Floriography—the language of flowers—has roots in ancient folklore from all over the world. People have always been fascinated by the hidden meaning of plants, and the Victorians were no exception. The practice of delivering secret messages via bouquets was popularized during the 1800s when some conversations were just too taboo to verbalize. The kind of flower, the state of the bouquet, the color of the blooms, and even the way the ribbon was tied all conveyed a message to the receiver. Talk about code!
Today, some messages are well-known, such as red roses meaning love or white blooms representing purity. But the history of attaching significance to plants is dependent on culture as much as it is on region. Take the sunflower: most people think of happiness when they see the sunny petals, but to the ancient Aztecs they were symbols of war. Two very different messages based on who receives them!
If you’re interested in floriography, be warned—once you begin cracking the code, ordinary moments take on a whole new meaning.
Alphabetical List of Plants and Their Meanings
From Lily’s Passage
Amaryllis — boldness, pride
Anthurium — hospitality
Apple blossom — preference
Aspen — community, protection
Asphodel — my regrets follow you to the grave
Azalea — take care of yourself
Balm — comfort, restoration
Basil — hate
Begonia — to repay a favor, a warning
Belladonna — silence
Bluebell — humility, faithfulness
Birch — renewal, purification
Camellia — longing for you
Celosia — courage
Chestnut — abundance, fertility, longevity
Clover — luck
Crocus — success
Cypress — sacrifice, death, mourning
Daffodil — chivalry, new beginnings
Dahlia — eternal love, commitment
Daisy — I’ll never tell, childhood
Elderberry — healing, transformation
Eucalyptus — protection
Fern — magic, secrecy
Foxglove — riddles, secrets
Frankincense — holiness, sacrifice
Ginger — health, prosperity, creativity
Gladiolus — bravery
Hawthorn — hope
Heather — luck, protection
Hellebore — scandal, renewal
Hemlock — death
Holly — foresight
Honeysuckle — nostalgia, first love
Hyacinth — please forgive me
Hyssop — cleanliness
Iris — wisdom, valor, faith
Ivy — fidelity
Juniper — resilience, strength, purification
Laurel — victory
Lavender — distrust
Lichen — cooperation, endurance
Lily — innocence
Lily-of-the-valley — apology
Maple — endurance, protection
Marigold — grief
Mint — hospitality, consolation
Mistletoe — surmounting all difficulties
Moonflower — hope in darkness
Myrrh — sacrifice
Myrtle — marriage
Nettle — cruelty
Oak — strength
Oleander — caution
Olive — peace
Orange blossom — eternal love
Orchid (red) — strength and courage
Oxalis — joy
Petunia — anger, resentment
Pine — protection
Poinsettia — good cheer, success
Poppy — remembrance
Protea — transformation
Queen Anne’s lace — sanctuary
Raspberry leaf — fertility, abundance
Rhododendron — danger
Rose (red) — love
Rose (white) — secrecy
Rosemary — remembrance
Rue — regret
Sage (common) — thoughtfulness, purification, wisdom
Scilla — loyalty, fidelity
Snowdrop — consolation, hope
Sunflower — fortune, false riches
Sweet pea — thank you for a lovely time
Tansy — hostility
Thistle — misanthropy
Tulip — deep love
Viscaria — may I have this dance?
Watercress — vitality
Waterlily — rebirth
Wheat — riches, abundance
Wildflower — hope, new beginnings
Willow — mourning
Witch hazel — wayfaring, divination
Wormwood — bitterness
Yarrow — cure for a broken heart
Yellow dock — patience
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