January is a month of frost, holidays and the first days of a new year. Flowers feel especially precious now, a reminder of spring in the middle of winter. In the birth month flower tradition, January belongs to the carnation and the snowdrop. Here's what these flowers mean, what blooms in January outdoors, indoors and at the florist's, and which bouquet to give someone born in January. Next month: February flowers.
The carnation is January's main flower. It stands for love, admiration and gratitude, and each colour adds its own nuance: red for passion, white for sincerity, pink for a mother's love. Carnations last a long time in a vase, which makes them a great winter choice. More on their symbolism in carnations meaning.
The second flower of the month is the snowdrop, a symbol of hope and renewal. It's the first to push through the snow, so it's seen as a sign that the hardest days are passing. Snowdrops are protected in Ukraine's Red Book and must not be picked in the wild; see snowdrop. The full list for every month is in birth month flowers.
What blooms in January
In the garden, during a January thaw, hellebores, witch hazel and winter jasmine may bloom, a rare treat in a winter yard. Indoors it's the season for flowering houseplants: cyclamen, amaryllis, poinsettia, orchids and azaleas. See our list of houseplants that bloom in winter.
At the florist's, January is the season of roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, eucalyptus and evergreen branches. Late in the month the first imported tulips and hyacinths arrive. A bouquet of cold-hardy varieties is the best choice for winter delivery.
A bouquet for January birthdays
The easiest approach is to build a bouquet around the month's flower: carnations with roses or eucalyptus. For a classic taste, white roses echo the snowy mood of the month. January birthdays fall under Capricorn and Aquarius; see flowers by zodiac sign. And for the month's holidays, read January holidays in Ukraine.
Keeping a bouquet fresh in winter
In winter, temperature swings and dry radiator air harm flowers. After delivery, let the bouquet adjust to room temperature for 15–20 minutes, then trim the stems and place it in a vase with flower food; we include it with UFL bouquets. Keep flowers away from heating. More tips in winter flowers.
January birthday bouquets
White roses, orchids and winter bouquets delivered fresh across Kyiv, even in frost.
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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Hydrangeas