Flowers & Ornamentals

List of the Most Hypoallergenic Flowers

Many people contract allergies from flowers, which are generally caused due to pollens. You can avoid them by choosing the right flowers. We give you a list of the most hypoallergenic plants that might help you stay around with their freshness and fragrance, without the fear of allergies.

Editorial Team Last Updated: Feb 27, 2018
A sunlit garden bed displaying a variety of low-pollen flowering plants nestled among healthy green leaves.
Choosing the right blooms allows allergy sufferers to enjoy vibrant gardens without respiratory irritation.

Tip

Keep spraying or washing the leaves of your plants, as even though hypoallergenic plants won't affect you, but the dust that settles on them surely might!

Certain flowers have loose pollens that easily detach from them and float in the air. They can be so tiny that most of the time they aren't visible. These pollens when inhaled cause allergic reactions like sneezing, nasal congestion, coughing, itchy and watery eyes, running nose, stomachache, and hay fever. Some flowers might also cause rashes, resulting in skin irritation.

There are many plants that don't have pollens, and many others have separate species, where the male genus produces pollens, while the female genus doesn't. To avoid these allergies, you have to make sure about which plants you choose to breed in your surroundings.

Hypoallergenic Flowers

None of the flowers are truly considered hypoallergenic, but there are some that rank the least at causing trouble to sensitive nose and skin. Studies say that flowers that allure bees and insects for pollens are generally colorful and hence, attractive. The brighter the color, the higher is the pollen count. However, there are many colorful flowers that are hypoallergenic, which you should be aware about.

A single bright pink impatiens bloom surrounded by soft green foliage in a garden setting.
Brightly colored varieties like impatiens offer vibrant garden color while producing minimal airborne pollen.

Begonia

Family: Begoniaceae

Cactus

Family: Cactaceae

Chenille

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Clemantis

Family: Ranunculaceae

Columbines

Family: Ranunculaceae 

Crocus

Family: Iridaceae

Daffodils

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Dusty Miller

Family: Asteraceae

Geranium

Family: Geraniaceae

Hosta

Family: Asparagaceae

Impatiens

Family: Balsaminaceae

Iris

Family: Iridaceae

Lily

Family: Liliaceae

Pansy

Family: Violaceae

Periwinkle

Family: Apocynaceae

Petunia

Family: Solanaceae

Phlox

Family: Solanaceae

Rose

Family: Rosaceae

Salvia

Family: Lamiaceae

Snapdragon

Family: Plantaginaceae

Thrift

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Tulip

Family: Liliaceae

Verbena

Family: Verbenaceae

Zinnia

Family: Asteraceae

Sunflower

Family: Asteraceae

Hypoallergenic Shrubs

If you are allergic to plants, remember that plants are not the only medium that will affect you. Shrubs make good colorful houseplants, but they need to be nurtured well. Dampness can cause hidden mold, which are harmful even for those people who aren't sensitive to allergens/pollens.

Boxwood

Family: Buxaceae

Azalea

Family: Ericaceae

Hibiscus

Family: Malvaceae

Hydrangea

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Viburnum

Family: Adoxaceae

Hypoallergenic Trees

Not just being confined to the house, if you love being around greenery and birds chirping in the morning, start by planting these trees. They are safe from allergies and you can enjoy the richness of freshly plucked fruits right from your backyard!

Apple

Family: Rosaceae

Cherry

Family: Rosaceae

Chinese fan palm (female)

Family: Arecaceae

Fern Pine (female)

Family: Podocarpaceae

Dogwood

Family: Cornaceae

English holly (female)

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Crepe Myrtle

Family: Lythraceae

Magnolia

Family: Magnoliaceae

Pear

Family: Rosaceae

Plum

Family: Rosaceae

Red Maple (female)

Family: Sapindaceae

We also want to warn you against the most allergenic plants that you should totally avoid! Chrysanthemums, daisies, chamomile, and goldenrod are some of the plants with the highest pollen count.

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