Sympathy Plants

Sympathy plants keep growing long after cut flowers fade, a lasting reminder that someone cared. Choose from 15 peace lilies, orchids, dish gardens and a florist's choice green plant, each hand-picked and delivered by a local florist near the recipient.

A plant suits a family's home, an office or the funeral home, and it can stay with the family for years. Our guide explains which plant to choose, how to care for it and what to know about pets.

How to choose sympathy plants

Peace lilies, orchids or a dish garden

Peace lilies are the classic funeral plants, with glossy leaves and white blooms often linked with peace, purity and renewal. Five designs here feature one, including the Peace Lily Plant for Sympathy in a woven basket, the Comfort Planter Spathiphyllum in a white ceramic pot, and the Double Plant Basket, which pairs a peace lily with a palm. Five are phalaenopsis orchids, often associated with love and admiration, from the White Orchid Single Stem in Spanish moss to the lavender Divine Orchid; see all our orchids. Four dish gardens group several plants in one container, some with a few blooming plants, and Designer's Choice - Green Plant lets the florist choose the healthiest plant on hand.

Easy care for a grieving family

Pick a plant that asks little. A peace lily tolerates low light and droops slightly when it's thirsty, so water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Orchids like bright, indirect light and a small drink about once a week, and after flowering they rest before sending up new spikes. Keep these condolence plants out of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves, and away from cold drafts.

Pets in the home

Peace lilies are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so set them up high in a home with curious pets. They aren't true lilies, which are far more dangerous to cats. Phalaenopsis orchids are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes an orchid a safer pick for a pet owner. For more potted choices, browse all our plants.

Sympathy plant questions

What is a good sympathy plant to send?

A peace lily is the most common choice because it's easy to care for and blooms indoors. An orchid suits someone who likes a tidy, elegant plant, and a dish garden puts several plants in one basket. For a small space, the single-stem orchid or the Comfort Planter fits a side table.

What plant is known as the funeral plant?

The peace lily, or spathiphyllum, is often called the funeral plant because so many are sent to services and homes after a loss. Its white blooms are widely seen as a symbol of peace, and it's forgiving if a grieving family forgets to water it now and then.

Can funeral plants go to the funeral home?

Yes. A plant can stand with the other tributes at the visitation, and the family usually takes it home afterward. Use the funeral home's full address and choose a date before the service. Plants also do well sent straight to the house, where nobody has to move them.

How fast is sympathy plant delivery?

A local florist delivers these plants, so same-day delivery is often possible: order by 2:00 PM ET Monday to Friday or 1:30 PM ET on Saturday, when today's date shows for that ZIP code. There are no Sunday deliveries. The shipping policy has the details.

Do any sympathy plants come in a keepsake container?

Yes. The Small Elegant Spathiphyllum comes in a plain basket or a keepsake container in three sizes, and the Large Elegant Spathiphyllum offers a plain basket or a specialty keepsake container the family can keep after the plant is repotted.