Flower meanings
Meanings of Flowers
The Society of American Florists has compiled these lists of flowers meanings from a variety of sources.
Quick answer
62 flowers and their traditional meanings, the birth flower for each of the 12 months and the state flower of all 50 states, compiled by the Society of American Florists. Pick a list, or start typing a name to find it.
Flower meanings
62 flowers| Flower | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Alstroemeria | aspiring |
| Amaryllis | dramatic |
| Anemone | fragile |
| Apple Blossom | promis |
| Aster | contentment |
| Azalea | abundance |
| Baby's Breath | festivity |
| Bachelor Button | anticipation |
| Begonia | deep thoughts |
| Black-Eyed Susan | encouragement |
| Camellia | graciousness |
| Carnation | |
| Carnation, pink | gratitude |
| Carnation, red | flashy |
| Carnation, striped | refusal |
| Carnation, white | remembrance |
| Carnation, yellow | cheerful |
| Chrysanthemum | |
| Chrysanthemum, bronze | excitement |
| Chrysanthemum, white | truth |
| Chrysanthemum, red | sharing |
| Chrysanthemum, yellow | secret admirer |
| Cosmos | peaceful |
| Crocus | foresight |
| Daffodil | chivalry |
| Delphinium | boldness |
| Daisy | innocence |
| Freesia | spirited |
| Forget-Me-Not | remember me forever |
| Gardenia | joy |
| Geranium | comfort |
| Ginger | proud |
| Gladiolus | strength of character |
| Heather | solitude |
| Hibiscus | delicate beauty |
| Holly | domestic happiness |
| Hyacinth | sincerity |
| Hydrangea | perseverance |
| Iris | inspiration |
| Ivy | fidelity |
| Jasmine | grace and elegance |
| Larkspur | beautiful spirit |
| Lavender | distrust |
| Lilac | first love |
| Lily | |
| Lily, Calla | regal |
| Lily, Casablanca | celebration |
| Lily, Day | enthusiasm |
| Lily, Stargazer | ambition |
| Lisianthus | calming |
| Magnolia | dignity |
| Marigold | desire for riches |
| Nasturtium | patriotism |
| Orange Blossom | fertility |
| Orchid | delicate beauty |
| Pansy | loving thoughts |
| Passion flower | passion |
| Peony | healing |
| Poppy | consolation |
| Queen Anne's Lace | delicate femininity |
| Ranunculus | radiant |
| Rhododendron | beware |
| Rose | |
| Rose, pink | admiration/appreciation |
| Rose, red | passionate love |
| Rose, red & white | unity |
| Rose, white | purity |
| Rose, yellow | friendship |
| Snapdragon | presumptuous |
| Star of Bethlehem | hope |
| Stephanotis | good luck |
| Statice | success |
| Sunflower | adoration |
| Sweetpea | shyness |
| Tuberose | pleasure |
| Tulip | |
| Tulip, pink | caring |
| Tulip, purple | royalty |
| Tulip, red | declaration of love |
| Tulip, white | forgiveness |
| Tulip, yellow | hopelessly in love |
| Violet | faithfulness |
| Wisteria | steadfast |
| Yarrow | good health |
| Zinnia | thoughts of friends |
Flower names that are linked open that flower’s profile. All flowers A to Z →
Birth month flowers
12 entries| Month | Flower |
|---|---|
| January | Carnation |
| February | Iris, Violet |
| March | Daffodil |
| April | Daisy, Peonies |
| May | Lily, Lily of the Valley |
| June | Rose |
| July | Delphinium |
| August | Dahlia, Gladiolus |
| September | Aster, Forget-me-not |
| October | Calendula (aka Marigold) |
| November | Chrysanthemum |
| December | Poinsettia, Holly, Narcissus, Paperwhite |
State flowers
52 entries| State | Flower |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Camellia |
| Alaska | Forget-me-not |
| Arizona | Saguaro Cactus blossom |
| Arkansas | Apple blossom |
| California | California Poppy |
| Colorado | Rocky Mountain Columbine |
| Connecticut | Mountain laurel |
| Delaware | Peach blossom |
| Florida | Orange blossom |
| Georgia | Cherokee Rose |
| Hawaii | Hawaiian hibiscus (ma‘o hau hele) |
| Idaho | Mock Orange |
| Illinois | Purple Violet |
| Indiana | Peony |
| Iowa | Wild Prairie Rose |
| Kansas | Sunflower |
| Kentucky | Goldenrod |
| Louisiana | Magnolia |
| Maine | White pine cone and tassel |
| Maryland | Black-eyed susan |
| Massachusetts | Mayflower |
| Michigan | Apple blossom |
| Minnesota | Pink and white lady's slipper |
| Mississippi | Magnolia |
| Missouri | Hawthorn |
| Montana | Bitterroot |
| Nebraska | Goldenrod |
| Nevada | Sagebrush |
| New Hampshire | Purple lilac |
| New Jersey | Violet |
| New Mexico | Yucca flower |
| New York | Rose |
| North Carolina | American Dogwood |
| North Dakota | Wild Prairie Rose |
| Ohio | Scarlet Carnation |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Rose |
| Oklahoma (Floral Emblem) | Mistletoe |
| Oklahoma (Wildflower) | Indian Blanket |
| Oregon | Oregon grape |
| Pennsylvania | Mountain Laurel |
| Rhode Island | Violet |
| South Carolina | Yellow Jessamine |
| South Dakota | Pasque flower |
| Tennessee | Iris |
| Texas | Bluebonnet |
| Utah | Sego lily |
| Vermont | Red Clover |
| Virginia | American Dogwood |
| Washington | Coast Rhododendron |
| West Virginia | Rhododendron |
| Wisconsin | Wood Violet |
| Wyoming | Indian Paintbrush |
About these lists
In Victorian times, certain flowers had specific meanings because the flower selection was limited and people used more symbols and gestures to communicate than words. But today, with so many flower choices, there are no rules - it's the sentiment that gives the gift its meaning. Your florist can help you send the right message. Many people assign their own personal meanings - a flower or color that might remind them of a special event or moment in their lives. For those interested in the historic meanings of flowers, the Society of American Florists has compiled this list from a variety of different sources.
Victoria’s Flower Dictionary in “The Language of Flowers” Novel
Vanessa Diffenbaugh's novel "The Language of Flowers" tells the story of Victoria, a young woman from the foster-care system who uses the Victorian language of flowers to communicate with others and make sense of her troubled past. Diffenbaugh created Victoria's Flower Dictionary by reviewing several dictionaries - "The Flower Vase" by Miss S. C. Edgarton, "Language of Flowers" by Kate Greenaway, "The Language and Sentiment of Flowers" by James D. McCabe, and "Flora's Lexicon" by Catharine H. Waterman - and scanning the meanings, selecting the definition that occurred most often or she liked the best.
Keep reading
What should I write on the card?
Short card messages by occasion, from the Society of American Florists.
How long do cut flowers last?
Most arrangements last 4 to 7 days or longer, depending on the flowers and the care they get.
Do flowers really make us feel better?
What university studies at UNF, Rutgers, Harvard and Texas A&M found.