Easy Ways To Send Flowers to a Hospital

A hospital stay can be a stressful time for both the patient and their loved ones. While you might not be able to be there in person, sending a thoughtful gift can offer a much-needed boost of comfort and cheer. 

Flowers are a timeless pick-me-up, and the best part? Through Instacart, you can have a gorgeous bouquet delivered straight to their hospital room. This guide will walk you through the whole process of sending flowers to a hospital, from picking the perfect blooms to making sure they reach your loved ones without a hitch. 

Table of contents

• Can I get flowers delivered to a hospital room?
• Types of flowers to send to hospital patients
• How does hospital flower delivery work?
• Benefits of using a flower delivery service
• Tips for sending flowers to a hospital

Can I get flowers delivered to a hospital room?

Absolutely! Sending fresh cut flowers to brighten a hospital stay is a thoughtful gesture. Many flower shops and delivery services, including flower delivery through Instacart, offer flower delivery specifically to hospitals. It’s an easy way to send a gift when you can’t visit yourself. 

However, it’s always a good idea to double-check with the hospital first to see if they have any restrictions on flowers or plants. Some areas, like intensive care units, may not allow them due to allergies or hygiene concerns. But with a quick check, you can be sure your floral pick-me-up arrives safely and brings a smile to your loved one’s face.

Types of flowers to send to hospital patients

So, you’ve decided to send a bouquet to brighten a hospital stay! Bright, colorful blooms are always a delightful choice, but did you know certain flowers carry special meaning? Here are a few types to help convey your get-well wishes:

• Sunflowers: These sunny blooms symbolize cheer, happiness and admiration — a perfect pick for bringing some color into a hospital room.
• Daffodils: Daffodils represent hope, new beginnings and rebirth, offering encouragement during recovery.
• Lilies (Asiatic or Oriental varieties): These elegant flowers come in a range of colors and symbolize purity, get-well wishes and devotion. Opt for Asiatic or Oriental lilies, as they tend to have a milder fragrance than stargazer lilies.
• Carnations: Affordable and long-lasting, carnations come in a variety of colors and represent love, affection and gratitude.
• Hydrangeas: These full, bushy blooms symbolize perseverance, understanding and gratitude. Their big, bold blossoms also add a touch of luxury.
• Roses: Roses are a timeless symbol of love, care and appreciation. Pink roses specifically convey get-well wishes, while yellow roses symbolize friendship and cheer.
• Tulips: These cheerful spring flowers represent perfect health, happiness and confidence. They also come in a wide range of vibrant colors to brighten a room.
• Gerbera daisies: These sweet blooms come in a variety of colors and symbolize innocence, purity and cheerfulness. Their daisy-like appearance adds a touch of playfulness to any arrangement.
• Orchids: A symbol of strength, luxury and longevity, orchids offer a sophisticated and elegant get-well message. Their long-lasting blooms also provide a beautiful display for an extended stay.
• Mixed bouquets: Can’t decide on a single flower? Many florists offer beautiful mixed bouquets that combine a variety of blooms. This lets you mix a range of colors and meanings into a single arrangement.

How does hospital flower delivery work?

Sending flowers through Instacart is a convenient and thoughtful way to show a loved one you’re thinking of them. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure a smooth delivery straight to their hospital room.

1. Call the hospital and ask to send flowers

While Instacart offers a fantastic delivery option, it’s always best to check with the hospital first. Some hospitals may have restrictions on flowers or live plants due to allergies or hygiene concerns, particularly in intensive care units. A quick call can save you from disappointment or delivery issues.

While on the phone, ask about the specific information Instacart will need to ensure the delivery reaches the right room. This typically includes the patient’s full name and the ward they’re in.

If flowers aren’t allowed, don’t worry! There are still plenty of ways to send a thoughtful gift. Consider a small stuffed animal, a cheerful balloon or a gift basket filled with yummy snacks and personal care items.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Chocolates

Stuffed animals

Balloons

Books

Magazines

Coloring books

Self-care items

Coffee

Candy

Snacks

Puzzles

2. Open the Instacart app or desktop site

With the hospital’s green light, open the Instacart app or head to the website on your desktop. Instacart allows you to shop for flowers from nearby stores that offer delivery. Enter the hospital address to find stores closest to that location. 

3. Browse the flower selection

Instacart offers a wide variety of floral arrangements from nearby stores. Many stores allow you to filter your search by flower type, color, price and occasion. Think about the patient’s taste and the sentiment you want to convey. Perhaps sunflowers for pure cheer or lilies for a touch of elegance and well wishes. 

Don’t forget to consider the size of the arrangement — a smaller bouquet might be best for a bedside table.

4. Add items to your cart

Once you’ve found the perfect floral arrangement, click the “add to cart” button, and it’ll move to your digital cart. Maybe even pair it with a heartfelt get-well card or their favorite type of nuts for an extra special touch!

5. Add your delivery information

Once you’ve picked out your flowers, it’s time to enter your delivery information.

Remember that phone call you made in step 1? Here’s where that information comes in handy. Enter the patient’s full name and the specific ward they’re on, exactly as instructed by the hospital. Some hospitals might have additional requirements for deliveries, so be sure to include any details they provided during your call. 

6. Place your order

Double-check all the information you’ve entered, from the hospital details and patient information to your shopper instructions. Once you’re confident it’s all correct, review your order total and select “Place Order.” 

Instacart will help connect you with a local shopper who will carefully select your chosen blooms or basket and ensure a smooth delivery to the hospital. You can even track your order in real time within the Instacart app, so you’ll know exactly when your thoughtful gift arrives.

Benefits of using a flower delivery service

While a trip to the local florist is a sweet gesture, sometimes life gets hectic, especially when a loved one is in the hospital. Consider these benefits of using a flower delivery service to send flowers to a hospital.

Beat the rush

Instacart helps make sending hospital flowers a breeze, eliminating the need for a special trip to the florist. Simply open the app or website, browse a wide selection of blooms from stores near the hospital and choose the perfect pick-me-up. No battling traffic or scrambling to find a parking spot. 

Go the distance

Distance shouldn’t stop you from showing you care! Sending flowers to a hospital patient is a thoughtful gesture when we can’t be there physically. 

Through Instacart, you can bypass the limitations of location. Simply choose the perfect arrangement, and you can get flower delivery directly to their room. It’s a fantastic way to show your support, even if you’re hundreds of miles away.

Reduce costs

Small gifts like flowers can add up, especially when factoring in travel costs or florist markups. Instacart offers a money-saving solution for sending hospital blooms.

Plus, with Instacart, you can easily see the price upfront before placing your order, helping you stay within your budget and avoid additional fees.

Show love

In the often sterile environment of a hospital room, a vibrant bouquet of flowers can be a powerful symbol of love and support. Sending flowers to a hospital is a thoughtful way to show you care, even if you can’t be there in person. 

This can be especially true for patients who may have visitation restrictions due to their condition or hospital policies. A beautiful floral arrangement delivered straight to their room brings a touch of warmth and cheer, reminding them they’re loved and thought of during their recovery.

Tips for sending flowers to a hospital

Sending flowers to brighten a hospital stay is a great way to express your well wishes, but there are a few things to consider to make sure your gift arrives safely. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Check hospital policy: Call and ask the hospital if they allow flowers and if there are any restrictions on types or containers.
• Think small: Opt for a small arrangement that won’t overwhelm a bedside table or get in the way of medical equipment.
• Go bright: Choose cheerful, colorful blooms to lift their spirits.
• Consider allergies: Select hypoallergenic flowers like carnations, orchids or hydrangeas to avoid any issues.
• Pick a sturdy vase: Go for plastic, wicker or metal containers to minimize breakage risk.
• Include a heartfelt note: Add a personalized message in a card to express your well wishes.
• Consider alternatives: If flowers aren’t allowed, a box of chocolates or a cheerful balloon can be a thoughtful option.
• Include special instructions: If the exact bouquet you chose online isn’t available in-store, list your price range and preferred flower colors in the shopping notes so your shopper can find the perfect alternative. 

Hospital blues? Send bright blooms with flower delivery

Sending flowers to a hospital patient is a beautiful way to express your love and support, even when a physical visit isn’t possible. 

So, if you’re looking for a convenient and thoughtful way to show you care, try Instacart to send flowers to a hospital.

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.