40 Types of White Flowers

Every floral arrangement could benefit from a variety of white flowers! Known for representing purity, white flowers are a neutral tone that accents any color. They can be used to round out other brighter, more eccentric florals in a bouquet, adding texture and depth. Another beautiful option is to let them stand strong on their own as a centerpiece. No matter their purpose, you’ll be sure to find the perfect bloom for your occasion with our list of 40 types of white flowers!

White Flowers for Fall

As the weather starts cooling down, you’ll need something to brighten up the crisp mornings and chilly evenings. Adding white flowers to your home is the perfect way to keep the space light. Combine white flowers with fall hues like oranges and reds to embrace the season’s colors.

Camellia- Camellia’s are known as decorative flowers but have also been used to make teas. The camellia flower symbolizes love and affection. White blooms stand for adoration and are given to someone who is meaningful to you.

Japanese Anemone- Native to China, then naturalized in Japan, Japanese anemone is known as fall-blooming flowers. Anemones are wildflowers that open at night and close when the sun comes up in the morning. Because of this, they symbolize anticipation.

Baby’s Breath- Also known as gypsophila, baby’s breath flowers are very popular filler flowers in wreaths, bouquets, and flower arrangements. White baby’s breath is commonly used in weddings because of its symbolism of everlasting love. It is also said to represent happiness and purity due to its white color.

Bouvardia- Bouvardia have a star shape that makes them easy to spot in a bouquet. Their thin stems make them most common in smaller arrangements. The bouvardia flower symbolizes enthusiasm. This flower can be found in a variety of colors, white being a popular hue.

White Flowers for Winter

Curl up next to the fireplace with a warm drink and an array of white flowers the color of fresh powder on the mantelpiece. Perfect for winter weddings or holiday decorations, white flowers are versatile and will fit right in with the season’s reds and greens.

Spider Mum- The spider mum flower is very unique and can be easily spotted in a floral arrangement. The flora consists of many long and narrow petals. These highly sought after blooms are hard to track down because they flower in the winter months and can get harmed by frost.

Tulip- Tulips are known for their height and strong stems, making them perfect for bouquets and other floral arrangements. White tulips are used to convey the message of forgiveness or worthiness.

Dendrobium Orchid- Orchids are a very distinct flower due to their bilateral symmetry, meaning they have two symmetrical patterns. There are more than 22,000 species of orchids, each variation unique. White orchids symbolize beauty, innocence, and elegance.

Calla Lily- Calla lilies are a very distinct and easily identifiable flower. Just a few can easily create a centerpiece. The Calla Lily flower represents beauty, overcoming challenges, and rebirth. Calla lilies are commonly used in religious ceremonies.

Snowdrop- Also known as Galanthus, these flowers have the appearance of three white droplets falling from a green stem. Snowdrops are unique because they only come in one color. Their creamy white petals give off a sweet honey scent. Snowdrops are a symbol of home and purity.

White Flowers For Spring

The ground comes alive with flowering buds and fragrant scents in spring. Embrace the season by incorporating fresh white flowers into your home after you do your spring cleaning.

Star of Bethlehem- Star of Bethlehem is named with a biblical reference because of its white color, representing purity, and its star shape. These flowers are used often by florists, partially because of their long shelf-life. This flower is also utilized in medicine and cooking.

Lily of the Valley- Lily of the valley flowers are tiny, white, bell-shaped blooms that have a distinct fragrance. Lily of the valley is considered a poisonous flower that is harmful to pets. Despite this, the flower represent sweetness and the return of happiness.

Gardenia- Gardenias have a striking combination of dark, full leaves with vibrant white flowers. They symbolize purity, beauty, and love and are often worn on Mother’s Day in remembrance of someone who has passed away. Gardenias are also grown as houseplants.

Carnation- Carnations come in a variety of colors, white being a popular choice. White carnations are a symbol of purity and good luck. The scientific name for carnations is Dianthus caryophyllus, meaning flower of the Gods.

Magnolia- Magnolias can be recognized by their wide bloom that ranges from 3 to 12 inches. They come in a variety of colors, the original being white. White magnolias are a symbol of purity and dignity. Not only are magnolias used in bouquets and floral arrangements, but their petals have been used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Periwinkle- Periwinkle flowers have five small petals and grow on stems with an excess of green leaves. The white periwinkle represents everlasting love and memories. For this reason, it is commonly added to wedding bouquets or anniversary gifts.

Iris- The Iris flower got its name from the Greek goddess Iris, messenger to the Gods. Irises are a symbol of faith, hope and wisdom. The white Iris represents purity and innocence, making it a perfect flower for baptisms and weddings.

Snapdragon- When a snapdragon flower is squeezed, it resembles a dragon head. Snapdragons are a symbol of grace and strength, but can also represent deviousness. Not only are snapdragons a unique addition to a bouquet, but the leaves and flowers are said to have medicinal properties.

Daffodil- Daffodils can be identified by their trumpet with petals growing in a ring around it. Daffodils are commonly yellow or white. A Greek myth says that when Persephone returned from Hades, she brought with her the joys of spring, including these flowers. Daffodils are a symbol or rebirth.

Hibiscus- The hibiscus flower is known to grow in warm, tropical climates. It is an edible flower and used in cooking and to flavor drinks. The hibiscus flower represents “delicate beauty” due to its rarity in England during the Victorian era.

Stephanotis- Also known as Madagascar jasmine or bridal veil, stephanotis are small star-shaped flowers that are found on a climbing vine. They have a rich fragrant scent and symbolize marital bliss, making them a highly sought after wedding floral.

Peony- These white flowers are named after Paeon, the physician to the gods. Peonies are often the subject of art, from ancient watercolors to modern tattoos. White peonies represent pure romance and are used to decorate weddings in hopes for a prosperous union.

Amaryllis- The amaryllis plant is very tall, towering over others in the garden, making it the symbol of pride. These flowers resemble lilies due to their distant relation to the lily plant. White amaryllis flowers also stand for purity, innocence and femininity.

Ranunculus- The name ranunculus is Latin for little frog. This name was given because the flowers thrive in moist locations. Ranunculus are a symbol of radiant charm and attractiveness. This flower is commonly used in a bouquet, often in weddings.

Hyacinth- The Hyacinth flower has a spike center from which the petals grow. Its story is based in Greek mythology. According to the tales, the wind god, Zephyrus, was jealous of the friendship of Apollo and Hyacinth and blew Apollo’s frisbee off course, killing Hyacinth. The flower now represents constancy and the white blooms represent loveliness.

Lisianthus- The lisianthus flower, also known as a Texas bluebell or prairie gentian, is said to symbolize appreciation. These flowers are often gifted to loved ones as a sign of admiration. The delicate petals form a medium sized flower that looks stunning in wedding bouquets and centerpieces. The white lisianthus is a symbol of innocence and luxury.

White Flowers for Summer

Summer is the season of being outdoors and embracing the sun and fresh air. Try adding a vase of white flowers to your picnic or bbq to make it extra special. Another use for white flowers is to include them in the bouquet at your outdoor wedding to lighten it up and give it a more summery feel.

Tuberose- This unique flower variation is a night blooming plant known to symbolize forbidden pleasures. There are a variety of stories and rituals that accompany this bloom. Tuberose is often used in centerpieces and bouquets.

Queen Anne’s Lace- Queen Anne’s lace gets its name from a legend of Queen Anne of England pricking her finger and a drop of blood landing on white lace she was sewing. It is also known as wild carrot or daucus carota. Its fruit is sometimes used as a substitute for carrots.

Daisy- The daisy is a common flower, popular among gardeners and florists. They come in a variety of colors, white being the most abundant. Daisies represent innocence, purity and love. They grow year-round, but are most commonly found in summer bouquets.

Hydrangea- White hydrangeas symbolize gratitude and heartfelt emotion. Due to this, they are often used in weddings as decor or filler in a bouquet. Hydrangeas are also a sign of apology, making them a popular choice for gifting in a floral arrangement.

Jasmine- Jasmine flowers can be identified as small, fragrant star-shaped blooms. Jasmine flowers are known to be multi-purpose, used in bouquets, as hair pieces and as a scent in perfumes. The blossoms have cultural ties and are a national symbol in the Philippines and Indonesia. Jasmine has many meanings, some being love, beauty, sensuality and good luck.

Iceberg Rose- This rose variation is a popular choice in the modern day due to its beautiful blooms and ability to last a long time. It has a pleasant honey-sweet scent. Iceberg roses are grown in gardens as well as used in wedding bouquets. The Iceberg rose blooms all summer long.

Dahlia- Native to Mexico, Dahlia plants range in size from one foot to a few feet. Similarly, the blooms can vary in size and color depending on the variety. Dahlia’s are known to symbolize elegance and dignity. White dahlias are associated with the traits of purity and focus.

Scabiosa- The scabiosa is sometimes referred to as the pincushion flower because it has round stamens that look like pins in the cushion of the flower’s petals. Scabiosas are part of the honeysuckle family. They are rich in nectar and attract insects like butterflies. The name scabiosa means “unfortunate love.”

Gladiolus- Gladiolus flowers can be identified by their distinctly sword-shaped leaves. They come in a variety of colors, white and cream being the most popular. Gladiolus flowers are known to represent faithfulness, integrity and infatuation. White variations are common in weddings and religious ceremonies.

Phlox- Phlox flowers are usually spotted in gardens, due to their love of sun and quick spreading nature. The name means flame in Greek, referring to bright varieties. The phlox flower can also symbolize “sweet dreams” as a warm sentiment or “united souls” as a lifelong commitment.

Sweet William- Sweet william, also known as dianthus, is native to southern Europe and also found in parts of Asia. The name is associated with tales of romance. Sweet William flowers are one of the rare florals that have a masculine symbolism, representing gallantry and finesse.

Trumpet Flower- The trumpet flower is named for its trumpet-like bloom. It is often confused with the brugmansia, but is smaller, only growing to be 4 feet tall. Similar to nightshade, it is known for being dangerous and having hallucinogenic properties.

Rhododendron- Rhododendrons grow on shrubs and trees. They are easy to spot because they grow in clusters. The blooms are toxic to eat which Greek troops found out after raiding the bee hives in a region of Asia Minor. The honey was made from the pollen of Rhododendrons and made the soldiers very sick. Due to this, the Rhododendron has become a symbol of danger.

Clematis- Considered the queen of the vines, the clematis is a symbol of cleverness and mental prowess. This is derived from its vines ability to climb a trellis or wall and make its way around any obstacle. The white variety is a beautiful addition to any garden.

Yucca- The yucca plant can be identified by its tall, green, pointy leaves. It is found in hot, dry climates and blooms creamy flowers that hang down off the plant. The yucca plant is a symbol of purification and protection.

Flowers have the ability to brighten up any season. Fill your events with white flowers for a soft and neutral tone that compliments any color. No matter the occasion, you’ll be sure to find the perfect fit. A white flower bouquet is always an elegant touch.

Sources:

Gardening Know How | Flower Info | Flower Bud | Flower Meanings