Birth Month Flowers And Their Meanings - The Old Farmer's Almanac

Do you know what your birth month flowers are? In addition to gemstones, every month has a birth flower; in fact, many months have two birth flowers! Here’s a list of both the primary and secondary birth flowers for January through December.

Birth flowers have been around for many generations, similar to birthstones. The flower designated each month is usually tied to the season when it blooms; many flowers also have cultural or religious associations from ancient times. For example, the hawthorn was known as “Mary’s Flower of May.”

In our lives today, birth flowers are an excellent way to mark an occasion, from birthdays to marriages to funerals. For example, a simple bouquet of birth month flowers is a thoughtful choice (especially if you are struggling to find a gift). Our readers have also woven flowers into unique birth month necklaces as well as designs for tattoos, cards, and even family kitchen tiles!

Read Next

• Flower Meanings: The Language of Flowers
• Birthstones by Month: Colors and Meanings
• February Birth Flowers: Violets and Primroses

Why Are There Two Birth Flowers Per Month?

You’ll notice that some months have two birth flowers. Not all cultures agree on which flowers correspond to which months, plus some flowers simply aren’t as available in different regions. We’ve listed the most traditional primary flower as well as a secondary flower when there is one. Browse the links below to the individual birth month flower pages.

The Birth Month Flowers

January ~ Carnation & Snowdrop

January’s primary birth flower is the carnation, and the secondary flower is the snowdrop. Learn more about the January birth flowers!

February ~ Violet & Primrose

The February primary birth flower is the violet,and the secondary flower is the primrose. Learn more on the February birth flowers page!

March ~ Daffodil & Jonquil

The March birth flower is the daffodil, referred to as the jonquil (which is simply a type of daffodil). Learn more on our March birth flower page.

April ~ Daisy & Sweet Pea

The primary April birth flower is the daisy, and the secondary flower is the sweet pea. Learn more on our April birth flower page!

May ~ Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn

The May birth flowers are the lily of the valleyand hawthorn. Learn more on our May birth flower page!

June ~ Rose & Honeysuckle

The primary June birth flower is the rose,and the secondary flower is honeysuckle. Learn more on our June birth flower page!

July ~ Larkspur & Water Lily

The primary July birth flower is the larkspur, and the secondary flower is the water lily. Learn more on our July birth flower page!

August ~ Gladiolus & Poppy

The primary August birth flower is the gladiolus,and the secondary flower is the poppy. Learn more on our August birth flower page!

September ~ Aster & Morning Glory

The primary September birth flower is the aster, and the secondary flower is the morning glory. Learn more on our September birth flower page!

October ~ Marigold & Cosmos

The primary October birth flower is the marigold, and the secondary flower is the cosmos. Learn more on our October birth flower page!

November ~ Chrysanthemum

The November birth flower is the chrysanthemum. Learn more on our November birth flower page!

December ~ Narcissus & Holly

The primary December birth flower is the narcissus (such as the paperwhite narcissus), and the secondary flower is the holly, which has small white berries that give way to the festive red berries that we see at the holidays. Learn more on our December birth flower page!

Find Your Birth Month Flower: Primary & Secondary Flower Guide

Month	Primary Flower	Secondary Flower	Meaning / Symbolism
January	Carnation	Snowdrop	Love, fascination, hope
February	Violet	Primrose	Modesty, loyalty, youthfulness
March	Daffodil	Jonquil	New beginnings, rebirth, prosperity
April	Daisy	Sweet Pea	Innocence, purity, gratitude
May	Lily of the Valley	Hawthorn	Happiness, sweetness, hope
June	Rose	Honeysuckle	Love, passion, affection
July	Larkspur	Water Lily	Positivity, lightness, purity
August	Gladiolus	Poppy	Strength, remembrance, peace
September	Aster	Morning Glory	Patience, love, affection
October	Marigold	Cosmos	Creativity, passion, joy
November	Chrysanthemum	—	Friendship, loyalty, honesty
December	Narcissus	Holly	Rebirth, hope, protection

Learn More

Flowers remain a welcome substitute for words, enhancing the giver’s message with fragrance and beauty. Every flower has a meaning and can convey certain emotions, thoughts, or moods to the recipient. Learn the Language of Flowers, and you can practically speak in code!

Did you know that birthstones also have special meanings? Visit our Birthstones by Month page to see each month’s birthstone.

What is your birth flower? Tell us in the comments!