A Month-By-Month Guide To Birth Flowers

Have you ever looked up your star sign? What about your birth stone? Or maybe your lucky colours and numbers? We might take some guilty pleasure from it, but using our birth month to find out things about us – whether they turn our to be true or false is up to you – is pretty fun. If you already have the above ticked off, it’s time to move onto the next monthly symbol: birth flowers.

‘If you’re into your flowers, you may have heard the term “floriography” before, but maybe not know what it actually meant,’ says Lucy Hook, Floral Lead at B Corp certified florist Bloom & Wild. ‘Floriography, often called the “language of flowers”, is the idea that different flowers and colours carry their own symbolic meanings, allowing people to communicate emotions through the blooms they give.’

The tradition itself – of associating certain blooms with particular meanings, ideas or, in our case, birth months – dates back to ancient times. ‘The Romans are thought to have linked certain flowers to seasonal festivals and the gods they worshipped, creating early associations between specific blooms and particular times of the year,’ says Lucy.

‘But it became especially popular during the Victorian era, when carefully chosen bouquets were used to convey specific, and sometimes secret, messages,’ she adds. ‘For example, a red rose symbolised romance, while a yellow carnation could signal rejection; this allowed people to express emotions and messages (sometimes more discreetly) through the blooms they gifted.

We still use flowers to send messages today: roses on Valentine’s Day, sunflowers for birthday celebrations, tulips for those feeling unwell, lilies for funerals and peonies for wedding anniversaries. ‘That sense of meaning still shapes how we give flowers, helping people express feelings like love, pride and celebration through a thoughtful bouquet,’ says Lucy.

Choosing a flower based on birth month, meanwhile, infuses these sentiments with a more personal dimension – a tailored bouquet that symbolises the giftee. ‘I would say that today, birth flowers have taken on a new relevance, especially as interest in astrology and personal symbolism grows,’ says Lucy. ‘Much like birthstones or star signs, they have symbolism and meaning, adding an extra layer of sentiment and thoughtfulness to your gift. It’s a small detail, but one that can make a gifted bouquet feel much more considered and meaningful.’

What Your Birth Month Flower Says About You

Below, Lucy reveals the flowers associated with each birth month, plus the symbolism behind each bloom:

January: Carnation & Snowdrop

January birthdays are linked with carnations and snowdrops. Carnations symbolise love and fascination, while snowdrops represent hope and renewal – a fitting message for the very start of the year. Together, they reflect the optimism and fresh beginnings that often define people born in January.

February: Violet & Iris

February’s birth flowers are violets and irises, both early blooms that thrive in late winter. While violets symbolise spiritual wisdom, irises are often associated with eloquence, faith and hope. Those born in February are often thought to share these qualities for being honest, humble and wise, with an innocence that makes them wonderful people to have around.

March: Daffodil & Jonquil

Daffodils and jonquils are the birth flowers of March. As some of the first flowers to appear in spring, they symbolise rebirth, prosperity and good fortune, much like these bright, uplifting flowers, people born in March tend to be happy, cheerful and optimistic, with a natural ability to bring a little sunshine to everyone around them.

April: Daisy & Sweet Pea

April birthdays are represented by daisies and sweet peas. These light, delicate blooms symbolise innocence, joy and loyalty, reflecting energy and sense of renewal that arrives in early spring. Those born in April are thought to be kind-hearted, warm and loyal people to have in your life. They also carry connections to fertility and motherhood, which is why daisies are such a popular and meaningful gift for new mothers as well.

May: Lily & Hawthorn

May’s birth flowers, lily of the valley and hawthorn, are both strongly linked with sweetness and the return of happiness. Lily of the valley, in particular, is associated with motherhood and nurturing, making it a meaningful bloom for celebrating loved ones.

June: Rose & Honeysuckle

June is represented by two beautifully romantic blooms: the rose and honeysuckle. Both symbolise love, devotion and affection, which makes them especially fitting for early summer birthdays.

July: Delphinium & Water Lily

July’s birth flowers are the elegant delphinium and water lily. These blooms are often linked to positivity, grace and an open heart, qualities that reflect the warmth and brightness of midsummer. Delphiniums in particular symbolise dignity, kindness and a generous spirit, so it’s easy to imagine that those celebrating a July birthday are warm, kind-hearted people who bring a lovely energy to those around them.

August: Gladiolus & Poppy

August birthdays are represented by the gladiolus and poppy. Gladiolus symbolises strength of character and integrity, while poppies are often associated with imagination and remembrance.Together, these meaningful blooms suggest that those born in August are strong, generous and principled people.

September: Aster & Morning Glory

September’s birth flowers are the aster and morning glory. Both blooms are linked with love, wisdom and faith, reflecting the thoughtful, reflective mood that comes with the shift into autumn.

October: Marigold & Cosmos

October’s birth flowers are the marigold and cosmos. These vibrant blooms symbolise determination, creativity and passion, echoing the bold personalities often associated with autumn birthdays.

November: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum, a flower traditionally associated with friendship, honesty and happiness, is the single November flower. While it’s one of the few months with just a single birth flower, its symbolism is rich and widely celebrated across many cultures, reflecting the warm, loyal and uplifting qualities often linked to those born in November.

December: Holly & Narcissus

December birthdays are linked with narcissus and holly. Narcissus represents hope and affection, while holly symbolises protection and joy, making it a fitting pairing for the festive season.