Sympathy Plants to Send with Your Condolences
A sympathy plant is a living gift that keeps flowering long after cut flowers have faded. Our orchids and flowering hydrangea are delivered to the family home or the office by a local florist, as a quiet way to let someone know you are thinking of them.
Why plants make beautiful sympathy gifts
After a death, the house often fills with bouquets in the first week, and most have faded by the time the funeral has passed. A plant stays. It asks for a little care, which can bring comfort to someone who is grieving in the quiet weeks that follow, and every new bud is a small reminder of a loved one. That is why condolence plants are such a thoughtful way to show you care: they are still there after everyone else has gone back to normal life. They are also practical for a recipient who lives alone or would find it hard to arrange stems in a vase, because a potted plant needs no arranging at all, and it is a more eco-friendly gift than flowers that are thrown away after a week.
A plant is not the same as funeral flowers. Wreaths, sprays and sheaves go to the funeral director for the service; a plant goes to the bereaved, at home. It is entirely appropriate to send one instead of tributes for the service, or as well as them.
Our three plants
- White Orchid Sympathy Plant, from £32.99: a white phalaenopsis with flower spikes, in a matte white ceramic pot. White is calm and peaceful, and long linked with remembrance.
- Pink Orchid Sympathy Plant, from £32.99: a pale pink phalaenopsis with flower spikes, in a soft grey ceramic pot, for a warmer, pastel feel.
- Flowering Sympathy Plant, from £32.99: a white flowering hydrangea, wrapped in sage green paper with an ivory ribbon.
Each one comes in three sizes, Standard, Preferred and Elegant. The larger sizes are fuller versions of the same plant, so the look stays the same. Every order includes a card, which is where you personalise the gift with your own words.
Choosing the right plant gift
The orchid is our most popular choice for a sympathy gift. It is elegant and easy to care for, and its blooms open one by one along each stem, so it can stay in flower for weeks. Phalaenopsis orchids are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, so choose one if the family has pets. The hydrangea has big, soft heads of white flowers and a more relaxed, garden feel. It is a hardy shrub, so after it finishes flowering indoors it can be planted outside. Memorial plants like this can bloom again each summer, a living tribute in the garden, and the symbolism of something that comes back year after year means a lot to many families.
If you knew the person's favourite flower, let that guide you. Many people ask about peace lilies, which are often given at a time of bereavement. We don't send them; our range is the two orchids and the hydrangea above.
Plants or sympathy flowers?
Both are a kind gesture, and flowers and plants each have their place. Condolence flowers, such as a bouquet of roses, white lilies or carnations, bring colour and scent to a room straight away and suit someone who loves fresh flowers. A plant is the more thoughtful gift for someone who would rather keep the flowers going for longer. If you are sending flowers with a cat in the house, avoid lilies, as they are toxic to cats. For cut flowers, see our sympathy bouquets, or our funeral baskets for a floral arrangement that arrives ready to display.
Looking after it at home
An orchid likes a bright indoor spot out of direct sun, away from radiators and draughts. Water it about once a week, letting the pot drain so the roots never sit in water, and it will hold its flowers for a long time. A hydrangea likes a cool, light room and soil that stays just moist, and it drinks more. Neither will drop petals across the table. A short line with these care tips is a kind thing to add to your card.
How to send a sympathy plant
Choose a plant and a size, write your message, and give us the address of the home or the office. A local florist prepares it and delivers it by hand, Monday to Saturday, from tomorrow onwards, across the UK. Because a florist brings it to the door rather than posting a package through the letterbox, it reaches them in good condition, ready for a table or windowsill. We don't deliver on Sundays, bank holidays or to AB10 postcodes. Delivery is one charge of £12.49 per order to one address, added at checkout.
What to write on the card
Finding the right words at such a difficult time is often the hardest part. Keep it simple: "Thinking of you all, with love" or "With heartfelt condolences, we're here whenever you need us" is plenty. If you knew the person who died, one line about them means a great deal. Our guide on what to write on funeral flowers has more ideas.
Questions about sending a plant
Is it appropriate to send a plant instead of flowers?
Yes. A plant is a lovely way to express your condolences to someone who has lost a loved one, and many people prefer it because it lasts.
What is the best sympathy plant?
An orchid is the safest choice: it is easy to look after, flowers for a long time and is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
How much does one cost?
All three of our plants start at £32.99 in the Standard size, plus £12.49 delivery per order.
Can I send a plant to someone's workplace?
Yes. Our plants can be sent to the family's home or to an office.
