Birth flowers are like birthstones, holding special value as symbols for the month you were born. The flowers are chosen based on the season they bloom best, their cultural significance, and sometimes their religious meanings. Read on to uncover your birth flower and find out what they symbolize. Fair warning: there’s a chance you will reconsider your favorite flower once you discover what your birth flower is.
Since not all flowers grow anywhere, and since there can be more than one birth flower (after all- why not?), you can also find a secondary birth flower list at the end of the end.
January – Carnation
January is the coldest month of the year, and carnations are flowers that can produce bright blooms in above-freezing temperatures. This winter flower represents innocence, admiration, fortune, love, affection, and gratitude. The name comes from the Greek word for coronation because they are always used for flower crowns. So on your next birthday, give yourself a flower crown made of carnations!
February – Violet
A lot of people are usually surprised to find out that violets are the official birth month flowers for February. Most of them would expect roses for February because of Valentine’s Day. But in some cultures, violets were the flowers for Valentine’s before roses became the popular choice. This flower symbolizes wisdom, integrity, loyalty, and humility.
March – Daffodil
You know winter is over once you see the daffodils bloom. This flower represents new beginnings, positive changes, and good fortune. They are a strong symbol of resilience because they manage to survive the winter chill, ready to bloom once the snow melts. The cheerful daffodil is considered the ultimate spring flower, making it the perfect choice to represent the first month of spring.
April – Daisy
Motherhood, change, purity, and innocence are traits that the daisy symbolizes. The dainty daisy comes in different colors, all with a yellow center. In some cultures, daisies mean true love, making them a great way to show affection to a partner.
Communicating with Flowers
Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, people expressed their thoughts and desires through flowers. Each flower held a message rooted in its symbolism. So the next time you receive flowers, try to look up their meaning—the sender might be telling you something special!
May – Lily of the Valley
The Lily of the Valley is a delicate flower with small blossoms grouped together on one stem. Surrounded by greenery, it gives off that beautiful wildflower feel. This birth flower represents sweetness, chastity, motherhood, and purity. It’s also known for its sweet fragrance, which can be a great stress reliever.
June – Rose
Summer is the ideal season for roses, which is why they are the birth flowers for June instead of February. Known for symbolizing love, this “queen of flowers” also stands for beauty, commitment, sensuality, and royalty. The different colors of the rose add layers of meaning—for example, a white rose represents young love, while an orange rose symbolizes passionate love.
July – Larkspur
Larkspurs have a wildflower beauty, with one stem holding several dainty blooms. They generally represent love, positivity, dignity, and grace. But the many colors they come in have their own meanings too. For instance, a white larkspur represents happiness and joy, while a purple larkspur symbolizes ambition and influence.
What to Do with Birth Flowers
Wondering what you can do with this knowledge? There are many ways to incorporate birth flowers into your life. You could decorate your home with them, grow your birth flower in your garden, or even personalize your clothing and accessories with a floral touch. Birth flowers also make excellent gifts—find out someone’s birth month and surprise them with a bouquet of their corresponding flower.
Just like birthstones and zodiac signs, birth flowers are unique symbols that celebrate individuality. Honoring your birth flower is a timeless and cherished tradition to express who you are.
August – Gladiolus
This flower, also called the sword lily due to its unique shape, comes with long, pointed leaves that look like swords. The gladiolus is known as the best flower to give someone with a strong character. This August birth flower is available in numerous colors, and it represents perseverance, loyalty, and integrity.
September – Aster
Also known as frostflowers and starworts, asters are the birth flowers for September. In ancient times, asters were believed to have magical powers and were often used in charms and spells. The star-shaped flower symbolizes wisdom, faith, royalty, innocence, valor, and purity.
October – Marigold
Marigolds come in colors that resemble autumn leaves, making them the perfect birth flower for the month that welcomes the fall season. This golden flower represents creativity, warmth, passion, and beauty. Different cultures also have unique meanings for marigolds. In India, they symbolize good luck and positive energy, while in Mexico, they are used to honor departed loved ones.
November – Chrysanthemum
The birth flower of November comes in different sizes and colors. The color of the chrysanthemum may have different meanings depending on your culture. For example, yellow symbolizes happiness, while violet means thoughtfulness. In general, these cheerful flowers represent loyalty, deep passion, honesty, and get-well-soon wishes. In Japan, chrysanthemums are highly regarded and serve as the royal emblem for the imperial family.
December – Narcissus
Narcissus flowers have a distinct look thanks to their center part that resembles a trumpet. Sometimes called paperwhites, these winter blooms symbolize hope, good fortune, and wealth. A bouquet of narcissus flowers for a significant other sends a message that they are the only one in your heart.
Secondary Birth Flowers
The primary birth flowers listed above are well-recognized, but there are also secondary birth flowers. These are identified because not all cultures agree on which flowers correspond to each month, or because certain regions do not have the primary birth flower growing in their area.
- January – Snowdrop
- February – Primrose
- March – Jonquil
- April – Sweet Pea
- May – Hawthorn
- June – Honeysuckle
- July – Water Lily
- August – Poppy
- September – Morning Glory
- October – Cosmos
- November – Peony
- December – Holly
