The 10 Best Flowers for Mother’s Day

December 18, 2022

Moms are real-life superheroes — and you want to show your appreciation for your mom on her special day. 

Flowers are the perfect gesture to show mom how much you care. 

But what flowers do you get for Mother's Day? Is there a traditional type of flower to send? Does the color matter? 

We’ve got the answers you’re looking for. 

Keep reading to learn about the top types of flowers for Mother's Day and which might be the best gift for the moms in your life. 

Table of Contents


What Flowers Do You Get for Mother’s Day?

Knowing what flowers to get for Mother’s Day starts with understanding what mom really likes and finding the perfect…

  • Bouquet
  • Arrangement, or 
  • Potted blooming plant

… that matches her personality.

When searching for the best flowers for Mother’s Day, consider the following:

  • What’s her favorite color? 
  • Does she have a favorite flower? 
  • What flowers does she have in her garden? 
  • What flowers are in season?

Deciding which flowers to get for Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be complicated — especially with a florist like our team at Botanica Floral + Home. 

Whether you already know which flowers you’d like to send your mom for her special day or you need help deciding which flowers she’d like most based on season, the professionals at Botanica Floral + Home can help!


Click here to shop for flower delivery for Portland/Vancouver Metro area today!

Our Top 10 Favorite Flowers for Mother’s Day

#1: Carnations

For over a century, carnations have been considered the official flower of Mother’s Day. 

This is because the founder of Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, named the carnation the official flower after her mother’s love for the flower, stating: 

“The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying.”

The wonderful thing about carnations? They are an extremely budget-friendly option that comes in a wide array of colors and styles — and they smell beautiful, so beautiful that they are used to make dozens of perfumes

Now, over the years, carnations have gotten a bad rap. However, we love them! Especially vintage, muted tone carnations. Check out our blog post: Carnation Is Not a 4 Letter Word!

#2: Peonies

Peonies, one of the most beautiful and sought after flowers, come in various colors, making it easy to create a beautiful arrangement for your mother. As a perfect sentiment for all your mother has done for you in your lifetime, peonies represent: 

  • Honor
  • Good fortune
  • Happiness
  • Wealth; and 
  • Beauty

#3: Hydrangeas 

Hydrangeas are a Mother’s Day gift that will keep giving long after the holiday is over. 

It’s really no surprise that these plants made the cut for some of the best flowers to give on Mother’s Day. 

Once Mother’s Day has passed, hydrangeas can be planted outside, where they will return for many years to come. They are incredibly versatile and will grow in nearly any landscape that has well-drained soil, some moisture, and shade during the warmest parts of the day. 

Hydrangeas are the perfect, billowy gift for a mom who doesn’t want a high-maintenance plant but isn’t a fan of bouquets that may die quickly. 

The plants represent …

  • Gratitude
  • Grace; and 
  • Beauty 

… while radiating abundance — complimenting features that every mom should be reminded of about themselves. 

#4: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, also often referred to as “mums,” are typically thought of as fall flowers but make the ideal flower for mom on Mother’s Day, symbolizing unbreakable love and fertility. 

Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so no matter how you incorporate them into your Mother’s Day flowers, they are bound to be a beautiful touch. 

#5: Lilies

When in a vase, lilies have one of the longest lifespans — making them ideal for those who want to get the most bang for their buck. 

Lilies, like mums, come in an array of varieties and colors. 

Whether you choose a bouquet made up of the same variety and color, or opt for an arrangement mixed with multiple colors and varieties, lilies are a fantastic way to elevate your Mother’s Day bouquet.

But buyer beware, if your mother has a furry friend in the house, lilies should be left out of reach, as they are poisonous to most animals. 

#6: Roses

Roses are associated with love — and while most think of roses, romance, and Valentine’s Day, they come in an assortment of colors and meanings more appropriate for your mom on Mother’s Day, including: 

  • White roses: symbolizing purity and honest love
  • Pink roses:  representing admiration and gratitude
  • Yellow roses: signifying care, devotion, and friendship 

If you really want to show mom some extra love, get her some garden roses! These special roses are just gorgeous and sure to impress. They do cost more, but they are definitely worth it.

#7: Ranunculus

When trying to decide on what flowers to get for Mother’s Day, ranunculus can be a special touch in any spring bouquet.  Spring is the best time of year to get these super popular blooms. Our locally grown ranunculus are just gorgeous!

Similar to lilies, the ranunculus is a great choice if you’re looking for a flower that thrives in a vase — ranunculus can live more than a week in a vase. 

#8: Daisies

Daisies come in many varieties but Gerber Daisies are probably the most popular ones grown as a cut flower. Smaller daisies are often used as filler flowers in bouquets, but these bold, colorful Gerberas can also be the star of the show. 

Signifying … 

  • Humility
  • Patience; and 
  • Loyalty

… it’s no wonder these beautiful flowers are considered one of the best flowers for Mother’s Day. 

Is mom a fan of holistic healing and natural health solutions? Bring a bouquet of daisies for Mother’s Day that she not only admires but can use to potentially improve digestion, relieve cough, and even potentially ease pain

#9: Tulips

Tulips signify youth, growth, and vitality, which makes them the perfect gift for new moms on Mother’s Day. 

Take your thoughtfulness a step farther by basing your decision to purchase tulips for Mother’s Day on color. The following colors of tulips are the most commonly purchased for the holiday: 

  • Red: Not only do red tulips stand for love and respect, but they are also the most reliable color to return the following season.
  • Light pink: Show your gratitude for all mom has done for you by sending pink tulips in your Mother’s Day bouquet. 
  • Orange: Were you a handful growing up? Orange tulips signify appreciation and understanding. Show your mom you appreciate all you “put her through” with these beautifully colored tulips.

Celebrate your light-hearted, happy mom with tulips in your Mother’s Day bouquet. 

#10: Designer’s Choice

Still asking questions like, “What flowers do you get for Mother's Day?” 

Whether you just don’t have a keen eye for creating beautiful bouquets or you aren’t sure what flowers your mom will truly love, an experienced florist can help! 

Let your florist create a bouquet from seasonal flowers available in your area. Worried you’re going to be inconveniencing your florist? Don’t stress, florists love being able to create something exclusive to your mom’s unique style. 

Your mom is special, and cookie-cutter bouquets just won’t do. Instead, let your designer create a memorable bouquet specifically for your mom on Mother’s Day. 

An added benefit of allowing your designer to create a Mother’s Day arrangement is that you’ll almost always receive the freshest flowers in a beautiful, unique bouquet. 

Click here to shop for flower delivery for Portland/Vancouver Metro area today!

Let Botanica Floral + Home in Portland WOW Your Mom With the Perfect Mother’s Day Flowers

Botanica Floral + Home in Portland can help you create the best flower arrangement for all the moms in your life this Mother’s Day. 

We offer a wide assortment of local, organic flowers to choose from, as well as the expertise you may be looking for to match her unique parenting style and personality. 

Show your mom just how much she means to you on Mother’s Day with a gift that is as beautiful as she is from Botanica Floral + Home.