Skip to Content

Top 8 Flowers That Symbolize Hope

Top 8 Flowers That Symbolize Hope

Flowers can be a great surprise for any occasion, from birthdays and anniversaries to simply showing someone that you care.

While many flowers may symbolize love, peace, and beauty, others take on a more significant meaning of hope, perseverance, and the ability to remain resilient through all odds.

Below is our list of the top 8 flowers that symbolize hope.

Flowers that symbolize hope are: Opuntia (Prickly Pear), Prunus, Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis), Eranthis (Winter Aconite), Plumbago, Cornflower (Centaurea), Snowdrops (Galanthus) and the Iris.

1. Opuntia (Prickly Pear)

Opuntia (Prickly Pear).
Opuntia
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re looking for a bright, bold, vibrant cactus flower that is unique to any other cactus in its family, the Opuntia, also known as the Prickly Pear, is one flower you will not soon forget.

The Opuntia flower, or the Prickly Pear, is native to both North and South America as well as Argentina and Canada.

This flower comes from a long line of 200 species in the cactus family and includes bright cactus stems and tiny spines that give this flower a decorative and inviting look.

The Prickly Pear is a major economic resource throughout Mexico, and is also used to make fruit, which is referred to as tuna throughout Mexico.

When you think of a typical cactus, you might automatically conjure up an image of a bright green cactus. While there are bright green Prickly Pear flowers, they also come in a wide range of colors.

From yellow and purple to bright red, this cactus flower is named after its rounded fruits and decorative spine along with its pear-like texture.

In most regions, the Opuntia, or Prickly Pear, is known as a common symbol of hope, especially when used with colored arrangements of the cactus flower.

2. Prunus

Prunus Flower.
Prunus Flower
I, Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons

The Prunus flower is a light, beautiful, bright, and inviting flower that comes from a family of more than 400 species in total.

The flower itself is a descendent of the Rosaceae family, which is most commonly found throughout the Northern hemisphere.

The flower includes a variety of colors, mostly including bright pinks, purples, and white with its five-petaled flowers.

In addition to blossoming bright springtime flowers, the Prunus flower also develops fruits of its own, which are often referred to as stone fruits.

The Prunus flower is in the same lineage as many deciduous trees such as plum and cherry trees as well as almond and apricot trees.

The word “Prunus”, is actually derived from Latin, translating into “plum tree”, which aligns with the Prunus’ classification alongside deciduous trees such as the plum tree itself.

For most, the Prunus flower symbolizes the welcoming and hope of spring as well as endurance.

3. Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis)

Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis).
Myosotis
David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Myosotis flower, also known as Scorpion Grass and Forget Me Not flowers, are small, five-petal five-sepal flowers that come in a range of colors, from blue and white to a range of pinks.

For those who appreciate smaller flowers that pack a punch and deliver a burst of color, Forget-Me-Nots are always a great choice.

The Myosotis flower is a genus that comes from the family Boraginaceae, a family of more than 50 species in total.

The Myosotis can typically be found native throughout Asia as well as in various parts of Europe.

In Greek, the genus name ‘Myosotis’, can be translated directly to “mouse’s ear”, as the flower petals of the flower are reminiscent of a mouse’s ear for many.

When it comes to the symbolism of the Myosotis, or Forget-Me-Not flower, the flower typically represents hope, remembrance, as well as unconditional love.

Giving a Forget-Me-Not flower is appropriate in many situations, as it is often thought of as a friendly and loving flower.

However, for some, it may also be appropriate to use during funerals and when representing the loss of someone or death.

4. Eranthis (Winter Aconite)

Eranthis (Winter Aconite).
Eranthis
Onderwijsgek, CC BY-SA 2.5 NL, via Wikimedia Commons

The Eranthis, also known as the Winter Aconite, is derived from the Greek words “er”, which translates to “spring”, as well as “anthos”, which is another Greek word for “flower”.

Because his flower blooms earlier than others in the same family, it was properly named Eranthis.

The name Winter Aconite was given to the Eranthis flower as it closely resembles many other flowers throughout the Aconitum genus.

However, unlike the traditional Aconitum, the Winter Aconite is not typically known to be poisonous in nature.

The Eranthis flower is striking in nature and appears as cup-shaped flowers in bright colors including both yellow and white.

Eranthis flowers are not only beautiful, but they are also strong and can survive a range of temperatures, often surviving even in frost conditions.

When it comes to symbolism, the Eranthis flower typically represents hope and a new beginning, as it is one of the earliest blooming flowers in the springtime.

The Eranthis flower can also represent rebirth in different cultures and belief systems.

5. Plumbago

Plumbago flower.
Plumbago
Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Plumbago flower is from a genus family (Plumbaginaceae) of around 10 species, including not only a mix of traditional perennials but also annuals and shrubs.

Plumbagos can be found throughout many different tropical regions around the globe that maintain warm and humid climates year-round.

The petals of the Plumbago flower are round and saucer-shaped, making this flower appear quaint and cute, especially as they thrive in both complete sunshine as well as in partial shade (in most scenarios with proper maintenance).

The actual name of the flower, Plumbago, is derived from two Latin words, “plumbum”, and “agere”.

The Latin word “Plumbum”, translates to “lead”, while the Latin word “agere” can be translated into the phrase “to resemble”.

In the past, the Plumbago flower was thought to assist in the curing of lead poisoning in other individuals.

In terms of symbolism, the Plumbago has a bright and optimistic meaning.

Plumbago flowers typically represent good wishes and symbolize hope whenever they are used, discovered, or even given to others.

6. Cornflower (Centaurea)

Cornflower (Centaurea).
Cornflower
Peter O’Connor aka anemoneprojectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Centaurea, also known as the Bachelor’s Button, the Basket Flower, or the Cornflower, is a flower that comes from a long line of more than 500 species.

The Cornflower is a descendant of the Asteraceae family, which includes disk-shaped florets and petal-like florets that are also connected near the flower head.

These bright and vibrant flowers appear flowy, magical, and unique with their range of colors and original appearance.

In ancient Greek, the word “centaur” is derived from the word “kentauros”, which is where the name of the flower originates.

Those who refer to the Centaurea flower as a Cornflower typically do so as the name was given to the flower as it is often grown and cultivated in cornfields.

The Centaurea flower is a common symbol of hope, unity, and remembrance. It can also be used to symbolize devotion, love, and fertility.

In some cultures, the Cornflower/Centaurea flower can be used as a representative of the future as well as of wealth and prosperity.

7. Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Snowdrops (Galanthus).
Snowdrops
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re searching for a flower that not only symbolizes hope, but one that is unique and difficult to compare to any other, the Galanthus, or the Snowdrop flower, is one not to miss.

This bulbous flower is a descendant of the Amaryllidaceae family, which includes a line of around 20 species in total.

Snowdrop flowers are white, and are known for their bell-shaped flower appearance, which typically droops down while appearing loose and open.

The actual flower genus name, Galanthus, is derived from Greek words “gala” and “anthos”, meaning “milk”, and “flower”, respectively.

The term “gala”, also known as the word “milk” in Greece, represents the white color of the Snowdrop flower itself.

Most often, the Galanthus represents hope, innocence, and modesty.

In some cultures, it can also be representative of rebirth, purity, as well as fertility, depending on the instances in which the flower appears or is used.

8. Iris

Purple Iris Flower.
Purple Iris Flower
Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Iris is one of the most well-known flowers from around the world.

As a descendant of more than 300 species in the Iridaceae family and native to various regions throughout the Northern hemisphere, it is no wonder that the Iris is one of the most popular flowers that is known to represent hope.

With its vivid, large, sprawling leaves, the Iris is a gorgeous plant that is sure to brighten up any room or garden.

Although most Iris flowers come in bright purple and Lavender colors, there are also pink and violet Iris flowers as well as the rare yellow and blue Iris.

Iris is derived from the Greek word “Iris”, itself, which literally translates into “rainbow“.

When it comes to the symbolism of the Iris flower, Irises typically represent hope, purity, faith, and wisdom.

If you see a blue Iris in any situation you find yourself in, the flower is known to represent hope.

Summary

Whether you want to give hope to a loved one or if you are trying to rebuild a relationship, using flowers that symbolize hope is one way to do so while also demonstrating that you care.

Choosing a flower that represents hope is a way for you to truly show that you are thinking of someone else or a situation you may find yourself in.

References

  • https://www.atozflowers.com/flower-tags/hope/

Header image courtesy: Image by Konevi from Pixabay