100 German Flowers: Complete Names & Symbolism Guide
Have you ever wondered why Germans call daisies “Gänseblümchen” – little goose flowers? Or why they name a delicate mountain bloom “Edelweiß” – noble white? German flower names hold secrets that reveal centuries of folklore, healing traditions, and poetic imagination.
Germany’s landscapes bloom with botanical treasures, from Alpine peaks to countryside meadows. Each flower carries a story whispered through generations. Some names sound like fairy tale characters, while others describe exact colors or hidden powers.
Whether you’re planning a German garden, traveling through Bavaria’s wildflower fields, or love learning languages, these flower names will captivate you. They’re perfect conversation starters with German speakers and add magic to any nature walk.
Ready to study carefully chosen German flowers? We’ve organized them into five fascinating categories, complete with scientific names and symbolic meanings. Your botanical vocabulary will bloom like never before.
100 German Flowers Names Science and Symbolism Guide
Classic Garden Favorites
These beloved flowers grace German gardens and homes, representing timeless beauty and traditional cultivation passed down through generations.
1. Rose – Rose
Scientific Name:Rosa species
Meaning & Symbolism: Love, passion, beauty, and romance. Red roses symbolize deep love, while white roses represent purity and new beginnings.
2. Tulip – Tulpe
Scientific Name:Tulipa species
Meaning & Symbolism: Perfect love, elegance, and grace. Different colors carry different meanings – red for deep love, yellow for cheerful thoughts.
3. Lily – Lilie
Scientific Name:Lilium species
Meaning & Symbolism: Purity, rebirth, and motherhood. White lilies represent virtue and chastity, while orange lilies symbolize confidence.
4. Peony – Pfingstrose
Scientific Name:Paeonia species
Meaning & Symbolism: Honor, wealth, good fortune, and healing. In German culture, peonies represent a happy marriage and prosperity.
5. Daffodil – Narzisse
Scientific Name:Narcissus species
Meaning & Symbolism: New beginnings, rebirth, and renewal. These spring flowers herald the end of winter and a fresh start.
6. Geranium – Geranie
Scientific Name:Pelargonium species
Meaning & Symbolism: Friendship, good health, and positive emotions. Often used to ward off negative energy in German homes.
7. Chrysanthemum – Chrysantheme
Scientific Name:Chrysanthemum species
Meaning & Symbolism: Death, grief, and remembrance in German culture. Commonly placed on graves during All Saints’ Day.
8. Marigold – Ringelblume
Scientific Name:Calendula officinalis
Meaning & Symbolism: Healing, protection, and sacred love. Used in German folk medicine and represents the sun’s power.
9. Carnation – Nelke
Scientific Name:Dianthus caryophyllus
Meaning & Symbolism: Fascination, distinction, and love. Pink carnations represent a mother’s love in German tradition.
10. Iris – Schwertlilie
Scientific Name:Iris species
Meaning & Symbolism: Wisdom, valor, and faith. The three petals represent faith, wisdom, and chivalry in German folklore.
11. Lavender – Lavendel
Scientific Name:Lavandula species
Meaning & Symbolism: Devotion, serenity, and grace. Used for relaxation and represents calmness in German households.
12. Pansy – Stiefmütterchen
Scientific Name:Viola tricolor
Meaning & Symbolism: Loving thoughts and remembrance. The German name means “little stepmother,” reflecting family bonds.
13. Hyacinth – Hyazinthe
Scientific Name:Hyacinthus orientalis
Meaning & Symbolism: Sport, games, and rashness. Purple hyacinths symbolize sorrow and forgiveness.
14. Snapdragon – Löwenmaul
Scientific Name:Antirrhinum majus
Meaning & Symbolism: Deception and graciousness. The German name “lion’s mouth” reflects strength and courage.
15. Dahlia – Dahlie
Scientific Name:Dahlia species
Meaning & Symbolism: Dignity, elegance, and forever bonds. Represents commitment and lasting relationships.
16. Zinnia – Zinnie
Scientific Name:Zinnia elegans
Meaning & Symbolism: Thoughts of absent friends and endurance. Bright colors represent remembrance of good times.
17. Petunia – Petunie
Scientific Name:Petunia species
Meaning & Symbolism: Anger, resentment, but also soothing nature. White petunias represent peace and tranquility.
18. Sweet Pea – Duftwicke
Scientific Name:Lathyrus odoratus
Meaning & Symbolism: Departure, goodbye, and blissful pleasure. Often given as farewell gifts in German culture.
19. Gardenia – Gardenia
Scientific Name:Gardenia jasminoides
Meaning & Symbolism: Secret love, purity, and refinement. Represents untold love and secret admiration.
20. Foxglove – Fingerhut
Scientific Name:Digitalis purpurea
Meaning & Symbolism: Insincerity but also healing. Despite toxicity, it represents the power of nature’s medicine.
Wildflowers of the German Countryside
These hardy native blooms paint Germany’s meadows, fields, and roadsides with natural beauty. They thrive without human care and connect us to the wild landscape.
21. Cornflower – Kornblume
Scientific Name:Centaurea cyanus
Meaning & Symbolism: National pride, delicacy, and remembrance. Germany’s national flower symbolizes unity and hope.
22. Poppy – Mohnblume
Scientific Name:Papaver species
Meaning & Symbolism: Sleep, peace, and death. Red poppies commemorate fallen soldiers and represent eternal rest.
23. Buttercup – Butterblume
Scientific Name:Ranunculus species
Meaning & Symbolism: Childishness, humility, and neatness. Represents innocent joy and simple pleasures.
24. Bellflower – Glockenblume
Scientific Name:Campanula species
Meaning & Symbolism: Gratitude, constancy, and support. The bell shape represents prayer and spiritual connection.
25. Forget-me-not – Vergissmeinnicht
Scientific Name:Myosotis species
Meaning & Symbolism: True love, remembrance, and faithfulness. A promise to never forget someone special.
26. Cowslip – Schlüsselblume
Scientific Name:Primula veris
Meaning & Symbolism: Youthful beauty and winning grace. The “key flower” opens the door to spring.
27. Daisy – Gänseblümchen
Scientific Name:Bellis perennis
Meaning & Symbolism: Innocence, purity, and new beginnings. Children’s flowers represent simple joys.
28. Yarrow – Schafgarbe
Scientific Name:Achillea millefolium
Meaning & Symbolism: Healing, protection, and courage. Named after Achilles, represents warrior strength.
29. Ragwort – Greiskraut
Scientific Name:Senecio jacobaea
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection from evil and negativity. Despite toxicity, it wards off harmful influences.
30. Field Scabious – Wiesen-Witwenblume
Scientific Name:Knautia arvensis
Meaning & Symbolism: Unfortunate love and widowhood. The “widow flower” represents lost love and mourning.
31. Chamomile – Kamille
Scientific Name:Matricaria chamomilla
Meaning & Symbolism: Peace, patience, and healing. Germany’s most beloved medicinal herb for comfort.
32. Wild Carrot – Wilde Möhre
Scientific Name:Daucus carota
Meaning & Symbolism: Sanctuary and refuge. Provides shelter for beneficial insects and represents protection.
33. Creeping Jenny – Pfennigkraut
Scientific Name:Lysimachia nummularia
Meaning & Symbolism: Wealth, prosperity, and abundance. The “penny plant” attracts financial good fortune.
34. Evening Primrose – Nachtkerze
Scientific Name:Oenothera biennis
Meaning & Symbolism: Youth, hope, and new love. Opens at night, representing hidden beauty and mystery.
35. Shepherd’s Purse – Hirtentäschel
Scientific Name:Capsella bursa-pastoris
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection, healing, and maternal care. Represents nurturing and protective instincts.
36. Oxeye Daisy – Margerite
Scientific Name:Leucanthemum vulgare
Meaning & Symbolism: Patience, loyalty, and new beginnings. Used for “loves me, loves me not” divination.
37. Meadow Sage – Wiesensalbei
Scientific Name:Salvia pratensis
Meaning & Symbolism: Wisdom, immortality, and domestic virtue. Represents knowledge and spiritual insight.
38. Tansy – Rainfarn
Scientific Name:Tanacetum vulgare
Meaning & Symbolism: Hostile thoughts, but also immortality. Used historically to preserve and protect.
39. Coltsfoot – Huflattich
Scientific Name:Tussilago farfara
Meaning & Symbolism: Maternal care and healing. One of the first spring flowers represents hope.
40. Speedwell – Ehrenpreis
Scientific Name:Veronica species
Meaning & Symbolism: Honor, loyalty, and travel safety. The “honor price” represents integrity and faithfulness.
Alpine and Mountain Blossoms
These resilient mountain flowers brave harsh conditions in Germany’s alpine regions, showcasing nature’s ability to create beauty in the most challenging environments.
41. Edelweiss – Edelweiß
Scientific Name:Leontopodium alpinum
Meaning & Symbolism: Courage, purity, and deep love. Symbol of rugged beauty and devotion in Alpine culture.
42. Alpine Aster – Alpenaster
Scientific Name:Aster alpinus
Meaning & Symbolism: Patience, elegance, and daintiness. Represents delicate beauty in harsh conditions.
43. Gentian – Enzian
Scientific Name:Gentiana species
Meaning & Symbolism: Intrinsic worth and determination. The intense blue represents deep, passionate love.
44. Globeflower – Trollblume
Scientific Name:Trollius europaeus
Meaning & Symbolism: Desire, riches, and you are my sunshine. Golden blooms represent wealth and joy.
45. Pasque Flower – Küchenschelle
Scientific Name:Pulsatilla vulgaris
Meaning & Symbolism: You are without pretension and humility—early spring bloomer representing modest beauty.
46. Alpine Bellflower – Alpenglockenblume
Scientific Name:Campanula alpina
Meaning & Symbolism: Constancy, gratitude, and unchanging love. Mountain loyalty and steadfast devotion.
47. Spring Heath – Frühlingsheide
Scientific Name:Erica carnea
Meaning & Symbolism: Solitude, protection, and admiration. Represents independence and self-reliance.
48. Moss Campion – Polsternelke
Scientific Name:Silene acaulis
Meaning & Symbolism: Catchment, snare, and youthful love. Forms cushions representing protective love.
49. Mountain Avens – Alpen-Trockenblume
Scientific Name:Dryas octopetala
Meaning & Symbolism: Hope, anticipation, and perseverance. White petals represent purity in adversity.
50. Rock Jasmine – Felsennelke
Scientific Name:Androsace species
Meaning & Symbolism: Grace, elegance, and attachment. Clings to rocks representing steadfast bonds.
51. Butterwort – Fettkraut
Scientific Name:Pinguicula vulgaris
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection from harm and purification. Carnivorous plant represents hidden strength.
52. Snowbell – Schneeglöckchen
Scientific Name:Soldanella alpina
Meaning & Symbolism: Hope, consolation, and rebirth. Melts through snow, representing triumph over adversity.
53. Mountain Arnica – Bergarnika
Scientific Name:Arnica montana
Meaning & Symbolism: Healing, protection, and inspiration. Golden blooms represent the sun’s healing power.
54. Creeping Saxifrage – Schaumkraut-Steinbrech
Scientific Name:Saxifraga species
Meaning & Symbolism: Perseverance and strength. “Stone breaker” represents overcoming obstacles.
55. Alpine Cinquefoil – Alpen-Fingerkraut
Scientific Name:Potentilla species
Meaning & Symbolism: Maternal affection and beloved daughter. Five petals represent the five senses.
56. Dwarf Alpenrose – Alpenrosen
Scientific Name:Rhododendron ferrugineum
Meaning & Symbolism: Danger, beware, and passion. Beautiful but toxic, representing dangerous love.
57. Blue Columbine – Blaue Akelei
Scientific Name:Aquilegia alpina
Meaning & Symbolism: Folly, foolishness, but also resolved to win. Complex petals represent intricate emotions.
58. Bog Laurel – Sumpfrosmarin
Scientific Name:Andromeda polifolia
Meaning & Symbolism: Sacrifice and treachery. Beautiful but poisonous, representing deceptive beauty.
59. Rockrose – Felsenrose
Scientific Name:Helianthemum species
Meaning & Symbolism: Popular favor and consumed by love. Sun-loving flowers represent passionate devotion.
60. Lily of the Valley – Maiglöckchen
Scientific Name:Convallaria majalis
Meaning & Symbolism: Humility, sweetness, and return of happiness. May bells herald spring’s arrival.
Symbolic & Cultural Flowers
These meaningful blooms hold deep significance in German traditions, folklore, and celebrations, each carrying stories and beliefs passed through generations.
61. Baby’s Breath – Schleierkraut
Scientific Name:Gypsophila paniculata
Meaning & Symbolism: Eternal love, purity, and innocence. Used in weddings, representing everlasting bonds.
62. Violet – Veilchen
Scientific Name:Viola odorata
Meaning & Symbolism: Modesty, faithfulness, and virtue. Purple blooms represent spiritual wisdom.
63. Primrose – Primel
Scientific Name:Primula vulgaris
Meaning & Symbolism: Young love, new beginnings, and youth. First flowers of spring represent fresh starts.
64. Red Clover – Rotklee
Scientific Name:Trifolium pratense
Meaning & Symbolism: Industry, fertility, and domestic virtue. Three leaves represent faith, hope, and love.
65. Jasmine – Jasmin
Scientific Name:Jasminum officinale
Meaning & Symbolism: Grace, elegance, and sensuality. White blooms represent pure, refined love.
66. Bergamot – Bergamotte
Scientific Name:Monarda species
Meaning & Symbolism: Compassion, sympathy, and consolation. Healing herb representing comfort and care.
67. Myrtle – Myrte
Scientific Name:Myrtus communis
Meaning & Symbolism: Love, marriage, and immortality. The traditional wedding herb represents eternal bonds.
68. Heather – Heidekraut
Scientific Name:Calluna vulgaris
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection, rain, and luck. Purple blooms bring good fortune and ward off evil.
69. Ivy – Efeu
Scientific Name:Hedera helix
Meaning & Symbolism: Fidelity, eternal life, and attachment. Evergreen vines represent a lasting commitment.
70. Oak Leaf Hydrangea – Eichenblatthortensie
Scientific Name:Hydrangea quercifolia
Meaning & Symbolism: Boastfulness, but also understanding. Large blooms represent heartfelt emotions.
71. Thistle – Distel
Scientific Name:Cirsium species
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection, pain, and austerity. Spiny defense represents fierce independence.
72. Sunflower – Sonnenblume
Scientific Name:Helianthus annuus
Meaning & Symbolism: Adoration, loyalty, and longevity. Always faces the sun, representing devotion.
73. Hawthorn – Weißdorn
Scientific Name:Crataegus monogyna
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection, hope, and supreme happiness. The May tree represents marriage and fertility.
74. Rowan – Eberesche
Scientific Name:Sorbus aucuparia
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection from enchantment and wisdom. Red berries ward off evil spirits.
75. Elderflower – Holunderblüte
Scientific Name:Sambucus canadensis
Meaning & Symbolism: Zealousness, compassion, and transformation. Sacred tree representing life cycles.
76. Rosemary – Rosmarin
Scientific Name:Rosmarinus officinalis
Meaning & Symbolism: Remembrance, loyalty, and love. “Dew of the sea” represents eternal memory.
77. Sage – Salbei
Scientific Name:Salvia officinalis
Meaning & Symbolism: Wisdom, immortality, and domestic virtue. Sacred herb representing knowledge.
78. Oak Tree Flower – Eichenblüte
Scientific Name:Quercus species
Meaning & Symbolism: Strength, endurance, and nobility. Symbol of German national character and stability.
79. Holly – Stechpalme
Scientific Name:Ilex aquifolium
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection, eternal life, and domestic happiness. Evergreen represents hope.
80. Lilac – Flieder
Scientific Name:Syringa vulgaris
Meaning & Symbolism: First emotions of love and youthful innocence. Purple blooms herald spring romance.
Unusual Blooms
These mysterious and uncommon flowers capture attention with their unique forms, strange names, and fascinating adaptations. They represent nature’s most creative expressions.
81. Lady’s Slipper – Frauenschuh
Scientific Name:Cypripedium calceolus
Meaning & Symbolism: Capricious beauty and fickleness. Rare orchid representing unique and elusive love.
82. Bee Orchid – Bienen-Ragwurz
Scientific Name:Ophrys apifera
Meaning & Symbolism: Error, deceit, and industriousness. Mimics female bees, representing clever adaptation.
83. Dragonhead – Drachenkopf
Scientific Name:Dracocephalum species
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection from evil and spiritual strength. Dragon-like flowers ward off negative energy.
84. Snake’s Head Fritillary – Schachblume
Scientific Name:Fritillaria meleagris
Meaning & Symbolism: Persecution and sorrowful remembrance. The checkered pattern represents life’s complexity.
85. Ghost Orchid – Geisterorchidee
Scientific Name:Epipogium aphyllum
Meaning & Symbolism: Mystery, otherworldliness, and hidden beauty. Rare bloomer representing ethereal love.
86. Toadflax – Leinkraut
Scientific Name:Linaria vulgaris
Meaning & Symbolism: Presumption but also protection. Yellow snapdragon-like flowers repel negative influences.
87. Love-in-a-Mist – Jungfer im Grünen
Scientific Name:Nigella damascena
Meaning & Symbolism: Perplexity, delicate love, and kiss me twice before I rise. Intricate flowers represent complex emotions.
88. Devil’s Claw – Teufelskralle
Scientific Name:Harpagophytum procumbens
Meaning & Symbolism: Protection from evil and healing pain. Hooked fruits represent overcoming adversity.
89. Spotted Dead-nettle – Gefleckte Taubnessel
Scientific Name:Lamium maculatum
Meaning & Symbolism: Deception, but also healing. Nettle-like appearance hides a gentle, beneficial nature.
90. Bear’s Ear – Bärenohr
Scientific Name:Primula auricula
Meaning & Symbolism: Avarice, but also pride of riches. Golden flowers represent material and spiritual wealth.
91. Cuckoo Pint – Gefleckter Aronstab
Scientific Name:Arum maculatum
Meaning & Symbolism: Ardor and zealousness. Unusual spathe represents passionate, burning love.
92. Fox-and-cubs – Fuchs-und-Küken
Scientific Name:Pilosella aurantiaca
Meaning & Symbolism: Maternal protection and family bonds. Orange flowers represent fierce devotion to offspring.
93. Lungwort – Lungenkraut
Scientific Name:Pulmonaria officinalis
Meaning & Symbolism: Healing and restoration. Spotted leaves represent the doctrine of signatures in herbal medicine.
94. Monkshood – Eisenhut
Scientific Name:Aconitum napellus
Meaning & Symbolism: Chivalry, knight-errantry, but also deadly intent. Beautiful but poisonous, representing a dangerous attraction.
95. Navelwort – Nabelkraut
Scientific Name:Umbilicus rupestris
Meaning & Symbolism: Connection, center, and healing. Round, navel-like leaves represent life’s source.
96. Henbane – Bilsenkraut
Scientific Name:Hyoscyamus niger
Meaning & Symbolism: Imperfection, danger, and supernatural power. Toxic plants were used historically in magic rituals.
97. Goat’s Beard – Bocksbart
Scientific Name:Tragopogon pratensis
Meaning & Symbolism: Morning, early rising, and go to bed at noon. Opens with sunrise, closes at midday.
98. Wolfsbane – Wolfswurz
Scientific Name:Aconitum lycoctonum
Meaning & Symbolism: Misanthropy and protection from werewolves. Legendary plant warding off supernatural creatures.
99. Viper’s Bugloss – Natternkopf
Scientific Name:Echium vulgare
Meaning & Symbolism: Falseness but also steadfastness. Blue flowers represent truth emerging from deception.
100. Broomrape – Sommerwurz
Scientific Name:Orobanche species
Meaning & Symbolism: Parasitism, but also survival against odds. Parasitic plant representing resourcefulness and adaptation.
Conclusion
German flower names tell wonderful stories that go far beyond simple labels. From the sweet “Gänseblümchen” (little goose flower) to the mysterious “Geisterorchidee” (ghost orchid), each name carries history, culture, and poetry within its syllables.
These flowers show how Germans connect deeply with nature through language. Garden favorites like roses blend seamlessly with wild meadow blooms and rare mountain treasures. Each category offers its charm, whether you’re drawn to symbolic meanings, scientific precision, or simply the musical quality of German words.
Next time you visit a German garden or countryside, try using these names. German speakers love it when visitors appreciate their botanical heritage. Practice pronouncing “Vergissmeinnicht” or “Löwenmaul.” Your efforts will bring smiles and conversations.
Which German flower name speaks to you most? Share your favorites and help others fall in love with Germany’s floral vocabulary.
