The Meaning of Hypoallergenic
"Hypoallergenic” describes any item that causes fewer allergic reactions compared to similar items in its class. This term applies to everything from skincare products to dog breeds. Naturally, there are also hypoallergenic varieties of flowers. In medical terms, “hypo” means “below” and allergenic means “to cause an allergic reaction”. Therefore, it’s important to acknowledge that a hypoallergenic flower has lower levels of allergies than the typical flower — but it is not devoid of triggers.
Hypoallergenic flowers either have sticky pollen that doesn’t fly off easily into the air or have less pollen than typical flowers. When there are little to no allergens released into the air, the flower is less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Generally, if the plant is hybridized, it is less likely to trigger allergies. For example, the dahlia is a well-known allergy trigger, but its hybridized variation has sticky pollen. Single-flower baby’s breath is a common allergy culprit, but its hybrid “double” form is has a low pollen count.
If you or someone you know has a strong pollen allergy, don’t fret — these hypoallergenic flowers will still make excellent gifts without requiring tissues or medication.
