December Birth Flower: Narcissus & Holly Meaning & Symbolism

December's birth flowers are the narcissus and the holly. The narcissus, usually sold as the paperwhite, is winter's classic white bloom, and holly is the evergreen with red berries that shows up on every December doorstep.

If December is your birth month, you're in for a treat! Holly and narcissus are the two most significant blooms of this special time of year. Delight in their captivating beauty and learn about their hidden stories.

Read on to see how they serve as symbolic reminders of persistence, ambition, and triumph, and what makes these two December birth month flowers different from every other pairing on the calendar.

December Birth Flowers – Holly and Narcissus

The Holly shrubs, popular for their red berries and evergreen leaves, are often incorporated in holiday decors such as wreaths and centerpieces.

The Narcissus is a bulb mostly preferred for indoor planting to produce beautiful white flowers in time for the holidays. It symbolizes what is pure and unconditional.

The Holly

The Holly plant, belonging to the Ilex genus of the Aquifoliaceae family, comprises over 400 species, including trees over 50 feet tall and featuring glossy green leaves with serrated edges.

Native to North America, Europe, North Africa, Japan, and China, this evergreen plant is a highlight for many during cold winters outdoors. The plant bears red, white, yellow, black, or pink berries, which only grow if the male and female varieties are planted together.

Holly Meaning and Symbolism

• Holly is commonly used in Christianity to represent Jesus's crown of thorns and his blood.

• In ancient Rome, Holly was given during Saturnalia to protect against evil spirits.

• Druids in Great Britain decorated their homes with Holly to symbolize renewal and life during the winter solstice.

• Holly was associated with the Holly King in Pagan and Celtic traditions, who was believed to rule the Earth between the summer and winter solstices.

• Holly has been seen as symbolizing hope, wealth, fertility, happiness, peace, protection, and defense.

• Planting Holly next to a house was believed to ward off evil spirits to protect against lightning strikes.

History of the Holly

• Holly has been a staple in Christmas decor for centuries.

• The Duke of Argyll rerouted a road in the 1800s to protect an old holly tree.

• American Holly was declared Delaware's state tree in 1939.

• Holly wood has been used to make chess boards, chess pieces, and horse whips.

• American and English Holly are the top species used for holiday decor.

• Planting Holly near the house was believed to offer protection against evil spirits and lightning strikes.

Holly in the Garden: Planting and Care

Holly plants are best seeded during spring and fall months, preferring full sunlight with well-draining and slightly acidic soil. These shrubs work well as hedges, perennial borders, or foundation plantings. Trim larger varieties in the late fall or early spring to maintain a preferred size.

Holly helps to feed many birds who choose to stay in colder climates during the winter when other food sources become scarce. One caution: holly berries and leaves are toxic to people and most pets, so keep them out of reach.

The Narcissus (Paperwhite)

The Narcissus, also known as Paperwhite, belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and includes various types of flowers, such as the popular daffodil birth flower.

These spring-blooming flowers are native to the Mediterranean region and have been naturalized in North America, Asia, and Europe. With a paperwhite bulb, you can enjoy multiple fragrant white blooms of up to a dozen flowers.

Narcissus Meaning and Symbolism

• Narcissus flowers grew where Narcissus perished

• The paperwhite flower represents purity, faithfulness, and respect

• In Victorian times, giving a narcissus meant you were the only one.

• Paperwhite bouquets express pure or unconditional love

Narcissus in History

The Narcissus Paperwhites, the oldest and globally distributed genus, are among the most popular flowering bulbs worldwide.

They can bloom mid-winter and are associated with the Chinese Lunar New Year. Firstly used in making perfumes due to their strong fragrance, paperwhites are poisonous, with the bulb being the most toxic.

Growing Narcissus Flowers

Paperwhites and narcissus grow well indoors during winter. Use soilless potting mix and well-draining pots to avoid over-saturation. Keep roots hydrated but not overly wet. Alternatively, place bulbs in a glass bowl filled with small rocks in shallow water.

To promote root growth, place in a cool, dark area for a few weeks before relocating to a well-lit area. Move the plant to an area with filtered light when flower stems begin to bloom for longer-lasting blooms.

Can You Send December Birth Flowers as a Bouquet?

Here's the honest answer: only one of December's birth flowers works as a cut stem. Paperwhite narcissus blooms happily indoors from a bulb and turns up in winter arrangements, but holly is greenery, not a flower a florist can build a bouquet around. And since both plants are toxic if eaten, neither belongs anywhere a pet or toddler can reach.

So swap smart. A December birthday bouquet of white roses or white spray blooms with evergreen and berry accents reads as holly and narcissus without the prickly leaves. Our designers have made that swap since 1903, and every arrangement is hand-delivered by a local florist near you. Order by 2:00 PM Monday through Saturday, or 12:00 PM Sunday, in the recipient's time zone, and it can be there the same day.

December has two special birth month flowers, and each one pulls its weight. Holly brings protection and good cheer, and narcissus brings hope and pure intent. Both offer messages of hope, ambition, and triumph that fit any December celebration.

Now that you understand the meanings and symbolism associated with the December birth flower, why not explore further gifts straight from Mother Nature? James Cress Florist is here to help with a wide selection of happy birthday flowers for same-day flower delivery. Embrace a meaningful gift today while supporting local florists!

December sits between two other winter birthdays. Read about the November birth flowers, chrysanthemum and peony, or jump ahead to the January birth flowers, carnation and snowdrop.

Narcissus and holly wrap up the year. Start it over again with our complete guide to birth flowers by month.