For years, gifting flowers has been the bestway to say “I love you.” Many purchase flowers based on their significance, however not all flowers symbolize love the same way.
Some flowers that mean love also represent friendship, loyalty and appreciation. Use this guide to learn flower meanings and select the right symbol of love for the person you are gifting to. Whether they are a significant other or someone you are meeting for the first time, use different flower meanings to express your thoughts and feelings towards them. If you do a good job, maybe they will plant theirtulipson you!
Flowers That Mean Love + Affection
When it comes to love, say it with a gesture that comes from within. Like gifting flowers!
There are many types of flowers that mean love, but the most iconic is the red rose. Thered roseis known as theflower of love. The red rose symbolizes deep emotions and desires. Red roses are traditionally given to symbolize love, but aren’t the only ones to earn this title. Other types of love flowers include peonies, sunflowers, or tulips, which symbolizehappiness, prosperity and romance. If flowers aren’t your love’s style,lavenderis the plant that symbolizes love and can be used to beautifully adorn presents or as perfumes. Keep reading for a deep dive into the most romantic flowers to help you customize your arrangement. To break it down, we’ve categorized other flowers that mean love by their symbol of intimacy, family or friendship.
Romantic Flowers + Their Meanings of Intimacy
Whether it is your first or your 30th Valentine’s Day,selecting a giftthat conveys warmth and affection can be a difficult task. This Valentine’s Day, create a bouquet where every bloom means a different symbol of love. For inspiration check out our mostromantic arrangementsthat will instantly put a smile on your love’s face.
1. Red Rose
As stated previously, the red rose reigns as the most romantic flower. Like many of the flowers we will be exploring, red roses come in varying shades that carrydifferent symbolic meanings. For example, a bright red rose represents romance, while burgundy symbolizes a love that has yet to be realized. Theclassic red roseis often the best choice for expressing your deepest affection.
2. Tulip
After red roses comes a fragrant favorite popular for celebrating spring holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day. The meaning oftulipsis perfect love. Like many flowers, different colors of tulips also often carry theirown significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved from once representing hopeless love to now being a common expression for cheerful thoughts and sunshine. White tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness.
3. Carnation
Another of many flowers that means love is thecarnation. The carnationsymbolizesfascination and distinction. Lighter red shades of carnations are often used to convey admiration, where the darker shaded carnations express deeper sentiments of love and affection. White carnations are associated with purity and luck, and pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude.
4. Orchid
For a mysterious and one‐of‐a‐kind love, the popularorchidhas been a go-to gift torepresentrefinement, luxury and mystery for years. This exotic bloom alsosymbolizeslove, beauty and strength and makes the perfect gift to express how lucky you are to love your special person.
5. Peony
Another flower that means love is the peony. The peony is commonly seen in wedding bouquets and has a tied meaning toChinese culture. As the official emblem of China, the flower plays a large role in holidays and traditions likethe Chinese New Year. The Chinese name for “most beautiful” translates to peony. Express your love by telling your significant other that they are the most beautiful with this flower.
Flowers That Represent Love + Friendship
If creating romance this Valentine’s isn’t in the stars for you, then select a flower that means love and friendship as a Galentine’s Day treat. One of the most popular flowers meaning love and friendship is thealstroemeria.
6. Alstroemeria
The alstroemeria or “Peruvian Lily” represents a strong bond as well as prosperity. Theysymbolize traits of loyaltylike devotion, support and survival and are known as a gesture to stay strong and keep your head high. This flower would make a great gift for a friend who has tested time and has remained supportive through the ups and downs.
7. Sunflower
Another cheery flower that means love is the warmsunflower. Thesunflower representsadoration, loyalty and longevity. The sunflower reminds many of warm summer days and sunny memories together. This cheery bloom is a perfect way to tell someone they are a friend for life and you appreciate what they do for you.
8. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums in white, purple and blue colors are especially useful in expressing your feelings of friendship. The delicate petalssend a messageof joy, optimism and fidelity when mixed in with other popular friendship flowers. They also are popular in corsages and are commonly given in formal settings to show adornment.
9. Zinnia
For remembering a special friend or someone who is no longer with you, select a flower that reminds you of your fond memories and pays respect to who they were. A bouquet of zinnias is the perfect way to remember them and honor their memory. These small and ruffled flowers come with a wide range ofmeaningsdue to the bloom colors, but striped and mixed zinnias are closely tied to remembrance of friends.
10. Violet
Violets are known torepresent faithfulnessand the blue shade symbolizes faith, affection and intuition. The violet color is known to haveroyal symbolismand its striking presence in a bouquet would make a beautiful gift for a friend you may hope to pursue but do not want to be too forward with.
Flowers Meaning Love + Family
Gifting a bouquet to a family member for Valentine’s Day can bring a sense of love and camaraderie into your life. Select a bloom that expresses joy and belonging to the person whether they are an actual family member or just feel as close as one.
11. Daisy
There aremany meaningsassigned to the gentledaisy—from innocence, simplicity, and joy to happiness, good fortune and new beginnings. Gift this sweet bloom to a little one to represent purity, childhood innocence, simplicity and joy.
12. Hydrangea
Another delicate bloom that represents love and family is thehydrangea.Hydrangeassymbolizeheartfelt emotions for the people you love including your spouse, children and family. This flower represents unity and togetherness and would be a lovely gift to adorn those in your home this Valentine’s Day.
13. Lily
Liliessymbolizepurity and refinement. White lilies symbolize modesty and innocence while orange lilies symbolize passion. Another type of lily, Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness and purity of heart. These elegant flowers make the perfect gift for a family member you respect and admire.
14. Lilac
Like the delicate daisy, lilacssymbolizeyouthful innocence. With many different colors of lilacs come manydifferent symbols.White lilacs symbolize purity and innocence while violet lilacs symbolize spirituality. Magenta lilacs represent love and passion and are the most romantic color of the bloom and blue lilacs symbolize tranquility and happiness. The most popular, light purple lilac symbolizes first love and can be used to recall feelings of young love this Valentine’s Day.
15. Gardenias
Gardenias are flowers that represent children and family because oftheir meaningof purity and sweetness. Other symbols they carry are trust, hope and clarity and have been documented among those practicing meditation as a sign of protection, purity and energy in hopes of enlightenment.
If you’re looking for a special gift, leave a lasting impression with help from your favorite florals. Your love will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gift and will feel showered in care through the special blooms you selected and each flower’s meaning. For inspiration, look through the different bouquets and gifts to pick out your favorite flowers that mean love.Shop by flower typeto customize your special one’s special bouquet!
Shop Best Selling Flowers
Fiesta Bouquet
$95$60 - $128
Shipped in a Gift Box
The Fiesta Bouquet is composed of a lively mix, fit to celebrate any and every moment. With a combination of vibrant flowers, this florist–designed arrangement brings a pop of color and a burst of excitement as soon as it arrives.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
Light of My Life Bouquet
$80$50 - $105
Shipped in a Gift Box
The Light of My Life Bouquet blossoms with brilliant color and a sweet sophistication to create the perfect impression! Pink Lilies make the eyes dance across the unique design of this flower bouquet, surrounded by the blushing colors of orange roses, lavender cushion poms, hot pink carnations, and lush greens. Presented in a clear glass vase, this fresh flower arrangement has been created just for you to help you send your sweetest thank you, happy anniversary, or thinking of you wishes.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
Beyond Blue Bouquet
$55 - $92
Shipped in a Gift Box
There is something about the shade of blue that brings a sense of calmness and serenity. Our Beyond Blue bouquet is designed with billowing white blooms and pops of bold florals to deliver just the right sentiment for any reason.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
