These delicate white flowers are not only beautiful but they have a rich history and symbolize everlasting love. Want to grow your own? There are a few things to consider.
by Amber KanuckelUpdated: September 23, 2022
Are you attending a wedding this year? If so, you’ll no doubt see baby’s breath tucked into bouquets, boutonnieres, and table centerpieces. That’s because baby’s breath is one of the most popular flowers available at florists. These tiny white flowers make a big statement in any arrangement— they provide the perfect accent to bolder, showier flowers like roses, allowing them to shine while remaining a quiet beauty in the background. So how did they get so popular?
Where Did Baby’s Breath Come From?
All baby’s breath flowers are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and were introduced to the US in the late 1800s. If you thought, “I bet Queen Victoria had something to do with it,” you’d be correct. Queen Victoria of England was responsible for many “Victorian” trends we know and love today—gardening or otherwise. She was a fan of delicate baby’s breath flowers and used them in her own wedding floral arrangements. In fact, Queen Victoria’s 1838 marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg set many of the bridal customs we know today, including the white wedding dress, which before then, was unheard of.
What Does Baby’s Breath Symbolize?
Baby’s breath is blooming with symbolism. 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’s Behind the Name?
The short answer to this question is, no one is quite sure. Dictionaries list the first recorded use of the name “baby’s breath” between 1885 and 1890. These flowers are small and delicate, so the theory is that the name may simply be a reflection of their small whisper of an accent.
The flower’s scientific name, Gypsophila paniculata, with “paniculata” reflecting the way these flowers grow —”tufted” or in branching clusters, known as panicles. The genus name, Gypsophila, comes from this plant’s natural habitat, which often features gypsum-rich (chalky) soils.
Growing and Caring for Baby’s Breath
If you are able to plant baby’s breath (see the important note, below), you’ll find it’s relatively easy to grow. The most commonly cultivated species is Gypsophila paniculata, which is most often found at florists. This species has the delicate white flowers we’re most familiar with. However, you may prefer Gypsophila elegans, a variety with somewhat larger blooms.
Gypsophila paniculata is a perennial hardy to USDA zones 3 through 9, while Gypsophila elegans is an annual that you’ll need to replant yearly. They bloom during the spring and summer months.
This plant likes full sun best, though they can survive on as little as four hours of direct sun per day. In part shade, however, they may not bloom as much or grow as large. Baby’s breath is a drought-tolerant plant, so the soil should be well-drained. And given its fondness for gypsum-laden soils, it also does best in alkaline soil.
Growing Baby’s Breath From Seed
You can grow baby’s breath both from seed and from starts purchased at your local greenhouse. If growing from seed, start indoors, or sow seeds directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Space the seeds about nine inches apart and cover them with 1/4 inch of soil. They’ll take about 10 days to germinate, and they’ll need six to eight weeks before they can be transplanted out to the garden. Once they have two pairs of true leaves, it’s OK to start the process of hardening them off—gradually move them outside for longer periods each day until they’re ready to be planted.
Growing Baby’s Breath From Starts
If you’re planting starts, pick a cloudy day to reduce the effects of transplant shock. Space each plant nine inches apart, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the top of the surrounding soil. Water them thoroughly once you’ve planted them.
Important Note: In some parts of the US and Canada, baby’s breath is classified as an invasive species. Before planting, check with your local agriculture extension office to make sure it’s not considered invasive in your area.
You wouldn’t think such a sweet little flower would present any danger, but there is one: the plant is mildly toxic to cats. Members of the Gypsophila genus contain gyposenin, a compound that can cause non-life-threatening gastrointestinal irritation, such as vomiting and diarrhea. If you have these flowers in the garden or in bouquets, make sure to discourage cats from chewing on the plants.
These tiny flowers can be just as much fun in the garden as they are in a bouquet. They’re a great option for cutting beds and for gardeners who love dried flowers!
Baby’s breath symbolizes everlasting love and innocence. No wonder it’s a popular favorite in wedding bouquets. Now you can carry this essence with you in a beautiful, handmade piece of jewelry! Makes a great bridesmaids’ gift!
Real baby’s breath flowers are sealed in this light green pendant (1.25″) on a silver-plated cable chain (16″ long).
Amber Kanuckel is a freelance writer from rural Ohio who loves all things outdoors. She specializes in home, garden, environmental, and green living topics.
Baby's breath is one of several types of Gypsophila, a genus of plants in the carnation family. Within the genus are several baby's breath cultivars, all with long, straight stems and masses of dainty, long-lasting blooms. Baby's breath varieties are easy to plant by seed directly in the garden.
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.
The flowers of Achillea Angel's Breath resemble Baby's Breath, also known as Gypsophila, with sprays of pure double-white flowers. Finely toothed foliage is dark green. Yarrows are a classic choice for the sunny garden.
When Baby's breath invades grazing land, it reduces native grasses and forage for grazing animals and wildlife. When it develops seeds and matures, the plant breaks off at the ground and rolls long distances across the landscape with the ability to spread the over 10,000 seeds per plant!
The Symbolism and Meaning of Baby's Breath Flowers – The Essentials. Baby's breath flowers are often associated with young love and new beginnings. The plant can also be a symbol of purity and innocence.
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.
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.
These days, baby's breath is a pretty outdated filler—but that doesn't mean it has no place in wedding décor! Some brides are modernizing this trend by using baby's breath on its own.
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.
Description of baby's breath: Small, blue-green leaves, almost fleshy, on stems with slightly swollen joints bear a profusion of many-branched panicles containing numerous 1/8-inch wide flowers. Plants bloom in June and July.
Or have you seen round, white poofs of fluff that you can blow into the air to make a wish? Those two flowers are the same flower. They're called “dandelions,” which comes from the French words for “lion's tooth.” They're bright and friendly-looking, but grown-ups can't stand them.
The most common lawn weeds with little white flowers are white clover, chickweed, Queen Ann's Lace, daisy, fleabanes, and hairy bittercress. Some tall weeds with small white flowers are yarrow, mayweed, pearlwort, and stinging nettle. What is this?
Devil's Breath is derived from the flower of the “borrachero” shrub, common in the South American country of Colombia. The seeds, when powdered and extracted via a chemical process, contain a chemical similar to scopolamine called “burandanga”.
Dragon's Breath celosia is a newer variety that shows off rich reddish-pink flowers and purple-flushed foliage. It grows 24 inches and 16 wide. Celosia 'Dragon's Breath' makes a superb feature plant for your summer patio displays. Feathery plumes of pillar-box red flowers rise above a mass of red-green foliage.
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.
Refrigerate baby's breath at 33 F to 36 F and 90 percent to 94 percent humidity, and allow these flowers to take up water for at least two hours before designing with or selling them. cold storage if the blooms are wet and/or if the humidity level in the cooler is too high.
When propagating baby's breath, you will likely have better success by taking cuttings from an existing plant or planting one in the landscape. Baby's breath is normally grown as an annual flower in most areas, but some types are hardy perennials. All types are easily grown from cuttings taken in early summer.
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.
Baby's Breath has long been used as a symbol of purity, innocence, hope, and new beginnings. For these reasons, it has been traditionally used in wedding bouquets and baby showers. In many cultures, Baby's Breath is given to new mothers for good luck, which is how this flower got its name.
The plant is attractive to many varieties of butterfly and also is known to attract bees. The variety, Coven Garden, was introduced in 1936 by the Grand Junction Seed Company of Colorado.
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.
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.
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.
Originally, the flowers were found in Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. After its popularity, the flowers were grown in different parts of the world. Its name Baby's Breath, however, was derived from the fact that this flower is widely used as a special baby shower gift. It is known in Great Britain by the name Soapwort.
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.
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 is a perennial; new plants come up every year from the same root system. It spreads via seeds, not a spreading root system, but one plant can produce well over 10,000 seeds.
They will benefit from deadheading as the flowers fade, as well as a complete cut back to allow them to bloom again. Baby's breath plants have terminal flower sprays and secondary sprays that grow to the sides. The terminal flowers will die first. Start deadheading those when about half of those blooms have faded.
Aurinia saxatilis is also called alyssum, but don't confuse the two. Though similar in appearance, they're quite different taxonomically. Similarly, while it looks like baby's breath, L. Gypsophila paniculate, they are not related.
Devil's Breath is derived from the flower of the “borrachero” shrub, common in the South American country of Colombia. The seeds, when powdered and extracted via a chemical process, contain a chemical similar to scopolamine called “burandanga”.
Forget-me-nots represent true love and giving someone this flower means you truly love and respect this person. It is a testament to your relationships and promises the other person that you will never forget them in your thoughts. A symbol of fidelity and being truthful to someone you love.
Gypsophila (baby's breath) are annual, hardy perennial or alpine plants that are grown for their sprays of tiny, button-like flowers in summer, in shades of white or pale pink. Gypsophilas are a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae.
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.
Overview. Angel's trumpet is a plant. The leaves and flowers are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people use angel's trumpet as a recreational drug to induce hallucinations and euphoria.
Now, an international team of researchers argue that the pattern represents the flower of Datura wrightii, a poisonous plant with hallucinogenic properties that grows near the cave, known to have been taken by Native Californians to enter a trance state.
Due to its odor, like that of a rotting corpse, the titan arum is characterized as a carrion flower, and is also known as the corpse flower or corpse plant (Indonesian: bunga bangkai—bunga means flower, while bangkai can be translated as corpse, cadaver, or carrion).
Forget-me-nots symbolize true love and respect. When you give someone these tiny blooms, it represents a promise that you will always remember them and will keep them in your thoughts. They are also considered a symbol of fidelity and faithfulness.
Lilies: Lilies with big petals resonate with the feelings of missing someone strongly. In particular, the stargazer lilies are the ones that say I Miss You.
Dragon's Breath celosia is a newer variety that shows off rich reddish-pink flowers and purple-flushed foliage. It grows 24 inches and 16 wide. Celosia 'Dragon's Breath' makes a superb feature plant for your summer patio displays. Feathery plumes of pillar-box red flowers rise above a mass of red-green foliage.
It's also known as a century plant because it only blooms once every 100 years (roughly) and then dies. But, because Raleigh gets more rain than the plant's usual home in the high elevations of Northern Mexico, the Century Plant is blooming after only thirty years.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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