Check the Meaning Behind These Flowers Before Gifting a Bouquet (2024)

Giving flowers is a thoughtful way to show someone you care about them. Whether you're looking to buy flowers for an anniversary, birthday or celebration or you simply want to surprise a loved one with a thoughtful arrangement, learning flower meanings can help you pick the right ones.

While most of us know red roses embody love, there are an array of beautiful flowers that symbolize romance and various rose colors represent different meanings. Be on the lookout for red blooms (think red camellias and red tulips) while shopping for Valentine's Day flowers to gift to your significant other. For someone who recently graduated or started a new job, gift an arrangement of dahlias and amaryllis to congratulate them. Or, gift scotch brooms and blue stars to symbolize strength and resilience to support someone going through a difficult time.

The meanings behind flowers becomes especially important when it comes to negative connotations or misunderstandings. Yellow roses may appear to be a bright alternative to red roses for a significant other, but they represent friendships and platonic love — not something you'd want to give on an anniversary! Even worse, some beautiful flowers, such as tansies, are deceiving, as they represent a declaration of war.

So, before you visit your local florist or order a flower delivery, be sure to consult our guide on flower meanings below. We've included details from A Victorian Flower Dictionary, The Farmer's Almanac and more, so any bouquet you choose shows exactly how you feel — good or bad!

Wish someone good luck with heather flowers. The Victorians saw these beautiful blooms as good luck because of the flower's rarity. Gift an arrangement of white or pink heathers for someone before a big exam, game or performance.

Believe it or not, lotus flowers grow in the mud. Each night, they return to the mud, and then miraculously re-bloom in the morning. They're a symbol of rebirth, self-regeneration, purity and enlightenment in many Eastern cultures.

Another dainty flower with a dark meaning behind it, the bird's-foot trefoil flower symbolizes revenge. While revenge is never the answer in real life, writers can use this symbolization in their stories and movies.

These regal blooms have long stood for royalty as well as wisdom and respect. And their opulent-looking blooms sure suggest the same. It's certainly a compliment to be gifted an arrangement of irises.

Whether you're secretly dating someone or simply enjoy keeping your love life private, forbidden or secret relationships can be exciting and difficult at the same time. Brighten the mood with yellow acacia flowers, which represent concealed love. White acacia symbolizes platonic love, so be sure to pick the right color!

Also known as "Bird of Paradise," this uniquely shaped and colorful flower represents freedom. Gift this flower to someone who is embarking on an adventure, just ended a bad relationship or recently moved into their own place.

Gift pink delphiniums to your partner when renewing your vows as they represent youth and renewal. They're also a great option to include in bouquets for anniversaries to celebrate another year together.

Tell your significant other you love them by gifting a bouquet of red camellias. Embodying passionate love, romance and desire, these flowers look gorgeous and have a beautiful meaning behind them.

Pink tulips symbolize well wishes, happiness and love — in a platonic sense. Save red blooms for a significant other and gift pink tulips to friends and family members to express how much they mean to you.

Also commonly known as Liatris and Gayfeather, these blooms symbolize joy, happiness and blissfulness — especially in romantic relationships. Gift them to your significant other for their birthday, an anniversary or another celebratory moment.

Along with nostalgia for your childhood home, elegance and femininity, this bright pink flower can represent taking care of yourself and your family. Bring a bouquet of pink azaleas to your family when you visit or arrange them in your room to celebrate yourself.

Don't let this flower's dainty appearance fool you — blue stars represent strength, resilience and perseverance. Give these flowers to someone going through a difficult time or after a notable achievement.

If your romantic relationship began as a friendship, consider gifting them coral roses. A blend between friendly yellow and romantic red, coral roses represent a mix of deep companionship and love.

Yes, it's all in the name! Forget-me-nots ask that you forget-me-not. A faraway friend or long-distance partner would surely appreciate these delicate blossoms, which also represent loyalty and devotion.

Think twice before adding tansies to a bouquet for a loved one or a friend. These little yellow flowers represent resistance and a declaration of war or battle. So, unless you're leading a revolution, it's in your best interest to steer clear of tansies.

Spoil your best friend with yellow roses, which symbolize friendship and happiness. Whether it's their birthday, they need some cheering up or you simply want to tell them how much their friendship means to you, this shade of roses will do the trick.

Is there someone you've connected with spiritually and physically? If so, orange tulips are a thoughtful gift, as they symbolize understanding and appreciation.

Like other white flowers you might consider gifting, white camellias stand for purity and innocence. Other meanings include admiration and respect.

Bring cheer to anyone's day with yellow tulips. Victorians even gave them the literal meaning, "there's sunshine in your smile," making them the perfect flower to convey happiness.