Arlington National Cemetery Flower Rules: What You Can Place and When

Arlington National Cemetery is run by the U.S. Army, not by Veterans Affairs, and its decoration rules are its own. They are stricter than many cemeteries, and they are enforced: anything outside the rules is collected during maintenance. Here is what Arlington allows, in the cemetery's own terms.

Fresh cut flowers: any time

"Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time." Arlington provides temporary cones to hold them, in containers placed around the cemetery for visitors to use. Flowers are removed once they fade.

Artificial flowers: October 10 to April 15

"Artificial flowers may be placed on gravesites from October 10 through April 15." Silk flowers placed outside those dates are removed. If you want an arrangement to last through the winter, the season opens on October 10.

Wreaths: December 1 to January 31

"Wreaths are permitted during the holiday season (Dec. 1 through Jan. 31)." This is also when Wreaths Across America volunteers lay wreaths across the cemetery.

Potted plants: around Easter only

"Potted plants are permitted seven days before and seven days after Easter Sunday."

What is not allowed

• Grave blankets and Christmas trees.
• Permanent flower containers. These are "no longer authorized for placement."
• Flags, statues, vigil lights and glass objects of any kind.
• Commemorative items, ammunition, alcohol, and knives or other sharp objects.

Arlington states that items left at graves and niches "will be collected and disposed of to facilitate normal cemetery maintenance procedures, such as mowing."

Columbarium and niche walls

For a loved one in a niche, flowers may be placed at the bottom of the column at the niche wall or in the columbarium, not attached to the niche itself.

Visiting hours

Arlington is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check the cemetery's website before a visit, since hours and access can change for ceremonies and holidays.

Other national cemeteries

The national cemeteries run by Veterans Affairs each post their own floral rules, and they differ more than most people expect: some allow artificial flowers year-round, others only in a short winter window. Our national cemeteries pages list each cemetery's rules.