The meaning behind beautiful white flowers
There’s nothing quite as fresh looking as a bouquet of white flowers. Whether the flowers are sitting on your dining table, on your living room windowsill or on your bedside table, they’ll look lovely and bright in every room.
White flowers are such a classic bloom that can bring joy to anyone. But have you ever wondered what they mean? Every type of flower and flower colour has a special symbolism behind it. And it can be useful to know what they mean if you like to send flowers for different occasions.
So keep reading if you want to know all of the meanings behind white flowers, when it’s best to send them and some super fun facts that you might not have known before!
What do white flowers mean?
White flowers have a lot of different meanings in different cultures. Here are some of the most common meanings white flowers have around the world:
1. Purity
White is a colour that’s been associated with purity for centuries - which is traditionally brides wore a white dress on their wedding day. In the Victorian era, people would send white flowers to show their true and pure intentions to a loved one. And, still today, white bouquets are a very popular choice for romantic occasions.
2. Innocence
Because white is a colour that is thought of as perfect and completely untainted by stains or flaws, it’s seen as a symbol of innocence. That's why you’ll see white flowers decorating a space for religious ceremonies like weddings or baptisms; to show the innocence of the occasion and the people involved.
3. Cleanliness
White is probably the most neutral colour you can get - since it literally has no hue. This makes it a symbol of perfection and cleanliness. If you walk into a hospital and see the pure white walls, white floors and white furniture, you automatically think the place is clean and sterile. The same goes for someone’s home. So, if you want your home to feel fresh, clean and bright, buy yourself a bunch of white flowers and see what a difference it can make!
When is the best time to send white flowers?
There are so many great occasions to send someone white flowers. If a friend has recently got engaged, you can send white flowers to say congratulations. Or, if you know someone who has just become a parent for the first time, send some white flowers to welcome the new baby.
White flowers - especially white roses - are also perfect for wedding anniversaries as they are seen as very romantic flowers. Of course, if you need a bit of self-love, you can treat yourself to a beautiful bunch of white flowers anytime you need a pick-me-up.
The most popular types of white flowers
Though you’ll find pretty much all types of flowers are available in white, there are some that just look extra special and are extremely popular all year round.
1. White roses
The queen of hearts may not be a fan, but we love white roses! Perfect for the Christmas season and to freshen up the home in spring and summer too, white roses are always a gorgeous choice.
2. White orchids
We firmly believe that orchids are a must-have in any home. And white orchids instantly offer that clean, sophisticated and minimal look that’s so popular. Indoor orchids are easy to care for and will flower year after year, so you can enjoy the pretty white flowers all over again.
3. White lilies
With their distinct fragrance that will fill an entire room, white lilies are a total delight. Bright and uplifting, they’re perfect to display in a hallway so you can see (and smell) them the moment you enter the house. Be warned though, they are highly toxic to cats, so if you have feline friends, keep the lilies well-away.
4. White gerbera daisies
White gerbera daisies are one the most cheerful flowers around and will always put a smile on someone’s face. Reminiscent of warm summer days exploring the outdoors, these flowers exude charm and will look amazing in anyone’s home. They’re also the birth flower for April, so if you know any April babies, sending them some white gerbera daises will be a big hit!
Facts about white flowers
Want to know even more? If you just can’t get enough of pretty white flowers, here are some fun facts you can impress everyone with:
In Ancient Roman times, white roses were associated with the Goddess Aphrodite (the Goddess of love and beauty). It’s commonly believed that every rose in the world was white until she accidentally pricked herself with a thorn, and then all the roses turned red.
White roses used to be a symbol of secrecy.
If you want to apologise to someone, do it with white tulips as they symbolise forgiveness and worthiness.
White hydrangeas symbolise a long-lasting friendship and unconditional devotion.
Almost every flower is available in white.
Wondering what other coloured flowers mean? Take a look at our pink flowers guide and red flowers guide to learn more.
