On March 8th of every year, people around the world celebrate the women in their lives. People do not only do this through shopping at women-owned businesses and by raising funds or resources for organizations that support women, but also traditionally gift flowers for International Women's Day as a token of appreciation to celebrate women's achievements and to show the never ending support and love for them.
10 Flowers to Gift on International Women’s Day
Gifting flowers on International Women's Day has become a norm. Over the years, women and men alike have continued to give the gift of flowers to show their appreciation for the women in their lives. Although mimosa flowers have a special meaning and a part in the history of the long-celebrated holiday, there are other remarkable blooms out there that make the International Women's Day celebration extraordinary and memorable.
Purple, green, and white are the colors that are inextricably linked to International Women's Day flowers. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. These colors are used in different ways throughout the day; they are also used on images and graphics which are shared on social media throughout the day and some people may also choose to give flowers of these colors and even wear clothing of these shades to show their support for the cause. The colors originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908. But let's get to what you've been waiting for: 10 flowers you can give your favorite women for International Women's Day 2025.
1. Mimosa Flower for International Women's Day
The mimosa flower is one of the most symbolic (if not the most symbolic) flowers to gift on International Women's Day. This tradition originated in Italy but has spread across the globe. It isn't exactly known why Mimosa became a representative flower for this day, but it is often speculated that it has something to do with the seasonality of Mimosa and their abundance during this time of the year. But other than that, it's a perfectly cheerful flower that refers to sunlight and summer but symbolizes respect, elegance, dignity, and kindness. You can learn more about mimosa in the article 'What is a Mimosa flower?'.
2. Roses as a Gift for Women's Day
Gifting roses is always a good idea, even for IWD. Roses generally carry the meaning of love and romance, but each color of roses typically has its own specific meaning, which you can read more about in our article Meanings of 8 Different Roses. Associated with royalty, passion, and suaveness, gifting any colored roses is a great way to show your appreciation for the strong women in your life. Plus, they're one of the all-time favorite flowers!
3. Charming Tulips to Celebrate Women's Strength
Just as with mimosa, the tulip season also starts around this time of the year. But they are not only popular because of their availability. Tulips are wonderful spring flowers that are modish, plush, and elegant. This seasonal flower looks fantastic in a bouquet and is a great option as one of the 10 flowers for International Women's Day. One could never go wrong with its just-the-right scent and wide range of color options. Remember that it's their time of the year and they will also be in full bloom in Keukenhof soon.
4. Carnations for Celebrating 2025's IWD
Aside from roses, one of the most popular cut flowers for bouquets is the carnation. Carnations, also known as the 'divine flower' based on its Greek name 'Dianthus', offer an abundance of color options that generally symbolize friendship and respect.
White carnations are associated with purity and luck, and pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude. Red carnations, not surprisingly, are an expression of pure love. Carnations are immediately recognizable flowers, and they possess a look and feel that continues to enamor people around the globe, making them the perfect gift for International Women's Day.
5. Roselilies for Your Favorite Superwoman
Roselilies apprehend the essence of femininity, making them a glorious and wonderfully fragrant Women's Day flower. They most commonly mean devotion or purity, though meaning can vary by type of lily, culture, and color. But because of the Greek myth of Hera and Zeus, these flowers are often associated with love and rebirth.
6. Gerberas
Gerberas, or gerbera daisies, symbolize purity, innocence, and beauty. This sunny and proud flower will definitely brighten up any woman's day. Gerberas are also known for representing adoration and are sometimes called 'the sunshine of life', hence why it's considered one of the top flowers to gift on such a special day like IWD.
Photo: @gerbera.united
7. Peonies
The fragile peony is a fixture in contemporary and classic bouquets. It’s easy to see why – this plant has a fragile, unassuming beauty that lets it steal the show without being overbearing. Peonies not only symbolize prosperity, good fortune, and happiness but they can also be used to represent honor and compassion. It is the perfect flower to gift when you want to celebrate someone's else success and let that be exactly why we celebrate International Women's Day.
Photo: @mypeonysociety
8. Hydrangeas to Demonstrate Your Love for Women
These flowers are extremely versatile and always add to the beauty of other flowers, providing strength and support to the more delicate ones. Hydrangeas are an ideal gift to express your gratitude to a woman who is always willing to help, encourage others, and make things work.
9. White, Yellow or Purple Orchids
Orchids are prized for their distinctive perianth and are regarded as one of the most resilient flowering plants. Orchids symbolize exotic beauty, refinement, and femininity. Keeping this in mind, these plants express admiration for a woman's elegance and virtuosity. If you're looking to gift an orchid to your favorite woman, make sure you choose between yellow, white, or purple Cymbidium orchids which are symbolic colors for this celebration.
10. Alstroemerias to Celebrate Women Worldwide
In the language of flowers, alstroemeria symbolizes friendship, devotion, and mutual support. International Women's Day is not only a time to honor the achievements and contributions of women but also an opportunity to express gratitude for the friendships, alliances, and solidarity that enrich our lives. Presenting alstroemeria flowers is a gesture of friendship and support, reiterating a bond to standing together in solidarity with women worldwide.
Alstroemeria flowers also symbolize personal growth, empowerment, and new beginnings. Their ability to flourish abundantly and thrive in various conditions serves as a powerful metaphor for the potential for growth and transformation inherent in every woman. By celebrating International Women's Day with alstroemeria flowers, you can honor the journey of empowerment, self-discovery, and fulfillment that women are on, as they strive to realize their dreams and aspirations.
A Little History Behind International Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality.
Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s - a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. This important day has an extensive and interesting history but really took off in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights.
Accelerating the Action for International Women's Day 2025
The IWD 2025 campaign theme is Accelerate Action. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. So, together, let's accelerate our everyday actions to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.
Everyone everywhere can play a part in #accelerateaction for every woman's life.
