Japanese flowers are deeply tied to the country’s culture and seasons. From blooms that mark celebrations to those linked with mourning, each flower holds special meaning. This guide introduces the flowers seen throughout the year in Japan—and those best avoided as gifts. Understanding these customs helps you enjoy Japanese flowers with greater awareness and respect.
Table of Contents
For more information on other Japanese seasonal customs, please refer to the article below.
Chapter 1: Gifting Japanese Flowers to Avoid as Gifts
Giving flowers is a beautiful gesture, but in Japan, the meaning behind each bloom matters deeply. Some flowers are tied to death, mourning, or bad luck—making them unsuitable as gifts, even if they look lovely.
To avoid misunderstandings, it’s helpful to learn which Japanese flowers carry negative meanings. Whether you’re living in Japan or planning to give flowers to Japanese friends or colleagues, this list will help you choose with care.
1. Red Spider Lily
Blooming around the autumn equinox, the red spider lily is closely tied to Ohigan, a Buddhist period for honoring ancestors. You’ll often see these vivid red flowers near cemeteries and rice fields, which is no coincidence—they were traditionally planted to keep animals away from graves due to their toxicity.
Because of their strong connection to death and the afterlife, higanbana are surrounded by superstitions. In some areas, they’re called shibitobana (death flower) or yūreibana (ghost flower). Many believe they bring bad luck if picked, and they’re never brought into the home.
For these reasons, red spider lilies are never used in bouquets or arrangements and are considered highly inappropriate as gifts.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Red Spider Lily |
彼岸花 |
Higanbana |
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2. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are one of the most culturally significant Japanese flowers, symbolizing nobility and elegance. They appear on the Imperial Family crest and even on Japanese passports. With many varieties and colors, some types—like the round ping-pong mum—are used in festive New Year’s decorations.
However, chrysanthemums also carry strong associations with death. They are commonly used at funerals, placed on graves, and offered at home altars (butsudan). Due to this connection, chrysanthemums are not considered appropriate as gifts, as they may remind people of mourning and loss.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Chrysanthemum |
菊 |
Kiku |
3. Camellia
Camellias are traditional Japanese flowers often seen in kimono and obi designs, reflecting their long-standing connection to Japanese aesthetics and culture. Blooming gracefully even in snowy landscapes, camellias are admired for their elegant image of quiet strength and refined beauty. Tsubaki oil, made from camellia seeds, is also widely used in Japanese beauty care.
Despite their beauty, camellias are considered unlucky as gifts. When the flower dies, it falls whole from the stem, which reminded samurai in the Edo period of a beheading. Because of this unsettling image, camellias are still avoided as presents today.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Camellia |
椿 |
Tsubaki |
4. White and Yellow Carnations
Carnations are one of the most popular Japanese flowers for Mother’s Day, with vibrant colors like red, pink, and orange being commonly gifted. These colors symbolize love and gratitude.
However, white carnations are traditionally offered to mothers who have passed away, making them inappropriate for living recipients. Yellow carnations also carry negative meanings such as jealousy or disappointment. For these reasons, white and yellow carnations are generally avoided when choosing flowers for Mother’s Day in Japan.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Carnations |
– |
Kānēshon |
5. Potted Plants
While not technically Japanese flowers, potted plants are a common gift in Japan—yet their meaning changes depending on the occasion. Because their roots grow and “settle,” they are seen as symbols of stability and good fortune. For this reason, they are considered auspicious gifts for openings, housewarmings, or new business ventures.
However, giving potted plants to someone in the hospital or as a retirement gift is considered bad luck. The idea of “taking root” in those situations can imply that illness or current circumstances will continue. It’s best to choose cut flowers or arrangements instead for those occasions.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Potted Plants |
鉢植えの植物 |
Hachiue shokubutsu |
Chapter 2: Seasonal Japanese Flowers
Japan’s deep appreciation for the changing seasons is beautifully reflected in its flowers. Each month brings a bloom that not only colors the landscape but also plays an important role in tradition, festivals, and everyday life. Here’s a month-by-month guide to the most iconic Japanese flowers, along with their cultural significance.
January – Plum Blossom
Plum blossoms are one of the most culturally rooted Japanese flowers. They appear not only in traditional kimono and paintings but also in food—such as umeboshi (salted plums) and umeshu (plum wine), both of which have been enjoyed for generations.
Blooming even in the cold of late winter, plum blossoms symbolize endurance, renewal, and hope. They’re often seen in shrine gardens and parks, signaling the approach of spring.
Many people confuse them with cherry blossoms, but cherry trees usually bloom later—in April.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Plum Blossom |
梅 |
Ume |
February – Camellia
Camellias bloom quietly in winter and are cherished for their refined beauty. Traditionally used in tea ceremonies, they symbolize humility and strength. However, they are avoided as gifts (see Chapter 1).
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Camellia |
椿 |
Tsubaki |
March – Rapeseed Flower
Bright yellow nanohana is one of the first Japanese flowers to signal the coming of spring. Blooming from January to March, these cheerful flowers often cover countryside fields and parks like a golden carpet, where people enjoy picnics under the early spring sun.
Nanohana also plays a seasonal role in Japanese cuisine. As a spring delicacy, it’s enjoyed in dishes like pasta, tempura, or mustard-seasoned salads, offering a gentle bitterness that reflects the freshness of the season.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Rapeseed Flower |
菜の花 |
Nanohana |
April – Cherry Blossom
Cherry blossoms are arguably the most iconic of all Japanese flowers. As spring approaches, many people check blossom forecasts and plan trips or gatherings to enjoy hanami (flower viewing) during the peak bloom. Parks and riversides fill with picnickers celebrating under the soft pink petals, creating one of Japan’s most beloved seasonal traditions.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Cherry Blossom |
桜 |
Sakura |
May – Wisteria
Wisteria is one of the most elegant and beloved Japanese flowers, with its peak bloom usually from late April to early May. The long, cascading purple blossoms create stunning displays, especially at shrines and gardens known for wisteria.
Walking beneath the hanging flowers feels almost otherworldly, as if stepping into a dream. Wisteria has been cherished in Japan for centuries and even appears in anime like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Famous viewing spots include Byakugō-ji Temple in Kyoto and Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Wisteria |
藤 |
Fuji |
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June – Iris
The iris is a graceful bloom that typically reaches its peak from June to July, just as Japan enters the rainy season. Despite the wet weather, iris gardens draw visitors with their serene beauty, adding color to the misty landscape.
Iris has long been associated with Children’s Day on May 5th, a traditional celebration of boys’ health and strength. Considered a protective plant, it was used as a medicinal herb to ward off illness. Even today, many people take shōbuyu (iris baths) on this day, continuing the tradition of wishing for good health.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Iris |
菖蒲 |
Shōbu |
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July – Morning Glory
Morning glories are classic Japanese flowers that bloom in the early summer, especially during July. Known for their vibrant colors and delicate, trumpet-shaped petals, they open in the morning and close by afternoon—capturing the fleeting beauty of summer.
Because they grow quickly and change noticeably each day, morning glories are often used in Japanese elementary schools as part of science education. Children plant the seeds, care for them, and observe their growth from sprout to bloom—making the asagao a nostalgic flower tied to childhood memories.
You’ll also find morning glory markets (asagao-ichi) in cities like Tokyo during early July, celebrating this symbol of summer’s arrival.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Morning Glory |
朝顔 |
Asagao |
August – Lotus
Among all Japanese flowers, the lotus holds a special place for its deep connection with Buddhism. Blooming quietly in temple ponds during the hot days of August, its ability to rise from muddy water without becoming soiled has long symbolized purity, spiritual awakening, and rebirth. Its underground stem, known as renkon (lotus root), is also a popular food in Japan. Because of the holes in the root, it’s believed to bring good fortune by allowing people to “see clearly into the future.” As a result, lotus root is often used in celebratory meals.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Lotus |
蓮 |
Hasu |
September – Red Spider Lily
The red spider lily blooms around the autumn equinox, marking Ohigan, a time to honor ancestors. Often found near cemeteries, these flowers are strongly associated with death and the afterlife. Due to this, they are never used in floral gifts (see Chapter 1).
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Red Spider Lily |
彼岸花 |
Higanbana |
October – Cosmos
Cosmos fields turn pink and white in early autumn, symbolizing harmony and modesty. The name “autumn cherry blossom” (秋桜) reflects its season and delicate beauty.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Cosmos |
秋桜 |
Kosumosu |
November – Maple Leaves
While not a flower, Japanese maple leaves are a beloved symbol of autumn. As the leaves turn from green to vivid red, people take part in momijigari (maple leaf viewing). The word gari means “hunting,” but in this context, it refers to admiring the beauty of the fiery red leaves at scenic spots. It’s similar to hotaru-gari (firefly hunting), where people don’t hunt the fireflies but simply appreciate their beauty.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Maple Leaves |
紅葉 |
Momiji |
December – Narcissus
In Japan, December marks the blooming of narcissus, especially in coastal regions. The country is home to three major natural habitats for these flowers: Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba, Awaji Island in Hyōgo, and Echizen Coast in Fukui. Among them, Echizen is unique for its breathtaking view of narcissus blooming amid the snow—a rare and beautiful winter sight.
| English | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Narcissus |
水仙 |
Suisen |
