to say "I'm thinking of you". But not every hospital accepts flowers, and the rules change from country to country. Here's what to know before you order.

Call the hospital first

Before you order, call the ward or the hospital's front desk and ask "Are flowers allowed in patients' rooms?" That one call saves your bouquet from being turned away. If they're not allowed, sending flowers to the patient's home for the day they're discharged is the best alternative.

Where flowers are never accepted

• Intensive care and oncology / chemotherapy units — because of infection risk, almost no country allows flowers there.
• Neonatal intensive care and post-operative recovery rooms.
• Potted plants are unwelcome in many hospitals, as the soil can carry microorganisms.

Country by country

• Turkey: Flowers are usually accepted on general wards; private hospitals typically take them at reception and bring them to the room. They're not allowed in intensive care. Some public hospitals may not allow flowers on wards, so it's worth asking first.
• Germany: Most hospitals allow flowers on wards, except intensive care and some oncology units. Potted plants are generally discouraged.
• United Kingdom: Many NHS hospitals don't allow flowers on wards for infection-control reasons. If you're sending get-well flowers to someone in the UK, a delivery to their home is often the better choice.
• Russia: Most hospitals don't allow flowers in rooms, and visiting rules can be strict. A bouquet delivered home on the day they're discharged is usually far more welcome.

Which flowers work best?

• Lightly scented flowers — roses, gerberas and daisies. Avoid strongly scented, pollen-heavy flowers like lilies; hospital rooms are small.
• Arrangements — a vase is hard to find in hospital, so arrangements and small bouquets are the most practical.
• Cheerful colours — yellow, orange and pink lift the mood, which is why daisies and gerberas are such popular get-well flowers.

Getting the address right

The hospital's name and full address, the patient's full name, the ward and room number if you know them, and a phone number for the patient or a relative. Florists usually deliver to reception, and the phone number lets them confirm the flowers reached the patient.

Our get-well selection: get well soon flowers. Orders placed before 12:00 noon Turkey time are delivered the same day; there is no delivery on Sundays.