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Birth flowers

November birth flower: the chrysanthemum

By the Merrylet teamUpdated

November’s birth flower is the chrysanthemum. It stands for friendship, joy and long life, and it keeps blooming late into autumn, after almost every other garden flower has gone.

Plate XINovemberChrysanthemum, the November birth flower: a painted stem with a bronze-orange bloom and two buds
Chrysanthemum morifolium

November’s flower

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Friendship, joy and long life

Colors
Bronze, yellow, red, white, purple
In flower
Late summer through autumn
Feels like
Warm, generous, long-lasting
November birthstonesTopaz and citrine
ZodiacScorpio, then Sagittarius from November 22

What does the chrysanthemum mean?

The chrysanthemum means friendship, joy and long life. It is a fitting flower for a late-autumn birthday: it opens when the days get short and keeps going after the first frosts.

Chrysanthemums have been grown in China for well over 2,000 years, and in Japan the flower is the emblem of the imperial family, whose seat is still called the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Golden flower

From the Greek chrysos, gold, and anthemon, flower. The first chrysanthemums were yellow.

What each chrysanthemum color means

In flower language, the color changes the message, so pick the one that fits the person.

A painted red flowerRedLove and deep affectionFor a partner
A painted yellow flowerYellowCheer and friendshipFor a friend
A painted white flowerWhiteLoyalty and honestyFor someone who has always been there
A painted purple flowerPurpleThoughtfulness and good wishesFor someone getting better
Up to 3 weeksHow long cut chrysanthemums can last in a vase, longer than almost any other flower a florist sells.

Is the chrysanthemum a happy flower?

In most of the world, yes. In parts of Europe it is the flower of remembrance, so where they live matters.

What it says
US and UKFriendship, cheer, a get-well bunch
JapanThe imperial emblem, long life
ChinaLong life and good fortune
France, Italy, BelgiumRemembrance, laid on graves on All Saints’ Day, November 1

Sending to someone in France, Italy or Belgium? Skip real chrysanthemums. A birthday card full of mixed flowers says happy birthday without the mixed message.

Give them their flowers

A birthday card full of flowers that keep blooming

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 chrysanthemum for you: the flower that keeps blooming when everything else has stopped.
  • Born in November, and still the brightest thing in it. Happy birthday.
  • Here’s to another year of good friends and good cheer.
See the card play, then sendAll birthday cards

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

November birth flower questions

What is the November birth flower?
November’s birth flower is the chrysanthemum. It stands for friendship, joy and long life, and it blooms late in autumn, after most other garden flowers are done.
What color chrysanthemum is best for a November birthday?
Bronze and yellow are the classic November colors and say cheer and friendship. Red says love, white says loyalty, and purple says thoughtfulness and good wishes.
Is the chrysanthemum a sad flower?
Not in the US, the UK or Asia, where it means joy and long life. In France, Italy, Belgium and some other parts of Europe it is the flower of remembrance, laid on graves on All Saints’ Day.
Are chrysanthemums toxic to pets?
Yes. The ASPCA lists chrysanthemums as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep a real bunch out of reach.
What is the November birthstone?
Topaz and citrine. People born in November are Scorpio until November 21 and Sagittarius from November 22.

November’s birthstones: topaz and citrine, what they mean and their colors.

Birth flowers for every month

← October: marigold and cosmosDecember: narcissus and holly →

All birth flowers, month by month

Sources