 From the Middle Ages right down through Victorian times, flowers and other plants were given symbolic associations through which lovers and friends could communicate secret messages to one another.
A single flower or plant might be sent to the loved one, to convey a single, simple message; or several flowers or plants could be combined to convey something more complex.
Depending upon what plants you combine, the variety of messages you can convey through this “Language of Flowers” is practically unlimited! There are many different versions of this system; here’s mine. When you shop the garden center today for a gift for your beloved, bear in mind the old slogan, “Say it with flowers!”
Upside-Down: When an upside-down meaning for a plant is given, it means that if you hand the plant to the recipient with the bottom of the pot pointing up and its leaves and flowers pointing down, the meaning of the plant is reversed. (If you try this, be sure to put your hand around the stems of the plant to hold the potting soil in.) Another, less potentially messy, way to indicate that the recipient is intended to take the reversed meaning of the plant given is to wrap the plant in black tissue paper or mirror-reflective Mylar. Still another way, rather dramatic but requiring some coordination, is to hold the pot upright, but stand with your back to the recipient while handing the plant to him or her from the side.
Combining Messages: You can also combine messages by giving your recipient several plants at the same time. So a gift of lavender and rosemary can indicate, "I am loyal to you and remember you always"; catnip and chrysanthemums combined can indicate, "Condolences in the death of your poor kitty-cat." Unplanted bulbs and packeted seeds may also be used to convey messages.
Be sure and give a copy of this meanings key to the recipient of your gift; otherwise, they won’t be able to interpret what you are trying to say to them!
A
 African Violet: Quiet; simplicity; tranquility (“May peace be yours”).
Amaranth: "My heart is bleeding for you."
Azalea: Welcome; agreement; accord (“I agree”; "I'm glad").
Azalea, Pink: "Welcome to the neighborhood!"
Azalea, Red: "Let’s work together"; "Let’s make a deal"; "Let’s do business."
Azalea, White: "May this special occasion be blessed."
B
Bachelor's Buttons (Centaurea cyanus): "I like you, but only as a platonic friend"; "Don't freak out: I'm not husband-hunting."
 Basil, Sweet: Rejection; dislike (“I reject your proposal”). Upside-down: "I am only playing hard to get; please be persistent!"
C
 Cactus: Strength; fortitude; endurance in the face of adversity.
Cactus, Hanging Basket: "You have been a true blessing to us."
Cactus, In Bloom: Unexpected joys.Cactus, Christmas: Hope; optimism; celebration; good wishes.
Catnip: "Meeeee-owwwwww!"
Chile, Ornamental: Excitement. ("You're hot stuff, baby!") Upside-down: Overwhelm. ("Sorry; you're too hot for me to handle.")
Chrysanthemum: Regrets ("I regret to inform you that our relationship is at an end.")
Columbine: Spiritual vision ("May the Holy Spirit bless you").
Coreopsis (Tickseed): "I've got you under my skin"; "I can't stop thinking about you."
 Cyclamen: Dreams & fantasies (“I dream of you”).
Cyclamen, Fuschia: "Thoughts of you disturb my sleep."
Cyclamen, Pink: "Our souls commune in the Dream Time."
Cyclamen, Red: "I blush when I recall my dream about you."
Cyclamen, White: "I was given a message for you in my dream last night."
D
Daffodil & Jonquil: Excitement; enthusiasm (“I can’t wait to see you!”). Upside-down: "You bore me."
Dianthus: Resilience ("Don't worry; you'll get through this just fine").
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane): "I have nothing to say"; "Shut up for once!"
F
Fennel: Protection against evil thoughts and intentions ("May the angels surround you with their loving care"; "I will shield you from all harm"). Upside-down: "Someone is out to get you."
Fern: Caution (“Say nothing; you will hear from me soon”).
Ficus: Faithfulness; loyalty; commitment (“I am yours forever”). Upside-down: "You are confining me; I feel strangled by your attentions" or "I will never let you go! Never, never, never!!"
G
Geranium (Pelargonium): Home & family.
Geranium, Lavender: "May this household be happy and gay!"
Geranium, Orange: "May this home be protected from all dangers."
Geranium, Pink: "May affection and love fill this home."
Geranium, Red: "Long life, health, and prosperity to all who live here."
Geranium, Red & White: "May all who live here do so in harmony."
Geranium, White: "Blessings on this new household."
Grasses, Ornamental: Evanescence; transitory joys. ("Life is short; let us make the most of the opportunities before us.") Upside-down: "I have no time for you."
H
Hyacinth: Pleasure.
Hyacinth, Blue: "You bring me comfort when I’m depressed."
Hyacinth, Pink: "I wuv kissing your itsy-bitsy widdle toesies."
Hyacinth, White: "We share spiritual (or intellectual) pleasures."
I
Impatiens: Impatience (“Hurry up; I cannot wait much longer”). Upside-down: Patience (“Chill out, dawg!”; "I am patient and can wait").
Ivy: Travel; business expansion; new job prospects on the way. Upside-down: Cancellation of plans.
J
Jade Plant: Security; commitment; resolve (“You can count on me”).
Jasmine: "I am in love with you." Upside-down: "What you call love is really only lust; I reject it utterly."
K
 Kalanchoe: Prosperity.
Kalanchoe, Orange: "May your bold action bring you success."
Kalanchoe, Pink: "May you have success and health in pregnancy."
Kalanchoe, Red: "May this business venture bring you wealth and fame."
Kalanchoe, White: "Honesty is the best policy; you will be rewarded for it."
Kalanchoe, Yellow: "Do not act impulsively and you will be rewarded."
L
Lamium (Deadnettle): Baseless fears ("His bark is worse than his bite"; "What you dread will not come to pass").
 Lavender: Faithfulness; fidelity; loyalty (“I believe in you”). Upside-down: "You have betrayed (or disappointed) me."Lilac (Syringa): Beauty ("You create beauty wherever you go"). Upside-down: "Have you looked in the mirror lately, girl friend?"
Lily, Day: "One day at a time will bring you your desired success." Upside-down: "We haven't seen you at meetings for a while"
Lily, Madonna: Spiritual comfort ("May the Blessed Mother be with you").
Lily, Oriental: Sweetness beyond compare ("You overwhelm me"). Upside-down: Hypocrisy ("Your Pollyanna act doesn't fool me one bit").
M
 Marigold: Domesticity ("May your home be comfy and prosperous").Morning Glory: "Meet me in the a.m. at the usual place."
Moonflower (Datura): "Meet me in the p.m. at the usual place."
Moses-In-The-Bullrushes: Hoped-for pregnancy ("I've got a surprise for you, hon!").
N
Naked Ladies (Amaryllis belladonna): "I think naughty thoughts of you."
Nasturtium: Fame; glory; celebrity; self-esteem. ("You turn heads wherever you go.") Upside-down: Annoying self-absorption. ("Get off that cell phone and talk to me!")
Nigella (Love-In-A-Mist): Lost or absent love.
O
 Orchid: Uniqueness; specialness (“You are special to me”). Upside-down: "You are conceited and self-centered."
Oregano: "Let's go on a hike." Upside-down: "Take a hike, buster."
P
Pansy: Thoughts (“I am thinking of you”). Upside-down: "Do you no longer think of me at all?"
Pansy, Miniature (Johnny-Jump-Ups): Creativity; productivity (“May your art really take off”). Upside-down: "Don't quit your day job."
Parsley: Jealousy. Upside-down: "Your jealousy is baseless; it’s all in your imagination"; "I couldn't care less what you do or with whom."
Passion Vine: Commitment to holiness; sacred duty; sacrifice for the greater good.
 Petunia: Cheerfulness ("Cheer up; we care for you"). Upside-down: "Being around you depresses me."
Philodendron: Feelings; the heart (“I hold you in my heart”). Upside-down: "I am sorry, but I feel nothing whatsoever for you."
Philodendron, Hanging Basket: "My heart lifts when I think of you."
Philodendron, Split Leaf: Ambivalence ("I am not sure how I feel about you").
Poppy: Fertility; abundance. ("May the Earth bless you richly with an abundance of good things!") Upside-down: Materialism; shallowness of values ("All you care about is money").
Potato: Dull but dependable ("I'm not very exciting but I'll take care of you").
Primroses: Springtime; beginnings (“You are my springtime”).
R
 Rosemary: 1. Remembrance (“Remember me”; "I will never forget you"). Upside-down: Forgetfulness ("Did you forget our appointment?"; "I’ve already forgotten you"). 2. "In this house, the woman rules." Upside-down: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."
Rose: Love. Upside-down: Love lost, ended, or refused .
Rose, Pink: Affection. Upside-down: Dislike.
Rose, Red: Romance. Upside-down: Break-up of a romance.
Rose, Yellow: Encouragement ("I have noticed you"). Upside-down: Discouragement, cowardice ("You coward! Why didn't you speak up when you had the chance?").
Rose, White: Spiritual purity. Upside-down: "Your soul is sullied."
Rose, Miniature: Attraction (“I welcome our friendship”; "Howdy, cutie!").
Rose, Miniature, Pink: "I care for you."
Rose, Miniature, Red: "I have a little crush on you."
Rose, Miniature, White: "We are one in the spiritual realms."
Rose, Miniature, Yellow: "I know you'll never like me as much as I like you but I wanted to tell you anyway I really think you're swell."
S
Sage (Salvia): 1. Health; recovery from illness (“Get well soon!”). Upside-down: "You make me sick", "I am sick of you." 2. "In this house, the man rules." Upside-down: "My lawyer is bigger than your lawyer."
Sansevieria: Conversation; gossip (“I have something to tell you”). Upside-down: "Stop talking about me!"
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower): Victimization. ("You're letting him/her walk all over you!") Upside-down: "I'm tired of being the target of your insults!"
Snapdragon: Wit; cleverness; amusing conversation. ("I love our conversations!") Upside-down: "You bore me to tears" or "I don't like your sarcasm."
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum): Purification (because spider plants have been found by scientists to improve air quality in apartments and enclosed office spaces).
Sweet Potato Vine: "You are delicious." Upside-down: "No thanks; I'm on a diet."
Sweet Woodruff: see Woodruff, Sweet
T
Talinum (Jewels of Opar): Wealth ("Unexpected money is on the way!"). Upside-down: Poverty; missed opportunities ("Act now or your venture will fail").
Thyme: Appointments; assignations (“Let’s rendezvous tonight!”). Upside-down: "I cannot meet you at our specified time."
Tobacco, Flowering (Nicotiana): Sweet dreams; spiritual insights ("Your dreams will bring you important information"). Upside-down: "The bad news you have been dreading is on the way."
Torenia (Wishbone Flower): Wishes; hopes ("Your wish is granted"; "I wish only the best for you"). Upside-down: "In your dreams, pal."
 Tulip: Awakened interest ("You are like the first sweet flowers of spring after a long, cold winter"). Upside-down: Dampening of enthusiasm (“You turn me off”).
Tulip, Pink: "I am available; make me an offer I can’t refuse."
Tulip, Purple/Fuchsia: "You are King (or Queen) of my heart."
Tulip, Red: "You drive me wild."
Tulip, Yellow: "I want to say 'Yes,' but I am not sure I can trust you."
Tulip, White: "My interest in you is spiritual, not carnal."
UV
Verbena: Friendliness ("Let's hang out together"). Upside-down: "Sorry; I have other commitments."
Vinca: Victory; triumph ("Success will be yours"). Upside-down: "Better start updating that resumé."
Violet: Shyness; secretiveness ("I'm much too shy to tell you how I feel"). Upside-down: "Someone you've trusted to keep their mouth shut has been talking about you."
W
Wallflower (Erysimum): "One whom you do not even notice holds you in high regard"; "You have a secret admirer." Upside-down: "You have a secret enemy."
Wishbone Flower (see Torenia)
Woodruff, Sweet: "You are quiet, faithful and true"; "I may not be as flashy as some others, but I will never let you down when you need me."
XYZ
Yarrow (Achillea): "Let me comfort you". Upside-down: Wounds; hurts; pain ("You have wounded me"; "Go away! You're nothing but trouble!").
Zinnia: Ambition ("I'm going to do everything I can to win your heart"; "May you career aspirations be fulfilled"). Upside-down: "Give it up, loser"
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Plant Lore 
