15 Flowers That Mean Love to Add to Your Bouquet

For years, gifting flowers has been the best way to say “I love you.” Many purchase flowers based on their significance, however not all flowers symbolize love the same way. 

Some flowers that mean love also represent friendship, loyalty and appreciation. Use this guide to learn flower meanings and select the right symbol of love for the person you are gifting to. Whether they are a significant other or someone you are meeting for the first time, use different flower meanings to express your thoughts and feelings towards them.

Flowers That Mean Love + Affection 

When it comes to love, say it with a gesture that comes from within. Like gifting flowers! 

There are many types of flowers that mean love, but the most iconic is the red rose. The red rose is known as the flower of love. The red rose symbolizes deep emotions and desires. Red roses are traditionally given to symbolize love, but aren’t the only ones to earn this title. Other types of love flowers include peonies, sunflowers, or tulips, which symbolize happiness, prosperity and romance. If flowers aren’t your love’s style, lavender is the plant that symbolizes love and can be used to beautifully adorn presents or as perfumes. Keep reading for a deep dive into the most romantic flowers to help you customize your arrangement. To break it down, we’ve categorized other flowers that mean love by their symbol of intimacy, family or friendship. 

Romantic Flowers + Their Meanings of Intimacy 

Whether it is your first or your 30th Valentine’s Day, selecting a gift that conveys warmth and affection can be a difficult task. This Valentine’s Day, create a bouquet where every bloom means a different symbol of love. For inspiration check out our most romantic bouquets that will instantly put a smile on your love’s face.

1. Red Rose

As stated previously, the red rose reigns as the most romantic flower. Like many of the flowers we will be exploring, red roses come in varying shades that carry different symbolic meanings. For example, a bright red rose represents romance, while burgundy symbolizes a love that has yet to be realized. The classic red rose is often the best choice for expressing your deepest affection.

2. Tulip

After red roses comes a fragrant favorite popular for celebrating spring holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day. The meaning of tulips is perfect love. Like many flowers, different colors of tulips also often carry their own significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved from once representing hopeless love to now being a common expression for cheerful thoughts and sunshine. White tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness.  

3. Carnation 

Another of many flowers that means love is the carnation. The carnation symbolizes fascination and distinction. Lighter red shades of carnations are often used to convey admiration, where the darker shaded carnations express deeper sentiments of love and affection. White carnations are associated with purity and luck, and pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude. 

4. Orchid

For a mysterious and one‐of‐a‐kind love, the popular orchid has been a go-to gift to represent refinement, luxury and mystery for years. Orchids symbolize love, beauty and strength, which makes them the perfect gift to express how lucky you are to love your special person.

5. Peony

Another flower that means love is the peony. The peony is commonly seen in wedding bouquets and has a tied meaning to Chinese culture. As the official emblem of China, the flower plays a large role in holidays and traditions like the Chinese New Year. The Chinese name for “most beautiful” translates to peony. Express your love by telling your significant other that they are the most beautiful with this flower. 

Flowers That Represent Love + Friendship 

If creating romance this Valentine’s isn’t in the stars for you, then select a flower that means love and friendship as a Galentine’s Day treat. One of the most popular flowers meaning love and friendship is the alstroemeria. 

6. Alstroemeria

The alstroemeria or “Peruvian Lily” represents a strong bond as well as prosperity. They symbolize traits of loyalty like devotion, support and survival and are known as a gesture to stay strong and keep your head high. This flower would make a great gift for a friend who has tested time and has remained supportive through the ups and downs.  

7. Sunflower

Another cheery flower that means love is the warm sunflower. The sunflower represents adoration, loyalty and longevity. The sunflower reminds many of warm summer days and sunny memories together. This cheery bloom is a perfect way to tell someone they are a friend for life and you appreciate what they do for you.  

8. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums in white, purple and blue colors are especially useful in expressing your feelings of friendship. The delicate petals send a message of joy, optimism and fidelity when mixed in with other popular friendship flowers. They also are popular in corsages and are commonly given in formal settings to show adornment. 

9. Zinnia

For remembering a special friend or someone who is no longer with you, select a flower that reminds you of your fond memories and pays respect to who they were. A bouquet of zinnias is the perfect way to remember them and honor their memory. These small and ruffled flowers come with a wide range of meanings due to the bloom colors, but striped and mixed zinnias are closely tied to remembrance of friends.

10. Violet 

Violets are known to represent faithfulness and the blue shade symbolizes faith, affection and intuition. The violet color is known to have royal symbolism and its striking presence in a bouquet would make a beautiful gift for a friend you may hope to pursue but do not want to be too forward with. 

Flowers Meaning Love + Family 

Gifting a bouquet to a family member for Valentine’s Day can bring a sense of love and camaraderie into your life. Select a bloom that expresses joy and belonging to the person whether they are an actual family member or just feel as close as one.

11. Daisy

There are many meanings assigned to the gentle daisy—from innocence, simplicity, and joy to happiness, good fortune and new beginnings. Gift this sweet bloom to a little one to represent purity, childhood innocence, simplicity and joy.

12. Hydrangea

Another delicate bloom that represents love and family is the hydrangea. Hydrangeas symbolize heartfelt emotions for the people you love including your spouse, children and family. This flower represents unity and togetherness and would be a lovely gift to adorn those in your home this Valentine’s Day.

13. Lily

Lilies symbolize purity and refinement. White lilies symbolize modesty and innocence while orange lilies symbolize passion. Another type of lily, Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness and purity of heart. These elegant flowers make the perfect gift for a family member you respect and admire. 

14. Lilac

Like the delicate daisy, lilacs symbolize youthful innocence. With many different colors of lilacs come many different symbols. White lilacs symbolize purity and innocence while violet lilacs symbolize spirituality. Magenta lilacs represent love and passion and are the most romantic color of the bloom and blue lilacs symbolize tranquility and happiness. The most popular, light purple lilac symbolizes first love and can be used to recall feelings of young love this Valentine’s Day. 

15. Gardenias

Gardenias are flowers that represent children and family because of their meaning of purity and sweetness. Other symbols they carry are trust, hope and clarity and have been documented among those practicing meditation as a sign of protection, purity and energy in hopes of enlightenment. 

If you’re looking for a special gift, leave a lasting impression with help from your favorite florals. Your love will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gift and will feel showered in care through the special blooms you selected and each flower’s meaning. For inspiration, look through the different bouquets and gifts to pick out your favorite flowers that mean love. Shop by flower type to customize your special one’s special bouquet!