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The Birth Flower Chart: All 12 Months at a Glance
Every month has a birthday flower with its own meaning. Find yours.
What Are Birth Flowers and Where Did They Come From?
Birth flowers work like birthstones, but for flowers. Each month of the year has a designated bloom with its own meaning. The concept traces back to the Roman tradition of celebrating birth anniversaries with specific flowers, and the system was formalised during the Victorian era when the language of flowers (floriography) was at its peak.
The Victorians assigned flowers to each month based on what bloomed naturally during that season in the Northern Hemisphere. January gets the carnation because it is one of the hardiest winter flowers. June gets the rose because it reaches peak bloom in early summer. The associations stuck, and florists worldwide still use the same birth flower chart today.
Here is what makes birth flowers a genuinely smart birthday gift idea: they show you did your homework. Handing someone a random bouquet says "I remembered your birthday." Handing them their birth month flower says "I know your birth flower is a violet, and it symbolises faithfulness." That level of personalisation costs exactly the same but lands completely differently.
In Singapore, where we do not have four seasons, all twelve birth flowers are available year-round through imported supply chains. So unlike in Europe where you might struggle to find daffodils in October, you can order any birth flower for any month with same-day delivery.
January Birth Flower: Carnation
The January birth flower is the carnation, one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world, with over 2,000 years of documented history. The name "carnation" comes from the Latin "coronation" because the Greeks and Romans used them in ceremonial crown garlands.
Carnations symbolise devotion, love, and distinction. The colour changes the meaning: pink carnations represent a mother's undying love, red carnations express deep admiration, and white carnations stand for pure love and good luck. If you are buying birthday flowers for someone born in January, a carnation bouquet is both meaningful and affordable, starting from $38.
Practical note: carnations are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers, staying fresh for 14 to 21 days with proper care. That is nearly three times longer than most roses. For the budget-conscious, carnations deliver serious bang for your buck.
February Birth Flower: Violet
February's birth flower is the violet, symbolising faithfulness, humility, and wisdom. In Victorian England, giving someone violets was a quiet way of saying "I will always be faithful to you." The small, modest flower represented depth of feeling without the flashiness of a rose.
Violets are not commonly available as cut flowers in Singapore, so florists typically substitute with purple-toned arrangements using lisianthus, lavender roses, or statice. If you want to honour the February birth flower tradition, ask your florist for a purple and blue themed bouquet. The colour captures the violet spirit even if the exact species is not in the arrangement.
March Birth Flower: Daffodil
The March birth flower is the daffodil, representing new beginnings, hope, and rebirth. It is one of the first flowers to bloom after winter in temperate climates, which is why cultures across the world associate it with fresh starts and optimism.
In Chinese culture, the narcissus (a close relative of the daffodil) is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, making it especially fitting for the Singaporean context. Daffodils are bright, cheerful, and impossible to ignore in an arrangement. A single stem costs very little, but a full bunch of 10 to 15 stems makes a striking table centrepiece.
April Birth Flower: Daisy
April belongs to the daisy, symbolising innocence, purity, and cheerfulness. The name comes from "day's eye" because the flower opens at sunrise and closes at dusk. Daisies are uncomplicated, happy flowers. They suit people who appreciate simplicity over extravagance.
Gerbera daisies are the most popular variety used in Singapore bouquets. They come in every colour imaginable, from soft pastels to electric pinks and oranges, and they photograph exceptionally well. If the birthday person is the type who immediately posts flowers on Instagram, gerberas are your best bet.
May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley
The May birth flower is the lily of the valley, meaning sweetness, humility, and the return of happiness. It is one of the most delicate and fragrant flowers in existence. Kate Middleton carried lily of the valley in her 2011 royal wedding bouquet, and it has been a favourite of European royalty for centuries.
Lily of the valley is seasonal and expensive in Singapore since it has to be imported from cool climates. If budget is a concern, white lilies or white roses make a beautiful and more accessible alternative that captures the same elegant, pure aesthetic associated with May birthdays.
June Birth Flower: Rose
June's birth flower is the rose, which needs no introduction. Roses symbolise love, beauty, and honour. They have been the world's most popular flower for at least 5,000 years, and no other bloom comes close in terms of cultural significance.
For June birthday bouquets, consider going beyond classic red. Pink roses mean grace and gratitude. Yellow roses signify friendship and joy. Peach roses express sincerity and appreciation. A mixed-colour rose bouquet tells the birthday person you chose each colour deliberately, not just grabbed the first dozen reds you saw.
July Birth Flower: Larkspur
July's birthday flower is the larkspur, representing positivity, dignity, and strong bonds. Larkspurs grow in tall, dramatic spikes covered in tiny blossoms, making them a standout filler flower in mixed arrangements. They come in purple, blue, pink, and white.
In Singapore, delphinium (larkspur's close cousin) is more readily available and works as a direct substitute. A bouquet with blue delphiniums and white roses creates a striking summer birthday arrangement that looks expensive but actually sits in the mid-range price bracket.
August Birth Flower: Gladiolus
The August birth flower is the gladiolus, symbolising strength, integrity, and sincerity. The name comes from the Latin "gladius" (sword), referring to the flower's sword-shaped leaves. Roman gladiators were supposedly given gladioli after victories, which is why the flower is associated with strength and moral character.
Gladioli are tall, dramatic flowers that work beautifully as a standalone display in a tall vase. A single stem can have 8 to 12 individual blooms that open sequentially from bottom to top over a week, giving the recipient a new flower to look at every day.
September Birth Flower: Aster
September's birth flower is the aster, meaning patience, elegance, and daintiness. The name comes from the Greek word for "star," referring to the flower's star-shaped petals. In ancient Greece, asters were believed to be created from the tears of the goddess Astraea.
Asters look similar to daisies but with thinner, more delicate petals in purple, pink, and white. They add texture and colour to mixed bouquets without overpowering the main flowers. For a September birthday, a bouquet mixing asters with roses creates a layered, textured look.
October Birth Flower: Marigold
October belongs to the marigold, symbolising warmth, creativity, and passion. In many Asian cultures, marigolds represent auspiciousness and are used in religious ceremonies and festivals. The bright orange and yellow colours make them one of the most visually energetic flowers you can send.
Marigolds are less common in premium bouquets in Singapore, but sunflowers and orange roses capture the same warm, golden energy. If the birthday person loves bold, warm colours, an autumn-toned arrangement with oranges and yellows is the perfect October birthday gift.
November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
The November birth flower is the chrysanthemum, representing joy, longevity, and loyalty. Chrysanthemums are the imperial flower of Japan and hold deep significance across East Asian cultures. In Singapore's multicultural context, they symbolise long life and happiness.
One cultural note worth knowing: in some Chinese and Korean traditions, white chrysanthemums are associated with mourning and funerals. For birthday bouquets, choose coloured varieties, yellow for friendship, pink for affection, or red for love. Avoid white chrysanthemums as a birthday gift in Singapore unless you are certain the recipient does not hold that cultural association.
December Birth Flower: Narcissus
December's birth flower is the narcissus, symbolising good wishes, prosperity, and hope. In Chinese culture, the narcissus is particularly auspicious during the Lunar New Year period. The flower's sweet fragrance and elegant white-and-yellow blooms make it a fitting end to the birth flower calendar.
For December birthday bouquets, white narcissus paired with holly or pine creates a festive seasonal arrangement. Alternatively, white lilies or white roses offer a more readily available option that still captures the narcissus's themes of purity and good fortune.
Send Their Birth Flower for Their Birthday
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Browse Birthday FlowersFrequently Asked Questions
What is my birth flower based on my birthday month?
January is Carnation, February is Violet, March is Daffodil, April is Daisy, May is Lily of the Valley, June is Rose, July is Larkspur, August is Gladiolus, September is Aster, October is Marigold, November is Chrysanthemum, December is Narcissus. Each carries its own symbolism related to personality traits and virtues.
Can I get any birth flower in Singapore regardless of the month?
Yes. Singapore imports flowers from over 15 countries, so all twelve birth flowers (or their close substitutes) are available year-round. There is no seasonal limitation here, unlike in Europe or North America where some blooms are only available for a few months.
Is it better to send someone their birth flower or their favourite flower?
If you know their favourite flower, send that. If you do not know and want to show thoughtfulness, their birth flower is the most personalised default choice. Many people do not know what their birth flower is, so receiving one with a note explaining its meaning adds a layer of surprise and care.
What is a birth flower chart?
A birth flower chart maps each of the 12 calendar months to a specific flower and its symbolic meaning. It works similarly to a birthstone chart but for flowers. The associations date back to the Victorian era and are used by florists worldwide to create personalised birthday arrangements.
Are birthday flowers by month the same in every culture?
The standard birth flower list used by most Western florists is consistent, but some cultures have their own variations. For example, Japanese floral traditions assign different flowers to some months. The list in this guide follows the most widely recognised Western birth flower convention.
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Jim Ng
Owner of Singapore FloristJim Ng is the owner of Singapore Florist, the boutique flower studio first opened in 1987 by its founding family. Jim and his team acquired Singapore Florist from the original owners with one promise: keep the craft, keep the customer relationships, and modernise everything else. Today the studio works out of Eunos Techpark, ships fresh stems islandwide, and has grown its review base past 202 verified Google reviews.
This article is part of an ongoing, well-researched flower-care library written by the Singapore Florist team, drawing on nearly four decades of hands-on bouquet design, daily delivery experience, and direct relationships with growers across Asia. If you spot anything we have missed or have a specific flower question, WhatsApp us directly and we will weave the answer into a future post.
