Anyone who thinks Valentine's Day flowers are exclusively a gift for women is wide of the mark. More and more partners — and friends, daughters and sisters too — are looking for the right bouquet for the man in their life. But which flowers actually suit a man? And how do you choose a bouquet that feels genuine without tipping into kitsch? This article gives you concrete answers.
The tradition of giving flowers on 14 February goes back to medieval Europe. Historically, Valentine's Day was not a one-sided affair — declarations of love flowed in both directions. Today the picture has shifted: studies show that around 80 per cent of Valentine's Day flower purchases are made by men for women. Yet surveys consistently find that many men would also enjoy receiving flowers — they simply rarely do.
A bouquet for a man is therefore not an odd idea at all, but a thoughtful gesture that stands out from the crowd. Precisely because it is still less common, the gift feels especially personal and considered.
When choosing flowers for a man, the guiding principle is: less whimsy, more structure and contrast. That does not mean roses are off the table — but the combination and colour choice make all the difference. Here are the most popular varieties and the impression they create:
On colour: deep, saturated tones — dark red, burgundy, dark blue (such as delphinium), deep violet or strong orange — read as more masculine than pastels. A monochromatic bouquet, where all the blooms sit within one colour family, often looks more elegant than a multi-coloured arrangement.
The language of flowers, known as floriography, has a long history. In Victorian England it was common to express feelings through flowers because voicing them openly was not considered proper. Many of those meanings still hold today:
Valentine's Day falls on 14 February, in the heart of late winter. Seasonal flowers such as tulips, narcissi and ranunculus are already available at that time of year, arriving fresh from the greenhouses of Dutch growers. Anyone looking to order valentines day flowers benefits from the fact that the Netherlands runs the world's largest flower auction — the choice in February is particularly wide.
A good bouquet for a man follows a few simple rules. First: less is more. A bouquet of five to seven stems of a single variety often makes a stronger impression than a lavish arrangement of ten different flowers. Second: pay attention to greenery. Bold foliage such as eucalyptus or pittosporum gives the bouquet structure without making it look soft.
If you want to order holiday flowers online, plan a few days ahead of 14 February. Delivery capacity at flower couriers is under heavy pressure around Valentine's Day. Ordering by 11 or 12 February at the latest ensures the flowers arrive fresh and on time.
On care: fresh cut flowers last longest when the stem is cut at an angle (around 45 degrees), the water is changed daily, and the vase is kept out of direct sunlight and away from fruit. Ripe fruit releases ethylene, which accelerates wilting considerably. With these simple steps, most bouquets will last 7 to 14 days.
Flowers for men are not limited to Valentine's Day. Once you start, you quickly find there are plenty of fitting occasions:
8 March is another occasion worth noting. Women's Day flowers are traditionally given to women, but the day is about appreciation in general — and there is nothing to stop you turning the gesture around. You can order womensday flowers for the special people in your life, whatever the direction.
Flowers that pass through wholesale and retail often have four to seven days behind them before they even reach a vase. Regionsflorist sources its flowers directly from growers in the Netherlands — the heart of the European flower trade. That means shorter transport routes, fewer middlemen and noticeably fresher blooms for the recipient.
For a special occasion like Valentine's Day, that makes a tangible difference. Flowers that arrive on 14 February and still look beautiful a week or more later leave a lasting impression — not just on the day itself.
Delivery is made in specially designed transport boxes that keep the flowers upright and cool. A personal greetings card can be added on request — a detail that turns the bouquet into a complete gift.
In Germany it is not yet as common as in some other countries, but it is becoming increasingly normal. In the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, giving flowers to men has long been perfectly ordinary. The element of surprise often makes the gift all the more effective.
Sunflowers, proteas, anthuriums and allium are considered particularly masculine varieties. Red roses in a clean, simple bouquet without much decoration also work well. More important than the variety, however, is the colour choice: deep, saturated colours rather than pastels.
For 14 February, ordering by 11 February at the latest is advisable. All flower delivery services are heavily stretched around Valentine's Day. If you want to be certain, order even earlier and select delivery for exactly 14 February.
With good care — daily water changes, a diagonal cut and a cool position — most cut flowers last 7 to 14 days. Proteas and anthuriums are particularly long-lived and can last up to three weeks. Sunflowers and tulips are more delicate and typically last 5 to 8 days.
If you would like to know more about suitable flowers for other occasions: the same principles around freshness and variety apply when you order mothers day flowers — the tips here are just as relevant there as they are for Valentine's Day.
