The Language of Flowers and Herbs: 71 Plants and Their Meanings People have long used specific flora to convey secret messages; here's how they let nature do their bidding By Melissa Breyer Melissa Breyer Former Senior Editorial Director Hunter College F.I.T., State University of New York Cornell University Melissa Breyer is Treehugger’s former senior editorial director. Her writing and photography have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic, Audubon Magazine, and elsewhere. Learn about our editorial process Published April 5, 2024 12:54PM EDT Malkovstock / Getty Images Treehugger News Environment Business & Policy Science Animals Home & Design Current Events Treehugger Voices Environment Home & Garden Business & Policy Science Animals Clean Beauty Eco-Design Culture View More Now we have Hallmark and emoji, but there was a time when people borrowed from the plant world to express themselves. While using flowers to convey one's feelings was long used in Persia and the Middle East, the practice really came to fruition during the Victorian era. And is it any wonder? Those chaste Victorians weren't the most flirtatious bunch, so why not say it with flowers? And beyond bashful courting, there was an appreciation of botany that western culture seems to be lacking in now. Today we order a dozen red roses for our sweetheart because it's the thing to do; but how lovely was the intention of stringing together a missive with flowers and herbs—an ode to love created by things that sprout from the earth. The Meaning of Floriography Known as floriography, flowers were sent to reveal secret sentiments of love and affection—but flowers meant to pitch woo could be arranged differently to impart a negative message instead. Just as the 19th century brought about complicated social customs, so was the language of flowers. So complex, in fact, that entire dictionaries were devoted to decoding the delicate disclosures. Floriography entered the European imagination as early as 1809 with the publication of Joseph Hammer-Pugstall's list, "Dictionnaire du language des fleurs." The first mainstream dictionary of floriography, "La Langage des Fleurs," was published in 1819 by Louise Cortambert (under the pen name Madame Charlotte de la Tour). Following that, the 19th century saw a flood of similar publications of which symbolic definitions were often dissimilar. By some accounts, as floriography spread to the United States and beyond, hundreds of different "language of flowers" dictionaries were published. Given that there were so many interpretations, it can be tricky to know exactly what was supposed to mean what. With that in mind, we look to The Old Farmer's Almanac for our list here. Because if you can't trust America's oldest continuously published periodical, who can you trust? And if you're looking to resume the lost art of floriography, you certainly wouldn't want to send your sweetheart, say, lemon balm for sympathy when what you really meant was heliotrope for true love so be sure you pay close attention! Create Your Own Coded Bouquet Take inspiration from the following list. Aloe: Healing, protection, affectionAngelica: InspirationArborvitae: Unchanging friendshipBachelor's button: Single blessednessBasil: Good wishesBay: GloryBlack-eyed Susan: JusticeCarnation: Alas for my poor heartChamomile: PatienceChives: UsefulnessChrysanthemum: CheerfulnessClover, white: Think of meCoriander: Hidden worthCumin: FidelityCrocus, spring: Youthful gladnessDaffodil: RegardDaisy: Innocence, hopeDill: Powerful against evilEdelweiss: Courage, devotionFennel: FlatteryFern: SincerityForget-me-not: Forget-me-notGeranium, oak-leaved: True friendshipGoldenrod: EncouragementHeliotrope: Eternal loveHolly: HopeHollyhock: AmbitionHoneysuckle: Bonds of loveHorehound: HealthHyacinth: Constancy of love, fertilityHyssop: Sacrifice, cleanlinessIris: A messageIvy: Friendship, continuityJasmine, white: Sweet loveLady's-mantle: ComfortLavender: Devotion, virtueLemon balm: SympathyLilac: Joy of youthLily-of-the-valley: SweetnessMarjoram: Joy and happinessMint: VirtueMorning glory: AffectionMyrtle: The emblem of marriage, true loveNasturtium: PatriotismOak: StrengthOregano: SubstancePansy: ThoughtsParsley: FestivityPine: HumilityPoppy, red: ConsolationRose, red: Love, desireRosemary: RemembranceRue: Grace, clear visionSage: Wisdom, immortalitySalvia, blue: I think of youSalvia, red: Forever mineSavory: Spice, interestSorrel: AffectionSouthernwood: Constancy, jestSweet pea: PleasuresSweet William: GallantrySweet woodruff: HumilityTansy: Hostile thoughtsTarragon: Lasting interestThyme: Courage, strengthTulip, red: Declaration of loveValerian: ReadinessViolet: Loyalty, devotion, faithfulnessWillow: SadnessYarrow: Everlasting loveZinnia: Thoughts of absent friends