Flower etiquette in Switzerland and abroad: the dos and don'ts of giving flowers

Flower etiquette in Switzerland is relaxed, but a few traditions are worth knowing: give an odd number of stems (and avoid 13) if you are counting, keep chrysanthemums for graves, save red roses for romance, and think about practicalities such as vases, scent and allergies. Abroad, the codes can be stricter: even numbers are reserved for funerals in parts of Eastern Europe, and white flowers mean mourning in much of Asia.

This guide covers the most common situations: dinner invitations, hospitals, colleagues, funerals, and the main cultural differences you may meet in an international country like Switzerland. For the meaning of individual flowers, see our language of flowers dictionary.

The basics of flower etiquette in Switzerland

Odd or even numbers?

The custom of offering an odd number of flowers (3, 5, 7, 9…) comes from traditions in several European countries. In Switzerland, few people count the stems, and there is no strict rule. Still, it is a safe habit for hand-picked bunches. Two traditional exceptions:

• 13 is avoided by superstitious recipients.
• 12 red roses (a dozen) is an accepted romantic exception in Western Europe and North America.

Bouquets bought from a florist are composed by eye rather than by count, so you rarely need to worry. If you give roses, our guide to rose meanings by colour and number explains what 1, 3, 12 or 24 roses traditionally say.

Chrysanthemums: a flower for graves

In Switzerland, as in France, Italy and Belgium, chrysanthemums are closely associated with cemeteries and All Saints’ Day (1 November), a public holiday in Catholic cantons. Pots of chrysanthemums are placed on graves at that time of year. As a birthday or thank-you gift, they can be misread, especially by older recipients. Mixed into a colourful autumn bouquet, they are less of an issue.

Red roses: romance only

Red roses are universally read as a romantic declaration. Giving them to a colleague, a friend’s partner or your host can create an awkward moment. Choose yellow, pink, white or mixed colours instead.

To unwrap or not to unwrap?

Old German-speaking etiquette said you should remove the paper before handing over a bouquet. Today, florists’ wrapping is part of the presentation, and the custom is rarely observed. If the bouquet is wrapped in plain protective paper, it is a nice touch to remove it at the door. Cellophane and decorative wraps can stay.

Flowers for a dinner invitation

Flowers are a classic host gift in Switzerland, alongside a bottle of wine or chocolates. The only drawback: your host has to stop, find a vase and cut stems while welcoming other guests. Three elegant solutions:

1. Send flowers ahead, on the morning of the dinner, so they decorate the table.
2. Send them the day after as a thank-you, with a short card.
3. Bring a bouquet already in water (in its own vase, or a bouquet in a box with a water reservoir) or a small potted plant.

Tip: avoid strongly scented flowers if they will be on a dining table; lilies and hyacinths can compete with the food.

Flowers for someone in hospital

Hospitals in Switzerland generally accept flowers, but not everywhere:

• Intensive care units, some oncology and transplant wards often refuse flowers for hygiene reasons. Check with the ward first.
• Choose a compact bouquet that fits on a bedside table.
• Avoid strong scents (lilies, hyacinths) in shared rooms.
• Potted plants with soil are sometimes discouraged; in Japan, giving potted plants to a sick person is traditionally avoided because roots suggest “staying in bed”.
• Include the patient’s full name, ward and room number in the address.

Our get well soon flowers guide covers hospital delivery in detail.

Flowers for colleagues and business contacts

Switzerland’s international business hubs (Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Zug) mean many people send flowers across cultures. Keep it neutral:

• Colours: white, green, yellow or mixed seasonal tones.
• Formats: a compact bouquet for a desk, a larger arrangement for a reception area, or an orchid that lasts for weeks.
• Card: your name, company and the reason, in a professional tone.
• Gifts to public officials or business partners may be subject to internal rules on gifts; keep the value modest.

Flowers for funerals and condolences

Sympathy flowers follow their own codes in Switzerland: white and soft colours, wreaths and sprays for the ceremony, condolence bouquets for the family’s home. Some families ask for donations instead of flowers; respect that wish. Jewish tradition does not usually include flowers at funerals, and in Muslim traditions practices vary, so ask the family or the funeral director when in doubt. Our funeral flowers guide explains formats, timing and what to write.

Flower etiquette around the world

Switzerland is home to many nationalities, so you may be giving flowers to someone with different codes. Traditions vary within each country, but here are the most commonly cited ones:

Rule of thumb: if you know the recipient comes from a specific culture, a mixed, colourful bouquet with an uneven number of stems and no chrysanthemums is safe almost everywhere.

Practical etiquette: allergies, pets and timing

• Allergies: if you are unsure, choose low-pollen flowers such as roses, tulips or orchids. See our guide to hypoallergenic flowers.
• Pets: lilies are highly toxic to cats. Check our list of flowers toxic to cats and dogs.
• Timing: Swiss florists do not deliver on Sundays or public holidays, so plan ahead for Valentine’s Day 2027 (a Sunday) or Mother’s Day (9 May 2027). Our flower-giving calendar lists the dates.
• The card: a few sincere words matter more than any etiquette rule. Our card message ideas can help.

Swiss regional nuances

Switzerland’s four language regions don’t have strictly different flower rules, but a few nuances are worth knowing:

• Catholic regions (much of central Switzerland, Ticino, Valais, Fribourg, Jura) observe All Saints’ Day more visibly, with graves decorated with chrysanthemums and heathers at the end of October. The cemetery association of chrysanthemums is strongest there.
• French-speaking Switzerland shares many French customs, such as the sprig of lily of the valley on 1 May for luck, known in parts of the region.
• Italian-speaking Switzerland shares Italian traditions, including mimosa for International Women’s Day on 8 March. See our Women’s Day flowers guide.
• German-speaking Switzerland is where you’re most likely to meet the old custom of unwrapping a bouquet before handing it over.

Common faux pas, and how to avoid them

When etiquette doesn’t matter

Most people are simply happy to receive flowers. Etiquette is useful for avoiding the few real faux pas (chrysanthemums for a birthday, red roses for a colleague, lilies for a cat owner), but beyond that, choosing flowers the recipient loves will always beat counting stems. For ideas by occasion, see which flowers to give for every occasion.