19 Flowers That Represent Friendship (And How to Grow Them)

Written by Heather Hall
Updated: October 18, 2023
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Friendship is a beautiful bond that brings joy and support into our lives. In the realm of nature, flowers have long symbolized this cherished connection. From vibrant roses to delicate daisies, these blossoms hold special meanings that capture the essence of friendship. Join us as we explore 19 flowers that represent friendship and learn about their heartfelt significance and how to grow them.

Giving Flowers to Friends

Dog friends

A beautiful friendship bouquet or a live plant is a wonderful way to show your friends that you love them.

©Makarova Viktoria/Shutterstock.com

Giving flowers to friends is a wonderful gesture that can brighten their day and strengthen the bond between you. Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to show appreciation, here are some tips on how to present and transport flowers effectively.

When selecting the perfect bouquet for your friend, consider their personal preferences and any symbolic meanings associated with certain flowers. Opting for blooms that represent friendship can add an extra layer of thoughtfulness. Sunflowers, yellow roses, daisies, and tulips are popular choices as they symbolize joy, loyalty, innocence, and true friendship respectively.

Once you’ve chosen the ideal arrangement, presentation is key. Taking the time to wrap the bouquet in beautiful paper or tie it with a ribbon can elevate its appearance and make the gift even more memorable. Consider adding a heartfelt note expressing your gratitude or sharing a fond memory you both cherish. This small addition can truly make the gesture feel personalized and meaningful.

Transporting flowers safely ensures they arrive at their destination looking fresh and vibrant. If possible, place them in water-filled containers during transportation to keep them hydrated along the way. For longer journeys or if immediate access to water is not feasible, wrapping damp paper towels around the stems before securing them with plastic wrap will help maintain moisture levels until arrival.

Additionally, be mindful of weather conditions when transporting flowers outdoors—extreme heat or cold may affect their quality. Avoid placing them near direct sunlight or air conditioning vents, which could accelerate wilting or damage delicate petals.

19 Flowers That Represent Friendship

These twenty flowers all represent friendship and make lovely gifts and bouquets. They are also some of the most rewarding flowers to grow in your home garden to give away to friends.

Shasta Daisy

Amazing Daisies Daisy May Shasta Daisy

The beautiful Shasta daisy is a time-honored symbol of friendship and joy.

©Heeji Choi/Shutterstock.com

The daisy is an iconic flower that has a bright yellow center and white petals. This cheerful flower symbolizes innocence, beauty, and new beginnings. It is also a symbol of true love and looks beautiful in bridal bouquets and friendship baskets.

Growing daisies is easy and low-maintenance. It is best to plant them in a sunny spot with good drainage, as they prefer warm and dry conditions. You can grow them in soil or a pot, and they need to be watered regularly. To ensure that the daisy continues to bloom, deadhead the flowers once they begin to fade.

Carnation

Yellow and black butterfly on yellow carnation flower

The lovely-smelling carnation comes in many colors.

©Ana Fidalgo/Shutterstock.com

Carnations are often seen as a symbol of love and admiration. These beautiful flowers have long-lasting blooms and come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, red, purple, and yellow. Their petals are delicate, ruffled, and fringed, creating a unique and eye-catching appearance. To grow a healthy carnation, it’s important to give it plenty of sunlight, water, and rich soil. Because carnations are a flower that represents friendship, consider giving a bouquet to your closest friends today.

Marigold

Close up of beautiful Marigold flower (Tagetes erecta, Mexican, Aztec or African marigold) in the garden

Friendship bouquets look gorgeous, filled with brilliantly colored marigolds.

©FunFamilyRu/Shutterstock.com

Marigolds are bright and cheerful flowers that make a beautiful addition to any garden. They come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They have double-layered petals and a slightly fuzzy texture. Marigolds are a symbol of passion and creativity, and they have a wonderful aroma. They are an excellent gift to let your friends know that you care about them. To ensure they grow strong and healthy, make sure to plant them in full sun and well-draining soil.

Sunflower

Russian mammoth sunflowers in a field

Sunflowers are a big way to represent friendship in a bright summer bouquet.

©Ganeshkumar Durai/Shutterstock.com

The vibrant and cheery sunflower is a symbol of loyalty and admiration. These tall and striking flowers have distinctive yellow petals and dark centers. Their petals are long and broad, creating a stunning visual. To get the most out of these flowers, give them plenty of sun and nutrient-rich soil. With the right care, sunflowers can reach heights of up to six feet!

Yellow Rose

gold medal grandiflora rose

Nothing symbolizes the love between friends better than a bright bouquet of yellow roses.

©Sarawut Konganantdech/Shutterstock.com

The rose is one of the most beloved flowers in the world. It is a beautiful bloom with a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Its petals are delicate yet robust and come in a range of shades, from vibrant reds and pinks to soft whites and yellows. The rose is symbolic of love, beauty, and passion. You can use it to express feelings of admiration and devotion. It is also the color of the rose that most represents the love between lifelong friends.

Growing roses is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Plant them in well-drained soil and in an area with at least six hours of sun per day. Water them regularly and feed them with a good quality fertilizer. Pruning is also important for the health and beauty of the plant. With proper care, roses will be a stunning addition to any garden.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth

The smell of hyacinths alone is a great reason to give them to your best friends.

©Mariia Romanyk/Shutterstock.com

The hyacinth is a beautiful flower with a unique appearance. Its broad, bell-shaped blooms come in a range of colors, from deep purples and blues to pinks, reds, and whites. Additionally, the petals are often streaked with multiple shades, creating a stunning color palette. Symbolically, the hyacinth is often associated with rebirth and renewal. It makes an awesome gift for a budding or new friendship.

Growing hyacinths is simple. These flowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Be sure to water regularly and apply a fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy blooms. As hyacinths are hardy flowers, they can survive in cold climates. With the right care, you can enjoy the beauty of the hyacinth for many years to come.

Lavender

lavender bonsai tree in pot

For a friendship basket, consider a living plant rather than a cut flower.

©H-AB Photography/Shutterstock.com

Lavender is a stunning flower that is well-recognized for its calming and soothing qualities. It is a small, fragrant shrub with greyish-green leaves and long, slender stems that produce beautiful lavender-hued flowers. The flower has a unique, rich scent and is prized for its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Lavender is often given as a symbol of love, devotion, and purity, and it is often used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety. It is also one of the best flowers to use to represent friendship and companionship.

To grow lavender, plant in well-draining soil and in an area with full sun exposure, as it thrives in warm temperatures. Water regularly and lightly fertilize in the spring and summer to encourage growth. Prune lightly after flowering to keep the plant from getting too large. With some patience and care, your lavender plant will produce gorgeous blooms for years to come.

Gerbera Daisy

Pink Gerbera daisy flower bloom closeup with beautiful sepals

The bright, cheerful colors of Gerbera daisies scream friendship and happiness.

©Greens and Blues/Shutterstock.com

The Gerbera daisy is a vibrant and cheerful flower that comes in a variety of colors, ranging from deep red and orange to light pink and yellow. Its petals are large and wide, and its center is a deep yellow or black.

The Gerbera Daisy is symbolic of innocence and friendship, making it a popular choice for bouquets and floral arrangements between friends. To grow a Gerbera Daisy, you need to start with a good quality seed and place it in moist soil in a sunny spot. Once you have planted the seed, water it regularly and be sure to keep it away from frost. With a bit of care and patience, you will soon have a beautiful and vibrant Gerbera Daisy in your garden.

Snapdragon

Ping flowers in the garden called Snapdragon or Antirrhinum majus or Bunny rabbits.

Annual flowers, like snapdragons, are an easy way to get plentiful flowers for friendship bouquets.

©Nualanong/Shutterstock.com

The snapdragon is an enchanting flower that stands out with its unique and detailed appearance. Its petals have a delicate texture, with colors ranging from white to pink and purple. It is also adorned with a strong yellow center, and its long stem makes it stand out from the crowd. This flower symbolizes grace, strength, and good fortune, making it a perfect gift for a beloved friend.

To grow snapdragons, start with quality seeds and plant them in well-draining soil. Make sure to provide enough space between the seeds and to water them regularly. To ensure healthy growth, it’s best to prune the plant regularly and use fertilizer every two weeks. With the right care, you can enjoy the beauty of snapdragons all season long.

Clematis

clematis

Giving whole plants, like bare root clematis, is a great way to surprise your gardening friends with a treat.

©iStock.com/Billy_Fam

This stunning flower features delicate petals that come in a variety of shades, ranging from purple to white and even pink. It is known for its strong symbolism of mental beauty and intelligence, making it a popular choice for both gardens and friendship bouquets.

To grow clematis, choose a sunny spot with well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Plant the flower near a trellis, fence, or other structure that it can easily climb. Water regularly, and be sure to prune back stems when they become too long or unruly. With a bit of patience and care, you will soon have a beautiful display of clematis in full bloom!

Columbine

Growing columbine flowers is very easy, and they readily self-seed for next season.

©Martin Hibberd/Shutterstock.com

This stunning flower is a sight to behold. Its bell-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors, ranging from white to purple, with some varieties even featuring multiple shades. Its five-petaled petals are often streaked with contrasting colors, making it a truly captivating sight. Symbolically, columbine stands for the joys of life and success in one’s endeavors. This would make the ideal gift for a friend who is celebrating an accomplishment.

Growing columbine is a fairly easy task as long as you provide it with plenty of sun and well-drained soil. Water deeply to ensure the roots are adequately hydrated, and cut back the stems after the blooms have faded to encourage re-blooming. With proper care, this beautiful flower will reward you with its exquisite beauty for years to come.

Pansy

gardening. planting flowers. gloved hands are planting pansy flowers. perennials

Planting pansies together can be a great thing to do with friends.

©Michkasova Elena/Shutterstock.com

This delicate flower is a gardener’s delight! With its signature purple, yellow, and white petals, the pansy is a sight to behold. Symbolizing thoughts of love and remembrance, it’s unsurprising that this flower is a favorite between friends. Growing this flower is a breeze; simply plant in full to partial sun, and watch it thrive! Pansies are known for their hardiness and can withstand even cooler temperatures. So, even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still have a beautiful garden of pansies with just a little bit of effort.

Lily of the Valley

lily of the valley

The white flowers of the Lily of the Valley represent friendship and humility.

©Agnes Kantaruk/Shutterstock.com

The Lily of the Valley is a delicate, fragrant flower that represents friendship, sweetness, and humility. Its small, white bell-shaped blossoms are nestled in a bed of lush green leaves. Growing lily of the valley is fairly simple. They thrive in partial sun and well-drained soil. With some patience and care, these lovely flowers will bloom in the springtime and fill the air with their delightful scent. For best results, plant the bulbs in the fall and keep them moist and well-watered. In the summer months, remove the spent flowers and prune the foliage as needed. With the proper attention, these beautiful blooms will bring joy to any garden.

Coreopsis

Close-up photograph of Coreopsis plant flowers in a garden

Coreopsis plants are easy to care for and fun to give away.

©RuthG/Shutterstock.com

This vibrant flower is an eye-catching addition to any garden. It is characterized by its yellow petals, each with a darker yellow center and a bright green stem and leaves. It is a symbol of cheerfulness, friendship, and joy, making it a great choice for lifting spirits. To grow coreopsis, start with well-drained soil and full sun. Plant seeds in late spring and keep the soil moist until germination. Once the seedlings reach a few inches in height, thin them out to give them room to grow. With proper water and care, these cheerful blooms will bring a note of joy to any garden.

Bellflower

Serbian Bellflower

Gardens with plenty of sunshine make great spots to grow bellflowers.

©iStock.com/Mirojak75

The bellflower is a beautiful and delicate flower, perfect for brightening any garden. Its five petals unfurl to reveal a bright blue to purple color, with a yellow center that draws the eye. This flower represents kinship, humility, and gratitude. What a great way to show someone appreciation.

To grow a Bellflower, begin by planting its seeds in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Water frequently and keep an eye out for pests, discarding any infested plants. Prune often to encourage strong growth and abundant blooms. With a little care, you can enjoy these beautiful flowers for years to come.

Aster

Background with pink asters. Pink daisies. Aster alpinus, perennial. Floral background

In the fall, when asters are blooming, consider giving a bouquet to your friends.

©Klever_ok/Shutterstock.com

The aster is a beautiful flower that symbolizes patience and love that is unconditional. It is a perennial flower with a daisy-like appearance, featuring a yellow center surrounded by a ring of petals in shades of pink, white, and purple. This flower is quite easy to grow, as it requires little maintenance. It prefers to be planted in an area with full sun and moist, well-drained soil. To ensure a healthy flower, it should be watered regularly and fed with fertilizer once a month. Not only is the Aster a stunning addition to any garden, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of patience and love.

Begonia

Red begonia in the field

There are dozens of types of begonias and they all make excellent friendship gifts.

©iStock.com/deaw59

Beautifully unique, the Begonia is a captivating flower. Its petals blossom in a range of colors, from pink to yellow to white. In addition, its vibrant green leaves are speckled with silver dots, making it a true sight to behold. The Begonia has a special symbolism – it symbolizes caution and protection. It also represents a deep and lasting friendship.

Growing a Begonia is easy. Plant it in a container that has ample drainage, and keep it in an area with partial sun and partial shade. Water regularly, being sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Fertilize every two weeks and remove any dead leaves or flowers. With the proper care, you can have a stunning Begonia in your home or garden in no time.

Impatiens

Red and orange impatiens in a flower bed.

Impatiens come in bright colors and are fantastic plants for flower beds and borders.

©iStock.com/Joe_Potato

The Impatiens flower is truly a sight to behold. With its vibrant colors and delicate petals, it looks like a bouquet of joy. Symbolically, this flower stands for love between friends and mentors and a kind heart. Growing Impatiens is fairly easy. Plant the seeds in a small container with moist soil, making sure to keep the soil lightly moist. Place the container in a warm, sunny spot, and with some patience, you can have a beautiful Impatiens garden in no time.

Bluebell

Many people believe that bluebells represent gratitude for a lasting friendship.

©iStock.com/TylaArabas

The bluebell is a beautiful flower that blooms in shades of blue, purple, and white. This flower represents gratitude for deep and long-lasting friendships. It is often used in floral arrangements between friends. To grow a Bluebell, plant the seeds during the spring in a sunny spot in the garden. Ensure the soil is well-drained and watered regularly. With the right care, the Bluebell will produce an abundance of delicate blooms. Its tall stems are dotted with bell-shaped blooms that create a stunning display. The delicate blooms create a peaceful atmosphere and will easily add a touch of beauty to any garden.

Summary of 19 Flowers That Represent Friendship

FlowerSymbolism
1Shasta DaisyInnocence, beauty, and new friendships
2CarnationLove and admiration
3MarigoldLong-lasting friendship, passion, and creativity
4SunflowerLoyalty and admiration
5Yellow RoseThe love between lifelong friends
6HyacinthRebirth and renewal
7LavenderLove, devotion, and purity
8Gerbera DaisyInnocence and friendship
9SnapdragonGrace, strength, and good fortune
10ClematisFriendship bond, mental beauty, and intelligence
11ColumbineCelebrating the successful endeavors of friends
12PansyThoughts of love and remembrance
13Lily of the ValleyFriendship, sweetness, and humility
14CoreopsisCheerfulness, friendship, and joy
15BellflowerKinship, humility, and gratitude
16AsterPatience and unconditional love
17BegoniaCaution, protection, and deep friendship
18ImpatiensThe love between friends and mentors and a kind heart
19BluebellGratitude for deep and long-lasting friendships

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Nitr/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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