Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Communication
お見舞いの花は、鉢植えではなく切り花を選ぶのが基本ですよ。 — For hospital-visit flowers, it's basic to choose cut flowers rather than potted plants. (Cultural · Communication, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N3)
You
お見舞いの花は、鉢植えではなく切り花を選ぶのが基本ですよ。
おみまいのはなは、はちうえではなくきりばなをえらぶのがきほんですよ。
For hospital-visit flowers, it's basic to choose cut flowers rather than potted plants.
Romaji: Omimai no hana wa, hachiue de wa naku kiribana wo erabu no ga kihon desu yo. / Reply Romaji: Hachiue wa 'nezuku' wo rensou suru kara desu ne.
Reply
鉢植えは「根付く」を連想するからですね。
はちうえは「ねづく」をれんそうするからですね。
Because potted plants suggest 'taking root' (long stay), right.
Gesture & etiquette
If purchasing for a visit, point at acceptable flowers in the florist with an open palm. Confirm 'お見舞い用' with the staff so they avoid prohibited types. Carry the bouquet with both hands.
Hospital flowers: AVOID 鉢植え (potted, 根付く 'taking root' implies long hospital stay). AVOID 椿 (camellia, head falls off whole = ominous), 菊 (chrysanthemum, funeral flower), 白い花 (all-white, funeral), strong scents (irritate sick patients), red flowers (suggest bleeding). CHOOSE soft-color cut flowers (pink, yellow, pastel), unscented or lightly scented. Many hospitals now ban all flowers — check first.