Is the March Birth Flower Cherry Blossom or Daffodil?
The honest answer is that these two claims come from different kinds of sources, and it’s worth being upfront about that rather than picking a side. Dedicated florist and gardening references — the kind that maintain full month-by-month birth flower lists — consistently name daffodil as March’s primary birth flower, usually paired with jonquil as a secondary flower. Cherry blossom, by contrast, tends to show up in more casual or social-media content as an alternative or companion March flower, rather than in the longer-standing horticultural tradition.
So if you’re asking which one is “correct,” the most accurate thing to say is: daffodil is the one you’ll find in the overwhelming majority of dedicated birth-flower references, while cherry blossom is a flower strongly associated with March and spring more broadly, without being part of the same long-running tradition.
Daffodil: March’s Most Widely Cited Birth Flower
Daffodil (genus Narcissus) is a bulbous perennial known for its trumpet-shaped bloom and bright yellow color, generally reaching 6 to 24 inches in height. It’s one of the first flowers to emerge after winter in much of the Northern Hemisphere, which feeds directly into its most common symbolism: rebirth, new beginnings, and hope.
The flower’s name is tied to the Greek myth of Narcissus, a youth said to have fallen in love with his own reflection — a widely repeated story, though like most flower mythology, it should be read as folklore rather than documented history. Daffodils also hold a distinct cultural role in Wales, where the flower is worn as a national emblem on St. David’s Day (March 1).
Daffodils grow from bulbs planted in autumn, generally at a depth of two to four times the bulb’s height, in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil (our flower bulb planting guide covers this timing alongside other fall-planted bulbs). They need a period of winter chill to bloom reliably, which is why pre-chilled bulbs are sometimes used in warmer climates. As a cut flower, daffodils are often cited as lasting several weeks in a vase under good care.
Jonquil: The Lesser-Known Second March Flower
Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla) is a specific type of daffodil, distinguished by narrower, rush-like leaves and clusters of smaller, strongly fragrant blooms rather than a single large trumpet flower per stem. Where daffodil’s symbolism leans toward public, bold renewal, jonquil’s fragrance has led to associations with closeness, affection, and in some traditions, good luck when given as a gift.
Jonquils generally prefer milder climates than standard daffodils and tend to bloom slightly later, in mid-to-late spring. They’re hardy in roughly USDA zones 4–9, and like daffodils, they naturalize well when left undisturbed for several years.
Where Cherry Blossom Fits In
Cherry blossom is genuinely and strongly tied to March and early spring — especially through cultural events like Japan’s hanami season and the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival — but it doesn’t appear as a “birth month flower” in most of the dedicated floral-tradition references we reviewed. Cherry blossom’s symbolism tends to center on the brief, fleeting nature of beauty, since the blooms on most ornamental cherry trees last only about one to two weeks — the same theme shows up in cherry blossom’s popularity as a flower tattoo design.
If a gift-giver or source calls cherry blossom “March’s flower,” it’s most likely drawing on this cultural and seasonal association rather than the florist-tradition birth-flower list that assigns daffodil and jonquil. Both framings are legitimate — they’re just answering slightly different questions.
Why Does March Have Two Birth Flowers?
As with several other months, this comes down to overlapping historical lists rather than one documented rule. Daffodil and jonquil both belong to the Narcissus genus but differ enough in appearance, fragrance, and symbolism that florist traditions kept them as two distinct options rather than merging them into one. For a broader look at how this pattern plays out across the calendar, see our guide to birth flowers by month.
Growing Daffodils and Jonquils
Both flowers are considered relatively easy, low-maintenance bulbs for home gardeners. Plant bulbs in autumn in well-draining, fertile soil with full sun to partial shade, and avoid disturbing established clumps — daffodils and jonquils both tend to multiply and produce larger, more impressive displays the longer they’re left in place. For indoor color, bulbs of either flower can be “forced” in pots or shallow water for blooms within a few weeks, well ahead of the outdoor bloom time.
FAQ
What is the true March birth flower? Daffodil is the flower most consistently cited as March’s primary birth flower across florist and gardening references, with jonquil as a secondary flower. Cherry blossom is strongly associated with March culturally but isn’t part of that same long-running birth-flower tradition.
Why does March have two birth flowers? Most explanations point to overlapping historical lists that assigned different Narcissus varieties to the month, which were never fully consolidated into one official flower.
Which birth flower is cherry blossom? Cherry blossom isn’t consistently listed as an official birth-month flower in dedicated floral-tradition references, though it’s closely tied to March and early spring culturally.
What is the birth flower for the month of March? Most sources name daffodil, often paired with jonquil as a secondary flower.