Flower Meanings Guide: The Hidden Messages Behind Every Bloom

Was your New Year’s resolution to learn a language? Skip the Italian and throw that German dictionary in the bin; instead, try to wrap your head around the language of flowers. It might sound a little mystical, but flower meanings are fascinating and deeply rooted in history.

Each and every flower has a meaning. Some represent love – your classic red rose, for example – while others can give you strength or simply brighten up your day – dahlias and sunflowers.

Ready to expand your knowledge and take on the world of floriography? We’ve created a crash course in flower meanings right here.

Find the perfect blooms to express your feelings in our flower arrangements collection.

Flower meanings, also known as floriography, have evolved over thousands of years. It’s thought that the language of flowers has roots in ancient mythology and religious practices, but it’s most commonly linked with the Victorian era, when it reached peak popularity.

Historians believe that flowers were used to convey feelings during the reign of Queen Victoria, a time when strict etiquette prevented emotions from being openly expressed. Some cheeky flirting was going on, basically.

Flowers were sent in the form of small bouquets, known as tussie-mussies or nosegays. They usually featured fragrant herbs and a single, meaningful flower wrapped in a lace doily. Suitors then presented tussie-mussies to someone who took their fancy and watched to see if they were accepted.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as swiping right on Hinge, but it just shows that flowers have been used to send messages for centuries.

How to Read the Language of Flowers

Within the art of floriography, every bloom or colour carries its own special meaning or symbolism. The number of flowers and the arrangement can also influence this, allowing you to send coded messages of love, joy, friendship or loss.

• Type: Different flowers have unique meanings, such as lilies for purity or roses for affection.
• Colour: Colours can also convey different feelings, such as red for love and yellow for friendship.
• Quantity: Some flowers even take on a new meaning depending on the number of blooms. For example, a single daffodil is a no-no and is said to bring bad luck, while a bunch of them can be given for good luck.
• Arrangement: Combining flowers creates a complex, detailed message, adding certain types or colours to express emotions.

Once you understand the meaning of flowers, you can start experimenting with your bouquets and arrangements to let your loved one know exactly how you feel about them.

Popular Flowers and Their Meanings

We’ve rounded up some of the most popular flowers and their meanings to help you choose the perfect bouquet or to convey a certain emotion. You’ll be an expert in floriography in no time at all.

• Red roses: Passion and enduring love
• Red tulips: True love and admiration
• Red chrysanthemums: Loyalty and devotion

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, a partner’s birthday or declarations of love.

• Pink asters: Grace and thoughtfulness
• Pink roses: Appreciation and admiration
• Pink camellia: Affection and longing

Suitable for celebratory bouquets, friendships, anniversaries or to say “thinking of you”.

• Yellow chrysanthemums: Joy and long life
• Daffodils: New beginnings and fortune
• Yellow tulips: Cheerfulness and sunshine

These sunny blooms are great at Easter, for friendships or to say “get well”.

• White lilies: Purity and sympathy
• White anemones: Sincerity and remembrance
• White carnations: Pure love and good luck

Perfect for weddings, memorials, friendships and saying “good luck”.

• Purple asters: Enchantment and dignity
• Purple hyacinths: Forgiveness and regret
• Purple hydrangeas: Wealth and gratitude

Purple blooms are perfect for friendships, apologies or celebrations.

• Blue hydrangeas: Gratitude and understanding
• Blue anemones: Peace and hope
• Blue hyacinths: Sincerity and loyalty

Suitable for stress-relief bouquets or saying “get well” or “thinking of you”.

• Orange chrysanthemums: Warmth and resilience
• Orange asters: Joy and happiness
• Orange tulips: Energy and enthusiasm

These high-energy blooms are popular for birthdays, to send congratulations, to mark new homes or to say “thank you”.

Ready to send the perfect message? Explore our handcrafted arrangements featuring these flowers and more, perfect for expressing your love, admiration, or sympathy.

Love Flowers

Whether it’s flowers for partners as a symbol of romance on the 14th February or being affectionate on Mother’s Day, these flowers are all about deep emotional connections.

• Roses: Romance and passion
• Dahlias: Lasting bonds and commitment
• Tulips: Happiness and love

Perfect for anniversaries, proposals or any moment that calls for heartfelt expression.

Friendship Flowers

We all like that feeling of seeing our closest friends smile when we surprise them with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. There doesn’t even need to be an occasion; you just love them so much you want to make them happy.

• Freesias: Elegance and thoughtfulness
• Stocks: Beauty and affection
• Alstroemerias: Wealth and prosperity

Suitable for wishing your friends good luck, birthdays or surprises.

Gratitude Flowers

For expressing appreciation, recognition and heartfelt thanks, gratitude flowers are a beautiful way to say “thank you” when words alone aren’t enough. Nothing quite says thanks like a gorgeous bouquet.

• Hydrangeas: Heartfelt and understanding
• Orchids: Admiration and beauty
• Roses: Appreciation and sincerity

Ideal for saying “thank you”, “good luck” or as an unexpected surprise.

Sympathy Flowers

While it’s not something we like to think about, flowers are a common feature at funerals and as gifts for those who are grieving. These flowers are associated with empathy and remembrance.

• Poppies: Remembrance and consolation
• Hyacinths: Sorrow and forgiveness
• Lilies: Compassion and purity

The best way to support someone at a funeral or to say “thinking of you”.

Flowers that Show Joy

All flowers bring us joy, but some have meanings directly linked to this elated feeling. From reminders of summer to spreading some happiness on a cloudy day, these blooms will leave your recipient smiling from ear to ear.

• Sunflowers: Cheerful and happy
• Chrysanthemums: Optimism and long life
• Daffodils: Rebirth and fresh starts

Always well-received as new baby flowers, for birthdays and new homes or celebrations.

Apology Flowers

We’re only human, and sometimes we get things wrong. When you need to apologise to someone, flowers are the perfect way to express remorse and signal your intent to make things better.

• Tulips: Pure and elegant
• Orchids: Sincerity and peace
• Lilies: Humility and grace

Apologising to a loved one? You should take a look at romantic flowers.

Celebration Flowers

Right, let’s get this list back on track with uplifting flower meanings. To mark milestones, achievements and happy occasions, vibrant and colourful blooms can help capture the excitement of the moment.

• Carnations: Success and admiration
• Gerbera daisies: Cheerfulness and happiness
• Chrysanthemums: Optimism and joy

Perfect for birthdays, promotions, new homes, weddings and any other special moment.

The meaning of flowers can also be determined by someone’s birth month. Each month has its own unique bloom and special meaning, so let’s explore the birth flowers for every month and their significance.

Birth Month Flowers Guide

How to Create a Meaningful Bouquet

So, now you know everything you need to know about flower meanings, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice with our top tips on how to craft the perfect, meaningful bouquet.

1. Remember everything you’ve learnt about floriography. Think about the occasion the bouquet is for and which blooms and colours are most suitable. Also, consider the recipient and what they like. How would you like the bouquet to make them feel?
2. Play with different flower types and colours: Don’t forget to have fun! A bouquet is even more special if someone can tell you put the time and thought into creating one.
3. Try to go seasonal: In-season flowers are always fresher and tend to last longer. Plus, they’re usually more affordable.
4. Give it some love: Care for the flowers by trimming the stems, removing excess foliage, being gentle and keeping them hydrated. You’re now ready to start arranging.

Flower Arranging Guide

Give Your Flower Gifts the Perfect Meaning with a Handcrafted Interflora Bouquet

Flower meanings remain relevant today and can play a key role in how we celebrate and connect with one another. While traditional floriography has evolved, people still rely on the language of flowers to express emotions and add meaning to special occasions.

Whether you need a bouquet for a wedding, funeral, birthday or everyday gift, nobody understands the meaning of flowers like Interflora.

Flowers are a powerful and heartfelt tool for communication, so you can rely on our expert florists to hand-craft the perfect arrangement. Available for same-day or next-day delivery.