By color · all year
Pink flowers: affection, gratitude and tenderness
Pink says “I love you” without the intensity of red. It is the color of mothers, of friends and of first loves. What each shade means and which flowers to choose.
- Meaning
- Affection and gratitudetenderness and admiration
- Star occasion
- Mother’s DayMay and October
- Most gifted
- Roses, peonies, carnationsand tulips
- Advantage
- Works for everyonepartners, family and friends
What pink flowers mean
Pink is the color of affection, gratitude, tenderness and admiration. It is romantic, but without the intensity of red, which makes it the easiest color to give: it works for a partner, a mother, a friend or to say thank you.
Each shade has its nuance:
- Pale pink: sweetness, tenderness and admiration. The shade for brides and babies.
- Medium pink: affection and gratitude. The shade for mothers.
- Fuchsia: joy, enthusiasm and a huge “thank you”.
You will find the other colors in our guide to flower color meanings.
Dates for giving pink flowers
Pink is the color of Mother’s Day and Girlfriend Day:
| Date | What is celebrated and why | Flower | Color | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Sunday of May | Mother’s Day In Spain it is celebrated on the first Sunday of May, the month Catholic tradition dedicates to the Virgin Mary. Carnations and peonies are the classics. | Carnations, roses or peonies | Pink | Spain and Portugal |
| 2nd Sunday of May | Mother’s Day Anna Jarvis promoted the day in the USA in 1908 and chose the carnation, her mother’s favorite flower. From there it spread to much of the Americas and Europe. | Carnations | Pink | USA, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, Italy and more |
| every year | Mother’s Day (Día de las Madres) In Mexico it has been a fixed date since 1922, when the newspaper Excélsior promoted the celebration. Serenade, family lunch and a bouquet that can’t be missing. | Roses and carnations | Pink | Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador |
| every year | Girlfriend Day (Día de la Novia) It comes from the American National Girlfriend Day and on social media it works as a second Valentine’s Day. It isn’t official in any country, but florists already have it marked. | Roses | Pink | Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica |
Pink flowers to give
- Pink rose: gratitude and tender love.
- Peony: the queen of May, perfect for Mother’s Day in Spain.
- Pink carnation: a mother’s love and gratitude. It lasts more than a week.
- Pink tulip: affection and happiness, in winter and spring.
- Ranunculus: charm, like a small peony.
- Pink lily: large and fragrant.
- Fuchsia orchid: admiration, potted so it lasts.
- Pink hydrangea: abundance and gratitude, in summer.
- Pink gerbera: cheerful and no strings attached.
When to give pink flowers
- To a mother or grandmother: on her day, on her birthday or for no reason.
- A first date or a new love: softer and less committed than red.
- To say thank you: to a teacher, a doctor or a friend who has helped you.
- Births: pale pink with white.
- Birthdays: a bouquet in pinks and fuchsias is cheerful and elegant at the same time.
What to combine pink flowers with
Pink looks lovely with white (romantic and bridal bouquets), with purple or lilac (more modern) and with orange or coral (cheerful and summery). If you want something truly romantic, add some red flowers.
Remind me 3 days before
Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.
Frequently asked questions
What do pink flowers mean?
Affection, gratitude, tenderness and admiration. They are romantic but gentle, so they work for a partner, for family and for friends.
What does each shade of pink mean?
Pale pink is sweetness, tenderness and admiration; medium pink, affection and gratitude; fuchsia or hot pink, joy, enthusiasm and enormous thanks.
Which pink flowers should I give on Mother’s Day?
Pink carnations, peonies, roses, tulips, lilies or an orchid. The pink carnation is the traditional Mother’s Day flower in many countries.
What do pink roses mean?
Gratitude, admiration and tender love. They are the ideal choice for a first date, a thank-you or a mother.
Why are some hydrangeas pink and others blue?
It depends on the soil: in acidic soils, with available aluminum, they turn blue; in neutral or alkaline soils, pink.
