Baby’s Breath Is Not Just A Flower (2024)

FAQs

Is baby's breath a real flower? ›

baby's breath, (genus Gypsophila), diverse genus of about 150 species of annual and perennial flowering plants of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), native to Eurasia. Several are cultivated for their fine misty effect in rock gardens and flower borders and in floral arrangements.

While some like the scent, others complain that it is called baby's breath because it smells like spit. This is really a personal matter. Some like it, some don't, which is undoubtedly the case with most flowers. Just be sure that you take a whiff before you have multiple centerpieces and bouquets put together.

Most commonly, this flower is a symbol of everlasting love—which is one reason why it's a popular wedding flower. Baby's breath also represents innocence, which makes it a lovely gesture to include in baby shower gifts and gifts for new mothers.

What Is Baby's Breath? Baby's breath (scientific names Gypsophila paniculata and Gypsophila elegans) is a small, white flower most commonly known for being a filler in cut flower arrangements, especially ones featuring roses.

The Good: Baby's breath is an inexpensive and affordable option for bridesmaids' bouquets or centerpieces. It's extremely hardy and has a long lifetime. This flower also offers a light, alluring and sweet look.

Baby's breath is an easily recognizable addition to the Methow Valley's list of weedy plant species. Typically thought of as an ornamental, baby's breath has escaped cultivation and is now spreading across our landscape unhindered. Overall, the plants look like round bushes that are bluish-green to gray in color.

Baby's breath is not only pretty and romantic looking, it's also quite inexpensive. You can probably create four brides maides bouquets for around $50. If it's made of birch bark or burlap, I pretty much like it.

This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. This perennial form of baby's breath is cultivated as a garden ornamental or used by florists for fillers in bouquets, particularly with roses.

Keep in mind that the entire baby's breath flowers are toxic to pets as well as to people. It is best when used as decorations instead of for consumption. Vomiting and diarrhea can occur when you eat baby's breath flowers.

Gypsophila paniculata, the baby's breath, common gypsophila or panicled baby's-breath, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to central and eastern Europe.

Why do they call the flower babys breath? ›

More well-known, Baby's Breath's common name was coined based on the frequency it is chosen for baby shower gifts. The flower features a lacy floral canopy that is known to attract a variety of bees. Baby's Breath flowers are drought, heat, and soil tolerant.

Baby's breath is a hardy shrub. It's a common joke among growers that the baby's breath plant is something even the worst flower growers can't kill. Fresh ones will last anywhere from 8-10 days, or more when properly cared for.

Baby's Breath may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden in summer, or planted as a potted plant. Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring.

Baby's breath has low water needs and thrives in dry soil. Keep the soil moderately moist for young plants.

wedding flowers, wedding themes

Gypsophila, commonly known as baby's breath, is a symbol of everlasting love, pureness, and innocence, which is frequently used in wedding planning. Long-lasting and inexpensive makes it perfect for wedding DIY projects and decorations, from chandeliers to wreaths to boutonnieres.

Carnations. The first and most affordable blooms you can buy in bulk are carnations. These are your go-to for fundraisers, recitals, or any type of large event. Carnations are a wonderful choice and a lot of the time get overlooked, but really are a versatile flower with so much to offer.

Gypsophila is native to the steppes of Europe and central to western Asia, and was often used as an ornamental in Victorian gardens. Also known as soap root in Europe, the roots of plants in this genus contain saponins, which foam and possess cleaning properties when mixed with water.

Flowers like hydrangeas and baby's breath, while popular in bouquets, are actually toxic. Even if you aren't eating the actual flowers, just contact with the buttercream frosting you will eat could be dangerous, so it's best to stick with flowers that are edible.

Often used as a filler flower, it's starting to finally get the attention it deserves — Baby's Breath's time to shine is happening now. This inexpensive, dainty, and lovely bloom is perfect for weddings and shows its style in many non-wedding floral arrangements, too.

How many stems of baby's breath do you need for a bouquet? ›

Once the pieces from the one stem of baby's breath is bunched together, you can see that a little goes a long way. That one stem could be enough for a mason jar centerpiece. If you want a more full arrangement, you will need 2 stems. For a full bouquet, 5-7 stems.

$11.99/growers bunch

*In-store pickup price.

Flowers To Avoid: Lily Of The Valley, Daffodil, Poinsettia, Azaleas, Calla Lily, Hyacinth, Oleander, Wisteria, Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Mistletoe, Holly, Sweet Pea.

Is baby's breath toxic? YES.

Toxic to both cats and dogs are Tulips, Azalea, Bird of Paradise, Aloe, Begonias, Baby's Breath, and Amaryllis.

Although urban legends can vary in their details, this one usually consists of a cat climbing into a crib with a baby and stealing its breath. Supposedly, this happens because either the cat is attracted to the milk scent on a baby's breath, or it is simply jealous that the owners are giving more attention to the baby.

Medicinal Facts

The baby's breath flower is very well-known for its possible anti-cancer fighting properties. Chemicals within the flower known as saponins have the ability to break down cancer cells, opening them up to being killed by anti-cancer drugs by up to a million-fold.

Gypsophilia are extremely popular when it comes to Victorian arrangements and also in wedding flowers. Scent: A charming, distinctive aroma that is only coupled with this flower, thus its name. Life: Five to seven days. Meaning: Baby's Breath is named so because of its smell.

A baby's breath doesn't usually smell. That's because they have no teeth. Your teeth and tongue collect a myriad of things that can cause your breath to smell including food debris, sugars, and bacteria. Even though they don't have teeth, babies can have bad breath.

Chrysanthemum. White and yellow chrysanthemums are widely used to say goodbye, particularly in Asia.

How much is a stem of baby's breath? ›

Baby's breath is a budget-friendly filler because a few stems can go a long way. Most varieties, like gypsophila overtime and gypsophila million star, range from $1.50-$1.90 per stem.

Baby's Breath can be prone to ants. Unless you are cutting the blooms to bring them indoors, the ants don't cause much of an issue. If the pests bother you, simply pick off by hand or use a gentle homemade pest repellent such as a mix of dish soap and water.

Growing Baby's Breath is very easy, and they are quick to bloom. It is a popular flower to accent bouquets, corsages and flower vases. It also makes a great filler for at-home gardens. These plants bear an abundance of white or pink flowers.

Caring for baby's breath is an easy process. Once mature, the plant is quite self-sustaining, as long as it receives ample light and alkaline soil. According to SFGate, baby's breath should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight. They recommend watering heavily once every two to three weeks.

Baby's breath can be grown in containers or it can be planted directly in the ground. It can do well in dry, hot conditions. It will germinate within a week or two, and takes around 6-7 weeks to reach maturity.

Baby's Breath 101

In addition to producing a lovely fresh or dried flower, baby's breath softens hard edges in the garden with its billowing, branching growth habit. In ideal conditions, Gypsophila offers several flushes of blooms from late spring to fall, attracting butterflies all the while.

BABY'S BREATH

Only mildly toxic, ingestion can still lead to vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy in your cat.

In general, quality dried flowers can last for up to two or sometimes even three years when properly cared for.

Baby's Breath

You go a little crazy sometimes, and people just want to give you a big hug. Fairy tales and everlasting love is something you believe in, and no amount of pragmatism is going to change your mind. A romantic deep inside, you're always cheerful and happy.

How Long Does Baby's Breath Last? Baby's breath is a hardy shrub. It's a common joke among growers that the baby's breath plant is something even the worst flower growers can't kill. Fresh ones will last anywhere from 8-10 days, or more when properly cared for.

Is the flower baby's breath poisonous? ›

This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. This perennial form of baby's breath is cultivated as a garden ornamental or used by florists for fillers in bouquets, particularly with roses.

Keep in mind that the entire baby's breath flowers are toxic to pets as well as to people. It is best when used as decorations instead of for consumption. Vomiting and diarrhea can occur when you eat baby's breath flowers.

Leaves below the waterline may cause bacteria to form, shortening the life of your flowers. ✿ Using sharp flower shears or scissors, cut stems diagonally under cool, running water. Cut about an inch off of each stem. ✿ Immediately after cutting the stem, place the flower in the prepared water.

Flowers like hydrangeas and baby's breath, while popular in bouquets, are actually toxic. Even if you aren't eating the actual flowers, just contact with the buttercream frosting you will eat could be dangerous, so it's best to stick with flowers that are edible.

Baby's Breath and other Gypsophila species plants contain gyposenin, a saponin, which may cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. Common signs to watch for: Vomiting. Anorexia.

Baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata)

If you wish to express sympathy and grief at a funeral for a child, baby's breath would be a good choice for your arrangement. However, this flower can also be used to express these feelings for friends and family of all ages.

A baby's breath doesn't usually smell. That's because they have no teeth. Your teeth and tongue collect a myriad of things that can cause your breath to smell including food debris, sugars, and bacteria.

Medicinal Facts

The baby's breath flower is very well-known for its possible anti-cancer fighting properties. Chemicals within the flower known as saponins have the ability to break down cancer cells, opening them up to being killed by anti-cancer drugs by up to a million-fold.