Welcoming a new year brings a sense of renewal and fresh beginnings. And what better way to celebrate the first month than by exploring the beautiful birth flowers of January? These delicate blooms not only add a touch of natural beauty to birthday celebrations or other occasions, but also carry rich symbolic meanings.
What is the flower for January birthdays?
January babies get two fantastic birth flowers – carnation and snowdrop. These flowers may seem like an odd pairing, but they perfectly represent the start of a new year.
Carnation
These ruffled flowers come in a variety of shades like red, pink, and white. Carnations have an old-school vibe, yet their layers of crinkly petals give them a fun, frilly look. Originally cultivated in the Mediterranean, they’ve been symbols of love and admiration for centuries.






Some Interesting Carnation Facts
Here are some fun and interesting facts about the history and symbolism of carnations:
- Carnations are one of the longest-blooming flowers, with some varieties flowering almost year-round in mild climates.
- The carnation is the official birth flower for those born in January, as well as the symbolic flower for the 1st wedding anniversary.
- With over 350 species, carnations are part of the Dianthus genus, which translates to “flower of the gods” in Greek.
- Carnations rank as one of the longest-lasting cut flowers, staying fresh for 2-3 weeks in a vase.
- In Greek mythology, carnations are said to have first bloomed from the tears of the Virgin Mary as she cried for Jesus carrying the cross.
- With a light spicy-clove scent, carnations were once used for body perfumes, added to beer and wine, and even used as ingredients in stews!
Snowdrop
Don’t let this delicate white flower fool you – the snowdrop is one tough bloom! It’s known as “harbinger of spring” since it pushes through frozen ground to bloom in the coldest winter months. Snowdrop gets its name from the milk-like droplets that form on the inside of each petal tip. The flower symbolizes purity, hope, and rebirth after a long winter.

A birth flower necklace makes a symbolic and personalized gift to celebrate a birthday. This sterling silver or brass piece features a vibrant snowdrop charm and a garnet stone representing their birth flower and birthstone. But the thoughtful customization doesn’t stop there, you can also engrave the recipient’s name in a sideways design.