The short answer: send something cheerful and easy to care for, keep the card message short and warm, and think about where the person is recovering. A bright bouquet in a vase suits most people at home, a plant suits a longer recovery, and a small basket or a balloon is a nice touch for a child. Here is how to choose.
Start with how they are recovering
Get well flowers are about the person, not the illness. A few questions help you pick the right gift:
- Are they at home or in hospital? Most people now recover at home, where there is more space and fewer rules. If they are in hospital, read our guide to sending flowers to someone in hospital first, because some units do not allow flowers or plants. If they live in a care or retirement residence, see sending flowers to a long-term care home.
- How long will the recovery take? After a short stay or a minor procedure, a bouquet is perfect. For weeks of rest after surgery or an injury, a plant lasts much longer and keeps giving.
- How much energy do they have? Someone who is tired or sore will not want to trim stems or change water every day. Choose something that arrives ready to enjoy.
- Who else lives with them? If there are cats in the home, skip lilies, which are toxic to cats. Roses, gerberas, sunflowers and carnations are safer choices.
What to send
A bright bouquet in a vase
A bouquet that arrives in its own vase is the classic get well gift, and for good reason. It is ready to set on a bedside table or kitchen counter, and the person only needs to top up the water. Bright colours are the usual choice: yellow, orange, hot pink and cheerful mixed bouquets feel warm and hopeful. Gerberas are a favourite because their big, round faces look like little suns. Our Cheerful Thoughts Bouquet is a dozen gerberas, and you will find many more bright designs in our get well flowers.
A plant for a longer recovery
When someone faces a long stretch at home, a plant can be the better gift. A planter garden or a succulent needs very little care and stays green for weeks or months, long after a bouquet would have faded. It is also a quiet reminder, every time they look at it, that someone is thinking of them. Browse our potted plants and succulents, such as the Blooming Garden 4, and see our guide to caring for succulents and planter gardens if you want to pass on a few tips.
A basket arrangement
Flowers arranged in a basket need no vase at all and sit steadily on a table or windowsill, which makes them easy for someone who is not moving around much. The Adorable You Basket, with lavender roses, spray roses, mini carnations and snapdragons, is a soft and gentle choice.
A little extra for a child
For a child who is unwell, a small bouquet with a balloon or a soft toy often means more than a large arrangement. Our Bear and Balloon Bunch can be added to an order to make it extra fun.
Thoughtful gifts on a budget
A get well gift does not need to be large to mean a lot. A small, bright bouquet sent on a hard day often says more than an expensive one sent later. Our flowers and gifts under $60 are a good place to start, especially if you are sending on behalf of a group or a team at work.
When to send
Timing can make a gift feel even more thoughtful. A few guidelines:
- After surgery or a procedure, aim for the day they get home or the day after, once they have settled in.
- For a long recovery, consider sending a second, smaller gift a few weeks later, when the first round of cards and visits has slowed down.
- If you are not sure when someone will be home, ask a family member before you order, so the flowers do not sit on a doorstep.
What to write on a get well card
Keep it short, warm and about them. Avoid questions about the diagnosis or the treatment, and avoid promises like "you will be fine", which can feel hollow. Here are some ideas for different people in your life.
For a close friend or family member
- "Sending you love and something bright for your room. Call me when you feel up to it."
- "Take all the time you need. We are here for anything you need, big or small."
- "Missing you already. Rest up, and let us look after you for a change."
For a coworker
- "Wishing you a smooth recovery. Everyone at the office is thinking of you."
- "Get well soon, and do not worry about a thing here. We have it covered."
- "Sending our best wishes from the whole team. Take care of yourself."
For a neighbour or acquaintance
- "Thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery."
- "Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Please let us know if we can help with anything."
For a child
- "Get well soon, superstar! These flowers are almost as bright as you."
- "Sending a big hug and a balloon to cheer you up."
Sign the card clearly, with your full name or the name of your group, so the person knows exactly who it is from.
Helping the flowers last
A few simple steps help a get well bouquet stay fresh longer: keep it away from heaters and direct sun, top up the water every day, and remove any wilted blooms. Our guide to keeping a bouquet fresh longer has more tips you can share with the person or their family.
Ordering get well flowers from Mystic Flowers
Every arrangement is hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio. We offer same-day delivery of fresh flowers across the GTA, delivery is free on orders over $50, and every order includes a free handwritten card. Gift baskets are made to order, so please order them one day ahead. If you would like help choosing, call our studio at 905-677-9999.