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Birth flowers

March birth flower: the daffodil

By the Merrylet teamUpdated

March’s birth flower is the daffodil. It stands for new beginnings, hope and joy. It is one of the first big flowers of spring, so it has come to mean the end of winter and a fresh start.

Plate IIIMarchDaffodil, the March birth flower: a painted stem with a bright yellow trumpet
Narcissus pseudonarcissus

March’s flower

Daffodil

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

New beginnings, hope and joy

Colors
Yellow, also white and cream
In flower
Early to mid spring
Feels like
Bright, sunny, upbeat
March birthstoneAquamarine
ZodiacPisces, then Aries from March 21

What does the daffodil mean?

The daffodil means new beginnings, hope and joy. It arrives just as winter lets go, which is why it is the flower of a fresh start.

It is the national flower of Wales, worn on St David’s Day, March 1, and cancer charities in the US and UK use it as their symbol of hope.

St David’s Day

March 1, the national day of Wales, when people pin a daffodil to their coat.

Alone in the vaseFreshly cut daffodils give off a sap that makes other flowers wilt. Florists stand them in water on their own for a few hours before mixing.

One daffodil or a bunch?

An old Victorian superstition says the number matters, so if you are giving real ones, give plenty.

What it says
A single daffodilBad luck ahead, by Victorian rules
A bunchJoy and happiness

Daffodil bulbs, leaves and sap are poisonous to people and pets, so keep a real bunch out of reach.

Give them their flowers

A birthday card that grows a spring garden

Bloom birthday card

The Bloom birthday card plays on their phone: they plant the seed packet, a painted garden grows and blooms, and your message appears word by word. 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 whole bunch of daffodils for you, never just one.
  • Born in March, right when everything starts again. Happy birthday.
  • Here’s to a year as bright as your birth flower.
See the card play, then sendAll birthday cards

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

March birth flower questions

What is the March birth flower?
March’s birth flower is the daffodil. It stands for new beginnings, hope and joy, and it is one of the first big flowers of spring.
Is the jonquil a March birth flower too?
Some lists add the jonquil, a smaller, scented kind of daffodil. Both belong to the same family, Narcissus.
Is it bad luck to give one daffodil?
By Victorian rules, a single daffodil foretold misfortune and a bunch meant joy. Most people today just enjoy them, but a bunch is the safer gift.
Are daffodils poisonous?
Yes. The bulbs, leaves and sap are poisonous to people, cats and dogs, so keep them away from pets and children.
What is the March birthstone?
The aquamarine. People born in March are Pisces until March 20 and Aries from March 21.

March’s birthstones: aquamarine and bloodstone, what they mean and their colors.

Birth flowers for every month

← February: violet and primroseApril: daisy and sweet pea →

All birth flowers, month by month

Sources