December Birth Flower: What do Narcissus and Holly Reveal About People Born in This Month?

Updated onMay 05, 2025

Did you know every month has a flower that symbolizes its essence? Just like the July birth flower captures the sunny spirit, the December birth flower seizes the festive magic. 

Both Narcissus and Holly are known as Dec flowers and symbolize hope, new beginnings, protection, and self-love. Having distinctive features, both genuses say a lot about people born in this particular month.

Now, if you are planning to add these beauties to your balcony garden, or simply adore someone born in December, both Narcissus and Holly can be an excellent gift option. Jump into this comprehensive write-up and explore everything about the exquisite December flowers. 

What are Birth Flowers and their Significance?

Simply put, each month is linked to a birth flower based on certain characteristics. They often reflect certain qualities or attributes that are correlated with individuals born in that particular month. All 12 months of the year have one primary and one secondary flora associated with them. 

During the Roman times, people started the practice of celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or special events using the special month flowers only, as it reflected joy, calmness, and a sense of bonding.

Depending on the symbolism, ancient mythology, and cultural significance, every month has two birth flowers, which also enhances flexibility and provides people a range to choose from for gifting or decoration purposes.

In the following sections, let us explore the primary and secondary birth flowers for December in detail.

A Brief Overview of the December Birthday Flowers — Narcissus and Holly

Narcissus Image

Just like every other month, there are two December birth flower: Narcissus and Holly, and they both hold a unique history and a profound meaning. 

Narcissus

Popularly known as Paperwhites, Narcissus is a white flower usually appreciated for its sweet scent and pearl white, dreamy appearance. The thick lime green stems of this species bear bulbous white blooms and are an excellent option for container potting. 

Apart from being a Dec birth flower, Narcissus symbolizes purity and unconditional love. This particular flora portrays that the people born in December are kind, warm, and full of affection. One of the most popular yellow flowers, the Daffodil, is said to be a cultivar of Narcissus.  

Holly Image

Holly

Having shiny dark green leaves and bright red berries, Holly is considered the secondary birth flower for December. While it is not particularly a flower but a plant type, the red berries of the species resonate with the Christmas season. Soft Touch Holly and Sky Pencil Holly are some reputed cultivars of this genus. 

Mostly used as a decorative flora, Holly holds a rich cultural significance and symbolizes happiness, good fortune, and joy. People born in December are caring, and like Holly, they are beautiful inside and out. 

Furthermore, if you are planning to add these two stunning plants to your balcony garden or want to gift them to someone born in December, it is ideal to learn about them in detail.

Narcissus: Symbol of Hope and New Beginnings

Holly Image

Commonly called Daffodils or Paperwhites, the Narcissus plant is native to the Western Mediterranean Region but can also be easily found in Asia, North America, North Africa, and parts of Europe

The plant acquired its name from an old Greek folklore about a young and handsome man who adored and admired his reflection whenever any water body captured it. It is said that he was so captivated by his beauty that he fell into a river and drowned. He was later reborn as white paper flowers along the riverbanks.

While many associate Narcissus, the December birth flower, with a negative belief of being self-obsessed, many see it as a genus that reflects and encourages the individual to improve and develop their personality. 

Moving ahead, let us explore the ideal growing conditions required by Narcissus.

Complete Care Guide for Narcissus (Paperwhites)

Almost all the white flowers are said to be an epitome of purity, spirituality, and innocence. Given below is the complete care guide that you might need if you are planning to plant these alluring flowers in your garden space. 

Ideal Growing Conditions Needed For Narcissus
Hardiness Zone3-9 USDA
Sunlight ExposureA minimum of six hours of daily sunlight is needed. It can also tolerate partial shade.
Water NeedsNeeds regular watering, but always allow the topsoil to dry. Avoid waterlogging. 
Soil TypeGrows best in well-draining soil, which is acidic with a pH between 6.0 to 7.0. 
Bloom SeasonLate winter to early spring 
Mature Height12–18 inches tall
FertilizerNPK fertilizer in the ratio 4-10-6 will provide balanced nutrition.  

If you are planning to get a December birth flower tattoo or simply want to gift fragrant flowers to someone, Narcissus can be a perfect choice. They also have other beautiful specimens, such as the orange Narcissus that reflects friendship and positivity, or the yellow ones that represent happiness and cheerful vibes.

Taxonomic Overview of December’s Birth Flower: Narcissus 

Now, if you are a garden enthusiast or simply a plant lover, you might be curious to explore the taxonomy of this impressive flower. Given below is the scientific classification of Narcissus for your reference. 

Taxonomic Overview of Narcissus
KingdomPlantae
CladeAngiosperms (flowering plants)
CladeMonocots
OrderAsparagales
FamilyAmaryllidaceae (Amaryllis family)
GenusNarcissus
SpeciesMultiple species exist
Botanical NameNarcissus papyraceus (paperwhite)

Each Narcissus variety has its charm and uniqueness. If you are looking for a variety that is fragrant and elegant and can be grown indoors with minimal care, then Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceous) is where your search stops. 

Holly: Embrace Happiness and Good Fortune

Holly Image-2

Holly is a popular ornamental evergreen shrub, globally admired for its glossy dark green leaves and eye-catching red berries. Although found across North America, Asia, and Europe, Holly is native to the United Kingdom. It has more than 600 species, and most of them are used as decorative plants.

This particular December birth flower has distinctive red berries, which are safe for birds and dogs but can cause mild indigestion if consumed by humans. Since ancient times, many mythological tales have existed saying that Holly is a sacred evergreen shrub and is believed to ward off evil spirits.

Filled with striking red berries, this specific genus is used to decorate the winter garden covered with white snow during Christmas. The pointed leaves of the shrub are often associated with the thorny crown Jesus wore, and the red berries are linked to drops of blood. Symbolizing protection, happiness, and goodwill, giving Hollies can be a perfect bouquet option for people born in December. 

Moving further, let us explore the ideal growing conditions that Hollies need to flourish.

Complete Care Guide for Holly (Ilex)

Widely popular for its dense foliage and impressive red berries, during Roman times, Holly was widely used as offerings to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture. Given below is an elaborate care guide for this bold and blooming beauty.

Ideal Growing Conditions Needed For Holly
Hardiness Zone5-10 USDA
Sunlight ExposureThrives in bright sunlight. It can also tolerate partial shade.
Water NeedsRequires regular watering during the initial stages; otherwise drought tolerant. 
Soil TypePrefers moist but permeable soil. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot. 
Bloom SeasonSpring to early summer
Mature Height15–20 feet tall
FertilizerPrefers a slow-release granular fertilizer. 

It is believed that some cultivars of Holly are used to treat heart, liver, and digestive problems. The leaves of any Ilex species are also used to cure rheumatism. 

Taxonomic Overview of Birth Flower December: Holly

If you are planning to learn more about the Hollies and the plant family it belongs to, you should start by understanding its taxonomic overview. Given below is a detailed scientific classification of the genus.

Taxonomic Overview of Holly
KingdomPlantae
CladeAngiosperms
CladeEudicots
OrderAquifoliales
FamilyAquifoliaceae (Holly family)
GenusIlex
SpeciesIlex aquifolium
Botanical NameIlex

If you are looking for a plant that adds an aesthetic touch to your mini garden or want to adopt a compact yet graceful genus, Holly might just be an excellent choice for you. 

What do Holly and Narcissus say about December-born?

As has been stated earlier, individuals born in December are associated with two birth flowers: Narcissus and Holly. As per the attributes that each bloom reflects, it is said that December-born are caring, kind, and warm-hearted people. They are full of resilience and carry a go-getter attitude, spreading positivity everywhere. 

Holly, having spiky leaves and elegant red berries, says that Dec people are protective, joyous, and full of life, whereas Narcissus, having soft and calming white blooms, says that these individuals are filled with self-love and desires for perfection. 

Furthermore, let us explore the flower for each birth month and what it represents. 

List of Birth Month Flowers

As culture evolved, different ideologies and belief systems also emerged. So, to include everything, each birth month was linked to two flowers. Below is a list of primary and secondary blooms associated with each month. 

Birth MonthPrimary FlowerSecondary Flower
JanuaryCarnation: Symbolizes love and affection.Snowdrop: Symbolizes hope and new beginnings.
FebruaryViolet: Symbolizes modesty and faithfulness.Iris: Symbolizes wisdom and courage.
MarchDaffodil: Symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings.Sakura: Symbolizes renewal and optimism.
AprilDaisy: Symbolizes innocence and purity.Tulip: Symbolizes wealth and prosperity. 
MayLily: Symbolizes sweetness and purity.Hawthorn: Symbolizes hope and happiness.
JuneRose: Symbolizes love, excitement, and desire.Honeysuckle: Symbolizes love and enduring connections.
JulyLarkspur: Symbolizes positivity and dedication.Water Lily: Symbolizes rebirth and renewal.
AugustGladiolus: Symbolizes honor and victory.Poppy: Symbolizes dreaminess and imagination.
SeptemberAster: Symbolizes patience and wisdom.Morning Glory: Symbolizes affection and vibrancy. 
OctoberMarigold: Symbolizes grief and darkness.Cosmos: Symbolizes peace and equilibrium. 
NovemberChrysanthemum: Symbolizes love and joy.Peony: Symbolizes hope and long life.
DecemberNarcissus: Symbolizes purity and love.Holly: Symbolizes protection and goodwill. 

The concept that every flower holds a meaning is not new, and originated during the ancient Greek and Roman periods.

Summary 

Now, if you are still seeking answers to What is the birth month flower for December, it is Narcissus and Holly. Both the blossoms belong to different plant families and hold deep meaning. While one has soft white blooms, the other bears vibrant red berries with glossy green thorny leaves.

All the birth month flowers are associated with the individuals, depending on certain qualities that they may possess. The flower for the December birth month says that people born in this month are usually compassionate, warm-hearted, fearless, and wise. 

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the birth flower for December?

Narcissus and Holly are the flowers for the birth month. 

What is the botanical name of Narcissus?

The botanical name of Narcissus is Narcissus papyraceus.

What is the primary birth flower for January?

The primary birth flower for January is the Carnation, and it stands for love and affection. 

What does the December birth flower tattoo represent?

The December birth flower tattoo usually features Narcissus and Holly, drawn with yellow or red ink.