Primary
Narcissus
In the Victorian language of flowers it signifies the wish for others to stay as they are.
Birth flowers by month
December Birth Flowers
The December birth flowers are the narcissus and the holly. The paperwhite narcissus is forced indoors to flower in midwinter; holly keeps its glossy leaves and red berries through the coldest weeks. Narcissus carries the wish that someone stay just as they are, holly the protection of a home and its happiness.
- Narcissus
- Narcissus papyraceus toxic to pets
- Holly
- Ilex aquifolium toxic to pets
Toxicity: ASPCA list.
December birth flowers at a glance
Secondary
Holly
In the Victorian language of flowers it signifies defense and domestic happiness.
Paperwhite bulbs planted in November flower in four to six weeks without any cold period, in time for December. Holly berries ripen in autumn and stay on female plants through winter.
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December birth flower
Narcissus
The plant
Narcissus papyraceus, the paperwhite, a fragrant, tender narcissus with clusters of small white flowers. Unlike garden daffodils, it does not need a winter chill to flower.
Why it belongs to December
The genus takes its name from the Narcissus of Greek myth, who fell in love with his own reflection. Research at Cornell University found that watering forced paperwhites with a dilute solution of spirits keeps the stems shorter and stops them flopping.
Meaning by color
White for purity and good wishes; the yellow-centered forms add renewal and new beginnings.
Keeping it
Set bulbs in gravel or pebbles with water just below their base, in a cool bright room. The scent is strong, so they suit hallways more than dining tables.
Safety
Like all narcissi, the bulbs and leaves are toxic to people and pets.
December birth flower
Holly
The plant
Ilex aquifolium, the European holly, an evergreen tree with spiny leaves. Plants are either male or female, and only females carry berries — and only when a male grows nearby.
Why it belongs to December
Holly was brought indoors during the Roman midwinter festival of Saturnalia and later took on Christian symbolism, the berries read as drops of blood and the spines as the crown of thorns.
Meaning by color
Green leaves for eternal life and hope, red berries for goodwill and protection.
Keeping it
Cut sprigs stay fresh for weeks in a cool room; misting helps. Buy a named female variety if berries are the aim.
Safety
The berries are toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in children and pets.
Giving December birth flowers
A bowl of paperwhites planted a month ahead is the classic December birthday present — it arrives in flower and fills the house with scent.
Toxicity notes follow the ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; if a pet has eaten part of a plant, call a vet or a poison line rather than waiting for symptoms.
Paired with the December birthstone
December pairs these flowers with Turquoise — blue to blue-violet, hardness 5–6 on the Mohs scale. Why the pairing is a modern habit →
How many people have a December birthday
December accounts for 8.35% of US births, the 6th largest share of the 12 months. On an average day it sees 11,171 births, the 7th largest daily count of the 12 months.
December: 11,171 births a day, 828 fewer than September.
Questions
What is the December birth flower?
Narcissus is the primary flower, with Holly as the second.
What does the December birth flower mean?
The wish for others to stay as they are, in the Victorian language of flowers; Holly adds defense and domestic happiness.
Sources
Statements of fact on this page were checked against these sources in October 2026. How we choose and check sources: editorial policy.
Cite this page
AstroHot. “December Birth Flowers: Narcissus and Holly Meaning.” Accessed October 27, 2026. https://astrohot.com/birth-flowers/december/
For Wikipedia
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