Flowers remind us of the beauty of the world, and this is a feeling that often transcends cultures. Learning how to say the names of flowers in Spanish will help you appreciate beauty in a whole new way.
If you’ve been studying Spanish for a while, you’ve probably realized what a romantic language Spanish can be. Beyond straightforward ways to say “I love you” in Spanish, flowers can help us express beauty in ways that cannot be adequately expressed with words.
After all, a bouquet of flowers can represent many things–from an expression of a lifelong commitment to marriage to heartfelt condolences after someone’s passing. That’s why it’s so important to learn about flowers in Spanish, as this will help you better cope with the wide range of human emotions.
Plus, flowers are uniquely important in Spanish-speaking cultures. Stick around until the end to find out exciting new meanings for flowers that you may not have thought of!
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Flowers in Spanish
The first thing you’ll want to learn is how to actually say “flower” and “flowers” in Spanish. Luckily for you, this translation sounds very similar to English, so you should have no trouble talking about flowers in no time.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Flower | La flor | ˈfloɾ | flor |
Flowers | Las flores | ˈfloɾes | floh-res |
Most popular flowers in Spanish
Flowers are incredibly diverse. Perhaps so much more so than any of us can imagine. With thousands and thousands of flower variations all over the world, it’s likely impossible to learn every single one–even if you decide to pursue a career in botany.
With that said, we’ve compiled a list of 268 names of flowers in Spanish so you can start talking about your favorite ones right away, no matter where you live. No prior botanic experience required!
Let’s get started with 30 of the most popular flowers in Spanish.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Daisy | La maya | ˈmaʝa | mah-ya |
Gardenia | La gardenia | ɣaɾˈðenja | gar-deh-nee-ah |
Orchid | La orquídea | oɾˈkiðea | or-key-deh-ah |
Tulip | El tulipán | tuliˈpãn | too-lee-pan |
Marigold | La margarita | maɾɣaˈɾita | mar-gah-ree-tah |
Azalea | La azalea | asaˈlea | ah-zah-leh-ah |
Geranium | el geráneo | xɛˈɾaneo | heh-ra-neh-oh |
Lavender | La lavanda | laˈβãnda | la-vahn-dah |
Zinnia | La zinnia | ˈsĩnnja | zee-nee-ah |
Rose | La rosa | ˈrosa | ro-sa |
Sunflower | El girasol | xiɾaˈsol | he-ra-sol |
Poppy | La amapola | amaˈpola | ah-ma-poh-la |
Periwinkle | La teresita | tɛɾeˈsita | teh-reh-see-ta |
Daffodil | El narciso | naɾˈsiso | nar-see-so |
Petunia | La petunia | pɛˈtunja | peh-too-nee-ah |
Violet | La violeta | βjoˈlɛta | vee-oh-leh-tah |
Dusty miller | La dusty miller | ˈðusti miˈʝɛɾ | dusty miller |
Hyacinth | El jacinto | xaˈsĩnto | ha-seen-toh |
Hibiscus | La jamaica | xaˈmai̯ka | ha-mah-e-cah |
Hydrangea | La hortensia | oɾˈtɛ̃nsja | or-ten-see-ah |
Jasmine | El jasmín | xas̬ˈmĩn | has-meen |
Lilac | La lila | ˈlila | lee-la |
Poinsettia | La noche buena | ˈnoʧe ˈβwena | no-che boo-eh-na |
Calendula | La caléndula | kaˈlɛ̃ndula | kah-len-doo-la |
Lily | El lirio | ˈliɾjo | lee-ree-oh |
Pansy | El pensamiento | pɛ̃nsaˈmjɛ̃nto | pen-sa-me-en-toh |
Primrose | La primavera | pɾimaˈβɛɾa | pree-ma-ver-ah |
Alyssum | El aliso | aˈliso | ah-lee-so |
Verbena | La verbena | βɛɾˈβena | ver-beh-na |
Snapdragon | La boca de dragón | ˈβoka ðe ðɾaˈɣõn | bo-ca deh dra-gon |
Download our FREE guide to flowering plants and their Spanish names
Remember all the names of your favorite flowering plants in Spanish with our printable poster. We've included planting tips on light, position, watering, and soil type.
Common flowers in Spanish
If you’re studying Spanish, whether online or through an immersive experience, chances are that you’re an adventurous person. As one, you’ve probably traveled to some foreign countries before (perhaps one of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries?) and have seen first-hand how ridiculously diverse flowers can be.
Below you’ll find a list with the names of some of the most common flowers in the world in Spanish. No matter where in the world you’re located, you’re sure to be familiar with some of the flowers on this list!
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Aster | El aster | asˈtɛɾ | as-ter |
Chrysanthemum | El crisantemo | kɾisãnˈtemo | cree-san-teh-mo |
Delphinium | La espuela de caballero | ɛsˈpwela ðe kaβaˈʝɛɾo | es-poo-eh-la deh cah-ba-yeh-ro |
Juniper | El enebro | eˈneβɾo | eh-neh-bro |
Iris | La iris | ˈiɾis | e-rees |
Begonia | La begonia | βeˈɣonja | beh-go-nee-ah |
Camellia | La camelia | kaˈmelja | cah-meh-lee-ah |
Abutilon | El amantillo | amãnˈtiʝo | ah-ma-ran-tee-yo |
Clematis | La clemátide | kleˈmatiðe | cleh-ma-tee-deh |
Forget me not | El nomeolvides | mjoˈsotis | no-meh-ol-vee-des |
Snowdrop | La campanilla de invierno | kãmpaˈniʝa ðe ĩ̯mˈbjɛɾno | cam-pa-nee-ya deh in-vee-air-no |
California Poppy | La amapola de California | amaˈpola ðe kaliˈfoɾnja | ah-ma-poh-la deh ca-lee-for-nee-ah |
Cardinal flower | La cardenala encarnada | kaɾðeˈnala ɛ̃nkaɾˈnaða | car-deh-na-la en-car-na-da |
Water lilies | Las ninfeáceas | nĩmfeˈaseas | neen-fah-seh-as |
Columbine | La aguileña | aɣiˈleɲa | ah-gee-leh-nya |
Foxglove | La dedalera | ðeðaˈlɛɾa | deh-da-leh-ra |
Lantana | La lantana | lãnˈtana | lan-ta-na |
Lobelia | La lobelia | loˈβelja | loh-beh-lee-ah |
Aconite | El acónito | aˈkonito | ah-koh-nee-toh |
African Daisy | La arcotis | aɾˈkotis | ar-koh-tees |
Laelia | La laelia | laˈelja | la-eh-lee-ah |
Agapanthus | El agapanto | aɣaˈpãnto | ah-ga-pan-toh |
Statice | La lavanda marina | laˈβãnda maˈɾina | la-van-da ma-ree-na |
Peruvian lily | El lirio peruano | ˈliɾjo pɛˈɾwano | lee-re-oh peh-roo-ah-no |
Amaranthus | El amaranto | amaˈɾãnto | ah-ma-ran-toh |
Bluebonnets | El lupino | luˈpino | loo-pee-no |
Amaryllis | La añañuca | aɲaˈɲuka | ah-nya-nyu-cah |
Lavatera | La malva | ˈmalβa | mal-va |
Anemone | La anémona | aˈnemona | ah-neh-mo-na |
Anise | El anís | aˈnis | ah-nees |
Ballota | La ballota | βaˈʝota | bah-yo-ta |
Duranta | La duranta | ðuˈɾãnta | doo-ran-ta |
Bellflower | La campanula | kãmpaˈnula | cam-pa-noo-la |
Bergenia | La bergenia | βɛɾˈxenja | behr-heh-nee-ah |
Black-eyed Susan | La rudbeckia bicolor | ruðˈβek̚kja βikoˈloɾ | rood-beck-e-ah be-co-lor |
Wildflowers | Las flores salvajes | ˈfloɾes salˈβaxes | flo-res sal-va-hehs |
Larkspur | La consolida | kõnsoˈliða | con-so-lee-da |
Bletilla | La bletilla | βlɛˈtiʝa | bleh-tee-ya |
Ageratum | La yerba de zopilote | ˈʝɛɾβa ðe sopiˈlote | yer-bah de zo-pee-lo-teh |
Bluestar Flower | La amsonia azul | ãmˈsonja aˈsul | am-so-nee-ah |
Lemon Verbena | El cidrón | siˈðɾõn | see-dron |
Bottlebrush | Los limpiatubos | lĩmpjaˈtuβos | lim-pee-ah-too-bos |
Nierembergia | La estrellita de las vegas | ɛstɾeˈʝita ðe las̬ ˈβeɣas | es-treh-yee-ta deh las veh-gas |
Brassica | La mostaza india | mosˈtasa ˈĩndja | mos-ta-za een-dee-ah |
Broom | Las retamas | rɛˈtamas | reh-ta-mas |
Buttercup | La trompeta amarilla | tɾõmˈpɛta amaˈɾiʝa | trom-peh-ta ah-ma-ree-ya |
Oriental Lily | El lirio oriental | ˈliɾjo oɾjɛ̃nˈtal | lee-ree-oh oh-ree-en-tal |
Catharanthus | La chavelita | ʧaβeˈlita | cha-veh-lee-ta |
Lewisia | La lewisia | leˈwisja | leh-ooh-ee-see-ah |
Celosia | La celosia | seˈlosja | seh-loh-sa |
Dianthus barbatus | El clavel del poeta | klaˈβɛl dɛl poˈɛta | cla-vel del poh-eh-ta |
Coneflower | El dracopis | dɾaˈkopis | dra-coh-pees |
Mimosa | La mimosa | miˈmosa | mee-mo-sa |
Coral Bells | La heuchera | eu̯ˈʧɛɾa | eh-uh-che-ra |
Coreopsis | La calliopsis | kaˈʝjopsis | cah-yee-op-sees |
Lotus | La flor de loto | ˈfloɾ ðe ˈloto | flor deh lo-toe |
Corydalis | La corydalis | koɾiˈðalis | co-ree-dah-lees |
Eremurus | La cola de zorro | ˈkola ðe ˈsoro | co-la deh zo-roh |
Crocus | El azafrán | asaˈfɾãn | ah-za-fran |
Daphne | El laurel | lau̯ˈɾɛl | la-ooh-rel |
Linaria | La linaria | liˈnaɾja | lee-na-ree-ah |
Deutzia | La celinda de espigas | seˈlĩnda ðɛ ɛsˈpiɣas | seh-leen-da deh es-pee-gas |
Nemophila | La flor ojos de bebé | ˈfloɾ ˈoxos̬ ðe βeˈβe | flor oh-hos deh beh-beh |
Diascia | La diáscia | ˈðjasja | dee-ah-see-ah |
Disa | La disa | ˈðisa | dee-sa |
Dutch Iris | La iris holandesa | ˈiɾis olãnˈdesa | ee-rees oh-lan-deh-sa |
Silene | La colleja | koˈʝexa | coh-yeh-ha |
Echinops | La rolandra | roˈlãndɾa | ro-lan-dra |
Lunaria | La moneda del Papa | moˈneða ðɛl ˈpapa | mo-neh-da del pah-pa |
Firethorn | Los espinos de fuego | ɛsˈpinos̬ ðe ˈfweɣo | es-pee-nos deh foo-eh-go |
Erigeron | La margarita cimarrona | maɾɣaˈɾita simaˈrona | mar-ga-ree-ta see-ma-ro-na |
Lupin | El lupín | luˈpĩn | loo-peen |
Magnolia | La magnolia | maɣˈnolja | mag-no-lee-ah |
Feverfew | La hierba santa | ˈʝɛɾβa ˈsãnta | e-air-ba san-ta |
Mandevilla | La mandevilla | mãndeˈβiʝa | man-deh-vee-ya |
Kniphofia | La bandera española | βãnˈdɛɾa ɛspaˈɲola | ban-deh-ra es-pa-nyo-la |
Flaming Katy | La flor de la fortuna | ˈfloɾ ðe la foɾˈtuna | flor deh la for-too-na |
Mayflower | El berro del prado | ˈβɛro ðɛl ˈpɾaðo | beh-ro del pra-doh |
Forsythia | La campanita china | kãmpaˈnita ˈʧina | cam-pah-nee-ta chee-na |
Marguerite Daisy | La magarza común | maˈɣaɾsa koˈmũn | ma-gar-za co-moon |
French Marigold | El clavel de moro | klaˈβɛl de ˈmoɾo | cla-vel de mo-ro |
Gaillardia | La gallardía | ɣaʝaɾˈðia | ga-yar-dee-ah |
Sedum | La uña de gato | ˈuɲa ðe ˈɣato | oo-nya deh ga-toe |
Gazania | La gazania | ɣaˈsanja | ga-za-nee-ah |
Peony | La flor maldita | ˈfloɾ malˈdita | flor mal-dee-ta |
Gerbera Flower | La margarita africana | maɾɣaˈɾita afɾiˈkana | mar-ga-ree-ta ah-free-ca-na |
Matthiola | El alhelí | aleˈli | ah-leh-lee |
Kalmia | El laurel de montaña | lau̯ˈɾɛl de mõnˈtaɲa | la-ooh-rel deh mon-ta-nya |
Gladiolas | El lirio común | ˈliɾjo koˈmũn | lee-ree-oh coh-moon |
Freesia | La fresilla | fɾeˈsiʝa | freh-see-ya |
Goldenrod | La vara de oro de Canadá | ˈβaɾa ðe ˈoɾo ðe kanaˈða | va-ra deh oh-ro deh ca-na-da |
Guzmania | La flor del incienso | ˈfloɾ ðɛl ĩnˈsjɛ̃nso | flor del in-see-en-so |
Hawthorn | Los majuelos | maˈxwelos | ma-who-eh-los |
Heather | La brecina | βɾeˈsina | breh-see-na |
Hebe | La verónica | βɛˈɾonika | veh-ro-nee-ca |
Helenium | La enula | eˈnula | eh-nool-ah |
Ixora | La cruz de Malta | ˈkɾus̬ ðe ˈmalta | crooz deh mal-ta |
Ornamental Cherry | El cerezo en flor japonés | sɛˈɾeso ɛ̃m ˈfloɾ xapoˈnes | seh-reh-so ehn flor ha-poh-nes |
Pelargonium | El geranio | xɛˈɾanjo | he-ra-nee-oh |
Quince | El membrillo | mɛ̃mˈbɾiʝo | mem-bree-yo |
Heliotrope | La vainilla de jardín | βai̯ˈniʝa ðe xaɾˈðĩn | vah-e-nee-ya deh har-deen |
Scaevola | La flor de abanico | ˈfloɾ ðe aβaˈniko | flor deh ah-ba-nee-coh |
Penstemon | Las campanitas | kãmpaˈnitas | cam-pa-nee-tas |
Nemesia | La nemesia | neˈmesja | neh-meh-see-ah |
Impatiens | La balsamina | βalsaˈmina | bal-sah-mee-na |
Scilla | La escila | eˈsila | es-see-la |
Cowslip | La flor de la primavera | ˈfloɾ ðe la pɾimaˈβɛɾa | flor deh la pree-ma-veh-ra |
Tropical flowers in Spanish
As you probably already know, a big chunk of the Spanish-speaking world is located near the tropics. From the tropical rainforests of Southern Mexico to the deep Amazonian jungles of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, you can count on there being many tropical flowers that will blow you away.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
African Violet | La violeta africana | βjoˈlɛta afɾiˈkana | vee-oh-leh-ta ah-free-cah-na |
Amaryllis | La amarilis | amaˈɾilis | ah-ma-ree-yees |
Angel’s Trumpet | La brugmansia | βɾuɣˈmãnsja | broog-man-see-ah |
Anthurium | El anturio | ãnˈtuɾjo | an-too-re-oh |
Bird of Paradise | El ave del paraíso | ˈaβe ðɛl paɾaˈiso | ah-veh del pa-ra-e-so |
Blood Lily | La flor de sangre | ˈfloɾ ðe ˈsãnɡɾe | flor deh san-greh |
Blue Passion Flower | La pasionaria azul | pasjoˈnaɾja aˈsul | pa-see-oh-neh-ra ah-zool |
Bougainvillea | La buganvilia | βuɣãmˈbilja | boo-gan-vee-lee-ah |
Bromeliad | La bromelia | βɾoˈmelja | bro-meh-lee-ah |
Canna Indica | La flor del cangrejo | ˈfloɾ ðɛl kãnˈɡɾexo | flor del can-greh-ho |
Chenille Plant | El rabo de gato | ˈraβo ðe ˈɣato | ra-bo deh ga-toe |
Clivia | La clivia | ˈkliβja | clee-vee-ah |
Cyclamen | La violeta de Persia | βjoˈlɛta ðe ˈpɛɾsja | vee-oh-leh-ta deh per-see-ah |
Kahili Ginger | El lirio de arroyo | ˈliɾjo ðe aˈroʝo | lee-ree-oh deh ah-ro-yo |
Hanging Lobster Claw | La heliconia rostrata | eliˈkonja rosˈtɾata | eh-lee-coh-nee-ah ros-tra-tah |
Ilima | La ilima | iˈlima | e-lee-ma |
Lokelani | La rosa de Damasco | ˈrosa ðe ðaˈmasko | ro-sa deh da-mas-co |
Medinilla | La medinilla | meðiˈniʝa | me-de-nee-ya |
Morning Glory | La campanilla | kãmpaˈniʝa | cam-pa-nee-ya |
Penta | La planta de la inmortalidad | ˈplãnta ðe la ĩ̯mmoɾtaliˈðað | plan-ta deh la in-mor-ta-lee-dad |
Cosmos | La flor del cosmos | ˈfloɾ ðɛl ˈkos̬mos | flor del cos-mos |
Frangipani | La plumeria | pluˈmɛɾja | ploo-meh-ree-ah |
Protea | La protea | pɾoˈtea | pro-teh-ah |
Sampaguita | La sampaguita | sãmpaˈɣita | sam-pa-gee-tah |
Bat Lily | El lirio murciélago | ˈliɾjo muɾˈsjelaɣo | lee-ree-oh moor-see-eh-la-go |
Pink Flowering Banana | El plátano rosa | ˈplatano ˈrosa | pla-ta-no- ro-sa |
Colocasia Esculenta | La malanga | maˈlãnɡa | ma-lan-ga |
Cordyline Fruticosa | La palma lirio | ˈpalma ˈliɾjo | pal-ma lee-ree-oh |
Desert flowers in Spanish
If sandy dunes are the first thing to come to mind when you hear the word “desert,” you might want to take a look at some of the stunning deserts in Latin America. The Sonoran Desert, located in Northwestern Mexico and the Southwest of the United States, is the most biodiverse desert in the world.
With over 3,500 plant species (and over 500 fascinating birds, too!), this desert is a biodiversity marvel. Here are some of the most popular desert flowers in Spanish to get you started on your new exploration journey!
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Succulent | La suculenta | sukuˈlɛ̃nta | sue-coo-len-ta |
Pencil Plant | El árbol de los dedos | ˈaɾβol de los̬ ˈðeðos | ar-bol deh los deh-dos |
Burro’s Tail | La cola de burro | ˈkola ðe ˈβuro | co-la deh boo-ro |
Living Stone | La planta piedra | ˈplãnta ˈpjeðɾa | plan-ta pee-eh-dra |
Queen Victoria Agave | El agave noa | aˈɣaβe ˈnoa | ah-ga-veh no-ah |
Zebra Cactus | La planta cebra | ˈplãnta ˈseβɾa | plant-a seh-bra |
Golden Barrel | El asiento de suegra | aˈsjɛ̃nto ðe ˈsweɣɾa | ah-see-en-to deh soo-eh-gra |
Bunny Ear Cactus | El nopal cegador | noˈpal seɣaˈðoɾ | no-pal seh-ga-door |
Fox Tail Agave | El ágave atenuado | ˈaɣaβe ateˈnwaðo | ah-ga-veh ah-teh-noo-ah-doh |
Winecup | La malvácea | malˈβasea | mal-va-seh-ah |
Desert Marigold | La maravilla del desierto | maɾaˈβiʝa ðɛl deˈsjɛɾto | ma-ra-vee-ya del deh-see-air-toe |
Desert Sage | La salvia del desierto | salβja ðɛl deˈsjɛɾto | sal-vee-ah del deh-see-air-toe |
Palo Verde | El palo verde | ˈpalo ˈβɛɾðe | pa-lo ver-deh |
Ocotillo | El ocotillo | okoˈtiʝo | oh-coh-tee-yo |
Mexican Thread Grass | La cola de zorro | ˈkola ðe ˈsoro | co-la deh zo-ro |
Parodia | El cactus parodia | ˈkak̚tus paˈɾoðja | cac-toos pa-ro-dee-ah |
Prickly Pear Cactus | El árbol de tunas | ˈaɾβol de ˈtunas | ar-bol deh too-nas |
Saguaro Cactus | El saguaro | saˈɣwaɾo | sa-goo-ah-ro |
Organ Pipe Cactus | El pitayo dulce | piˈtaʝo ˈðulse | pee-tah-yo dool-seh |
Brittlebush | El incienso | ĩnˈsjɛ̃nso | in-see-en-so |
Desert Lily | El lirio del desierto | ˈliɾjo ðɛl deˈsjɛɾto | lee-ree-oh del deh-see-air-toe |
Jumping Cholla | La choya | ˈʧoʝa | cho-ya |
Soaptree Yucca | La yucca elata | ˈʝuk̚ka eˈlata | yoo-ca eh-la-ta |
Tumbleweed | La planta rodante | ˈplãnta roˈðãnte | plan-tah ro-dan-teh |
Poison Ivy | La hiedra venenosa | ˈʝeðɾa βeneˈnosa | e-eh-dra veh-neh-no-sa |
Lovegrass | La hierba del amor | ˈʝɛɾβa ðɛl aˈmoɾ | e-air-bah del ah-more |
Oleander | La adelfa | aˈðɛlfa | ah-del-fa |
Desert Spoon | El sereque | sɛˈɾeke | seh-reh-keh |
Mesquite | La dasylirion | ðasiˈliɾjõn | da-see-lee-ree-on |
Datura | La datura | ðaˈtuɾa | da-too-ra |
New Mexico Locust | La acacia rosa | aˈkasja ˈrosa | ah-ca-see-ah ro-sa |
Desert Rose | La rosa del desierto | ˈrosa ðɛl deˈsjɛɾto | ro-sa del deh-see-air-toe |
Herbal flowers in Spanish
Herbs have been used all over the world for their medicinal purposes or simply for some added spice, but did you know that herbs are actually flowers? Although it might be easy to group them with vegetables, most herbs consist of the flowering part of the plant. Here are some of the most common herbs and herbal flowers in Spanish.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Echinacea | La equinácea | ekiˈnasea | eh-key-nah-see-ah |
Rose Hips | La mosqueta rosa | mosˈkɛta ˈrosa | mos-keh-ta ro-sa |
Dandelion | El diente de león | ˈdjɛ̃nte ðe leˈõn | dee-en-teh deh leh-on |
Mullein | El gordolobo | ɣoɾðoˈloβo | gor-doh-lo-boh |
Beebalm | La monarda | moˈnaɾða | mo-nar-da |
Yarrow | La milenrama | milɛ̃nˈrama | me-lehn-ra-ma |
Elderberry | El sauco | ˈsau̯ko | sa-ooh-co |
Comfrey | La consuelda | kõnˈswɛlda | con-soo-el-da |
Basil | La albahaca | alβaˈaka | al-bah-cah |
Dill | El eneldo | eˈnɛldo | eh-nel-doh |
Rosemary | El romero | roˈmɛɾo | ro-meh-ro |
Oregano | El orégano | oˈɾeɣano | oh-reh-ga-no |
Spearmint | La hierbabuena | ʝɛɾβaˈβwena | e-air-bah-boo-eh-na |
Sage | La salvia | ˈsalβja | sal-vee-ah |
Parsley | El perejil | pɛɾeˈxil | peh-reh-heel |
Cilantro | El cilantro | siˈlãntɾo | see-lan-troh |
Chives | El cebollín | seβoˈʝĩn | seh-boh-yeen |
Thyme | El tomillo | toˈmiʝo | toh-mee-yo |
Mint | La menta | ˈmɛ̃nta | men-ta |
Catnip | La menta gatuna | ˈmɛ̃nta ɣaˈtuna | men-ta gah-too-na |
Peppermint | La menta piperita | ˈmɛ̃nta pipɛˈɾita | men-ta pee-peh-ree-ta |
Lemongrass | El zacate limón | saˈkate liˈmõn | sah-cah-teh lee-mon |
Stevia | La stevia | ˈsteβja | steh-vee-ah |
Bay Leaves | Las hojas de laurel | ˈoxas̬ ðe lau̯ˈɾɛl | oh-has deh la-ooh-rel |
Tarragon | El estragón | ɛstɾaˈɣõn | es-tra-gon |
Fennel | El hinojo | iˈnoxo | e-no-ho |
Chervil | El perejil francés | pɛɾeˈxil fɾãnˈses | peh-reh-heel fran-sehs |
Winter Savory | La satureja montana | satuˈɾexa mõnˈtana | sa-too-reh-ha mon-ta-na |
Marjoram | La mejorana | mexoˈɾana | meh-ho-ra-na |
Edible flowers in Spanish
Edible flowers are exactly what they sound like–yummy flowers! Although many of them look like any other flower, others may look closer to what we commonly refer to as fruits and vegetables. Here are the names of some of the most common edible flowers in Spanish.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Artichoke | La alcachofa | alkaˈʧofa | al-ca-cho-fa |
Leek | El porro | ˈporo | po-ro |
Garlic | El ajo | ˈaxo | ah-ho |
Watercress | El berro de agua | ˈβɛro ðe ˈaɣwa | beh-ro deh ah-goo-ah |
Honeysuckle | Las madreselvas | maðɾeˈsɛlβas | ma-dre-sel-vas |
Borage | La borraja | βoˈraxa | boh-ra-ha |
Squash blossoms | La flor de calabaza | ˈfloɾ ðe kalaˈβasa | flor deh cah-la-bah-za |
Celery | El apio | ˈapjo | ah-pee-oh |
Arugula | La arúgula | aˈɾuɣula | ah-roo-goo-la |
Bergamot | La bergamota | βɛɾɣaˈmota | ber-ga-mo-ta |
Chicory | La achicoria común | aʧiˈkoɾja koˈmũn | ah-chee-coh-ree-ah coh-moon |
Clover | Los tréboles | ˈtɾeβoles | treh-bo-les |
Cornflower | El azulejo | asuˈlexo | ah-zoo-leh-ho |
Hollyhock | El alcea | alˈsea | al-seh-ah |
Johnny Jump-Up | El pensamiento | pɛ̃nsaˈmjɛ̃nto | pen-sa-me-en-toh |
Sorrel | La acedera común | aseˈðɛɾa koˈmũn | ah-seh-deh-ra coh-moon |
The shallot | El echalote | eʧaˈlote | eh-cha-lo-teh |
Daylilies | El lirio de día | ˈliɾjo ðe ˈðia | lee-ree-oh deh dee-ah |
Hostas | El lirio llantén | ˈliɾjo ʝãnˈtɛ̃n | lee-ree-oh yan-ten |
Nasturtium | La capuchina | kapuˈʧina | ca-poo-chee-na |
National flowers
Flowers can be extremely important to people and–by extension–to nations. Many countries all over the world have chosen a national flower to represent them, their peoples, and their culture. This is a very common practice in Latin America, where nature is incredibly central to the people’s culture, beliefs, and practices.
Most Spanish-speaking countries have plenty of plant diversity. Half of the ten countries with the most plant diversity are in Latin America, namely Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. Even Spain is extremely diverse, with the Canary Islands being some of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
National flower of Mexico
Mexico decided to go above and beyond by having not one–not two–but three national flowers! The dahlia was named the national flower in 1963 due to its historic significance to the Aztecs, who referred to it as “acocoxóchitl.”
Poinsettias were later added for their strong link to Christmas, where important thoroughfares like Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City get covered in striking red Nochebuenas.
Finally, the Aztec marigold was added for its significance in the Día de los Muertos tradition. More on this later on in the article!
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Dahlia | La dalia | ˈðalja | dah-lee-ah |
Poinsettia | La nochebuena | noʧeˈβwena | noh-che-boo-eh-na |
Aztec marigold | El cempasúchil | sɛ̃mpaˈsuʧil | sem-pa-soo-cheel |
National flower of Colombia
Orchids are considered the national flower of Colombia thanks to how many different orchid species there are. Colombian orchids come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors that it can be hard to keep up! The specific orchid species that is considered the national flower is the Cattleya Trianae, which is named after the famous Colombian botanist José Jerónimo Triana.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Colombian orchid | La orquídea colombiana | oɾˈkiðea kolõmˈbjana | or-key-deh-ah coh-lom-bee-ah-na |
National flower of Spain
The carnation is the national flower of Spain thanks to its links to religion. As a deeply Christian country, the carnation helps represent the religious beliefs of a majority of Spaniards. This flower is also representative of Flamenco, an iconic dance that originated in the Spanish region of Andalusia.
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Carnation | El clavel | klaˈβɛl | cla-vel |
National flower of other Spanish-speaking countries
There are many, many Spanish-speaking countries that have a national flower. Although each of them has a fascinating history, we’ll leave it up to you to read more about why each one was chosen! Take it as a fun challenge, especially if you’re moving towards the intermediate Spanish level. To get you started, here is the national flower of each country in Latin America.
Country | English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Argentina | Cockspur coral tree | El ceibo | ˈsei̯βo | seh-e-boh |
Bolivia | Qantuta | La cantuta | kãnˈtuta | can-too-ta |
Bolivia | Hanging lobster claw | El patujú | patuˈxu | pa-too-hoo |
Chile | Chilean bellflower | El copihue | koˈpiwe | co-pee-ooh-eh |
Costa Rica | Guarianthe skinneri | La guaria morada | ˈɣwaɾja moˈɾaða | goo-ah-re-ah moh-ra-da |
Cuba | White garland-lily | La mariposa | maɾiˈposa | ma-ree-po-sa |
Ecuador | Flower of the Andes | La chuquiragua | ʧukiˈɾaɣwa | chu-key-ra-goo-ah |
El Salvador | Coffea arabica | La flor de café | ˈfloɾ ðe kaˈfe | flor deh ca-feh |
El Salvador | Yucca elephantipes | La flor de izote | ˈfloɾ ðe i̯ˈsote | flor deh e-zo-teh |
Guatemala | Lycaste skinneri | La monja blanca | ˈmõnxa ˈβlãnka | mon-ha blan-cah |
Honduras | Rhyncholaelia digbyana | La orquídea de la Virgen | oɾˈkiðea ðe la ˈβiɾxɛ̃n | or-key-deh-ah deh la veer-hen |
Nicaragua | Frangipani | El sacuanjoche | sakwãnˈxoʧe | sah-coo-an-ho-che |
Panama | Holy Ghost orchid | La flor del Espíritu Santo | ˈfloɾ ðɛl ɛsˈpiɾitu ˈsãnto | flor del es-pee-ree-too san-toh |
Paraguay | Blue passionflower | La mburucuyá | mbuɾuˈku | m-boo-roo-coo-ya |
Peru | Qantuta | La cantuta | kãnˈtuta | can-too-ta |
Puerto Rico | Maga | La flor de Maga | ˈfloɾ ðe ˈmaɣa | flor deh ma-ga |
Dominican Republic | Bayahibe rose | La rosa de Bayahíbe | ˈrosa ðe βaʝaˈiβe | ro-sa deh bah-ya-e-beh |
Uruguay | Cockspur coral tree | El ceibo | ˈsei̯βo | say-bo |
Venezuela | Easter orchid | La flor de mayo | ˈfloɾ ðe ˈmaʝo | flor de ma-yo |
More handy floral words to add to your Spanish vocabulary bouquet
Whether you’re a certified botanist or a recreational gardener, there are many auxiliary words that you should add to your flower vocabulary! From the different parts of a flower to words related to growing and caring for them, we’ve got you covered!
English | Spanish | IPA | Pronunciation |
Petals | Los pétalos | los ˈpɛtalos | peh-ta-los |
Plant | La planta | la ˈplãnta | plan-ta |
Stem | El tallo | ɛl ˈtaʝo | ta-yo |
Roots | Las raíces | las̬ raˈises | rah-e-ses |
Leaves | Las hojas | las ˈoxas | oh-has |
Pollen | El polen | ɛl ˈpolɛ̃n | poh-len |
Seeds | Las semillas | las seˈmiʝas | seh-me-yas |
Bouquet | El ramo de flores | ɛl ˈramo ðe ˈfloɾes | ra-mo deh flo-res |
Florist | El florista | ɛl floˈɾista | flo-rees-ta |
Nectar | El néctar | ɛl ˈnek̚taɾ | nec-tar |
Bee | La abeja | la aˈβexa | ah-beh-ha |
Fertilizer | El fertilizante | ɛl fɛɾtiliˈsãnte | fer-tee-lee-zan-teh |
Nursery | El vivero | ɛl βiˈβɛɾo | vee-veh-ro |
Greenhouse | El invernadero | ɛl ĩmbɛɾnaˈðɛɾo | in-ver-nah-deh-ro |
Flower vase | El florero | ɛl floˈɾɛɾo | flo-reh-ro |
Pot / Planter | La maceta | la maˈsɛta | ma-seh-tah |
Grass | El pasto | ɛl ˈpasto | pas-toe |
Branch | La rama | la ˈrama | ra-ma |
Bush | El arbusto | ɛl aɾˈβusto | ar-boos-to |
Trunk | El tronco | ɛl ˈtɾõnko | tron-co |
Sprout | El brote | ɛl ˈβɾote | bro-teh |
Blossom | El florecimiento | ɛl floɾesiˈmjɛ̃nto | flo-reh-see-me-en-toh |
To blossom | Florecer | floɾeˈsɛɾ | flo-reh-ser |
Thorn | La espina | la ɛsˈpina | es-pee-na |
Moss | El musgo | ɛl ˈmus̬ɣo | moos-go |
Garden | El jardín | ɛl xaɾˈðĩn | har-deen |
Flora | La flora | la ˈfloɾa | flo-ra |
Botany | La botánica | la βoˈtanika | bo-ta-nee-ca |
Horticulture | La horticultura | la oɾtikulˈtuɾa | or-tee-cool-too-ra |
Germinate | Germinar | xɛɾmiˈnaɾ | her-me-nar |
Photosynthesis | La fotosíntesis | la fotoˈsĩntesis | fo-toe-seen-teh-sees |
Plague | La plaga | la ˈplaɣa | pla-ga |
Herb | La hierba | la ˈʝɛɾβa | e-air-bah |
Bud | El botón | ɛl βoˈtõn | bo-ton |
Annual plants | Las plantas anuales | las ˈplãntas aˈnwales | plan-tas ah-noo-ah-les |
Perennial plants | Las plantas perenes | las ˈplãntas pɛˈɾenes | plan-tas peh-ren-es |
Biennial plants | Las plantas bienales | las ˈplãntas̬ βjeˈnales | plan-tas be-eh-na-les |
Foliage | El follaje | ɛl foˈʝaxe | foh-ya-heh |
To grow | Crecer | kɾeˈsɛɾ | creh-ser |
Vegetation | La vegetación | la βexɛtaˈsjõn | veh-heh-ta-see-on |
Weed | La mala hierba | la ˈmala ˈʝɛɾβa | ma-la e-air-ba |
Gloves | Los guantes | ˈɣwãntes | goo-an-tes |
Shovel | La pala | ˈpala | pa-la |
Hose | La manguera | mãnˈɡɛɾa | man-geh-ra |
Watering pot | La regadera | reɣaˈðɛɾa | reh-ga-deh-ra |
Cultural significance of flowers in Spanish speaking cultures
Christmas
Poinsettias have become symbols of the Christmas holiday season all over the US, but did you know that this tradition actually has Hispanic roots?
The Christmas holiday period is one of the most important times of the year–if not the most important one–for most Spanish speakers. As most Hispanic countries have deep Christian roots, Christmas celebrations often begin as much as a full month in advance.
If you’ve ever celebrated Christmas with a Spanish speaker, you probably already know that most Latin Americans celebrate it on the 24th of December. Christmas Eve–known as Noche Buena in Spanish–is the main Christmas celebration for most Spanish speakers. And remember what poinsettias are called in Spanish? That’s right, Nochebuena!
Día de las Madres
You can’t have a Mother’s Day celebration without a bouquet of flowers. If you were from a Spanish-speaking country and failed to get your mom some flowers on her special day, you’d be in great trouble!
Gifting flowers is a traditional component of Mother’s Day, as flowers have come to represent life, fertility, and beauty–all qualities typically associated with motherhood. Here are some of the most common flowers that people gift on Mother’s Day:
- Roses
- Iris
- Orchids
- Carnations
- Tulips
Can you recall how to say each of the flowers above in Spanish? We’ve covered them all in this article!
Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is one of the most important holidays in Mexican culture. Celebrated every year on the 2nd of November, this holiday is a flippant celebration of those who have left us behind.
Each year, people all over Mexico set up special altars for their lost loved ones, full of candy, mementos, and–you guessed it–flowers. In particular, the Aztec marigold is the most emblematic flower of Día de los Muertos. As you may recall, the Aztec marigold is known as cempasúchil in Spanish.
Legend has it that two Aztec lovers named Xochitl (which means flower in Nahuatl) and Huitzilin (which means hummingbird in Nahuatl) climbed to the top of the mountain dedicated to Tonatiuh, the Aztec god of the sun. Then, a war broke out and Huitzilin died in combat.
A heartbroken Xochitl asked the god of the sun to reunite her with her lover, to which he agreed. Tonatiuh turned Xochitl into a cempasúchil and a hummingbird immediately rushed to stand on the cempasúchil. This story came to associate both hummingbirds and cempasúchil flowers with the dead, albeit in a nostalgic and longing way as opposed to a superstitious or negative way.
Watch your Spanish grow tall like a sunflower with this vocab
Whether you’re a horticulturist, passionate about nature, or simply want a more well-rounded Spanish vocabulary, we hope you found this article useful! Even if you were simply looking to learn how to say roses in Spanish to charm a special someone, you likely won’t regret learning more than just a handful of names of flowers in Spanish.
And if you want to keep watering your Spanish to grow into true mastery, make sure to bookmark our Spanish blog! We publish exciting new content every month to help push your vocabulary boundaries a little bit further out, blog by blog!
So, now that you’ve learned over 300 new handy flowery words in Spanish, keep exploring this wonderful language! How about learning 245 different animals, or maybe even 101 cool words in Spanish? Up to you!