Merrylet
Sign in
Sign in
Birth flowers

January birth flower: the carnation and the snowdrop

By the Merrylet teamUpdated

January has two birth flowers: the carnation and the snowdrop. The carnation stands for love, admiration and distinction, and each color says something different. The snowdrop, one of the first flowers to push through the snow, stands for hope.

Plate IJanuaryCarnation, the January birth flower: a painted stem with a ruffled pink bloomSnowdrop, the second January birth flower: a painted stem of white nodding bells
Dianthus caryophyllusGalanthus nivalis

Two flowers for January

Carnation

Dianthus caryophyllus

Love, admiration and distinction

Colors
Pink, red, white, yellow
In flower
All year from florists
Feels like
Ruffled, warm, classic

Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

Hope and a fresh start

Colors
White with green tips
In flower
Late winter, often in snow
Feels like
Small, brave, quiet
January birthstoneGarnet
ZodiacCapricorn, then Aquarius from January 20

What does the carnation mean?

The carnation means love, admiration and distinction. It is one of the oldest flowers people have grown, and one of the longest-lasting in a vase.

Its Latin name, Dianthus, is usually read as “flower of the gods”, from the Greek dios and anthos.

Flower of the gods

Dianthus, the carnation’s Latin name, from the Greek dios, of the gods, and anthos, flower.

What each carnation color means

A painted red flowerRedLove and admirationFor a partner
A painted pink flowerPinkGratitude and a mother’s loveFor a mother or grandmother
A painted white flowerWhitePure love and good luckFor a new chapter
A painted yellow flowerYellowCheer today (the Victorians read it as disappointment)For a friend who needs a lift

What does the snowdrop mean?

The snowdrop means hope. It is one of the very first flowers of the year, often opening while there is still snow on the ground, which makes it a good thing to wish someone at the start of a new year.

Each flower is a small white bell with three outer petals that open wider when the sun comes out.

1908The year Anna Jarvis handed out white carnations at the first Mother’s Day service in West Virginia, which is why the carnation became the Mother’s Day flower.

Carnation or snowdrop: which is the January birth flower?

Both. The carnation is the one most lists give first, and the snowdrop is the one that actually blooms outdoors in January.

CarnationSnowdrop
Where you find itEvery florist, all yearGardens and woods in late winter
Best forLove, a mother, admirationHope, a fresh start, a hard winter

Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous to people and pets, so admire them in the garden rather than bringing them in.

Give them their flowers

A birthday card that blooms in the middle of winter

The Painted Garden birthday card

The Painted Garden birthday card opens on their phone into a pop-up garden party: a cake on the table, a teddy in a party hat, a rabbit flicking an ear. Add their name and a few words to the card, send it by text, and they just tap the link.

Something to write inside
  • A carnation for you, for being so easy to admire.
  • Born in January, the month of fresh starts. Happy birthday.
  • Here’s to a year as hopeful as the first snowdrop.
See the card play, then sendAll birthday cards

Watch the card before you write a word. Your first greeting card is free.

January birth flower questions

What is the January birth flower?
January has two birth flowers: the carnation and the snowdrop. The carnation stands for love, admiration and distinction. The snowdrop stands for hope, because it is one of the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter.
What color carnation is best for a January birthday?
Pink is the classic choice and says gratitude and a mother’s love. Red says love and admiration, white says pure love and good luck, and yellow says cheer.
Why is the carnation the Mother’s Day flower?
Anna Jarvis, who started Mother’s Day, handed out white carnations at the first service in 1908. Pink and red carnations are now given to mothers who are living.
Are snowdrops poisonous?
Yes. Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous to people and pets if eaten. The flowers are safe to look at.
What is the January birthstone?
The garnet. People born in January are Capricorn until January 19 and Aquarius from January 20.

January’s birthstone: garnet, what it means and its color.

Birth flowers for every month

← December: narcissus and hollyFebruary: violet and primrose →

All birth flowers, month by month

Sources