January Birth Flower- Meaning, Gift Ideas, & Growing Guide
Do you or a loved one have a January Birth Flower? Read this article and learn all there is to learn about January Birth Flower and fun ideas to make the January birthday feel special.
What is the Birth Flower for January?
The birth flowers for January are snowdrops and carnations. Snowdrops are tiny little flowers that hang down like a white raindrop… or snow! These cute white little flowers are the first, or one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. Carnations are one of the most popular flowers sold in grocery stores or floral shops, but not usually grown in the backyard garden or landscape. Their soft petals, variety of color, and long vase life have made them popular in many floral designs.
Birth Flower Snowdrop Flower Meaning
January Birth Flower Snowdrops symbolize hope and beauty. This makes sense being a symbol of hope because it is one of, if not the first flower to bloom in the spring. After the cold dark winter the tiny snowdrop flowers burst out of the ground bringing the hope that spring will come. For me this is better than Christmas! Last year my excitement rubbed off on my daughter and she was showing everyone the bulbs bursting out of the ground in the Spring.
Birth Flower Carnation Flower Meaning
January birth flower Carnations are a symbol of love. Not just love between lovers, but love of friendships, and family relationships. Even the colors can have different meanings, but for me I just like to grow and buy the ones that I like how they look rather than dig too deep into the meaning. Most importantly anyone who receives carnations feels loved.
Why You Should Grow These Flowers
Now that you know the flowers have you ever considered growing them? How fun would it be to have a garden full of the birth flowers of all your loved ones? Maybe your children, siblings, or loved ones that have moved on from this life. You can be in your garden and remember them, or maybe feel them with you. How healing for the soul, or just fun! Your front yard could depict your family without a family photo. Flowers have such a healing effect on the soul. My front yard is dedicated to flowers. Flowers I love and flowers that the people I love, love. Shata daisies for my mother in law, lilacs for my grandma Mary, daffodils for my grandma Oda, hydrangeas for my mom, and peonies for me. Grow flowers that have meaning, and I think growing birth flowers is a great place to start.
How to Grow Snowdrops
Growing snowdrops is as simple as growing any bulb, in the fall follow the steps below
- Dig a hole 2-3 inches deep
- Lay the bulbs in the hole with the pointy side up
- Cover with dirt
- Water
- DONE
Some other important facts to know is Snowdrops grow in zones 3-8 and can be planted in full sun, partial sun, or full shade literally anywhere!
I personally have never grown snowdrops, but after learning about them, I can’t wait to plant some next fall! I plant a bag of daffodils or tulips every fall because I know I will need the happy flowers to come up in the early spring to give me the hope I need coming out of the cold winter. The idea of having cute little white flowers coming up even earlier sounds like just the medicine I will need coming out of the dark cold months.
How to Grow Carnations
Alright so maybe bulbs aren’t your thing or you live in zone 9 or 10. Have no fear, carnations are here!
I was first turned off to growing these flowers because I was used to the ones that I saw in the stores, but there are SO many different varieties, sizes, and colors there is sure to be one that you like. Not to mention the smell of a home grown carnation is amazing. I didn’t even know they had such a beautiful floral smell until I grew them myself. To grow carnations
- Plant seeds 6-8 weeks indoors before your first frost OR plant right in the soil in the early spring when there are still chances of frost.
- Plant seed 6 inches apart
- Plant ¼ inch- ½ inch deep
- Keep soil moist and watch it grow!
Some more helpful information is that carnations are also called dianthus, so if you are looking to buy seeds they are also under the dianthus name. Carnations are also great cut flowers! Carnations make beautiful dried flowers, and last up to 3 weeks in a vase. Don’t be afraid to cut them and bring them inside to fill your home with beautiful smells.
January Birth Flower Gift Ideas
Are you a January Birthday or have a loved one with a January birthday? I have come up with a few fun, beautiful and cute ideas to make your January birthdays feel special.
- snowdrop/ carnation necklace or jewelry
- Embroider a snowdrop/ carnation flower on an article of clothing or hat
- Sticker of a snowdrop of carnation
- Children’s book, the one that I found is called The Snowdrop’s Song
- The actual seeds or bulbs!
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Final January Birth Flower Thoughts
No matter what you do, enjoy this time of month, which is a lot for me to say who has a harder time being positive in the dark cold winter. I have found focusing on what I love, flowers, and the relationships I have make it a little better. Happy Birthday to all of the January birthdays. I hope you feel special this time of year because you are a hopeful snowdrop or a lovely carnation.
As always, grow food to heal the body and
grow flowers to heal the soul,
Beth
