December Birth Flowers: Narcissus and Holly Meanings

Key Takeaways

• December has two birth flowers: the paperwhite narcissus, commonly listed first, and holly.
• The narcissus stands for hope, renewal, and respect. Paperwhites suit December because they bloom in winter, unlike spring daffodils.
• Holly stands for protection, good fortune, and eternal life. Its berries can make people and pets sick, and paperwhites are toxic too, so keep both out of reach.
• Paperwhites need no cold pre-chilling and bloom in four to six weeks, so plant them that far ahead of the birthday.
• To choose, weigh fragrance and fresh blooms (narcissus) against long-lasting evergreen decor (holly), or combine both in a custom arrangement.

December has two birth flowers: the narcissus (specifically the paperwhite variety) and holly. The paperwhite narcissus is commonly treated as the primary December birth flower, symbolizing hope, purity, and renewal, while holly serves as the secondary birth flower, representing protection, good fortune, and lasting joy. Both are deeply tied to winter’s character: elegant, resilient, and rich with quiet meaning. Curious about the month before? See the November birth flower.

What is the December Birth Flower?

December’s birth flowers are the narcissus and holly, and yes, there are two. Several months carry two birth flowers, because no single list has ever been formally agreed on. Both flowers are yours; neither is lesser.

The narcissus, specifically the paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus), is the flower most often named first for December. Paperwhites are tender bulbs that bloom in late fall and winter, producing clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that feel made for the season. They’re distinct from the spring daffodil and represent hope and new beginnings.

Holly (Ilex) is December’s other birth flower and one of the most recognizable plants of the winter season. With its glossy, spiky leaves and vivid red berries, holly is an evergreen symbol of protection and lasting joy.

The tradition of assigning flowers to birth months has been part of floral and gift-giving culture for over a century. For December, the complete answer includes both: the paperwhite narcissus and holly.

What the Narcissus Means and Why Paperwhites Suit December

The narcissus stands for hope, purity, renewal, and respect, themes that feel especially resonant for those born in the final month of the year. Yes, the flower shares its name with the Greek myth of Narcissus, the youth who fell in love with his own reflection. But the symbolic meaning of the narcissus has evolved far beyond that mythological association. Today, it’s understood as a flower of inner strength and fresh starts, not vanity.

December’s specific narcissus is the paperwhite, and that distinction matters. Paperwhites are not the same as the yellow daffodils that signal spring. They’re tender bulbs, meaning they can’t survive hard frosts in the ground, and in mild climates they bloom naturally in late fall and winter, which is why they suit December rather than a warmer-season variety.

Paperwhites originate in the Mediterranean region, where mild winters allow them to flower freely. In appearance, they’re elegant and understated: clustered small white blooms on stems reaching 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall, with as many as a dozen flowers in a cluster. Their fragrance is sweet and musky, and some people find it strong.

Paperwhites and daffodils both belong to the Narcissus genus, but they behave very differently. Daffodils are cold-hardy, spring-blooming plants with single large trumpet-shaped blooms, and because they flower in March, they’re the birth flower for that month, not December. The link between paperwhites and December is mostly seasonal: they bloom when little else does.

Holly Symbolism: What December’s Secondary Birth Flower Means

Holly (Ilex) is a glossy-leafed, red-berried evergreen that has represented protection, good fortune, domestic happiness, and eternal life across cultures for centuries. With more than 400 species found worldwide, ranging from compact shrubs to full-grown trees, holly is one of the most versatile and widely recognized plants of the winter season. Its symbolism comes from its nature: holly stays green and bears fruit in the depths of winter, when most plants have gone dormant.

Holly’s story begins before Christianity. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the ancient Celts brought evergreens indoors at the winter solstice as a symbol of protection and renewed light, and the Romans gave holly as a Saturnalia gift. Christians later adapted the plant, linking its sharp leaves to the crown of thorns and its red berries to the blood of Christ. All three traditions land on the same meaning: holly protects and endures. Our guide to holly and mistletoe covers more of its holiday history.

A lesser-known botanical fact: holly is dioecious, meaning male and female plants are separate. Only female plants produce berries, and they need a nearby male plant to pollinate them.

Evergreen English holly is rated for milder winters than most of southern Ontario sees, but winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a deciduous holly, is native to Ontario.

One important safety note: holly berries can make people and pets sick. Poison Control reports children have had symptoms after swallowing as few as two berries, and the ASPCA lists holly as toxic to dogs and cats. Paperwhites aren’t a safe swap: the ASPCA lists them as toxic too, and the bulbs are the most poisonous part. In a home with pets or young kids, keep both out of reach, or browse these pet-friendly flowers instead.

For December gifting, holly carries a beautiful message: I wish you protection and lasting happiness.

How to Force Paperwhite Narcissus to Bloom Indoors in December

Paperwhites are one of the easiest bulbs to force into bloom indoors, and here’s the key reason: unlike tulips or hyacinths, they need no cold pre-chilling. You don’t need to refrigerate the bulbs first, though you will want to plant about four to six weeks before the birthday. That makes the December birth month flower an accessible living gift.

Gardening author Melinda Myers, who has written more than 20 gardening books, explains that paperwhites grow well in pebbles or well-drained potting mix. Here’s how to start:

Choose a Container

Choose a shallow, watertight container about 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) deep. If you use potting mix instead of pebbles, pick a pot with drainage holes.

Anchor the Bulbs

Fill the base with pebbles, marbles, or potting mix to anchor the bulbs upright.

Plant Five or More Bulbs

Place five or more bulbs pointed-end up, nestled close together. Crowding is not a problem; it creates a fuller display.

Add Water

Add water to just below the base of the bulbs, and keep it at that level. The roots need moisture, but the bulb itself should stay dry to prevent rot.

Keep Them Cool, Then Bright

Keep the container somewhere cool, 45–60°F (7–16°C), until leaves appear, then move it to a bright, cool window. Expect blooms in four to six weeks.

Troubleshooting tip: If stems grow tall and start to lean or flop, move the container to a sunnier window or a slightly cooler room. A cool, sunny spot reduces flopping, and a few stakes or a tall vase can add support.

There’s also a well-known trick. When the leaves are about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, replace the plain water with a 5% alcohol solution: one part vodka or gin to seven parts water. In a Cornell study, horticulture professor William Miller found that solutions of 4–6 percent kept paperwhites 30–50 percent shorter, with flowers just as large and fragrant. Avoid beer and wine, which contain sugars that harm the plants, and don’t use a stronger mix.

Forced paperwhites usually bloom only once, so plan to compost the bulbs afterward. Forcing paperwhites is a meaningful way to celebrate a birthday or create a living, fragrant gift.

Which Flower Makes the Best December Birthday Gift?

Many people searching for December birth flowers are really trying to answer one practical question: what should I actually give? The choice between narcissus and holly depends on the recipient, the occasion, and what the gift is meant to say.

Choose paperwhite narcissus if:

• You want a fragrant, elegant fresh flower experience
• Your recipient loves growing things and would appreciate a bulb kit
• You’re celebrating themes of hope, new beginnings, or inner strength
• You want something that can bloom indoors through the winter months

Choose holly if:

• You want a long-lasting, evergreen element for a wreath or seasonal arrangement
• Your recipient loves festive winter decor
• You want to convey protection and lasting joy
• You want deep green foliage and bright berries for a centrepiece

Availability changes by florist and by week, so ask early. Paperwhites are also sold as bulb kits through garden centres and specialty growers, and holly is widely sold as a cut stem or branch during the holiday season.

At La Belle Fleur, our Vaughan designers create custom arrangements, and you can request the colours, sizes, and flowers you have in mind. Tell us you’re looking for a December birth flower arrangement, and we’ll let you know what we can source.

If neither feels right on its own, a winter bouquet that pairs paperwhites with complementary seasonal blooms or soft greenery can be equally meaningful. A skilled florist can weave the symbolism of the December birth flower into an arrangement tailored to the recipient.

Browse our birthday bouquets or contact our flower shop in Vaughan to design a custom arrangement. Order flower delivery in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area before our 10:00 AM cut-off. Delivery runs between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and specific times can’t be guaranteed.

FAQs About the December Birth Flower

What is the December birth flower?

December has two birth flowers: the narcissus (specifically the paperwhite narcissus) and holly. The paperwhite narcissus is commonly treated as the primary birth flower, symbolizing hope and purity, while holly is the secondary birth flower, representing protection and good fortune. Both are associated with winter and the December holiday season.

Why does December have two birth flowers?

Several months have two assigned flowers because birth flower lists were never formally standardized, and traditions vary by region and culture. December’s two flowers, narcissus and holly, are both tied to winter, and each carries distinct symbolism. Two options also give gift-givers and florists more flexibility.

What does the narcissus flower mean for December birthdays?

The narcissus symbolizes hope, purity, renewal, and respect. For December babies, it represents a fresh start and inner strength, fitting for those born in the final month of the year. Despite its mythological association with Narcissus from Greek legend, the flower’s modern symbolic meaning centres on positivity and new beginnings, not vanity.

Is paperwhite narcissus the same as a daffodil?

Paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) and daffodils both belong to the Narcissus genus, but they’re different types. Paperwhites are tender bulbs that bloom in late fall and winter, produce clusters of small fragrant white flowers, and can be forced to bloom indoors without cold pre-chilling. Daffodils are cold-hardy and bloom in spring, which is why daffodils are associated with March, not December.

Are holly berries safe around pets and children?

No. Holly berries can make children and pets sick, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Holly is lovely in arrangements and wreaths, but keep it out of reach of animals and young children. Paperwhite narcissus isn’t a safer alternative: the ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats, and the bulbs are the most poisonous part.