Flowers can make a garden look beautiful, but they aren’t always a good match for people with allergies. Some varieties release large amounts of pollen into the air, while others can cause irritation through direct contact. If you’re sensitive to pollen, spending time in the garden may leave you dealing with sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, or other allergy symptoms.
That doesn’t mean you have to give up gardening. Choosing plants with lower pollen levels can make a big difference. If you’re planning an allergy-friendly landscape, these are ten flowers you may want to leave off your planting list.
Ragweed (Ambrosia)
Ragweed is one of the biggest allergy triggers in North America. Its lightweight pollen travels for miles on the wind, making it responsible for many cases of seasonal hay fever. Although it’s considered a weed rather than a garden flower, it can easily take over flower beds and lawns if left unchecked. Pull it out as soon as it appears to help reduce pollen around your home.
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Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums brighten up fall gardens with their colorful blooms, but they can be troublesome for allergy sufferers. As members of the daisy family, they produce pollen that may trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms. Handling the flowers can also cause skin irritation for some people.
Daisies
Daisies are a classic garden favorite, but they’re another member of the Asteraceae family, which includes several common allergy-producing plants. Their pollen can become airborne during dry, breezy weather. If you like their cheerful look, Gerbera daisies are often a better choice because they produce less airborne pollen.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers bring plenty of color to the garden, but they aren’t always kind to allergy sufferers. Large blooms can produce a fair amount of pollen, and handling the flower heads may leave pollen on your hands and clothing. Planting them farther away from patios or entryways may help reduce exposure.
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Lilies
Lilies are known for their large, fragrant blooms, but their pollen can be messy. The bright yellow pollen easily rubs off onto skin, clothing, and furniture. For people with pollen allergies, touching the flowers and then rubbing your eyes or face can lead to irritation. Removing the pollen-bearing anthers after the flowers open may help limit the problem.
Amaranth (Pigweed)
Amaranth is often grown for its colorful foliage and dramatic flower spikes, but some varieties produce pollen that can trigger seasonal allergies. Like ragweed, the pollen is carried by the wind, making it easy to inhale. If pollen is already a problem for you, there are many other ornamental plants that are less likely to cause symptoms.
Zinnias
Zinnias are easy to grow and bloom for months, making them popular in home gardens. Their flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. While insects carry much of the pollen, brushing against the blooms or trimming spent flowers can still stir up enough pollen to bother sensitive gardeners.
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Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
Baby’s breath is a common filler in bouquets, but it has earned a reputation for causing allergy symptoms in some people. The tiny flowers produce pollen that may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, especially when large amounts are gathered together in floral arrangements or planted in clusters.
Goldenrod (Solidago)
Goldenrod is often blamed for seasonal allergies, though ragweed is usually the real culprit because both plants bloom at the same time. Goldenrod pollen is heavier and relies mostly on insects instead of the wind. Still, people who handle the flowers or spend time close to large patches may notice allergy symptoms.
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Hyacinths
Hyacinths are loved for their colorful blooms and strong fragrance, but that scent can be overwhelming for people with sensitivities. While the fragrance itself isn’t pollen, it may trigger headaches or respiratory irritation in some individuals. The bulbs and sap can also irritate the skin, so wearing gardening gloves while planting or dividing them is a good idea.
