November Birth Flower: What do Chrysanthemum and Peony Speak About People Born in November?

Did you know that each month has two flowers that resonate with an individual’s personality? Bold and Beautiful, the November birth flower signifies a range of emotions and says a lot about the nature of a person born in that month. 

Each bloom holds a different essence and comprises deep meanings. Chrysanthemum is the primary birth flower, exemplifying happiness and joy, while Peony takes the secondary position and represents traits like love, compassion, humility, and elegance. 

If you are looking for smart ways to elevate your home decor or are planning to gift these beauties to someone special, it is ideal to know everything about them. Therefore, dive into this elaborate blog where we have compiled all the necessary information about the flowers in November.

What are the November Birth Flowers?

Birth flowers are symbolic blooms associated with each month of the year. Like every other month, November also shares two alluring species: Chrysanthemum and Peony. Both the birthstone and flower for November personify various emotions, have deep-rooted history, and are culturally significant. 

Chrysanthemum, the primary November birth flower, symbolizes happiness, joy, and comes in various sizes and vibrant colors. The secondary flower for November is Peony, which signifies love, good fortune, and a happy marriage. 

Why Are There Two Birth Flowers in November?

November has two birth flowers, mainly because the birth flower tradition evolved from multiple cultural sources, and for commercial purposes rather than a single official list. 

Here are some reasons why there are two birth flowers in November:

• Different historical lists stated different Victorian languages of flowers. Ancient Romans and Greeks had distinct floral symbolism. Over time, every region assigned unique flowers to the same month, and some months kept more than one.

• Originally, birth flowers were often tied to what blooms naturally during that month in certain climates. Chrysanthemums bloom in late fall, and peonies were included in some older symbolic lists. 

Though both the birth flower for November represent different emotions, florists and cultural traditions sometimes add alternative flowers to offer more variety and reflect regional preferences. 

The First Birth Flower of November: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, or better known as mums, are the most widely appreciated flowers. They instantly add a pop of color to any garden space and are liked by both gardeners and landscapers alike for their low-maintenance nature.

Furthermore, the genus generally symbolizes loyalty, longevity, joy, friendship, and optimism. In the United States, the bloom is said to represent cheerfulness and positivity, whereas in some European countries, they are associated with remembrance and are used at gravesites. 

Historical Meaning and Colour Symbolism

Native to East Asia and Northeastern Europe, this November birth flower is a perennial flowering plant. Generally cultivated for its culinary and medicinal uses, the history of chrysanthemums dates back 2500 years. This beautiful flower plays an important role in Japanese culture. In Chinese art, the mums are the symbol of the imperial family. 

Depending on the color, it portrays various sentiments and emotions. While the red and the white blooms stand for love, innocence, passion, and purity, the yellow and purple ones are associated with rejection and a wish to get well soon.

Ideal Growing Conditions Needed for Chrysanthemums

Typically, the mums bloom in fall, during early July and late October, but some varieties of the genus grow best in winter months, most likely from October to December. Let us understand the proper growing conditions it needs to flourish.

Ideal Growing Conditions Needed for Chrysanthemums

Hardiness: Zone 5-9 USDA

Sunlight: Thrives in bright, direct sunlight. They need a minimum of 5–6 hours of sun exposure.

Soil: Prefers to be planted in sandy or loamy soil, which drains well and has a pH level around 6.5.

Water: Keep the soil moist and avoid waterlogging. Try watering them early in the morning so that the soil dries up by nighttime.

Fertilizer: A balanced fertilizer in the ratio 5-10-5 works a wonder.

Delicate and resilient, Chrysanthemum is more than just a stunning bloom. It stands for joy, happiness, loyalty, and timeless charm. By following the simple care guide given above, this Nov flower can grow luxuriously through all the seasons. 

How to Plant and Care for Chrysanthemums? 

Growing this November birth flower in your home, either in a garden or in a container, is straightforward and rewarding. 

 Follow these simple steps for easy planting: 

1. Mums thrive in a well-drained, loamy soil, so choose the spot accordingly. 

2. Add organic manure or peat to your soil for added soil fertility. 

3. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball of the plant and place it with care. 

4. The plants should be 12-36 inches apart from each other to promote even growth. 

5. Keep the soil moist during the growing stage, but do not let it turn soggy to prevent root rot. 

6. Use a stake to support the taller plants to maintain a good shape. 

Care Tips for Chrysanthemums 

The easy care tips for this November flower help you maintain the bloom and prevent it from looking dull very early on. 

1. Mums prefer a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer and respond well to it. You can add it to the soil before planting. 

2. Retaining moisture is crucial; therefore, add strong mulch like garden compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 

3. Disbudding, which is the process of pinching off small buds, promotes big flowers. Pinch whenever the plant grows up to 6-8 inches tall.

Having lush blooms and multi-layered petals, chrysanthemums tend to offer visual appeal due to their ornamental look and are widely used to make luxury bouquets.

Mostly used to add a decorative flair, some cultivars of this species have a long vase life and are perfect for container planting or dry arrangements. 

The Second November Birth Flower: Peony

Admired for its beautiful cut, the Peony is the secondary flower of November. This species has large and fragrant blossoms and comes in a range of colors from purple, red, and white to heavenly pink. Having more than 40 species, these striking blooms are a perfect gifting option for birthdays and anniversaries.

Mostly found in pink color, peonies are indigenous to the Asian region and are widely cultivated in China, western North America, and parts of Europe.

Historical Meaning and Color Symbolism

Similar to the August birth flowers, the peony is also a perennial flowering plant and is especially used in wedding decor or bouquets. Also known as the flower of riches and honor, its history dates back over 4000 years.

In China, the peony was considered the national flower for a long time, and in Japan, this stunner symbolizes bravery and courage and is often used in many artworks.

Personifying emotions like love, compassion, kindness, and humility, it is typically believed that this genus brings protection and wards off evil spirits. Similar to chrysanthemums, different cultivars of this genus indicated different emotions. 

The white flower is the epitome of innocence and modesty, whereas the pink variant indicates love, passion, and warmth.

Ideal Growing Conditions Needed for Peonies

Apart from its expressive appearance, the Peony is well known for its unique pollination strategy. Instead of producing nectar, the plant offers the ant a sweet syrup-like substance, which protects the flower buds from other pollinators like bees and birds that may harm them.  

Moving further, let us explore the growing conditions for Peony. 

Hardiness: Generally prefers warmer zones, 3-9 USDA.

Sunlight: Requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight. Grows best in afternoon shade.

Water: Needs water in a moderate amount, only to keep the soil slightly moist.

Soil: The soil should be permeable and must comprise nutrient-rich organic matter to support the overall growth of the November birth flower Peony.

Fertilizer: Peonies do not need a lot of fertilizer, but make sure to change the potting mix annually to ensure nourishment.

Being a popular choice for floral arrangements and a meaningful gift, Peonies are also used for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This astonishing flora symbolizes different emotions across various cultures.

How to Plant and Care for Peonis? 

This November birth flowers are easy to plant and do not require any special steps or tricks. I love planting peonies as they are perennial and come back every year. 

Here is how I grow this vibrant bloom in 5 simple steps: 

1. Choose a spot with well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).

2. Mix organic manure, like compost, into the soil to improve soil fertility. 

3. Dig a hole at least 2 ft (0.61 m) deep and wide, and place the root ball carefully in the hole. 

4. The plants should be placed 3-5 feet apart. 

5. Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 

Care Tips for Peonies 

Caring for peonies involves simple steps like mulching, fertilizing, and protection against frost to enhance the health and life of the plant. 

1. Add a layer of mulch, especially during winter, around 10-15 cm around the plant, but not too close to the stem, as it can damage it. 

2. Feed the plant with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) when it reaches a height of 2-3 feet. 

3. Prune the dead parts of the flowers to promote new growth.

Usually growing up to 2-3 ft tall, peonies are the most applauded November flower of the month. This spectacular species is specially grown for flower beds and garden covers.

Chrysanthemum vs. Peony—Which Flower is the Better Birthday Gift?

Here’s a clear comparison table to help you decide whether a chrysanthemum or a peony makes a better birthday gift or not, depending on the following criteria.

Criteria	Chrysanthemum	Peony
Best For	Everyday celebrations like birthdays.	Special romantic occasions.
Message	Well-wishing, happiness, loyalty	Romance, prosperity, and honor
Cultural Vibe	Positive and friendly	Luxurious and graceful
Availability	Widely available in different shades.	Often available in specific seasons only
Longevity	Lasts well in a vase with proper care.	Shorter vase life as compared to mums.
Price Point	Generally affordable	Often more expensive
Personality Match	Best for warm and grounded personalities	Best for romantic and elegant personalities.

Research and Findings

Apart from elevating your garden spaces, the November birth flowers are infamous for their medicinal properties too. 

Whether it’s managing blood pressure levels or the anti-inflammatory properties, research portals have time and again validated the claims that have been circulated across cultures. 

Research summary box 1 

Study Year: 2011 

Aim: To assess the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Lactiflora Pall(Chinese peony) 

Key findings: The ethanol extracts of Lactiflora all contain TGP, a natural compound that has anti-inflammatory effects. 

The immunomodulatory effects of the peony extracts need further study to be validated. 

Source: National Center of Biotechnology Information

Research summary box 2 

Study Year: 2020 

Sample type: An animal model with cerebral ischemia( a condition where there is insufficient blood flow to the brain)

Aim: The antioxidant effects of Chrysanthemums against ischemic injury. 

Key findings: The results strongly suggested that a compound derived from Chrysanthemum moriflorum was effective in reducing brain mitochondrial swelling and significantly improved the neurological deficit score. 

Source: Journal of Medicinal Food

November Birth Flower Tattoo Ideas to Celebrate You

If you are celebrating a November birthday, here are some meaningful tattoo ideas based on style, symbolism, and personality. 

• Chrysanthemum Tattoo Ideas (Symbolizing loyalty, joy, and resilience): A fine line of the mum flower on the wrist or collarbone can represent inner strength and optimism, while a more layered or shaded design highlights personal growth and endurance.

• Peony Tattoo Ideas (Symbolizing love, compassion, and innocence): A peony tattoo can create a soft yet powerful statement. A watercolor flower on the ankle or back of the arm gives a dreamy, artistic feel, while a bold, shaded bloom on the thigh represents confidence and abundance. 

Whether you prefer a subtle, single-stem design or a vibrant floral arrangement, November birth flower tattoos beautifully celebrate your birth month while reflecting your personality and values.

A Captivating Photo Album for Nov Birth Flower

Scroll further and explore the alluring photo gallery of both the November flowers. Both species bring charm and elegance to your garden space. 

Both the blooms speak about nature’s work of art. The bold layers of Chrysanthemum and the puffiness of Peony indicate that every season comes with its beauty and has a unique story to tell. We hope these November birth flowers brought you peace, calm, and empathy. 

Wrapping Up: What do Chrysanthemum and Peony Reveal About November-born? 

As has been stated earlier, birth flowers aren’t simply for decoration or gifting purposes; they also tend to add a personal touch and speak so much about the people born in that month. 

Both the birthstone and the November birth flower carry deep meaning about a person’s characteristics. Topaz and Citrine, being the Nov birthstone, signify warmth, clarity, and strength, while the flowers Chrysanthemum and Peony represent loyalty, wisdom, joy, and resilience. 

Individuals born in November are generally emotionally strong and remain calm even under pressure. They become loyal and dependable friends, and mostly optimistic and cheerful. The ones resonating with Peony have an eye for beauty and mostly create meaningful relationships. Such humans value love, traditions, and emotional sentiments.

So, what are you waiting for? Do you also know someone born in November who can’t decide what to gift them? Go ahead, buy these exquisite flowers and make their day even more special.