Rules about Flowers for Puja

• If you are collecting flowers for puja from your own garden, they should be plucked  only in the morning after taking bath. Flowers kept overnight should not be used for puja.
• But if you are buying the flowers, this rule does not apply.

           न पर्युषितदोषोऽस्ति मालाकारगृहेषु च । (आचारेन्दु पृ. १६३)

• Before plucking flowers, wash hands and feet, and perform achamana.
• Face towards east while plucking flowers.

Before plucking the flower, say this shloka -

मा नु शोकं कुरुष्व एवं स्थानत्यागं च मा कुरु । 

देवतापूजनार्थाय प्रार्थयामि वनस्पते ॥ 

Ma nu shokam kurushva evam sthanatyagam cha ma kuru.

Devata pujanarthaya prarthayami vanaspate.

Meaning - Do not be sad, do not leave this place. O plant, I pray to you (to allow me to pluck your flowers) for the purpose of worshiping the deities.

While plucking the first flower say - ॐ वरुणाय नमः (Om Varunaya Namaha)

While plucking the second  flower say - ॐ व्योमाय नमः (Om Vyomaya Namaha)

While plucking the third  flower say - ॐ पृथिव्यै नमः (Om Prithivyai Namaha)

Forbidden Flowers

• Flowers kept overnight (unless purchased)
• Dried or decayed flowers
• Eaten by insects
• Flowers with holes in them
• Flowers already used in worship
• Flowers smelled by someone
• Flowers picked up from the ground
• Flowers some petals of which have fallen
• Flowers with hair in them
• Buds (not fully blossomed). This doesn’t apply to Lotus.
• Flowers kept in impure basket / vessel
• Flowers kept at impure place
• Flowers that do not look beautiful
• Flowers without fragrance. This doesn’t apply to Vilwa.
• Flowers with pungent smell
• Flowers plucked with the left hand
• Flowers collected in clothes / garments
• Flowers dipped in water

Special rules for Tulasi

Say this mantra while plucking Tulasi -

तुलस्यमृतजन्मासि सदा त्वं केशवप्रिया । चिनोमि केशवस्यार्थे वरदा भव शोभने ॥ 

त्वदङ्गसम्भवैः पत्रैः पूजयामि यथा हरिम् । तथा कुरु पवित्राङ्गि ! कलौ मलविनाशिनि ॥

Tulasyamritajanmasi sada tvam Keshava-priya.

Chinomi Keshavasyaarthe varada bhava shobhane.

Tvadanga-sambhavaih patraih pujayami yatha Harim.

Tatha kuru pavitrangi! Kalau mala-vinashini.

Meaning - O Tulasi, you are born of nectar, and always dear to Keshava. I pluck you for the sake of Keshava; please grant me blessings, O beautiful one. With leaves born from your body, I worship Hari. Please make this so, O pure one, who removes impurities in Kaliyuga.

• Tulasi should not be plucked as single leaves. It should be plucked as tips (a few leaves and flower - manjari - together). 
• Do not wear footwear while collecting Tulasi.
• Do not collect Tulasi on days having Vaidhriti or Vyatipata yogas. This can be checked in panchangam.
• Do not pluck Tulasi on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
• Do not pluck Tulasi on Dwadashi, Amavasya, and Purnima.
• Do not pluck Tulasi on sankranthi
• Do not pluck Tulasi in the night or during morning and evening twilights..
• If any of the above forbidden days is coming up on the next day, then you can collect Tulasi on the previous day itself.
• If fresh Tulasi leaves are not available, you can use even dried up ones.

Special rules for Vilwa

Say this mantra while plucking Vilwa leaves -

अमृतोद्भव ! श्रीवृक्ष ! महादेवप्रियः सदा । गृह्णामि तव पत्राणि शिवपूजार्थमादरात् ॥

Amritodbhava! Shrivriksha! Mahadevapriyah sada.

Grihnami tava patrani Shivapujartham adarat.

Meaning - O one born of nectar! Sacred tree! Always beloved of Mahadeva. I respectfully take your leaves for the worship of Shiva.

• Vilwa leaves should be offered as triplets.
• Do not pluck Vilwa on Chaturthi, Ashtami, Navami, Chaturdashi, Amavasya, and Sankranthi.
• Do not pluck Vilwa on Mondays.
• For puja on the above days, you can collect on the previous day.
• If fresh Vilwa leaves are not available you can wash and reuse ones that are already offered to Bhagavan.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi