THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS
Flower meanings: what every flower and color says
Every flower carries a traditional meaning, and its color changes the message. Red roses mean romantic love, white flowers mean peace and sincerity, yellow means friendship, and pink means admiration. Use this guide to choose flowers that say exactly what you mean, then grow them in 3D and send them with a note.
Flower meanings, flower by flower
What does a rose mean?
Love in all its forms. The rose is the most famous symbol of romance, and its meaning changes with its color.
Red means romantic love and passion. Pink means admiration and sweetness. White means purity, peace and new beginnings. Yellow means friendship and joy. Orange means enthusiasm and desire.
Send it for: Valentine's Day, anniversaries, I love you, apologies (white).
Grow “Two dozen deep red roses with floating hearts” in 3D →What does a peony mean?
Romance, prosperity and a happy marriage. Peonies are lush, full blooms often chosen for weddings and twelfth anniversaries.
Pink peonies mean romance and good fortune. White peonies can mean shyness or an apology.
Send it for: Anniversaries, weddings, monthsaries, thank you.
Grow “Soft pink peonies in a glass vase” in 3D →What does a tulip mean?
Perfect, deep love. Tulips are a spring flower that says love without the formality of roses.
Red tulips are a declaration of love. Pink means care and affection. Purple means royalty and devotion. Yellow means cheerful thoughts.
Send it for: I love you, I miss you, Mother's Day, spring birthdays.
Grow “Lavender tulips by moonlight” in 3D →What does a sunflower mean?
Loyalty, adoration and happiness. Sunflowers turn to follow the sun, so they're a symbol of devotion and warmth.
Send it for: Birthdays, congratulations, get well soon, friendship, boyfriends.
Grow “Bright sunflowers in a meadow at golden hour” in 3D →What does a lily mean?
Purity, devotion and renewal. White lilies are calm and elegant; stargazer lilies are bold and bright.
Send it for: Good night, sympathy, anniversaries, Christmas.
Grow “White lilies under the stars with fireflies” in 3D →What does a lotus mean?
Purity, rebirth and enlightenment. The lotus rises clean from muddy water, so it stands for growth and new beginnings.
Send it for: New chapters, encouragement, calm and thoughtful gifts.
Grow “Pink lotuses floating on a still pond with koi fish” in 3D →What does a daisy mean?
Innocence, cheer and loyal love. Daisies are simple and sunny, the flower of friendship and new starts.
Send it for: Get well soon, friendship, just because, fifth anniversaries.
Grow “White daisies in a meadow with butterflies” in 3D →What does a orchid mean?
Love, luxury and strength. Orchids are exotic and long-lasting, a sophisticated choice.
Send it for: Mother's Day, thank you, elegant romantic gifts.
Grow “Lavender orchids at golden hour” in 3D →What does a carnation mean?
Fascination and a mother's love. Carnations are the traditional Mother's Day flower and the first anniversary flower.
Pink carnations mean gratitude and a mother's love. Red means admiration. White means pure love and good luck.
Send it for: Mother's Day, thank you, first anniversaries.
Grow “Pink carnations in a glass vase” in 3D →What does a hydrangea mean?
Heartfelt emotion and gratitude. Big rounded clusters make hydrangeas feel generous and abundant.
Send it for: Thank you, apologies, fourth anniversaries.
Grow “Blue hydrangeas in the rain” in 3D →What does a cherry blossom mean?
The beauty and shortness of life. In Japan, sakura stand for renewal and treasuring the moment.
Send it for: Long-distance love, new beginnings, spring.
Grow “Pink cherry blossoms at sunrise” in 3D →What does a forget-me-not mean?
Remembrance and true love. Its name is its message: don't forget me.
Send it for: I miss you, long-distance relationships, farewells.
Grow “Blue forget-me-nots in a meadow” in 3D →What does a sampaguita mean?
Faithful love, purity and devotion. Sampaguita (Arabian jasmine) is the national flower of the Philippines and is often given as a promise of love.
Send it for: Monthsaries, anniversaries, Filipino celebrations.
Grow “Sampaguita and white roses in a glass vase” in 3D →What does a hibiscus mean?
Delicate beauty and joy. Known as gumamela in the Philippines, hibiscus is a bright tropical flower that feels warm and welcoming.
Send it for: Birthdays, summer greetings, just because.
Grow “Red hibiscus by a waterfall” in 3D →What does a daffodil mean?
New beginnings and hope. Daffodils are among the first flowers of spring.
Send it for: Get well soon, encouragement, new jobs.
Grow “Yellow daffodils in a mason jar at sunrise” in 3D →What does a chrysanthemum mean?
Joy, optimism and long life. In many countries, chrysanthemums celebrate friendship and good health.
Send it for: Thank you, friendship, birthdays.
Grow “Yellow chrysanthemums in a meadow” in 3D →What flower colors mean
- Red
- Romantic love, passion and desire. The color of Valentine's Day.
- Pink
- Affection, admiration, sweetness and gratitude.
- White
- Purity, peace, sincerity and new beginnings. Often used to say sorry.
- Yellow
- Friendship, joy and warmth. The happiest color in a bouquet.
- Orange
- Enthusiasm, energy and celebration.
- Purple and lavender
- Devotion, admiration and a gentle longing for someone.
- Blue
- Calm, trust and remembrance. Rare in nature, so it feels special.
Flower meaning questions
What flower means I love you?
The red rose is the best-known flower for I love you. Red tulips are a declaration of love too, and pink peonies stand for romance.
What flower means sorry?
White roses and white tulips are traditional apology flowers, because white stands for peace and sincerity. Purple hyacinths are an old symbol of asking forgiveness.
What flower means friendship?
Yellow roses are the classic friendship flower. Sunflowers, daisies and chrysanthemums also express warmth and loyalty.
What does a single rose mean?
A single rose traditionally means love at first sight, or that you have one love only. Twelve roses ask "be mine", and two dozen say "I'm yours".
What is the national flower of the Philippines?
The sampaguita (Arabian jasmine). Its small white flowers stand for purity and faithful love, and they're often given in garlands.
Meanings come from the Victorian language of flowers and from traditions around the world, and they vary by culture. The meaning that matters most is the one you give them in your note. Looking for ideas by occasion? See digital flowers for every occasion.