March Birth Flower

Discover the two birth flowers of March — the daffodil and the jonquil — along with their meanings, symbolism, colors, growing tips, and gift ideas.

Birth Flowers of the Month

March — Daffodil & Jonquil

March welcomes the first bold blooms of spring: the cheerful, trumpet-shaped daffodil and its fragrant cousin the jonquil. Both belong to the Narcissus genus and carry centuries of symbolism around hope, renewal, and affection.

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Daffodil

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Primary

The daffodil is among the most recognized flowers in the world. Its bold yellow trumpet rising from a ring of petals has made it the universal herald of spring. A native of southwestern Europe, daffodils have been cultivated for over 2,000 years and carry rich symbolism in cultures from ancient Greece to modern Wales.

Symbolism

  • New beginnings & rebirth
  • Hope & optimism
  • Happiness & joy
  • Unrequited love

Common Colors

Golden Yellow White Orange Cup Pale Pink

Quick Facts

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to
SW Europe & North Africa
Bloom season
Late winter – mid spring
USDA zones
3 – 8
Toxic?
Yes (all parts)

Jonquil

Narcissus jonquilla

Secondary

The jonquil is a smaller, intensely fragrant species within the Narcissus genus. It produces clusters of two to six bright yellow flowers per stem atop round, rush-like leaves. Native to Spain and Portugal, its heady scent has made it a prized ingredient in perfumery for centuries and the preferred choice in Southern U.S. gardens.

Symbolism

  • Desire & affection
  • Sympathy & understanding
  • Return of affection
  • Spring renewal

Common Colors

Bright Yellow Pale Lemon Cream-White

Quick Facts

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to
Spain & Portugal
Bloom season
Mid to late spring
USDA zones
4 – 9
Fragrance
Intensely sweet

Daffodil Color Meanings

Different daffodil shades carry distinct messages. Click a color to reveal its meaning.

History & Mythology

Daffodil

Ancient Greece — The Narcissus Myth
The daffodil's genus name Narcissus traces back to the Greek myth of the youth Narcissus, who was so captivated by his own reflection that he wasted away beside a pool, and a flower bearing his name sprang up in his place. Ancient Greeks planted narcissi around tombs, believing the flowers guided souls to the underworld. The philosopher Theophrastus described them in his botanical texts as early as 300 BCE.
Roman Antiquity
Roman physicians extracted sap from narcissus bulbs to treat wounds, though it often caused more harm than good (the sap contains toxic alkaloids). Pliny the Elder noted their medicinal use in Naturalis Historia. Romans also cultivated narcissi in gardens and used the flowers in garlands for festivals honoring the gods.
Welsh & British Tradition
In Wales, the daffodil is the national flower, worn on St. David's Day (March 1) each year. A Welsh proverb holds that the first person to spot a daffodil in the new year will enjoy more gold than silver — a metaphor for good fortune. William Wordsworth immortalized the flower in his 1807 poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," cementing its place in British cultural identity.
Modern Symbolism
Today the daffodil is a global symbol of hope in cancer awareness — notably used by Cancer Research UK and the American Cancer Society in their campaigns. It signifies resilience, rebirth, and the arrival of brighter days. It also serves as the traditional 10th-wedding-anniversary flower in many cultures.

Jonquil

Iberian Origins
Narcissus jonquilla is native to Spain and Portugal, where it grows wild in meadows and along river banks. Its name comes from the Spanish "junquillo" (diminutive of "junco," meaning rush), a reference to its distinctive round, rush-like leaves that distinguish it from flat-leaved daffodil species. Spanish explorers brought it to wider cultivation in the 16th century.
Perfumery & the Fragrance Trade
The jonquil's extraordinary fragrance — a rich, sweet, slightly green scent — made it a prized ingredient in European perfumery from the 17th century onward. Grasse, France, the perfume capital of the world, cultivated jonquils alongside jasmine and rose. True jonquil absolute remains one of the most expensive natural perfume materials, used in chypre and floral oriental fragrances.
Victorian Floriography
In the Victorian language of flowers, jonquils were used to express longing and the desire for affection to be returned. Sending a jonquil said, "I desire a return of affection" or "Have pity on my passion." This emotional specificity made jonquils a popular choice in 19th-century courtship rituals, distinct from the more broadly joyful message of common daffodils.
American Southern Gardens
Jonquils became especially beloved in the American South, where the warmer winters allow them to naturalize freely. They appear in countless Southern gardens passed down through generations — often called "old garden narcissus." Unlike many plants, jonquil bulbs are deer-resistant and multiply readily, making them reliable perennials across zones 4–9.

Growing Tips

Growing Daffodils

  • 1. Plant bulbs in fall, 6 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart, in full to partial sun.
  • 2. Choose well-drained soil — bulbs rot in soggy conditions.
  • 3. After blooming, let foliage die back naturally to replenish the bulb for next year.
  • 4. Divide crowded clumps every 3–4 years for continued strong flowering.
  • 5. Deer and rodents avoid daffodil bulbs — no need for wire protection.

Growing Jonquils

  • 1. Plant bulbs 4–5 inches deep in fall; jonquil bulbs are smaller than standard daffodils.
  • 2. Full sun to light shade works well; more sun means more blooms.
  • 3. Jonquils naturalize well — they multiply freely and return reliably each year.
  • 4. Ideal for Southern gardens (zones 5–9) where they thrive in warmer winters.
  • 5. To enjoy the fragrance indoors, cut stems when buds are just opening and condition them separately from other flowers.

Gift Ideas for March Birthdays

Make a March birthday unforgettable with these daffodil- and jonquil-inspired ideas.

Fresh Daffodil Bouquet

A vibrant bunch of yellow daffodils is the quintessential March birthday gift.

Daffodil Bulb Gift Kit

A curated box of mixed daffodil bulbs with a planting guide — a living gift that gives for years.

Jonquil Perfume

A luxury fragrance featuring jonquil absolute — a rare and intensely sweet scent.

Daffodil Jewelry

A gold or enamel daffodil pendant or earrings — a wearable symbol of March.

Botanical Art Print

A framed botanical illustration of daffodils or jonquils makes a lasting keepsake.

Birth Flower Book

A beautifully illustrated guide to birth flowers — thoughtful for gardeners and floral enthusiasts.

Birth Flower by Month

Select any month to see its traditional birth flower.

Summary

Discover the two birth flowers of March — the daffodil and the jonquil — along with their meanings, symbolism, colors, growing tips, and gift ideas.

How it works

  1. Browse the hero cards to compare the daffodil and jonquil side by side.
  2. Explore each flower's symbolism and the messages different colors convey.
  3. Check the Quick Facts grids for botanical family, hardiness zones, and bloom details.
  4. Read the History and Mythology section to discover the ancient lore behind each flower.
  5. Use the Growing Tips panel to cultivate daffodils or jonquils in your own garden.
  6. Pick a gift from the March Birthday Gift Ideas section.
  7. Use the month-selector widget to look up birth flowers for any month of the year.

Use cases

  • Finding a meaningful gift flower for a friend born in March.
  • Planning a March birthday bouquet with seasonal blooms.
  • Learning floral symbolism for greeting card design or wedding themes.
  • Growing daffodils or jonquils in a home garden or planting bed.
  • Teaching children about birth flower traditions and spring gardening.
  • Choosing a tattoo or artwork design with personal birth-month significance.
  • Writing poetry or prose that references March or spring symbolism.
  • Identifying a flower you received as a March birthday gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

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