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Flower power: How favourite flower colours shape how we feel
A L Sachs1, E K Larsen2, L S Chalmin-Pui1
1Science and Collections Division, Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, UK; School of Architecture and Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Acta Psychologica
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Flower color significantly impacts garden emotions. Bright, warm colors like red and yellow evoke happiness and energy, while cool or muted tones promote relaxation and calm.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Horticultural Science
- Color Theory
Background:
- Gardens are recognized as restorative environments.
- Limited evidence exists on how specific garden design elements, like flower color, influence emotions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of flower color on emotional responses in a garden setting.
- To analyze the relationship between specific color characteristics (hue, saturation, lightness) and emotional valence and power.
Main Methods:
- Collected data from 11,569 participants at an interactive garden exhibit.
- Participants selected favorite flower colors and reported associated emotions.
- Analyzed 36 color categories based on hue and cut (saturated, dark, light, muted), converting emotions into valence and power scores.
Main Results:
- Saturated red and yellow were the most frequent favorite colors.
- Saturated warm hues (red, orange, yellow) yielded the highest valence (happiness) and power (excitement).
- Light, muted, cool, and achromatic colors were associated with lower valence and power, indicating relaxation or calmness.
Conclusions:
- Flower color is a significant factor in shaping emotional experiences within gardens.
- Findings support the use of specific color palettes in garden design to enhance emotional wellbeing.
- Garden design can strategically leverage color psychology to create desired emotional atmospheres.
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