December Birth Flower
Narcissus & Holly
Rebirth, protection, good fortune, and the spirit of winter
Quick answer: The birth flowers for December are the Narcissus and Holly.
Narcissus symbolizes rebirth, hope, and good fortune, while holly represents protection, eternal life, and the festive spirit of winter — together they brighten the darkest month of the year.
What Are December's Birth Flowers?
December has two birth flowers: the narcissus and holly. Together, they embody the dual nature of the month — the narcissus's promise of renewal and light returning, paired with holly's steadfast protection and evergreen resilience through the coldest season.
The narcissus (Narcissus species) is December's primary birth flower. This family includes paperwhites, jonquils, and the winter-blooming daffodils that bring fragrant white and golden blooms to the darkest weeks of the year. Named after the mythological Greek youth who was transformed into a flower, the narcissus has been cultivated for thousands of years across Europe and Asia for both its beauty and its medicinal compounds.
Holly (Ilex) is December's secondary birth flower. While technically not a flower in the traditional sense, holly has been designated as a birth flower due to its profound significance in midwinter celebrations across centuries. Its glossy, spiny evergreen leaves and vivid red berries have made it one of the most recognizable symbols of the winter holiday season worldwide.
Narcissus: Meaning & Color Symbolism
Narcissus flowers carry nuanced meanings that vary by color. In the Victorian language of flowers, the shade you choose sends a specific message:
Narcissus Meanings by Color
White
Purity, innocence, and new beginnings
Yellow
Joy, friendship, and the return of happiness
Orange Cup
Desire, enthusiasm, and creative energy
Bicolor (White & Yellow)
Respect, admiration, and unrequited love
Pale Cream
Gentle affection and quiet elegance
Peach / Apricot
Gratitude, warmth, and sincere appreciation
Cultural Significance
In China, narcissus — especially the variety known as the Chinese Sacred Lily — is one of the most auspicious New Year flowers. Families force bulbs in decorative bowls of water and pebbles, timing the blooms to coincide with the Lunar New Year as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.
In Wales, the daffodil (a type of narcissus) is the national flower, worn on St. David's Day. In Persian culture, the narcissus represents the beauty of a beloved's eyes and features prominently in classical poetry. In Japan, narcissus (suisen) is one of the auspicious plants of the New Year, symbolizing purity and a fresh start.
Holly: Meaning & Symbolism
Holly symbolizes protection, defense, eternal life, and good fortune. Its ability to stay vibrantly green through the harshest winter months made it a powerful symbol of endurance and hope for ancient peoples who observed the natural world closely.
In Celtic tradition, holly was one of the most sacred plants. The Druids believed it remained green through winter to keep the earth beautiful when the mighty oak lost its leaves. They brought holly into their homes during the cold months to offer shelter for woodland spirits and to ward off malevolent forces.
In Christian tradition, holly took on new layers of meaning. Its sharp, spiny leaves came to represent the crown of thorns, while the bright red berries symbolized drops of blood. The evergreen nature of the plant became associated with eternal life. Today, holly remains one of the most enduring and beloved symbols of the winter holiday season across many cultures.
History of December's Birth Flowers
Narcissus History
The narcissus traces its name to ancient Greek mythology. The Greeks and Romans used the flower in funeral wreaths while also celebrating it as a herald of spring's return. The word "narcissus" may also derive from the Greek narke (numbness), referencing the plant's sedative alkaloids.
In China and Japan, narcissus has been cultivated for over 1,000 years. Arab traders brought the flower from the Mediterranean to East Asia, where it became deeply embedded in New Year traditions. European interest surged during the 16th century when Dutch and Flemish gardeners began breeding ornamental varieties, laying the foundation for the modern narcissus industry.
Holly History
Holly has been revered since antiquity. Ancient Romans exchanged holly boughs during Saturnalia, their great midwinter festival honoring Saturn. They decorated their homes with holly and believed it warded off lightning and evil spirits. Many of these customs were later absorbed into Christian Christmas celebrations.
The Celts and Druids held holly sacred, believing the Holly King ruled the dark half of the year from midsummer to midwinter. In medieval Europe, holly was planted near homes specifically to deflect lightning strikes. By the 15th century, holly had become a firmly established Christmas decoration throughout Europe, a tradition that persists today.
How to Grow December's Birth Flowers
🌼 Growing Narcissus
- Light:Full sun to light shade for outdoor planting
- Soil:Well-drained soil; paperwhites grow in just pebbles and water
- Water:Keep moist during growing season; dry when dormant
- Zones:USDA zones 3-9 (varies by species)
- Bloom:Winter to early spring outdoors; 4-6 weeks when forced indoors
- Tip:Plant outdoor bulbs in fall, 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart for spring blooms
🌿 Growing Holly
- Light:Full sun to partial shade (more sun means more berries)
- Soil:Well-drained, slightly acidic soil
- Water:Regular watering until established; drought-tolerant once mature
- Zones:USDA zones 5-9 (varies by species)
- Bloom:Small white flowers in spring; red berries in fall through winter
- Tip:Plant both male and female trees — only female hollies produce berries, but they need a nearby male for pollination
Popular Varieties
Paperwhite Narcissus
Narcissus papyraceus
The classic indoor forcing narcissus with clusters of fragrant pure white flowers — no cold treatment required.
Chinese Sacred Lily
Narcissus tazetta
Fragrant white petals with yellow cups, traditionally grown in water with pebbles for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Jonquil
Narcissus jonquilla
Clusters of small, intensely fragrant golden-yellow flowers on slender stems — prized by perfumers.
English Holly
Ilex aquifolium
The classic Christmas holly with spiny, glossy green leaves and vibrant red berries.
American Holly
Ilex opaca
Native to eastern North America with duller green leaves and persistent red berries that feed birds all winter.
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
A deciduous holly that drops its leaves to reveal bare branches covered in brilliant red berries — stunning in winter arrangements.
Interesting Facts
No Soil Needed
Paperwhite narcissus can bloom in nothing more than a shallow dish of pebbles and water, making them one of the simplest flowers to grow indoors during winter.
Natural Deer Repellent
Narcissus bulbs contain lycorine, a toxic alkaloid that repels deer, rodents, and other garden pests — making them one of the most reliably animal-proof garden plants.
Male & Female Trees
Holly trees are dioecious — each tree is either male or female. Only female trees produce the iconic red berries, and they require a male tree nearby for pollination.
Fine Woodworking
Holly wood is one of the whitest and hardest woods in the world. It has been used to make chess pieces, piano keys, mathematical instruments, and fine inlay work.
Ancient Narcotics
The name "narcissus" likely derives from the Greek word "narke" (numbness), referencing the plant's sedative properties. This same root gives us the word "narcotic."
400+ Species
There are over 400 species of holly found worldwide, ranging from tiny shrubs to trees reaching 50 feet tall, and from evergreen to deciduous varieties.
How to Use December's Birth Flowers
Birthday Bouquets
Pair fragrant white paperwhites with sprigs of holly for a festive December birthday arrangement that captures the magic of the season.
Home & Garden
Force paperwhite bulbs indoors for effortless winter blooms. Plant holly shrubs as year-round garden structure with winter interest from their bright red berries.
Tattoo Inspiration
December birth flower tattoos often feature the narcissus's elegant trumpet shape or holly's distinctive spiny leaves and berries — both translate beautifully into detailed ink work.
Holiday Decorating
Holly wreaths and garlands are timeless holiday decorations. Combine them with bowls of forced paperwhites for a natural, fragrant centerpiece that celebrates December's birth flowers.
December Birth Flower & Birthstone Connection
Holly's ancient role as a protective talisman mirrors turquoise's longstanding reputation as a stone of protection that shields its wearer from harm.
The narcissus's themes of rebirth and renewal align beautifully with tanzanite's association with spiritual transformation and heightened awareness.
Both December's flowers and stones bring vivid color to winter — the red of holly berries, the blues of tanzanite and turquoise, and the bright whites and yellows of narcissus.
The narcissus's clarity of form and pure colors echo the brilliance and purity of blue zircon, while holly's resilience complements the enduring strength of all three December gemstones.