Long before birthstones were sold in every jewelry case, people were giving flowers that carried a message. Every month has its own birth flower, and most months have two. Each one comes with a meaning, which makes a birth flower one of the most personal (and easiest) gifts you can give.
This guide covers every birth flower by month, what each one means and a few ideas for turning it into a gift that lasts longer than a bouquet.
Birth Flowers by Month at a Glance
| Month | Birth flowers | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| January | Carnation, Snowdrop | Love, hope |
| February | Violet, Iris | Faithfulness, wisdom |
| March | Daffodil, Jonquil | New beginnings |
| April | Daisy, Sweet Pea | Innocence, gratitude |
| May | Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn | Sweetness, happiness |
| June | Rose, Honeysuckle | Love, devotion |
| July | Larkspur, Water Lily | Open heart, purity |
| August | Gladiolus, Poppy | Strength, remembrance |
| September | Aster, Morning Glory | Love, affection |
| October | Marigold, Cosmos | Warmth, harmony |
| November | Chrysanthemum, Peony | Joy, good fortune |
| December | Narcissus, Holly | Hope, protection |
January Birth Flowers: Carnation and Snowdrop
The carnation stands for love and admiration, and each color carries its own shade of meaning. The snowdrop is one of the first flowers to push through winter snow, which is why it symbolizes hope and new beginnings.
Gift ideas: Carnation Pin, Snowdrop Pin or the Snowdrop Necklace.
February Birth Flowers: Violet and Iris
The violet represents faithfulness and modesty, a sweet match for a birthday in the month of Valentine's Day. The iris, named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, stands for wisdom, hope and faith.
Gift ideas: Violet Pin or Iris Pin.
March Birth Flower: Daffodil
Bright yellow daffodils (and their close cousin, the jonquil) arrive with spring, so it's no surprise they symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. A daffodil gift is a cheerful way to say "here's to your next chapter."
Gift ideas: Daffodil Pin or the Daffodil Necklace.
April Birth Flowers: Daisy and Sweet Pea
The daisy stands for innocence, purity and true love (remember "he loves me, he loves me not"?). The sweet pea is often given to say thank you, carrying a message of gratitude and blissful pleasure.
Gift ideas: Daisy Pin or the Daisy Necklace.
May Birth Flowers: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn
With its tiny white blooms shaped like little bells, lily of the valley symbolizes sweetness, humility and the return of happiness. It's a classic wedding flower, too. The hawthorn represents hope.
Gift ideas: Lily of the Valley Pin or the Lily of the Valley Necklace.
June Birth Flowers: Rose and Honeysuckle
The rose is the most famous flower of all, and its color changes the message. Red means love, pink means admiration and gratitude, and yellow means friendship. Honeysuckle stands for devoted affection.
Gift ideas: rose pins in red, pink, yellow, blue and black, or a rose necklace in red, yellow or blue.
July Birth Flowers: Larkspur and Water Lily
Tall, spiky larkspur represents positivity and an open heart. The water lily, which blooms in summer ponds, symbolizes purity and peace.
Gift ideas: Pink Water Lily Pin or White Water Lily Pin.
August Birth Flowers: Gladiolus and Poppy
The gladiolus gets its name from the Latin word for sword, thanks to its long leaves shaped like blades, and it stands for strength and integrity. The poppy symbolizes remembrance and imagination.
Gift ideas: Gladiolus Pin, Poppy Wildflower Pin, California Poppy Pin or the Poppy Necklace.
September Birth Flowers: Aster and Morning Glory
The aster, whose petals spread out like a star (its name comes from the Greek word for star), represents love, wisdom and patience. The morning glory, which opens with the sunrise, stands for affection.
Gift ideas: Aster Pin or Morning Glory Pin.
October Birth Flowers: Marigold and Cosmos
Bright orange and gold marigolds glow like autumn sunshine and represent warmth, creativity and passion. The cosmos stands for order and harmony.
Gift ideas: Marigold Pin or the Marigold Necklace.
November Birth Flowers: Chrysanthemum and Peony
The chrysanthemum blooms when most other flowers have faded, and in the US it symbolizes joy, friendship and long life. It's November's traditional birth flower.
Many modern birth flower lists also name the peony for November. With its lush, ruffled petals, the peony is associated with romance, prosperity and good fortune, a lovely wish for anyone celebrating a November birthday.
Gift ideas: Chrysanthemum Pin or the Peony Necklace.
December Birth Flowers: Narcissus and Holly
The narcissus, especially the paperwhite, blooms indoors in winter and stands for hope and good wishes. Evergreen holly has long been a symbol of protection and happiness at home, which makes it a fitting flower for a birthday during the holidays.
Gift ideas: the Holly Pin, a festive pick for December birthdays and holiday stockings alike.
How to Give a Birth Flower Gift
- Pair the flower with a note. Write the flower's meaning on a card so they know why you chose it.
- Combine birth flowers for a family. A jacket or bag with each family member's birth flower pin makes a meaningful gift for a mom or grandma.
- Use both flowers. Most months have two birth flowers, so a pin and a necklace with different flowers make a sweet set.
- Think beyond birthdays. Birth flowers work for Mother's Day, bridesmaid gifts, baby showers and anniversaries, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my birth flower?
Your birth flower is based on the month you were born. Find your month in the chart above. Most months have two flowers, and you can choose the one you like best.
Why do some months have two birth flowers?
Birth flower lists come from different traditions, including the Victorian language of flowers. Over time, many months picked up a second flower, often because the first one doesn't bloom in that month everywhere.
What is the difference between a birth flower and a birthstone?
Both are linked to your birth month. A birthstone is a gem, while a birth flower is a bloom with its own meaning. Birth flower jewelry is a softer, more personal alternative to birthstone jewelry.
What is a good birth flower gift?
Birth flower necklaces and enamel pins are popular because they last. Unlike a bouquet, they can be worn every day. Browse our full birth flower collection to find every month.
Find Their Birth Flower
A birth flower says "I thought about this" in a way few small gifts can. Every Plant Scouts birth flower pin and necklace is an original design, so you can give a meaningful gift for every month of the year.
Looking for more ideas? See our gifts for plant lovers $25 & under.
