Birthday Flowers and Their Meanings

Carnation and Snowdrop

Let’s kick off with January birthday flowers: carnations and snowdrops. These resilient blooms are among the few that dare to thrive in winter’s chill – just like all those strong January babies we all know and love!

Carnations, with their stunning ruffled petals, are always a popular gift and are seen to symbolise love, devotion, and loyalty. Meanwhile, those delicate drooping snowdrops represent rebirth and hope, perfectly capturing the fresh-start energy of the new year.

Violet and Primrose

Forget Valentine’s red roses— the February birthday flower is shared between violets and primroses instead. Recognisable by their beautiful blue-purple hues, violets grow heart-shaped petals, which had them playing starring roles in ancient love potions. These days, violets are celebrated for their association with faith, wisdom, and hope. 

Then there’s the primrose, February’s secondary birth flower. Symbolic of youth and everlasting life, primrose is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, hence its Latin derivative ‘primus’ meaning ‘first’. Talk about a birthday flower with staying power!

Daffodil and Jonquil

Ah, nothing says spring is here like the blooming of vibrant daffodils. The primary birth flower for the month of March, these bright and cheerful blooms are seen as a sign of good fortune and rebirth. If you’re lucky enough to have a March birthday flower, then we can only assume you’re a veritable ray of sunshine!

This one is a bit of a trick, as March’s secondary birth flower is also a type of daffodil.  Jonquils are part of the larger daffodil family; comparing them side by side, you’ll see a difference. Both daffodils and jonquils share similar symbolic meanings surrounding new beginnings and the arrival of warmer seasons.

Daisy and Sweet Pea

Pure, innocent, and humble, the daisy is the primary birth flower for April. Able to grow from early spring to late autumn, daisies are incredibly adaptable. They’re also commonly believed to be one of the oldest flowers on earth, with their modern name coming from the Old English ‘daes eage’, meaning ‘day’s eye’ – a reference to how they open and close with the sun.

Sweet pea is your secondary April birthday flower. Representative of pleasure and gratitude, sweet peas give off a deliciously sweet scent that makes them a welcome addition to spring bouquets.

Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn

The primary May birthday flower is the lily of the valley. Recognisable by its delicate white flowers and sweet fragrance, it symbolises sweetness, humility, and motherhood. It’s no wonder they appear everywhere, from Mother’s Day floral arrangements to wedding flowers.

Hawthorn is also associated with May birthdays. With its petite pink and white flowers in spring that transform into vibrant red berries in the autumn, hawthorn represents hope and happiness. Some cultures even believe it holds magical powers, and it’s not uncommon to find this impressive flower in protective spells and love rituals.

Rose and Honeysuckle

If you’re lucky enough to be born in June, then you’ve hit the floral jackpot. The most popular flower by a long shot, the June birthday month flower is the timeless and elegant rose. The symbolic meaning of roses differs depending on their colour, with red roses representing romantic love, pink roses symbolising happiness, and yellow ones connecting with friendship. 

Not only do June babies get one of the best-known flowers for their birth month, but they get honeysuckle, too. This lovely, sweet-smelling flower grows on shrubs, attracting butterflies and birds – unsurprising, then, that honeysuckle flowers represent bonds of love and connection.

Larkspur and Water Lily

Also known as delphinium, larkspur is the elegant birth flower for the month of July. A classic British bloom, you’ll likely have come across this flower if you enjoy a summer woodland walk. It grows in various vibrant colours, including indigo, purple, and pink, and is thought to symbolise dignity, positivity, and love – they really are a smile-inducing bloom!

Did you know that July’s secondary birth flower, the water lily, is named after a Greek nymph? These serene floating blooms aren’t just gorgeous to look at; they’re packed with meaning that transcends cultures. 

They signal purity, unity, and peace with Hindu and Buddhist beliefs incorporating innocence and fertility, too. With such a cheerful and harmonious floral duo, July babies will surely be kind and joyful company!

Gladiolus and Poppy

The primary August birth flower is the gladiolus. Seen as a symbol of strength of character, generosity, and honesty, the gladiolus is also known as the ‘sword lily’ because of its striking flower spikes, which Victorian Romantics believed could pierce hearts with their beauty. It also grows in abundant bright summer colours that are sure to brighten anyone’s day.

In a delightful twist, the secondary August birthday flower is the poppy. Instantly recognisable by their vivid red colour, poppies are symbolic of relaxation and calm. A little different to the gladiolus, but if we merge their floral meanings, you’ll get someone who embodies fierce strength and serene composure. August babies really can do it all!

Aster and Morning Glory

The September birthday flower, the aster, gets its name from the ancient Greek word for ‘star—and one look at those perfect star-shaped blooms, and you’ll see why! Beautiful and dainty, asters come in tonnes of colours, which blossom into their most vibrant state in September. These star-shaped beauties carry meanings of love, wisdom, and faith.

Sharing the September spotlight is morning glory. Symbolic of love and affection, these trumpet-shaped flowers get their unique name from the way they bloom—opening in the morning sun and closing in the afternoon.

Marigold and Cosmos

The birth flower for the month of October is the marigold. A super fitting representation of autumnal beauty, this golden bloom is one of the season’s most resilient flowers, hence why it’s often associated with determination and stubbornness of character.

However, it has a warmer side and is also thought to symbolise passion and creativity. Marigolds are also heralded for their healing properties and have a long history of use in medicines to heal inflammation and skin issues.

Your secondary October birth month flower is the cosmos. These delicate flowers look similar to daisies and grow in various attractive colours, including pink, white, and orange. A symbol of peace and tranquility, the flower really speaks to the zen-like qualities of those born in October.

Chrysanthemum

One of the most popular flowers in the world, the chrysanthemum, is the November birth month flower. Also known as ‘mums’, these unique blooms grow in abundant beautiful colours, symbolising happiness, loyalty, and honesty.

A truly joyful flower, chrysanthemums are thought to bring good luck to those who display them and even have their own special Japanese celebration called the Festival of Happiness. With all this joy, it’s no wonder those born in November are always smiling.

We know what you’re thinking: why does November only have one birth flower? While there’s no definitive answer, we believe the beauty and cheer that chrysanthemums bring carries the weight of countless flowers.

Having said that, some like to give the lovely peony the status of November’s secondary birth flower. Symbolic of love, honour, and good fortune, peonies are a good match.

Narcissus and Holly

If you were born in December and already know about flowers for birth months, chances are you’ve heard about the origin of narcissus. 

Named after a character from Greek mythology who was so in love with his reflection that he drowned in a pool of water, you’d be forgiven for thinking the December birth flower was less than complimentary. Well, you’ll be glad to know that not only is narcissus also symbolic of faithfulness and respect, but you get a second festive addition, too.

Holly is synonymous with winter and the season’s festivities. With evergreen leaves and stunning red berries, it’s no wonder holly is a firm favourite for festive decorations and December birthday flower bouquets. Known for goodwill, peace, and merriment, holly truly is the perfect symbol of festive joy.