25 Best Flowers for Allergy Sufferers (Plus, the Worst)

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Azaleas are woody shrubs that are dependent on insects for pollination. These spring-blooming shrubs are among the best flowering shrubs for people sensitive to pollen, but all parts of azalea plants are poisonous to humans, including its pollen. Azaleas rarely release their pollen to the wind. It wouldn't be wise to sniff an azalea bloom too closely.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
• Color Varieties: White, pink, red, orange
• Sun Exposure: Part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, acidic, well-drained soil

Begonia (Begonia Groups)

Thank goodness begonias tend to shed little pollen; these free-flowering plants are in just about every shady garden. There are many hundreds of different begonias categorized into several groups. All popular types of begonias—including rex, tuberous, rhizomatous, or semperflorens—are safe bets.

• USDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (most are grown as annuals)
• Color Varieties: Pink, red, orange, white, yellow, bicolor
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade (depends on type)
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea Group)

The beautiful "flowers" of the bougainvillea plant are specialized leaves called bracts that surround the flowers. The true tiny, tubular white flowers are inside the colorful bracts and produce very little pollen.

The Bougainvillea genus contains about 14 species. The plants cultivated for the garden are hybrid crosses of various species and their cultivars.

• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11 (often grown as annuals)
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, red, yellow, orange
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained

Cactus (Various spp.)

You might not think cactus plants have flowers, but they do. Many cacti require cross-pollination from another cactus plant to produce viable seed, but they do not rely on the wind to disperse it. Insects and birds take care of that for them.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–11 (depends on species)
• Color Varieties: White, pink, yellow, purple (depends on species)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Dry, gritty, well-drained soil

Camellia (Camellia spp.)

With lovely rose-like flowers, you might suspect camellias to be allergy-inducing plants. Still, camellias have "perfect" flowers, meaning they have both the male and female reproductive organs on the same flower. So their pollen does not have to travel far for pollination.

• USDA Growing Zones: 7–9
• Color Varieties: White, pink, red, yellow, or lavender
• Sun Exposure: Part shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, rich soil

Clematis (Clematis spp. and Hybrids)

Most Clematis vines do not irritate people with allergies except for the sweet autumn (Clematis terniflora) and the North American native virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana).

In addition to the vine forms, there is also low-growing clematis that has a shrublike growth habit.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–9 (depends on species)
• Color Varieties: White, blue, violet, red, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained soil

Coleus (Coleus spp.)

Coleus plants add so much color to the garden with their leaves that most gardeners pinch off the flowers before the Coleus plants bloom. This pruning will give you a thicker, lusher plant. Coleus plants are easy to propagate through stem cuttings.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10–11 (usually grown as annuals)
• Color Varieties: Foliage colors include mixes of green, red, orange, and yellow; the white or blue flowers are not showy
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Although the brush-like stamens of the columbine flower look like they could explode with pollen, these plants rely on nectar-loving birds and insects who dive into their flipped-back spurs in search of sweet nectar to brush up against their stamens and carry the pollen to the pistil for pollination.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–8
• Color Varieties: White, pink, red, blue, yellow (depends on species)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil

Geranium (Geranium spp.)

Perennial geraniums (Geranium spp.), also known as cranesbill, give off very little pollen. Breeders have even developed a pollen-free geranium. Not to be confused with annual zonal geraniums (Pelargonium), both are pollinated by insects. (Geraniums may not cause sneezing, but some people get contact irritation from touching the leaves.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–10 (grown as annuals everywhere)
• Color Varieties: White, pink, violet
• Sun Exposure: Full to part sun
• Soil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil

Hibiscus (Hibisus spp. and Hybrids)

Hibiscus flowers produce very heavy pollen, which is not airborne. However, people with hay fever should avoid drinking hibiscus tea, which is made with flowers and can still contain pollen.

In warmer zones, gardeners can grow tropical hibiscus species, but hardy hibiscus can also grow as far north as zone 4.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11
• Color Varieties: White, red, pink, orange, yellow, peach, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained soil

Hosta (Hosta spp.)

Hosta plants are workhorses in the garden. Gardeners love them because they require so little care. Since Hosta flowers are often are cut off before they bloom, there is no problem with allergies. However, many cultivars offer pretty, delicate blooms that attract pollinators. The pollen isn't windborne, so enjoy these delicate blooms without triggering allergies.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
• Color Varieties: Foliage colors range from yellow to blue-green
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)

Most hydrangeas are not irritants, especially modern cultivars. However, sensitive people might want to avoid 'Pee Gee' hydrangeas and 'Oak Leaf' hydrangeas.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
• Color Varieties: White, blue, green, red, pink, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil

Impatiens (Impatiens spp.)

The pollen particles of Impatiens plants are large and sticky: perfect for visiting insects to carry to the next flower but too heavy to be picked up by the wind. The common impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) nearly vanished for several years due to a large-scale infestation of downy mildew. Still, disease-resistant varieties are now available for this long-time favorite.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10–11 (grown as annuals elsewhere)
• Color Varieties: White, red, pink, violet, coral, purple, and yellow
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil

Bearded Iris (Iris spp.)

Iris does not depend on the wind for pollination. The sloping sepals of the iris flower are perfectly designed to lure bumblebees deep inside the flower, where they feast on nectar while rubbing up against the sticky pollen to carry off to the next flower.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
• Color Varieties: White, yellow, lavender, orange, blue, bicolors
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Any average, well-draining soil

Lilies (Lilium spp.)

While lilies have a good amount of pollen, removing the stamens and the pollen-laden anthers is easy. Be careful, because the yellow pollen can stain clothes and fingers. Even worse, the stems can exude a sap that causes contact irritation in sensitive people.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–10
• Color Varieties: White, yellow, orange, red, salmon, purple, bicolors
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-draining soil

Orchid (Orchidaceae family)

Orchid pollen does not often trigger allergic reactions, although some sensitive people may experience hay fever, especially if the plant is indoors. More likely, skin irritations from the sap some orchids exude can occur if you are allergic.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10–11; most are grown as houseplants
• Color Varieties: White, pink, yellow, lavender, purple
• Sun Exposure: Varies by species; most prefer indirect light
• Soil Needs: Varies by species; many are air plants

Petunia (Petunia spp.)

Petunias give off a faint scent that becomes much more pronounced when the plants are grown en masse. However, petunia pollen is not considered an allergen.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10–11; grown as annuals everywhere
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, green, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil

Phlox (Phlox. subulata, P. paniculata)

Phlox pollen is not airborne, and the plants are often suggested as an alternative to mums. Two species of phlox are most common as garden plants: Phlox subulata (creeping phlox) and P. paniculata (tall garden phlox).

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
• Color Varieties: White, pink, lavender, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil

Roses (Rosa spp. and Hybrids)

Although rose pollen can be airborne, most roses do not trigger hay fever. The worst culprits seem to be wild species roses. Roses with dense petals—generally hybrid forms—release less pollen than single flowers.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
• Color Varieties: Pink, yellow, white, orange, red, green, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained loamy soil

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Snapdragons are an excellent choice for both spring and fall gardens. Bees love to squeeze their way inside the snapped-shut flower, which keeps its pollen contained. Tall and short varieties of snapdragons are available, and these plants will freely self-seed to establish returning colonies of flowers.

• USDA Growing Zones: 7–11 (grown as annuals everywhere)
• Color Varieties: White, yellow, pink, red, orange, peach, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining soil

Spring Bulbs (Various spp.)

Most spring bulbs are self-pollinating. Although their pollen can become airborne, the flowers tend to be very low in pollen. This grouping includes some of the most popular spring bloomers, including crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, and tulips.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–8 (depends on species)
• Color Varieties: All colors; depends on the species
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Depends on species; most prefer moist but well-draining soil

Sea Thrift (Ameria maritima)

The cheery globes of sea thrift's pink or white flowers rely on bees for pollination and should not cause hay fever sufferers any distress. Sea thrift thrives in poor soils, and root clumps will rot in the center if planted in perpetually moist soil. Deadheading the spent flowers will encourage further blooms.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
• Color Varieties: Pink to white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Dry, well-drained soil

Verbena (Verbena x hybrida)

Verbena plants are suggested for attracting more pollinators to your garden. Although they are rich in nectar and pollen, the pollen of verbena does not travel on the wind and should not affect people with hay fever. Potted verbenas can be brought indoors to overwinter as houseplants.

• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11 (generally grown as annuals)
• Color Varieties: White, red, purple, pink, peach (depends on variety)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil

Viola and Pansy (Viola spp. and Hybrids)

The thick, sticky pollen of members of the various violas, including pansies, is too heavy to be caught up in the wind.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
• Color Varieties: Light to deep violet, white, blue, yellow, cream, and multi-colors
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining soil

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Although zinnias are part of the Aster genus that contains many species that trigger hay fever, the newer hybrid zinnias do not appear to cause problems for most people. There are many heights and flower shapes of zinnia available. Zinnias will readily self-seed in the garden. If you're planting newer hybrid varieties, the seedlings may not come true to the parent plants.

• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11; often grown as annuals
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, orange, lavender, white, red, and green
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-draining soil