The 4 Best Allergy-Friendly Flowers

When I first moved to New York City, I had no idea how to make a house (especially a small apartment) a home. I’d lived in furnished apartments in college and with a mother who takes pride in home making prior to that. Since I grew up in the deep south, people are still always asking me how I adjusted to the city life. Some days I’m still not sure exactly when I made the transition from Southern Belle to New Yorker, but I’m certain it syncs up with realizing a cozy home is an essential priority.

After less than two years in the concrete jungle, I knew fresh flowers were what made me feel at home after an exhausting day in a fast-paced city. Just one of the fabulous things about Manhattan is the plethora of florists in almost every neighborhood. (I’d also freely assessed that about 70% of bodegas within the city and outer boroughs sell fresh cut flowers, as well.) If you can make it to the Union Square Farmer’s Market in the Spring and Summer months, you’ll discover a new kind of floral love.

“According to Allergic Living, all peonies are good for allergies, but Japanese and Double Flowering are among the best.”

Just when I had mastered the art of rotating beautiful flowers into my home on a weekly basis, I began suffering from seasonal allergies that get worse each year. Despite the sneezing and endless watery eyes, my strong-willed nature was not giving up my commitment to fresh flower decor. After a little research, I found the best flowers to keep indoors and I’m happy to share this short list with my fellow allergy-suffering flower lovers.

Tulips

I’ve always loved Tulips, but I recently found and fell in love with honeymoon tulips. Their gorgeous fringed tips give a really elegant vibe and with a little daily trim, they look beautiful for over a week. You can also find double-flowered tulips that are pollen free. Other Tulips (and Lilies!) can be easily made pollen-free by removing the anthers on the tips of each stamen.

The main reason that certain flowers cause allergies is has to do with the plant’s gender. Monecious and dioecious plants have separate or all male and female parts, which forces male plants to fertilize by transferring pollen through the air. The best options for allergy sufferers are “perfect plants” (like roses) that contain male and female parts.

Roses

As if allergies would be enough to keep anyone away from such a timeless and romantic flower, they are also very low-pollen and great for indoors.

Hydrangeas

I love hydrangeas because they come in so many different colors, yet I’m a sucker for the white ones. These flowers are perfect to stuff in mason jar for a southern casual vibe, but they also work well for filling out an elegant bouquet of any variety of flowers. The cherry on top? They are pollen-free!

Peonies 

These beauties also happen to be my favorite flowers, and I’m always discovering a new variety of this gorgeous bloom. According to Allergic Living, all peonies are good for allergies, but Japanese and Double Flowering are among the best.