Birth month flowers are flowers linked to each month of the year, much like birthstones. Each one carries its own meaning, so giving someone their birth flower turns a simple bouquet into a personal message. Most months have two flowers, usually one that blooms in that season and a traditional alternative.
Use the chart below to find your flower, then read on for what each one means and how to use birth flowers in gifts, bouquets and keepsakes.
Birth Month Flowers Chart
| Month | Birth flowers | Main meanings |
|---|---|---|
| January | Carnation and snowdrop | Love, admiration, hope |
| February | Violet and primrose | Loyalty, modesty, young love |
| March | Daffodil (jonquil) | Rebirth, new beginnings |
| April | Daisy and sweet pea | Innocence, purity, gratitude |
| May | Lily of the valley and hawthorn | Sweetness, happiness, hope |
| June | Rose and honeysuckle | Love, passion, devotion |
| July | Larkspur and water lily | Positivity, openness, purity |
| August | Gladiolus and poppy | Strength, integrity, remembrance |
| September | Aster and morning glory | Wisdom, faith, affection |
| October | Marigold and cosmos | Warmth, creativity, harmony |
| November | Chrysanthemum | Joy, friendship, long life |
| December | Narcissus (paperwhite) and holly | Hope, renewal, protection |
January: Carnation and Snowdrop
Carnations are long-lasting, ruffled flowers that symbolize love, fascination and distinction. Pink carnations stand for a mother’s love, red for deep affection. The snowdrop, one of the first flowers to push through winter snow, represents hope and rebirth.
February: Violet and Primrose
Violets symbolize loyalty, modesty and faithfulness, while the primrose stands for young love. Read our full guide to the February birth flowers.
March: Daffodil
Bright yellow daffodils arrive with spring and represent rebirth, new beginnings and good fortune. A single daffodil is sometimes said to bring bad luck, so give them in a bunch. Want to grow your own? See when to plant daffodil bulbs.
April: Daisy and Sweet Pea
The daisy is a symbol of innocence, purity and cheerfulness. Sweet peas, with their delicate scent, express gratitude and a fond goodbye, which makes them a lovely “thank you” flower.
May: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn
Lily of the valley, with its tiny fragrant bells, means sweetness, humility and the return of happiness. It is a popular wedding flower. Hawthorn blossom represents hope and supreme happiness. Note that lily of the valley is highly toxic, so keep it away from children and pets.
June: Rose and Honeysuckle
The rose is the ultimate symbol of love, and every color has a meaning: red for romance, pink for gratitude, yellow for friendship and white for new beginnings. Honeysuckle stands for devoted affection and happiness. For healthy rose bushes, see our guide on when to prune roses.
July: Larkspur and Water Lily
Tall spikes of larkspur symbolize positivity, an open heart and lightness; pink larkspur means fickleness, while purple means first love. The water lily, floating calmly on ponds, represents purity and peace.
August: Gladiolus and Poppy
Gladiolus, named after the Latin word for sword because of its leaf shape, stands for strength of character, integrity and remembrance. Poppies represent imagination and, in red, remembrance of fallen soldiers.
September: Aster and Morning Glory
Star-shaped asters symbolize wisdom, faith and love, and morning glories represent affection. Learn more in our guide to the September birth flowers.
October: Marigold and Cosmos
Golden marigolds represent warmth, creativity and passion, while cosmos symbolize harmony and peace. Read the full October birth flower guide.
November: Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums bloom when the rest of the garden fades and stand for joy, friendship and long life. Discover each color’s meaning in our November birth flower guide.
December: Narcissus and Holly
Fragrant paperwhite narcissus represent hope and renewal, and holly stands for protection and a happy home. See the full December birth flower guide.
Where Do Birth Flowers Come From?
The tradition is thought to go back to ancient Rome, where flowers were used to celebrate birthdays and honor the gods of each season. It grew popular in Victorian England, when “floriography,” the language of flowers, let people send hidden messages through bouquets. Because traditions differ by country, you may see slightly different lists, especially between the US and the UK, but the flowers in our chart are the most widely accepted today.
Birth Flower Gift Ideas
- A birth flower bouquet: build the bouquet around the person’s flower, adding seasonal greenery.
- A potted plant or bulbs: a gift that grows, such as daffodil bulbs for a March birthday or a potted chrysanthemum for November.
- Seeds: perfect for gardeners, especially for easy annuals like cosmos, marigolds and sweet peas.
- Jewelry: birth-flower necklaces and rings, often paired with the matching birthstone.
- Art and prints: a framed illustration of the birth flower, or a family print combining everyone’s flowers.
- Pressed flowers: a keepsake card or frame with the real dried flower.
Conclusion
Birth month flowers are a simple way to make any gift more personal. From January carnations to December narcissus, each flower tells a story about the person you are celebrating. Bookmark this chart and use it the next time you choose flowers for a birthday.
FAQ
What is my birth flower?
Your birth flower depends on the month you were born. Find your month in the chart above; most months have two flowers.
Why do some months have two birth flowers?
Different traditions picked different flowers over time, and some original flowers are hard to find in season. Today most lists include both a primary and a secondary flower.
Are birth flowers the same in the UK and US?
Mostly, with small differences. For example, some UK lists give the iris for February and the hawthorn as the main May flower.
What is the rarest birth flower?
Lily of the valley (May) and larkspur (July) are among the hardest to find fresh outside their season, which makes them feel special as gifts.
