Here is a list of flower names along with their symbolic meanings. Find out how to use the language of flowers to express deep-felt emotions like love, longing, anticipation, jealousy, hope, and so on.
As the saying goes, ‘say it with flowers!’ And indeed, people have been saying it with flowers since time immemorial, using the special meanings of flowers to express all kinds of emotions. Whether to woo somebody special on Valentine’s Day, display affection on Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, or to express a ‘get well soon’ message for somebody ill, flowers have been used to say it all. In fact, the symbolic meaning of flowers has given birth to a language of its own, known as floriography.
Apart from each of the names of flowers being imbued with symbolism such as romance or sympathy or affection, all flowers express specific phrases as well. As a matter of fact, the Victorians were the ones who used flower symbolism most profusely to communicate subtly what they wanted to say, but could not speak aloud since decorum would not allow it. With flowers, and their symbolic meanings, they could verbalize communication without saying anything or evince a feeling. Thus, the Victorians would often make a bouquet that they could use as an expression of an unvoiced message to the person receiving it, using various kinds of symbolism like the number, the arrangement, the color, and of course the type of flower.
Names of Flowers and Their Meanings
If you want to express your deep feelings to someone special in your life, in a thoughtful and unique way, check out the list of flower names given below, and find out what message you can devise using the special language of flowers. Or, if it is a gift of flowers that you have received, check out the flower names and their meanings to find out what it means. Is it love? Or is it ecstasy? Or perhaps it is a sign of hope, jealousy, anticipation, friendship, or even good-bye. Truly, you can say it all with flowers!
| Name | Meaning |
| A | |
| Acacia | Hidden love, Beauty in withdrawal |
| Ambrosia | Love requited |
| Amaryllis | Pride |
| Aster | Symbolizing love, Delicacy |
| Anemone | A love that is diminishing, Vanishing hopes |
| Almond Blossom | Symbolizing hope, Delicacy, Sweetness |
| Apple Blossom | Good fortune, Harbinger of better things, A strong liking |
| Arum | Intense feeling of love |
| Arbutus | I love only thee |
| Azalea | A symbol of womanhood in China, Passion, Fragility, Take care |
| B | |
| Baby’s Breath | Purity of heart, Innocence |
| Begonia | Be cautious, A fanciful mind |
| Bachelor Button | Celibacy, The blessedness of being single |
| Balsam | Fervent love |
| Balm | Compassion, Empathy |
| Bittersweet | Truth, Loyalty |
| Bird of Paradise | Given by a woman to a man to symbolize faithfulness |
| Bluebell | Gratitude, Constancy, Humility |
| Buttercup | Riches, Childishness |
| Black Bryony | Be my support |
| C | |
| Caladium | Immense delight and joy |
| Camellia | Perfection, Gratitude |
| Carnation (Red) | Aching heart, Admiration |
| Christmas Rose | Allay my disquiet |
| Chrysanthemum | Joy, Optimism, Perfection |
| Crocus | Good cheer, Happiness, Do not treat me badly |
| Cyclamen | Good-Bye, Resignation |
| Clover (Four-leaf) | Will you be mine? |
| Clover (White) | Think of me |
| Clematis | Ingenuity, Artifice |
| Cornflower | Refinement, Delicacy |
| D | |
| Daffodil | The sun is bright when I am with you, Respect, Sunshine, Unrequited love, Regard |
| Dahlia | Elegance and Dignity, Forever thine |
| Daisy | Beauty, Innocence, I will never tell, Loyal love, Purity |
| Day-Lily (Yellow) | Coquetry |
| Dandelion | Love’s oracle, Happiness, Faithfulness |
| Date-Plum | Resistance |
| Delphinium | Fun, Big-hearted |
| Dog Rose | Pleasure and Pain |
| Dogwood | Am I indifferent to you? |
| Dragon Root | Ardor |
| E | |
| Edelweiss | Noble purity, Courage, Daring |
| Endine | Frugality |
| Elderflower | Symbolizing Zeal |
| Eglantine | Poetry |
| Everlasting (Immortal Flowers) | Never ending memory, Unfading remembrance |
| Euphorbia | Persistence |
| Eupatorium | Delay |
| Epigaea | Budding |
| Eucalyptus | Protection |
| F | |
| Forget-Me-Not | As its name suggests – Forget me not, Memories, True love |
| Forsythia | Expectation, Anticipation |
| Fuchsia | Good taste |
| Fern | Fascination |
| Filbert | Reconciliation |
| Flax | Symbol of domesticity |
| Flora’s Bell | Without pretentiousness |
| Flowering Reed | Confide in heaven |
| G | |
| Gladiolus | Strength of character, Love at first sight, Generosity |
| Gardenia | Secret love, You are lovely |
| Galax | Encouragement |
| Geranium | Folly, Stupidity |
| Gerbera | You are the sunshine of my life |
| Gloxinia | Love at first sight |
| Goldenrod | Be cautious |
| Goats-Rue | Reason |
| Goosefoot | Insult |
| Globe Amaranth | Unfading Love |
| H | |
| Heliotrope | Devotion |
| Hibiscus | Delicate beauty, Consumed by love |
| Holly | Am I forgotten, Domestic happiness, Defense, Domestic Happiness |
| Hollyhock | Fruitfulness |
| Honeyflower | Secret love, Sweetness of disposition, Sweet, Affection |
| Honeysuckle | Bond of love |
| Honeysuckle (Coral) | I Love You |
| Hyacinth | Flower dedicated to Apollo, Rashness |
| Hyacinth (Yellow) | Jealousy |
| I | |
| Iris | Wisdom and Valor, Faith, Promise in love, Hope |
| Iris (German) | Flame |
| Iris (Yellow) | Passion |
| Ivy | Affection, Friendship, Fidelity, Wedded love |
| Ivy (Sprig of white tendrils) | Affection, Anxious to please |
| Indian Cress | Resignation |
| Ipomen Scarlet | Embrace |
| Indian Cane | Rendezvous |
| Ipomoea (Morning Glory) | I attach myself to you, Affection |
| J | |
| Jasmine (Indian) | Love, Attachment |
| Jasmine (Yellow) | Elegance, Grace, Modesty |
| Jasmine (Spanish) | Sensuality |
| Japonica | Symbol of love, Sincerity |
| Jerusalem Oak | Your love is reciprocated |
| Jonquil | Sympathy, Desire, Affection returned, Love me, Affection Returned |
| Juniper | Chastity, Eternity |
| K | |
| King’s Spear | Regret |
| Kennedia | Intellectual beauty |
| L | |
| Laburnum | Blackness |
| Lady’s Slipper | Capricious beauty, Win me |
| Lucerne | Life |
| Larkspur | Lightness, An open heart, Levity |
| Larkspur (White) | Happy-go-lucky, Joyful |
| Larkspur (Purple) | Sweet disposition |
| Lantana | Rigor |
| Lily | Purity of heart, Majesty and Honor |
| Lemon Blossom | I promise to be true, Fidelity in love |
| Lilac | Pride, Beauty |
| Lily of the Valley | Humility, Happiness, Tears of the Virgin Mary, Sweetness |
| Lotus | Forgetful of the past, Estranged love |
| Laurel | Glory |
| Lavender | Devotion, Love |
| M | |
| Marjoram | Happiness, Joy |
| Madder | Calumny |
| Magnolia | Perseverance, Nobility |
| Marigold | Sorrow, Jealousy, Caress, Pretty love, Affection, Sacred, Affection |
| Maidenhair | Discretion |
| Manchineel | Betrayal |
| Mimosa | – Secret Love |
| Mugwort | Happiness |
| Mulberry | Prudence |
| Mallow | Sweetness, Delicate beauty |
| Mandrake | Scarcity |
| Myrtle | Hebrew emblem of Marriage, Love |
| Maple | Reserve |
| N | |
| Nasturtium | Victory in Battle, Conquest |
| Narcissus (White) | Selfishness |
| Narcissus | Stay as sweet as you are, Formality |
| Nightshade | Truth |
| Nettle | Cruelty |
| Nosegay | Gallantry |
| O | |
| Orchid (Cattleya) | Mature charm |
| Orchid | Symbol of many children in China, Refinement, Beauty, Love |
| Orange Blossom | Eternal Love, Innocence, Marriage and Fruitfulness |
| Oak | Hospitality |
| Osmunda | Revere |
| Ophrys Spider | Dexterity |
| Ophrys Fly | Mistake |
| Olive | Peace |
| Oleander | Caution |
| Orange-Tree | Generosity |
| Orange (Milkweed) | Deceit |
| P | |
| Phlox | Harmony, A good partnership |
| Passion-Flower | Belief |
| Peppermint | Warmth of feeling, Cordiality |
| Periwinkle | Sweet remembrance |
| Poppy (General) | Imagination, Oblivion, Eternal sleep |
| Primrose (Evening) | Inconstancy |
| Petunia | Your presence soothes me, Anger, Resentment, Anger |
| Pansy | Merriment, Thoughtful reflection |
| Peach Blossom | I am your captive |
| Q | |
| Quaking Grass | A symbol of agitation |
| Queen Anne’s Lace | Fantasy |
| R | |
| Rose (Red) | Passion, Love |
| Rose (White) | Purity, Virginity |
| Rose (Yellow) | Infidelity, Jealousy |
| Rose (Coral) | Desire |
| Rose (Pink) | Grace and Sweetness, Secret love, Perfect happiness, Secret Love |
| Rose (Dark pink) | Thankfulness |
| Rose (Pale pink) | Joy, Grace |
| Rosebud (Red) | Pure and Lovely |
| Rosemary | Remembrance |
| Rhododendron | I am dangerous, Danger, Beware |
| S | |
| Sunflower (Tall) | Pride, False riches |
| Sunflower (Dwarf) | Adoration |
| Snowdrop | Consolation, Hope |
| Sage | Great respect, Wisdom, Female fidelity |
| Snapdragon | Strength, Gracious lady |
| Satin-Flower | Sincerity |
| Spider Flower | Elope with me |
| Sweet-William | Gallantry, Grant me one smile |
| Sweet Pea | Thank you for a lovely time, Blissful pleasure, Departure, Good-by |
| Star of Bethlehem | Reconciliation, Atonement |
| T | |
| Tulip (General) | Fame, Perfect lover, Flower Emblem of Holland |
| Tulip (Yellow) | Hopeless love, There’s sunshine in your smile |
| Tulip (Variegated) | Beautiful eyes |
| Tulip (Red) | Declaration of love, Believe me |
| Thornapple | I dreamed of thee |
| Tuberose | Dangerous pleasures |
| Teasel | Misanthropy |
| Trumpet Flower | Separation |
| V | |
| Valerian | Accommodating disposition |
| Verbena | Sensibility, Pray for me |
| Violet | Modesty |
| Violet (White) | Let´s take a chance |
| Violet (Blue) | Love, Faithfulness, Watchfulness |
| Virgin’s-Bower | Artifice |
| Venus Flytrap | Caught at Last |
| Viscaria | Will you dance with me? |
| Veronica | Fidelity |
| Vervain | Enchantment |
| W | |
| Water Lily | Purity of heart |
| Water Lily (Yellow) | Growing indifference |
| Water Lily (White) | Eloquence |
| Wallflower | Lasting beauty, Fidelity, Faithful in adversity |
| Wisteria | Welcome |
| Windflower | Sincerity, Love, Abandonment |
| Witch Hazel | A spell |
| Wild Rose-Tree | Poetical person |
| Wood-Sorrel | Joy |
| Whortleberry | Treachery |
| X | |
| Xeranthemum | Cheerful in adversity |
| Y | |
| Yarrow | Healing, Health |
| Yew | Sadness |
| Z | |
| Zinnia | Thoughts of absent friends |
| Zinnia (Yellow) | Daily remembrance |
| Zinnia (Magenta) | Lasting Affection |
| Zinnia (White) | Goodness |
| Zinnia (Scarlet) | Constancy |
| Zephyranth | Fond Caresses |
Some of you may even want to understand the symbolism of each flower to be able to get a tattoo representing the symbolism. Whatever the reason, this list should help you find out what each flower means, and use its symbolism to express exactly how you feel.
