Unscented and low-pollen flowers
58 cut flowers with little or no scent and no heavy pollen — for scent-sensitive clients, dining tables and hospitals — with vase life, season and pet safety, plus what to avoid.
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthurium | 14–21 days | Year-round | mildly toxic |
| Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) | 14–21 days | Year-round | mildly toxic |
| Bird of paradise | 10–14 days | Year-round | mildly toxic |
| Globe amaranth | 10–14 days | Summer, Autumn | — |
| Statice | 10–14 days | Year-round | — |
| Dendrobium orchid | 10–14 days | Year-round | — |
| Craspedia (billy buttons) | 10–14 days | Year-round | — |
| Protea | 10–14 days | Winter, Spring | — |
| Alstroemeria | 10–14 days | Year-round | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Eryngium (sea holly) | 10–14 days | Summer | — |
| Pincushion protea | 10–14 days | Winter, Spring | — |
| Kangaroo paw | 10–14 days | Spring, Summer | — |
| Heliconia | 10–14 days | Year-round | — |
| Lisianthus | 7–14 days | Year-round | — |
| Astrantia | 7–10 days | Summer | — |
| Love-lies-bleeding | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | — |
| Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) | 7–14 days | Winter, Spring | mildly toxic |
| Bells of Ireland | 7–10 days | Summer | — |
| Bupleurum | 7–10 days | Spring, Summer | — |
| Siam tulip (Curcuma) | 7–14 days | Summer | — |
| Calla lily | 7–10 days | Year-round | mildly toxic |
| Celosia | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Snapdragon | 7–10 days | Spring | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| China aster | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Trachelium | 7–10 days | Summer | — |
| Gladiolus | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | mildly toxic |
| Hellebore | 7–10 days | Winter, Spring | mildly toxic |
| Agapanthus | 7–10 days | Summer | — |
| Solidago (goldenrod) | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | — |
| Obedient plant | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | — |
| Sunflower | 6–10 days | Summer | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Gerbera daisy | 6–10 days | Year-round | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Hydrangea | 5–7 days | Summer | mildly toxic |
| Canterbury bells | 5–8 days | Spring, Summer | — |
| Crocosmia | 5–8 days | Summer | — |
| Delphinium | 5–8 days | Spring, Summer | mildly toxic |
| Zinnia | 5–7 days | Summer, Autumn | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Queen Anne's lace (Ammi) | 5–7 days | Spring, Summer | — |
| Lupin | 5–7 days | Spring, Summer | mildly toxic |
| Daisy (marguerite) | 5–7 days | Spring, Summer | mildly toxic |
| Cosmos | 5–7 days | Summer, Autumn | — |
| Cornflower | 5–7 days | Spring, Summer | — |
| Ranunculus | 5–8 days | Winter, Spring | mildly toxic |
| Scabiosa | 5–7 days | Summer | — |
| Astilbe | 5–7 days | Summer | — |
| Veronica | 5–7 days | Summer | — |
| Purple loosestrife | 5–7 days | Summer | — |
| Hollyhock | 5–7 days | Summer | — |
| Daylily | 5–7 days | Summer | ⚠ toxic to cats |
| Red spider lily | 5–7 days | Autumn | mildly toxic |
| Arrowhead (sagittaria) | 5–7 days | Summer | — |
| Tulip | 4–7 days | Winter, Spring | mildly toxic |
| Dahlia | 4–6 days | Summer, Autumn | mildly toxic |
| Clematis | 4–6 days | Spring, Summer | mildly toxic |
| Camellia | 3–5 days | Winter | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Anemone | 3–6 days | Winter, Spring | mildly toxic |
| Hardy begonia | 3–5 days | Summer, Autumn | mildly toxic |
| Poppy | 2–4 days | Spring | mildly toxic |
Avoid
- Strongly scented: Lily, Narcissus (daffodil), Wintersweet, Freesia, Hyacinth, Lily of the valley, Stock (Matthiola), Gardenia, Jasmine, Lavender, Marigold, Wisteria, Osmanthus, Sweet pea, Tuberose, Lilac, Mugwort, Buddha’s hand citron, Winter daphne
- Heavy pollen: Lily
For florists
Turn this guide into a client design
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Try it as a design — freeIn Floreboard you can mark a client as scent- or pollen-sensitive; every later design for them flags these flowers automatically.
FAQ
What flowers suit someone sensitive to scent?
Choose flowers with little or no scent, such as gerbera daisy, lisianthus, bird of paradise, calla lily, statice, anthurium, and avoid strongly scented ones like lily, narcissus (daffodil), wintersweet, freesia, hyacinth.
Why use unscented flowers on dining tables?
Strong fragrance competes with food and wine, so restaurants and banquet tables usually use unscented or lightly scented flowers.
Are unscented flowers allergy-free?
Not necessarily — pollen is a common trigger too. This list excludes heavy-pollen flowers, but people with severe allergies should still check individually.