Flowers can improve your mood, UGA study finds

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A fresh bouquet of flowers may be part of your Valentine’s Day plans, and new research suggests they could do more than just look pretty.

University of Georgia researchers found that people with flowers in their homes or offices have improved moods. The study showed it doesn’t matter whether the flowers are a gift or not.

“I intuitively knew that flowers made people happy, but then seeing it on paper and seeing it in data, it really does make you happy,” Julie Campbell, an assistant professor focusing on consumer horticulture and consumer behavior with UGA’s Department of Horticulture, said.

While most flowers are still imported, Georgia has seen more flower farmers in recent years. The trend started right before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After COVID, people started realizing that this is something that they enjoy, and life’s too short. You can have flowers,” Campbell said. “Flowers make you happy, and people can do this. You can start a flower farm on a relatively small amount of acreage.”

More urban farms are selling flowers, while traditional farms are growing them to supplement their income. The expansion has brought more variety to consumers, according to Campbell.

“It’s not just the zinnias anymore,” she said. “There’s a lot of things that you can do, there’s a lot of different types of flowers, and there is an extended season as well.”

And flower purchases benefit more than just flower shops and farmers. People buy balloons, teddy bears, candy and food that pair with flowers, along with cards.

Researchers did say some people have to deal with flower allergies — but for the most part, having them around makes you feel better.