LOVE IS IN BLOOM
Which Is The Most Popular Flower In America? Top 10 Contenders
Published on August 1, 2024
Image: Anthony Fomin
None of the flowers on this list are exactly indigenous to our continent, however, over the years, they have managed to conquer the hearts —and vases— of all Americans.
From the most googled flower to the best-selling one, these gorgeous blooms can be found in almost every park, botanical garden, and backyard across the country. And to add to the charm, the origin of their names is fascinating! Read on to learn the best-kept secrets of our most beloved flowers.
Iris
Image: Elena Mozhvilo
Did you know the iris is the state flower of Tennessee? According to historians, the origin of the iris flower is probably Syria. In the 18th century BC, after Egypt conquered the region, the cultivation of this highly valued flower expanded to North Africa and other areas, becoming more popular over the years. Thus, in India and Egypt irises were used for medicinal purposes and, because of their strong perfume, as an offering to the gods.
Like many other flowers, the name we give iris today comes from Ancient Greece, it literally means rainbow. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger between heaven and earth for Hera and Zeus. In addition, Iris was considered a tender companion for women on their deathbeds. Even today, Greek people plant purple irises on the graves of women, as a way of giving them a resting farewell.
Daffodil
Image: Rita Candeias
Nothing says spring more than a bunch of golden-yellow daffodils! The earliest record of daffodils dates back to 300 BC in Greece. Then, during the imperial period, Roman soldiers popularized them throughout Europe, since they believed they had healing powers. In the 17th century, young girls used to sell small bouquets of daffodils on the streets of London and it became one of Shakespeare’s favorite flowers.
The origin of the name of this member of the narcissus plant family is a bit uncertain. Many believe that it derives from Medieval Latin affodillus, a variant of Latin asphodelus, but why the letter d was later added is still to be determined. Whatever the case, daffodils symbolize luck, rebirth, and hope, especially in China, where they are usually in bloom around the Chinese New Year. In America, daffodils are in great esteem as well. For example, each spring, hundreds of bulbs pop up at Kansas City's botanical garden!
Lily
Image: Gabriel Groza
Few people know that there are over 100 different species of lilies. This flower, which symbolizes purity and fertility, comes in a wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes, the most common being the white lily. Lilies grow natively all over the world but are most frequently found in the northern hemisphere, in forests and mountains in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Lilies have come a long way in human history. The word lily derives from the Latin līlia and ancient Greek leírion, which etymologists associate with ḥrrt, the ancient Egyptian word for "flower". In fact, Egyptians believed lilies were sacred, the Romans used them to fill pillows, and in Greek mythology, lilies are said to have originated from Hera’s breast milk. Nowadays, in the US, lilies are one of the most popular flowers for funerals and are also the traditional flower for 30th wedding anniversaries.
Poppy
Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann
If you are feeling stressed just think of a meadow full of poppies and you’ll instantly feel better. From Asia to Europe and North America, you can find these vibrant colorful flowers in the countryside or even on the side of the roads. Since World War I, in the US the red poppy —also called Remembrance Poppy— is a symbol of sacrifice and honor used to celebrate veterans, especially on Memorial Day.
The term poppy comes from the Old English word popæg, which in turn derives from the Latin papaver, possibly a phonetic imitation of the sound of flowers rattling in the wind. Due to their beauty and medicinal properties, humans have been growing poppies since ancient times. In Greece and Rome, poppies were used in religious rituals to honor the goddess of agriculture, Demeter. In more recent history, this flower with over 70 different species has been depicted by several artists, from Van Gogh and Monet to Georgia O’Keefe.
Peony
Image: Fallon Michael
Did you know that some peonies can change their color? While blooming, Coral Charm peonies transform from coral to cerise, then to orange and finally, they become white. Don’t trust us? Ask your local florist!
The term peony can be traced back to Ancient Greece. There are two myths that can explain its origin: one is related to Paeon, the physician to the gods, and the other to a flirty nymph called Paeonia. In any case, Peonies have been around for more than 4,000 years. They were first grown in Chinese gardens as a symbol of the emperor's wealth. Later on, they made their way to Japan, now one of the largest producers of peonies in the world. In the 1950s breeders started cultivating peonies in the United States mainly as a decorative flower, though in the past they were used as medicine to treat asthma and headaches.
Rose
Image: Chandana Sharma
Roses are red… We’ve all recited this classic children’s rhyme at least once in our lives. But in reality, roses come in all different colors and each has a different meaning. Red roses are universally known to symbolize love and romance. Still, for example, the yellow rose is considered a friendship flower, and black roses are used to convey sorrow and mourning.
The word rose derives from the Latin Rosa, which in turn comes from Greek and Old Persian. Ancient Empires like the Egyptians and the Chinese used roses as offerings to the gods and in funeral rituals. Later on, Christians would adopt red and white roses to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Today, we cultivate roses mostly for their beauty and scent, and they are the go-to flower for lovers, friends, and weddings. And yeap, you guessed it, roses are the most googled flower!
Orchid
Image: Tim Schmidbauer
Orchids are fascinating flowers that come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. In fact, there are more than 25,000 known species of orchids. These delicate blooms are a bit tricky to grow and take care of at home, but they are very popular nonetheless. The thing is, in the wild, orchids thrive in several diverse landscapes and can be found all around the world, from Asia and Africa to Europe and America.
Today, orchids are associated with luxury and love, but in ancient Greece, they were a symbol of virility and were even considered an aphrodisiac. In Greek, the word orchis means testicle. The flower was named like this because of the shape of the roots of some species.
Fun fact: In the U.S. orchid lovers can find the rarest orchid of them all: the Ghost Orchid, an elegant white flower with long petals that has become a symbol of the South Florida landscape.
Lavender
Image: Denes Kozma
The lovely fragrance of lavender has a calming effect on the mind and the body, so it is not a surprise this beautiful violet flower is still popular in 21st-century America. The first lavender plants arrived in the US after the first settlers and it was used to reduce smells and as an herb for cooking meat and flavoring teas. Today, lavender is still cultivated throughout the country.
Lavender is thought to have originated around 2,500 years ago in the Mediterranean, India, and the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians used to make perfume out of lavender, and traces of the scent were even found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. In Roman times, lavender was used to heal battle wounds, since the plant is a natural antiseptic. Interestingly, the word lavender is believed to derive from lavare, a Latin term that means to wash.
Daisy
Image: Kristine Cinate
There’s no summer without a garden full of wild daisies popping up everywhere, don’t you think? There are more than 20,000 different types of daisies and they grow everywhere in the world except Antarctica. Daisies are a symbol of innocence and purity and are one of the most popular flowers in America. The most famous kinds are the Gerbera daisy, the flower of choice for birthdays and weddings, and the iconic Shasta daisy, one of the easiest to grow and take care of.
Daisies have been around since at least 2,200 B.C. The term daisy comes from the Old English daes eage, meaning day’s eye, since this type of flower blossoms at dawn. Ancient Egyptians grew them mostly as an herbal remedy to treat stomach aches and fever. Even today, every grandma would agree that a fragrant daisy tea with honey is the preferred treatment for the common cold!
Tulip
Image: Mubashir Ahmet
Some say tulips are the most sold flower in the US. We have no proof but we have no doubts either: the tulip is one of the most revered and coveted flowers by Americans. This vividly colored flower is native to Central Asia and was first cultivated in Iran. Over the years, Tulips became a staple of the Ottoman Empire and were eventually introduced in Europe around the 16th century. The first recorded shipment of bulbs was delivered from Istanbul to the Netherlands. Since the tulip is a symbol of the Dutch Republic, they probably made their way into America with the first settlers who arrived in Plymouth.
The word tulip comes either from the Dutch tulpe or the French tulipe, which ultimately derives from the Turkish tülbent, meaning turban. Now that we said it, it seems obvious that there is a great resemblance between this flower and a turban, but have you ever thought about it before? The etymology of words, especially flower names, is full of surprises!
