October 23, 2026
Birth month flowers: the flower for every month, its meaning and the colors to use
The birth flower for each month of the year, what each one traditionally means, and the colors to reach for when you color it as a birthday gift.
Every month has a traditional birth flower, and most have two. The best known are the carnation for January, violet for February, daffodil for March, sweet pea for April, lily of the valley for May, rose for June, larkspur for July, poppy for August, morning glory for September, cosmos for October, chrysanthemum for November and narcissus for December.
What are the birth month flowers?
| Month | Birth flowers | Traditional meaning | Colors to reach for |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Carnation, snowdrop | Love, admiration; hope | Rose pink, deep crimson, white with gray-green stems |
| February | Violet, primrose | Faithfulness, modesty | Violet, deep purple, a yellow eye |
| March | Daffodil | New beginnings | Lemon yellow, golden orange trumpet |
| April | Daisy, sweet pea | Innocence; thank you for a lovely time | Soft pink, lilac, cream |
| May | Lily of the valley, hawthorn | Sweetness, a return of happiness | White with cool gray shadows, fresh leaf green |
| June | Rose, honeysuckle | Love, depending on the color | Any rose color, layered from dark centers out |
| July | Larkspur, water lily | An open heart; purity | Cobalt, periwinkle, pink |
| August | Gladiolus, poppy | Strength; remembrance | Scarlet, orange, black centers |
| September | Aster, morning glory | Patience; affection | Sky blue fading to a white throat, violet |
| October | Marigold, cosmos | Warmth; harmony | Magenta, pink, white, golden centers |
| November | Chrysanthemum | Friendship, joy | Gold, bronze, burgundy |
| December | Narcissus (paperwhite), holly | Good wishes; protection | White, pale yellow; holly green and red |
Meanings are traditional and vary between sources, and some lists swap the two flowers for a month. The pairs above are the ones most US lists use.
Why do some months have two birth flowers?
Birth flower lists grew out of older European flower customs, and different traditions settled on different flowers. Many lists now give two per month, often one for early in the season and one for later.
A birth flower as a birthday gift
Color their birth flower, cut the page out and frame it for their birthday. Quiet Petals, the next Nibfern book, includes a flower for every month: carnation, violets, daffodil, sweet peas, lily of the valley, rose, larkspur, poppy, morning glory, cosmos, chrysanthemum and paperwhites. December's holly is already in Quiet Winter.
In short
Every month has a flower, most have two, and each one makes a personal birthday gift when it is colored and framed. Birthday gifts for someone who loves to color.
Quick answers
What are the 12 birth month flowers?
January carnation, February violet, March daffodil, April daisy or sweet pea, May lily of the valley, June rose, July larkspur, August gladiolus or poppy, September aster or morning glory, October marigold or cosmos, November chrysanthemum, December narcissus or holly.
Why are there two birth flowers for some months?
Different traditions settled on different flowers, so many lists give two per month. Both are accepted.
What is the birth flower for December?
The narcissus, usually the white paperwhite, and holly.
