The sun is shining, the rain is dissipating and the flowers are blooming—it’s spring! Everything is new, fresh, dewy and colorful. And after you welcome your favorite season with your annual spring cleaning, you usually want to add the cherry on top of your newly organized, clean space with a fresh bouquet of beautiful flowers.
Cue the first “uh-oh” of springtime. Along with all the new blooms in nature, comes allergies. And odds are with the mildew in the windowsills from the winter, the dust you just kicked up from purging your home, and all the pollen going into the high gear outside, you are stocking up on Claritin and the last thing you need is to bring another irritant in your home.
But let’s face it, we always make sacrifices for things we love. We still wear heels, eat cupcakes and enjoy a martini at happy hour, so there are still ways to enjoy fresh blooms in your home to create that ambiance you love without getting the sniffles. Our contributor, Jenna Wohlwend, is here with some great options.
These flowers are your best options to decorate with if you are an allergy sufferer.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas transport you right to The Hamptons. Think of a glass of iced tea (or chardonnay!) and white sand along East Coast beaches—and you don’t need any tissues to accompany you on this fantasy. These flowers are not only full, beautiful and come in array of gorgeous colors, but they are also affordable and last a long time!
Orchids
Orchids are wonderful, happy little flowers that are great for homes due to their lack of mess. They need a lot of sunlight so make sure to put them in a window, but they can simply be enjoyed without runny noses. They also come in all sizes and an array of colors. They are perfect for offices, too!
Cactus
These low-maintenance plants are all the rage and bring out that minimalistic, desert-chic look that doesn’t just go well with spring, but suits all seasons. They won’t make you feel the tingle to sneeze in the slightest and only require water once a week (hardly that even and preferably through a spray bottle). Don’t forget, lots of sunlight needed!
Carnations
Don’t let Carrie Bradshaw stray you away. These aren’t just a “filler flower” like mentioned in “The Wedding Planner,” or the target Carrie took her anger out on when dumped on a Post-it. When bundled together and arranged correctly, these flowers are beautiful and can come in plenty of stunning colors. They also don’t have any lingering pollen so you are in the clear. Oh yes, and of course, they don’t break the bank!
Snapdragons
These plants add a little fun and variety to an arrangement with their tall frame and thin shape. They are also in the safe zone. Snapdragons are amazing when paired with other flowers and add so much texture and height. These are the options to add into the mix that you can really get creative with!
There are plenty of flowers out there that won’t aggravate your allergies! Other great choices if none of these fit the bill? Petunias, daffodils and irises. You can also even gather greens like eucalyptus leaves and put them in a little bouquet. And if you are just too sensitive, there are plenty of faux bouquets out there of wonderful quality. They’ll last the longest (more bang for your buck) and they will look real. And don’t worry, your secret is safe with us if you don’t want to tell anyone!
Jenna Wohlwend is a content strategist at a tech company in San Francisco and runs her own lifestyle blog, Jenna Rose Colored Glasses. She has her B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and loves karaoke, reading, cooking and traveling with her husband.
You might also want to check out DIY Spring Floral Wreath and Budget-Friendly Home Décor Updates To Make This Spring!
