December Birth Flower: Narcissus, Paperwhite Lore, and Holly Alternative
Learn more about December's flower, the narcissus.
The December Birth Flower at a Glance
- Flower: narcissus (the genus that holds daffodils and paperwhites).
- Secondary December flower: holly, especially in U.K. and old-Almanac traditions.
- Symbolism: self-admiration, rebirth, hope, sweetness toward the recipient when given as a gift.
- Why paperwhites for December: they are the one narcissus you can force into bloom indoors in 4 to 6 weeks, so they hit their stride right around Christmas.
- Caution: all parts of the narcissus plant are toxic if eaten. Keep bulbs and cut stems away from pets and small children.
The official December birth flower is the narcissus, a genus that holds daffodils and their smaller, paler cousins, paperwhites. It is the only common birth flower of the year that lives a double life: bright yellow daffodil for the rest of the calendar, snowy white paperwhite for the holidays, both the same plant family, both still narcissus on a botanist’s tag.
Every variety of narcissus shares the same structure: a bell-shaped center (the trumpet, or corona) ringed by six large petals (the tepals). The plant is native to the Mediterranean basin and parts of Asia, and it is one of the earliest flowers to bloom each year in temperate gardens, which is why most cultures read it as a harbinger of spring. Paperwhites, though, have long been associated with Christmas, because they are the one narcissus that grows happily indoors in a shallow bowl of pebbles and water, and they can be coaxed into bloom right when the rest of the garden is asleep. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the genus holds roughly 50 species and thousands of registered cultivars, which is part of why almost every December flower-lore tradition centers on it.
The Greek Myth Behind the Name
Narcissus takes its name from the mythological Greek figure Narcissus, a handsome youth who was so vain that he became transfixed by the sight of his own reflection in a pool of water and stood gazing at himself until the gods eventually turned him into a flower.
For that reason, narcissus flowers represent self-admiration, formality, and egotism. When given to someone else, the flowers carry a sweeter message: the recipient is sweet. The flowers are reminiscent of the myth not only because they like to grow at the edges of ponds (where Narcissus did his looking), but also because the hardy, upright stems bend dramatically near the top, so the blooms lean over toward the ground, as if checking their own reflection.
December Flower Lore by Tradition
| Tradition | December flower | What it stands for |
|---|---|---|
| Modern U.S. (Society of American Florists) | Narcissus / paperwhite | Hope, rebirth, good wishes |
| U.K. Victorian almanac | Holly | Defense, foresight, domestic happiness |
| Old Farmers’ Almanac tradition | Narcissus + holly together | Hope through the dark of winter |
| Japanese hanakotoba | Suisen (narcissus) | Respect, mystery, self-esteem |
| Welsh national flower | Daffodil (narcissus) | National pride, March 1 (St David’s Day) |
From Herbalist’s Bench to Modern Pharmacy
Traditionally, herbalists used narcissus plants as a cleansing agent, to remove impurities from the body. Modern medicine has also found the plant useful, as galantamine, a drug used to combat Alzheimer’s disease, is produced by daffodils.
One word of caution: do not eat any part of the plant at home. Every part of narcissus, including the bulb, stem, and leaves, contains lycorine and other alkaloids that are toxic to humans and pets. Keep cut paperwhites in a vase the cat can’t reach, and store unplanted bulbs out of a dog’s reach during forcing season.
How to Force Paperwhites for the December Bloom
- Start 4 to 6 weeks before you want flowers. Mid-November for a Christmas-week bloom, early November for a Hanukkah bloom.
- Use a shallow bowl, pebbles, and water. Wedge the bulbs upright, fill with stones to anchor them, and add water until it just touches the bulb base.
- Cool and dark first, then warm and bright. Two weeks in a cool dark spot to set roots, then a bright windowsill once green shoots push up.
- The vodka trick: Cornell University research found a 4 to 6 percent alcohol solution (about one part vodka to seven parts water) keeps stems shorter and stops the lean. Plain water works fine if you stake them.
- Toss after blooming. Forced paperwhites are spent. Compost the bulb and start fresh next December.
Holiday Weather Ahead?
Plan paperwhite delivery, indoor plant moves, and December garden chores around the long-range outlook for your region.
See Your Extended ForecastFrequently Asked Questions About the December Birth Flower
What is the December birth flower?
The official December birth flower is the narcissus, the same genus that includes daffodils and paperwhites. Holly is the most common secondary December flower in U.K. tradition and old Almanac sources.
Why is narcissus the December flower if daffodils bloom in spring?
Because paperwhites are the one narcissus that can be forced into bloom indoors in winter. Mediterranean by origin, paperwhites do not need a cold dormancy and will flower 4 to 6 weeks after you set them in water, which puts them right at Christmas.
What does the December narcissus symbolize?
Hope, rebirth, and good wishes for the recipient. The Greek myth ties the flower to self-admiration and vanity, but when given as a gift the meaning shifts: you’re telling the recipient they are sweet.
Is the December narcissus poisonous?
Yes. All parts of the plant, bulb included, contain lycorine and related alkaloids. Narcissus is on the ASPCA’s toxic-to-pets list, and bulbs can be mistaken for onions in the kitchen, which has caused real human poisonings. Keep them out of reach.
How long do forced paperwhites bloom?
Two to three weeks from the first open flower. Cooler rooms (around 60 to 65°F) stretch the bloom; warm rooms shorten it.
Is holly also a December birth flower?
In the U.K. and in older Almanac references, yes. Holly stands for defense, foresight, and domestic happiness. Many modern florists list narcissus first and holly as a winter-greens alternate.
What zodiac signs share the December narcissus?
Sagittarius (Nov 22 to Dec 21) and Capricorn (Dec 22 to Jan 19). The Sagittarius half tends to lean into the flower’s hopefulness; the Capricorn half tends to lean into its formality.
Join the Discussion
Do you prefer an alternative December birth flower, holly, perhaps, or poinsettia for the season?
Share your thoughts with your community here in the comments below. For more flower-lore by month, see February’s birth flower, March’s birth flower, and our wider edible flowers guide.
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Jaime McLeod
Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.
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- Jaime McLeod
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- Jaime McLeod
Love these delicate flowers this time of year.
Love these little flowers and their many different varieties or cousins if you will,
they pop up in the early spring all over here in Mississippi just growing wild.
Thank you “Farmers Almanac” for sharing all the information on so many things,
I read and share your posts all the time and appreciate your hard work.
I bid you God speed 🙂
The flower comes in a bulb. I have some of these flowers they are beautiful. Got them at a grocery store on clearance. These bulbs multiply over the years. I am glad to know the name of them now. Look forward to seeing them every spring.
Just wondering where I could get some seeds ,
It’s a beautiful flower for December. The paper whites remind me of snow.