Valentine's Day Flowers and Their Meanings: Your 2026 Romantic Guide

If you want to make sure that you truly get across the spirit of Valentine’s Day, and what a special person means to you, then flowers can express your emotions in a way that truly resonates. With more meaning than the typical chocolates and dinner reservations, there are a lot of things you can say with flowers. In fact, choosing the right one can be important for ensuring that you’re sending the right message, especially to someone who knows or is inclined to look up the language of flowers.

Thankfully, at James Cress Florist, we can take the mystery out of the meaning for you. This guide to Valentine’s Day Flowers in 2026 will make sure that you can pick the perfect bouquet, whether you’re in the early days of dating, years into a committed relationship, or expressing a more platonic love to friends and family.

The Symbolism Behind Classic Valentine’s Flowers

There are a few different flowers that have been associated with Valentine’s Day, and here, we’re going to look at the unique meanings rooted in each through centuries of floral tradition.

Red Roses - Passionate Love

Aside from being the flower most clearly associated with Valentine’s Day, roses are an eternal symbol of intense passion, romantic love, and desire, or ‘eros’ as it was known in Greek. Indeed, its connections go back to Greek and Roman mythology, thought to have been a favorite of Aphrodite or Venus, the goddess of love.

A gift of roses is a potent declaration of love for the recipient. Traditionally, a dozen is given as a means to say “I love you completely,” while two dozen is designed to be an even more enduring and permanent declaration of ardent affection. That makes them perfect for celebrating a milestone or even planning a proposal.

• Best for: Deep, committed relationships, anniversaries, marriage proposals.
• Perfect pairing: A handwritten love letter or an elegant box of gourmet chocolates

Pink Roses - Admiration & Sweetness

If you’re looking for a more gentle but still heartfelt kind of affection, then pink roses can be perfect, especially for the early stages of romance, or when you’re looking to convey sweetness without the intensity. Pink is a more subtle color than red, implying the blush of a more reserved love, alongside gratitude, joy, and affection.

As such, pink flowers are still a romantic gesture, and one to show someone that you think of them fondly, but without the pressure and often sensual undertones of red roses. They also work beautifully for friends or family members who deserve a little extra love.

• Best for: New relationships, long-time friends, revealing romantic feelings
• Perfect pairing: A scented candle or heart-shaped cookies for a soft, cozy vibe

White Roses - Pure Love & New Beginnings

White has symbolized purity, virtue, and the start of something new for longer than we can remember. White roses are reminiscent of weddings and all things bridal, bringing a deeper and more spiritual meaning of loyalty and love beyond the physical. Whether starting a new relationship or celebrating a fresh new chapter in a relationship, this meaningful choice works well.

White roses also tend to work well as an alternative to red roses when you want your affections to come across as more heartfelt and soulful than intense and passionate. That said, they’re often blended with other flowers to add contrast to their own message, too.

• Best for: New beginnings, young love, engagements
• Perfect pairing: A bottle of sparkling wine or a photo album of shared memories

Tulips - Perfect Love

While having fallen by the wayside, to some degree, as roses have taken over, tulips are a very romantic flower as well. Their elegant petals and graceful stems have, historically, symbolized “perfect love.” Much like with roses, red tends to communicate deep, burning passion, too.

Tulips have a lot of historical meaning behind them, with their refined beauty and delicate charm. They’re also a highly versatile flower, bringing a more modern look to the classic Valentine’s Day arrangements. They’re thought by some to be the more thoughtful and bespoke alternative to roses.

• Best for: Budding romances, couples who prefer a unique and meaningful twist
• Perfect pairing: Their favorite sweet treat or a handwritten poem

Lilies - Devotion and Majesty

With their striking aesthetic and fragrant beauty, lilies are great for bringing a more sensory experience to Valentine’s flowers. White lilies tend to symbolize purity and commitment, while stargazer lilies convey ambition, prosperity, and passionate devotion. As relatively long-lasting as they are, with the right care, they’re a good symbol of long-lasting commitment, too.

Lilies can make a strong emotional impact thanks to their majestic appearance and strong scent. They’re a great choice for someone who likes a more uniform and elegant look over the traditional bouquet for that reason.

• Best for: Serious relationships, long-lasting marriages, deep admiration
• Perfect pairing: A luxurious spa trip or pampering products

Carnations - Affection And Fascination

These flowers have a visual depth and brilliance to them unmatched by most, thanks to their frilled petals and sheer variety of hues, which have also made them beloved for expressing a complex range of emotions. From the admiration and affection of red to the gratitude and motherly love of pink, and the luck and purity of white, they can convey your feelings in true breadth and depth.

When you choose carnations, choose the combination that means the most to you, as they can fit a wide range of relationships.

• Best for: Newer relationships, good friends, gifts for mothers
• Perfect pairing: A heartfelt card or a sweet treat like fudge or brownies

Orchids - Exotic Beauty And Desire

As rare and sophisticated as they are, orchids have taken on certain connotations of the exotic and refinement. They represent love, fertility, and elegance in many cultures, and have a certain undying affection to them, thanks to their sleek design and longevity.

These flowers are perfect for those who love the finer things, as well as long-distance relationships, thanks to their enduring beauty. Their resilience and unique appearance symbolize a love that is equally rare and enduring.

• Best for: Long-distance love, refined partners, and long-term relationships
• Perfect pairing: A personalized gift or piece of jewellery

Floral Suggestions For Every Stage Of Love

If you want to make sure that you get the perfect pick for Valentine’s Day, it’s all about choosing the right flower for the nature and stage of your relationship. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

New Love Or First Valentine’s Day

If you’re in the honeymoon phase, things should be exciting and fresh. You might not want to go with anything too intense for the moment, but rather, keep it light-hearted and thoughtful with the following picks

• Pink tulips or soft pink roses
• Daisies or mixed seasonal bouquets
• A sweet card with a light, flirty message

These flowers show your affection and admiration without being too overwhelming for a new partner.

Growing Together (6 Months to 2 Years)

As your relationship gets a little more established and your bond deepens, Valentine’s Day can be the perfect opportunity to show your commitment and care, and your flowers can reflect the growth of your relationship, too, such as the following.

• A mix of red and pink roses (passion and admiration)
• Tulips and lilies for a more elegant, modern look
• A romantic note or memory in the card

If you’re building something meaningful, you should make sure that your choice of blooms says as much, too. It’s the right time to stop playing coy with your feelings.

Committed Or Married Couple

At this point, it should be no surprise that you’re affectionate and committed to your partner, but now it’s time to go big and get extra meaningful. Whether it’s a decade of Valentines down the line, or you’ve just said “I do”, here are some of the best flowers for those long-term commitments.

• A dozen or more long-stemmed red roses
• Red and white rose combos for passion and long-term unity
• Lavish arrangements with lilies and orchids.

Long-term love deserves not only thoughtful and heartfelt love, but a bit of passion to keep things spicy.

Long-Distance Love

If there are miles between you, then it’s important to ensure that your feelings go the distance, and sending flowers can be a great way to do that. Here are some blooms that are bold and fragrant enough to make your love clear, no matter where you are in the world.

• Exotic orchids
• Vibrant stargazer lilies
• Mixed roses with personal touches like notes or flowers

A gift basket or custom message (especially a video) can make an extra impact.)

Send The Perfect Valentine's Message With James Cress

At James Cress Florist, we’ve been helping craft Valentine’s messages for over a century. We have a huge range of hand-crafted Valentine’s Day arrangements, designed with both beauty and meaning nin mind. Our farm-fresh blooms and same-day local delivery help make sure that you’re not caught lacking on the most romantic day of the year.