The 12 Birth Month Flowers and Their Meanings—Plus How to Use Them in a Bouquet

Birthstones are widely known, but birth month flowers are an equally meaningful tradition rooted in history and seasonality. Flowers have long carried symbolism beyond their beauty, celebrating milestones and expressing sentiments in ways that words sometimes cannot. The tradition of birth month flowers dates back to ancient Rome, when people celebrated birthdays with floral gifts and offerings. Centuries later, Victorians embraced florigraphy, the language of flowers, assigning meaning to each bloom.

Over time, certain flowers became associated with each month based on seasonal availability, birthstone colors, and regional growing traditions. Whether arranged in a bouquet or planted in a garden, birth month flowers offer a thoughtful way to celebrate loved ones, or yourself. To better understand the symbolism behind each bloom, we spoke with floral expert Julia Shelton about the meaning of each birth-month flower and how to style them in bouquets or display them on their own.

The Origins of Birth Month Flowers

The Romans were the first documented culture to celebrate birthdays, which eventually led to the tradition of assigning birth month flowers to deepen the meaning of birthday celebrations.

"This is also an extension of the initial Roman culture, being fond of gifting flowers in everyday life as a way of gratitude," Shelton explains. "Despite some ambiguity around the when of birth month flowers, the tradition can be dated back to ancient Rome."

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Victorians used florals to communicate messages through a practice known as floriography. The term refers to the idea of "speaking through flowers," Shelton says.

How They Got Their Meanings

Flowers are assigned to specific months based on several factors, including when they are in season, how their colors relate to the month's birthstone, and whether they grow in that region during that time. Because of these regional differences, birth month flowers can vary, Shelton says.

The meaning and symbolism of each flower stems from many cultural traditions, time periods, and regional influences. According to Shelton, a birth month flower's symbolism can often be traced to its original name.

"A prominent influence for naming florals and attributing birth month symbolism is Greek mythology," she says. "For example, violets (the February birth month flower) were symbolic in Greek mythology to bridge the divine and mortal worlds, which can help to explain the symbolism of faithfulness."

Birth Month Flowers and Their Meanings

January: Carnation and Snowdrop

Snowdrops and carnations symbolize admiration and rebirth. During the winter months, snowdrops have short stems and are beautiful to observe in their natural habitat, Shelton says.

"Carnations are a bouquet flower that have come to be underrated," she says. "Removing their reputation as a floral not valued, carnations have a long vase-life, come in a vast array of colours, and add texture, giving dimension to a bouquet." Carnations pair well with longer-stemmed flowers such as snapdragons, gladiolus, and anthurium.

February: Violet and Primrose

Violets and primroses symbolize faithfulness and modesty. They work well as edible flowers that can dress up a plated dish at a dinner party or cake, or they can be used to decorate a garden, Shelton says."With stems growing to about only 6 inches tall, bouquet use is limited, but decorative aspects are grand!"

March: Daffodil 

Daffodils symbolize prosperity and new beginnings, and look beautiful when arranged in a single bunch. "In bouquets, they add a fresh spring feel that brings interest and depth to richer colours like lilac and fuchsia pink," Shelton says.

April: Daisy and Sweet Pea 

Daisies and sweet peas symbolize purity and innocence. According to Shelton, they're a florist's favorite to add to a bouquet. "Sweetpeas make any bouquet romantic and fluffy," she says. "They pair perfectly with line flowers by covering longer stems and adding whimsicalness at all heights of the bouquet."

Daisies also shine as a standalone bunch. Their white petals evoke a fresh spring feeling and pair well with bold colors.

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May: Lily and Hawthorn 

To coincide with Mother's Day, May's flowers—lilies and hawthorns—symbolize motherhood and hope. Hawthorns grow in abundant bushes and can add glamour to a side wall or front garden, Shelton says. "Best kept naturally-occurring, you may be lucky enough to have permission to snip a branch and, having a dense branch floral to give an unmatched wildflower feel," she says. "These florals pair great with other strong and unique stems like anthurium, netherland tulips, and roses."

Lilies are stunning as standalone arrangements and also make thoughtful gifts.

June: Rose and Honeysuckle

It's no surprise that June's flowers—roses and honeysuckle—symbolize romance and happiness.

"Rose, a classic flower to give in isolation with strong straight stems that don’t always bend how we’d like in bouquet making," Shelton says. "In the same breath, roses work wonderfully in centerpiece arrangements for weddings and dinners, as they take up space, come in dreamy colour palettes, and have strong branch-like stems."

Like rose bushes, honeysuckle is known for adorning the sides of houses with leafy greens, unique blooms, and a sweet fragrance. If you see a honeysuckle tree and have permission, you can snip a branch, Shelton says. Even a single branch placed in a kitchen or dining room can elevate the space.

July: Water Lily and Larkspur

Water lilies and larkspur symbolize dignity and positivity. Though they can be hard to find, they're a florist's dream and add a magical touch to any arrangement. Their blooms stand out, so they work best in minimalist designs.

"Larkspur is a textured line flower that gives a romantic feel to any bouquet, coming in faint pinks and purples, and serving a purpose in design by having blooms trailing down the majority of its stem," Shelton says.

August: Gladiolus and Poppy

August's gladiolus and poppy birth month florals symbolize imagination and strength of character. They are both showstoppers that deserve standalone arrangement moments. Gladiolus's large blooms and thick stems come in a variety of colors for a beautiful, simple display. Poppies have the perfect textured floral for a dainty bouquet, Shelton says. To create an arrangement, they pair wonderfully with ranunculus, peonies, or a grassy base.

September: Aster and Morning Glory

Morning glories and asters symbolize affection and love during the sunny month of September. Asters closely resemble daisies but have more distinctive petals, which give bouquets an uplifting feel, Shelton says. Their purple coloring and fuzzy-looking petals add interest to simple arrangements featuring flowers such as roses or snapdragons.

Morning glories, however, are typically kept potted because they grow upward as vines. They work best when trained to trail along a decorative farm table or incorporated into a hanging bridal bouquet.

October: Marigold and Cosmos

Marigolds and cosmos symbolize creativity and passion, and their bold hues signal the turn of the season. Marigolds' vibrant orange and yellow tones make them stand out as garden flowers. Their winding stems add dimension to bouquets, Sheltons says

"Cosmos mimic their name, as they shine bright in a bouquet," she says. "Mix it amongst wildflowers like hyacinth and delphinium, or with denser flowers to add lightness, like anthurium or orchid."

November: Chrysanthemum 

Chrysanthemums symbolize loyalty and honesty, and they're most commonly used in Thanksgiving and harvest celebration displays. They're among the most diverse flowers and can be added to almost any bouquet, Shelton says. " With some varieties like the ‘incurve chrysanthemum’ that works as a focal floral, a spider chrysanthemum for texture, or mini mums that fill necessary dead space in a bouquet," she says. "Pair your chryanthemums with hydrangea for texture and density."

December: Narcissus and Holly

Just in time for the holiday season, narcissus and holly symbolize wealth and protection. Holly offers a festive feel on its own and works beautifully as a standalone element intertwined with winter garland.

"Narcissus, also known as a daffodil, is sharing this flower with March," Shelton says. "So now you have an excuse to bring a spring vibe home during the cooler months. Intermix these in garlands and pine for a unique approach to holiday styling."