Petal Problems: Nearly 1 In 5 Say Theyve Never Received Flowers From Their Partner

If you cant name your partners favorite flower, youre not alone. A new survey suggests that many Americans don’t know — and for some, the bouquet never arrives at all.

The nationally representative survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of subscription florist BloomsyBox, found that nearly one in five people in relationships (19%) have never received flowers from their partner. Among those who do, only a quarter (25%) get them monthly or more, while another 24% say they receive flowers just a few times a year.

Even when flowers arent frequent, they remain powerful. The overwhelming majority of respondents said that receiving surprise flowers makes them feel loved (63%) or appreciated (41%). Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they would accept flowers as a way of mending fences, most often after a hurtful comment, a forgotten special date, or arriving late. Nearly a third said a bouquet could even soften the blow of a missed birthday (28%) or Valentines Day (29%).

“Flowers have long been a symbol of love and appreciation, but its clear that in modern relationships, they serve as much more,” said Juan Palacio, CEO of BloomsyBox. “Theyre a way to communicate emotions, repair missteps and show thoughtfulness, even when words fall short. Flowers remain a timeless way to strengthen connections and make everyday moments more meaningful.”

The findings also reveal how little many people know about their partners floral tastes. While one in four Americans believes their partner has a favorite flower, only 24% could correctly identify it, and 22% admitted they wouldnt even recognize what it looks like.

Generational preferences show shifting trends. Roses still dominate among older Americans, but Gen Z and millennials lean toward alternatives, with tulips (21%) and sunflowers (11%) leading the way for Gen Z, and sunflowers (12%) and lilies (7%) ranking highest among millennials.

The survey also tested basic flower knowledge. Most respondents could identify a sunflower (76%) or a rose (68%), but just 38% recognized an orchid, and only 9% could name a ranunculus, the least-identified flower overall.

“Flowers have always been a timeless expression of love, but the survey highlights how theyve evolved into a meaningful gesture for a range of occasions,” said Palacio. “Its interesting to see how different generations use flowers to convey emotions, whether it’s to show affection, express regret, or simply brighten someones day. Flowers remain one of the most personal and heartfelt ways to strengthen relationships.”