What are the birth flowers for January?

January has two birth flowers: the Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) and the Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis). The Carnation is the primary birth flower, while the Snowdrop is the secondary.

What does the January Carnation symbolize?

Carnations symbolize love, fascination, and distinction. Red carnations mean deep love, pink carnations represent gratitude and affection, white carnations stand for pure love and good luck, and yellow carnations can signal disappointment or rejection.

What does the Snowdrop symbolize?

Snowdrops symbolize hope, new beginnings, and consolation. Because they bloom in late winter before most other flowers, they are associated with overcoming adversity and the promise of spring.

Are birth flowers the same worldwide?

Birth flower traditions vary by culture and source. The Carnation and Snowdrop for January are the most widely recognized in Western traditions, but some traditions list only one flower per month or use different regional flowers.

How do I care for Carnations?

Carnations prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Water them at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers, and keep them away from ethylene-producing fruit which accelerates wilting.

How do I care for Snowdrops?

Snowdrops thrive in partial shade under deciduous trees where they get winter sun. Plant bulbs in autumn about 3 inches deep. They prefer moist, humus-rich soil and can be divided "in the green" (just after flowering) to spread them.

January Birth Flower

Name: January Birth Flower
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Author: Nham Vu

Look up the birth flowers for January — Carnation and Snowdrop — plus any other month.

Look Up Any Month's Birth Flower

January Birth Flowers

Carnation

Dianthus caryophyllus

Primary

Meaning: Love, fascination, and distinction

Colors: Red, pink, white, yellow, purple

Care: Full sun, well-drained soil, water at base, deadhead spent blooms.

Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

Secondary

Meaning: Hope, new beginnings, consolation

Colors: White with green markings

Care: Partial shade, moist humus-rich soil, plant bulbs in autumn 3 in. deep.

February Birth Flowers

Violet

Viola odorata

Primary

Meaning: Faithfulness, modesty, virtue

Colors: Purple, blue, white, yellow

Care: Partial shade, moist well-drained soil, keep cool.

Primrose

Primula vulgaris

Secondary

Meaning: Young love, eternal life, new beginnings

Colors: Yellow, pink, white, purple

Care: Partial shade, moist humus-rich soil, divide clumps every few years.

April Birth Flowers

Daisy

Bellis perennis

Primary

Meaning: Innocence, purity, loyal love

Colors: White with yellow center

Care: Full sun, average soil, deadhead to prolong blooming.

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Secondary

Meaning: Blissful pleasure, goodbye, departure

Colors: Pink, red, purple, white, bicolor

Care: Full sun, cool weather, provide a trellis, water regularly.

May Birth Flowers

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Primary

Meaning: Happiness, humility, sweetness

Colors: White

Care: Partial shade, moist well-drained soil, toxic if ingested — handle with care.

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Secondary

Meaning: Hope, happiness in love, protection

Colors: White, pink

Care: Full sun, well-drained soil, drought-tolerant once established.

June Birth Flowers

Rose

Rosa

Primary

Meaning: Love, beauty, passion

Colors: Red, pink, white, yellow, orange

Care: Full sun, fertile well-drained soil, prune in early spring, watch for aphids.

Honeysuckle

Lonicera

Secondary

Meaning: Devoted affection, happiness, sweetness

Colors: White, yellow, pink, red

Care: Full sun to partial shade, moist soil, provide support for climbing.

July Birth Flowers

Larkspur

Delphinium consolida

Primary

Meaning: Positivity, dignity, grace

Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white

Care: Full sun, fertile soil, stake tall varieties, toxic if ingested.

Water Lily

Nymphaea

Secondary

Meaning: Purity, enlightenment, rebirth

Colors: White, pink, yellow, purple

Care: Full sun, still or slow-moving water, plant in aquatic baskets.

August Birth Flowers

Gladiolus

Primary

Meaning: Strength, integrity, infatuation

Colors: Red, pink, orange, white, purple

Care: Full sun, well-drained soil, plant corms in spring, lift in autumn in cold climates.

Poppy

Papaver

Secondary

Meaning: Remembrance, consolation, sleep

Colors: Red, orange, pink, white, purple

Care: Full sun, poor to average soil, direct sow seeds, self-seeds freely.

September Birth Flowers

Aster

Primary

Meaning: Patience, wisdom, love of variety

Colors: Purple, pink, white, red, blue

Care: Full sun, average well-drained soil, divide clumps every 2-3 years.

Morning Glory

Ipomoea purpurea

Secondary

Meaning: Affection, love in vain

Colors: Blue, purple, pink, red, white

Care: Full sun, provide trellis, soak seeds before planting, drought-tolerant.

October Birth Flowers

Marigold

Tagetes

Primary

Meaning: Warmth, creativity, passion, grief

Colors: Yellow, orange, red, bicolor

Care: Full sun, average well-drained soil, deadhead for continuous bloom.

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Secondary

Meaning: Order, peace, modesty

Colors: Pink, white, magenta, bicolor

Care: Full sun, poor to average soil, direct sow, minimal watering.

November Birth Flowers

Chrysanthemum

Primary

Meaning: Friendship, joy, optimism, longevity

Colors: White, yellow, red, purple, bronze

Care: Full sun, fertile well-drained soil, pinch stems until midsummer for bushy plants.

Peony

Paeonia

Secondary

Meaning: Romance, prosperity, good luck

Colors: Pink, red, white, yellow, coral

Care: Full sun, fertile well-drained soil, plant eyes just 1-2 in. below surface.

December Birth Flowers

Narcissus

Primary

Meaning: Hope, wealth, good luck, prosperity

Colors: White, yellow

Care: Full sun, well-drained soil, plant bulbs in autumn, allow foliage to die back naturally.

Holly

Ilex

Secondary

Meaning: Foresight, protection, goodwill

Colors: Dark green leaves, red berries

Care: Full sun to partial shade, moist well-drained soil, plant male and female for berries.

Carnation Color Meanings

Red: Deep love and admiration

Pink: Gratitude and affection

White: Pure love and good luck

Yellow: Disappointment or rejection

Purple: Capriciousness, impulsiveness

Striped: Regret, refusal

Summary

Look up the birth flowers for January — Carnation and Snowdrop — plus any other month.

How it works

January's primary birth flower is the Carnation; its secondary is the Snowdrop.
Select any month from the picker to see that month's birth flowers and their meanings.
Each flower card shows symbolic meaning, common colors, and a short care tip.
Use this reference when choosing gifts, planning gardens, or personalizing birthday messages.

Use cases

Find the perfect birth flower for a January birthday gift.
Learn the symbolic meaning of Carnations and Snowdrops.
Look up birth flowers for any month for a friend or family member.
Choose a birth flower tattoo or jewelry motif.
Plan a birth-month themed flower arrangement.
Write a personalized birthday card with meaningful floral symbolism.
Select flowers for a January wedding with personal significance.
Teach children about birth flower traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

January Birth Flower

Look Up Any Month's Birth Flower

Carnation

Snowdrop

Violet

Primrose

Daffodil

Daisy

Sweet Pea

Lily of the Valley

Hawthorn

Rose

Honeysuckle

Larkspur

Water Lily

Gladiolus

Poppy

Aster

Morning Glory

Marigold

Cosmos

Chrysanthemum

Peony

Narcissus

Holly

Carnation Color Meanings

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the birth flowers for January?

What does the January Carnation symbolize?

What does the Snowdrop symbolize?

Are birth flowers the same worldwide?

How do I care for Carnations?

How do I care for Snowdrops?