Why flowers should not be plucked in the evening

The bright flowers that add a pop of colour to any space are considered pure, sacred, and holy. Their colours, the fragrance, the way in which they attract birds and butterflies, and so many other things make them a complete delight. And these flowers have so many benefits as well. Be it offering them to Gods during rituals and ceremonies, to growing them at home and using them in your home temple, flowers are versatile to say the least.

Flowers are considered sacred and hold an important place in rituals and offerings. They are used to decorate idols of Gods and Goddesses, offered in prayers, are colour-coordinated to go with the murti’s clothes, and more. In Hinduism, flowers like jasmine, rose, lotus, and marigold are used in temple offerings, and some of them are also said to be seats of the Gods themselves!

And so, it is only obvious that people avoid plucking flowers during the nighttime and after sunset. But, except for the sacred nature, why else should people not pluck flowers in the evening? Read on to know.

A reason that has been explained to us since childhood is that one should not pluck flowers in the evening because they too have a sleep cycle! Just as we sleep at night to refresh ourselves, plants too have a resting phase. During the day, plants engage in photosynthesis, producing oxygen and growing. But, as evening comes near and the sun sets, their activities slow down. And thus, the argument and belief that ‘plants also need to sleep’ became one of the most widely known reasons as to why flowers should not be plucked at night.

Another widely known reason is that gods and goddesses reside in flowers and plants. For example, Maa Lakshmi is believed to sit on a lotus flower, Maa Kali is believed to love the strong, bright Hibiscus flower, Marigold is offered to almost every Hindu God and Goddess, and the likes. So, plucking flowers, especially in the evening, is thought to disturb the gods or the divine energy within the plants.

When talking from a science and logic perspective, evening and nighttime are periods when plants switch from photosynthesis to respiration. During the day, plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen, but at night or in the evening, they release CO2.
So, when flowers are plucked in the evening, this natural exchange is disturbed, and it then has a negative effect on the plant’s health.

No matter morning or evening, plucking flowers although looks harmless, it really is not. Flowers are not just decor items that can be plucked and used, but an important part of the plant, food for the bees and birds, and attraction for the butterflies. By plucking the flowers, people do not just take the petals out, but also with them are plucked off the seeds that could have fallen down and gave birth to new plants.

Along with that, plucking away flowers ‘just for fun’ and without any pruning need can result in the nodes getting weak over time, making the plant ‘flowerless’ forever.

Many night-blooming flowers are dull in colours, but are very fragrant. And this fragrance attracts all types of insects that come in search of nectar, pollen, and more. And so, as the nighttime comes and darkness covers the space, the insect sitting or hiding near a flower will not be visible to the naked eye. And if you pluck a flower during the evening, not knowing about the insect, it will startle the animal and can result in a bite, sting, or something more harmful. So, it is best to be clear from flowers during that time.