Mother's Day Flower Statistics

The first Mother’s Day in the U.S. was observed with a church service on May 10, 1908 at the request of Anna Jarvis. In honor of her deceased mother who loved carnations, Jarvis wore a pink carnation to the service. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson publicly declared the second Sunday in May as the official National Mother’s Day. Since then, flowers have continued to remain a top pick for a Mother’s Day gift.

Flower Sales

One-fourth of the flower and plant purchases made for holidays occur at Mother’s Day, according to the Society of American Florists. Consumer purchase data shows that in 2010 more than 25 percent of adults bought florals for Mother’s Day gifts. Fresh flowers accounted for 63 percent of the purchases. Another 35 percent were in the form of outdoor bedding and garden plants, and 22 percent were flowering houseplants. Another 12 percent of the overall purchases were for green, indoor houseplants.

Flower Recipients

Data collected by a 2005 IPSOS-Insight FloralTrends Consumer Tracking Study shows that 58 percent of the flowers purchased for Mother’s Day were bought as gifts for mothers. About 28 percent of the flowers sold for Mother’s Day were purchased as gifts for a wife and 17 percent for a mother-in-law. The survey data indicate that slightly more men than women buy flowers or plants to give as gifts for Mother’s Day.

Popular Floral Gifts

Some of the most popular Mother’s Day flowers include lilies, orchids, tulips, roses, irises, and callas. Although pink is a traditional color favorite for Mother’s Day flowers, brighter, bolder color combinations are becoming the trend. Popular plants for Mother’s Day include hydrangea, azaleas, chrysanthemums, and blooming kalanchoe plants. The numerous varieties of hydrangeas produce beautiful blossoms, but the plant requires some work to make it grow. Kalanchoe, also known as the Mother of Millions, is another popular plant that is easy to care for.

Flowers A Best Seller

While flowers are a common gift to give for any occasion, they remain one of the best-selling gifts that women receive on Mother’s Day. The best part is there are flower gifts available to suit nearly any gift-giving budget. Fresh flowers and arrangements make a thoughtful and special gift, especially if you live a long distance from the recipient. If you can’t be with your mother on Mother’s Day, you can still let her know how much you care. Order your floral gift from a local florist who will hand-deliver fresh flowers in a vase. Cut flower bouquets shipped in a box can dehydrate, leaving flowers arriving at their destination dried out and withered.