The March birth flowers are the daffodil and the jonquil, both members of the genus Narcissus. The daffodil symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, and joy, and it blooms in early spring around the March equinox.
The March birth flower has two options: the daffodil, the primary flower, and the jonquil, the second. Unlike most months, March’s two flowers come from the same genus, Narcissus: every jonquil is a daffodil, but not every daffodil is a jonquil.
March also opens with a day tied to the daffodil, St. David’s Day on March 1, when the daffodil is worn as the national flower of Wales. This page explains the difference between a daffodil and a jonquil, covers their meanings, dates, and pet safety, and gives the fall planting window for March blooms.
Table of Contents
What is the March birth flower?
The March birth flower is the daffodil, with the jonquil as the second March flower. The table compares the two.
| Attribute | Daffodil | Jonquil |
|---|---|---|
| Rank for March | Primary birth flower | Second birth flower |
| Meaning | Rebirth, new beginnings, joy, friendship | No separate meaning listed by the Farmers’ Almanac |
| Botanical name | Narcissus (all daffodils) | Narcissus jonquilla and its hybrids |
| Other names | Narcissus | Rush daffodil |
| Flowers per stem | Usually one, varies by type | Several |
| Leaves | Flat, strap-like | Rounded, rush-like |
| Scent | Varies by type | Strong |
| Colors | Yellow, white, pink, orange | Mostly yellow |
| Daffodil division | Divisions 1 to 13 | Division 7 (and some Division 10 species) |
| Toxic to pets (ASPCA) | Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses | Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses |
Meanings come from the Farmers’ Almanac. Jonquil traits come from the Northern California Daffodil Society.
Daffodil vs. jonquil: what is the difference?
A jonquil is one type of daffodil, so the two March birth flowers are closely related rather than separate plants.
According to the Northern California Daffodil Society, “daffodil” and “narcissus” are synonyms: “Narcissus is the Latin or botanical name for all daffodils, just as ilex is for hollies.”
A true jonquil is a specific group within the genus, with “several yellow flowers, strong scent, and rounded foliage,” classified in Division 7 or in certain species in Division 10.
The society also notes that “jonquil” is often misused for any daffodil. The quickest way to tell them apart is to look at the leaves and count the flowers on each stem.
| How to identify | Daffodil (most types) | Jonquil |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Flat and strap-like | Round, like rushes |
| Flowers per stem | Usually one large flower | Several smaller flowers |
| Fragrance | Light or none in many types | Strong, sweet |
The jonquil’s alternative name, rush daffodil, comes from its rush-like leaves, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
The 13 daffodil divisions
The Royal Horticultural Society sorts daffodils into 13 divisions. According to Penn State Extension, Division 1 contains the trumpet daffodils and Division 13 covers species and wild hybrids. Jonquils belong to Division 7. Penn State Extension also notes that breeding has produced daffodils in white, pink, and orange as well as yellow.
The daffodil: primary March birth flower
The daffodil is the main March birth flower and one of the first garden flowers to bloom in spring. It flowers in early, mid, or late spring depending on the variety, which lets gardeners plant several types for a long display.
What does the daffodil symbolize?
The daffodil symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, joy, eagerness, friendship, and get-well wishes, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. The same source records that the number of flowers matters: a single daffodil was historically a sign of misfortune, while “a bunch is good fortune.” For a March birthday, give daffodils in a bunch rather than as a single stem.
Daffodil meanings around the world
The daffodil’s meaning shifts from culture to culture. The Farmers’ Almanac notes these associations:
| Culture | Meaning or use |
|---|---|
| Wales | National flower, worn on St. David’s Day, March 1 |
| China | Prosperity and new beginnings, linked to the new year |
| Iran | Prosperity and new beginnings, linked to the new year at the spring equinox |
| Ancient Greece | Vanity, through the myth of Narcissus |
| Some Western superstitions | White varieties linked to death |
The daffodil and Wales
The daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and Welsh people wear it on St. David’s Day, March 1. According to Wales.com, daffodils “tend to come into bloom around St David’s Day (Wales’ national day) on 1 March.”
The Welsh name for the daffodil, cenhinen Bedr, means “Peter’s leek,” which ties it to Wales’s older national symbol, the leek. Wales.com notes that the daffodil’s appeal helped it overtake the leek in popularity as a national emblem.
| Date | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| St. David’s Day (March 1) | Monday, March 1, 2027 | Wednesday, March 1, 2028 |
| March equinox (US Eastern Time) | Saturday, March 20, 2027, 4:24 p.m. EDT | Sunday, March 19, 2028, 10:17 p.m. EDT |
The daffodil’s bloom season also lines up with the start of spring.
The jonquil: second March birth flower
The jonquil is the second March birth flower, a fragrant daffodil with several flowers per stem. The Farmers’ Almanac identifies it as Narcissus jonquilla, also called the rush daffodil, and describes it with the cheerful yellow coloring of spring flowers.
The Farmers’ Almanac does not list a separate meaning for the jonquil, so it is usually given as a March flower alongside the daffodil.
Jonquils suit gardeners who want scent. The strong fragrance described by the Northern California Daffodil Society makes jonquils a good choice for planting near paths and doors, where the scent can be noticed.
When to plant daffodils for March blooms
Plant daffodil bulbs from October through early November, before the ground freezes, for flowers the following spring. Penn State Extension, writing for Pennsylvania gardens, gives this planting window and explains that fall planting lets bulbs develop strong roots before winter. For daffodils in bloom for a March 2027 birthday, plant the bulbs between Thursday, October 1, and early November 2026.
Penn State Extension also advises leaving the leaves in place after the flowers fade, because “the leaves are still photosynthesizing and sending food back into the bulb” for next year’s flowers.
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Plant bulbs | October through early November 2026 |
| Flowers | Early to late spring 2027, by variety |
| Leave foliage | Until it dies back naturally after flowering |
Daffodils also resist rodents. The Northern California Daffodil Society notes that the bulbs and leaves contain poisonous crystals that rodents avoid eating, although animals may still dig the bulbs up.
Daffodils in a vase: keep them separate
Freshly cut daffodils release a sap that can shorten the life of other flowers in the same vase. According to Compound Interest, daffodils “placed in a vase with other flowers” can “cause premature wilting and death.” Florists recommend standing cut daffodils in water on their own for a period before adding them to a mixed arrangement. For a March birthday bouquet that mixes daffodils with other flowers, condition the daffodils separately first.
Are March birth flowers safe for pets?
Daffodils and jonquils are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, according to the ASPCA. The ASPCA lists lycorine and other alkaloids as the toxic principles. Clinical signs include vomiting, salivation, and diarrhea, and large ingestions can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and heart arrhythmias. The bulbs are the most poisonous part.
Store daffodil bulbs out of reach of pets before planting in the fall, and keep cut flowers and their vase water away from pets in spring.
Other March birthday symbols
People born in March have the aquamarine as their birthstone. Jewelers of America lists aquamarine as the only March birthstone on the modern list, which was standardized in 1912.
| March symbol | Item |
|---|---|
| Primary birth flower | Daffodil |
| Second birth flower | Jonquil |
| Birthstone | Aquamarine |
| National day linked to the daffodil | St. David’s Day, March 1 (Wales) |
March babies share a birth flower family with December babies. The December birth flower is the paperwhite narcissus, another member of the genus Narcissus. The February birth flower is the violet, and the April birth flower is the daisy, with the sweet pea as the second.
What the March birth flower is not
The March birth flower is not the paperwhite, even though paperwhites are also Narcissus; the paperwhite is December’s birth flower. The daffodil is also not the buttercup, a name some people use for yellow daffodils but which belongs to a separate genus, Ranunculus. Finally, the March birth flower is not the flower for the Pisces or Aries zodiac signs, which follow star sign dates that change around March 20.
Frequently asked questions
What is the birth flower for March?
The birth flower for March is the daffodil, with the jonquil as the second March flower. Both belong to the genus Narcissus, and the jonquil is a type of daffodil. The daffodil symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, and joy, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, and blooms in early spring.
What is the difference between a daffodil and a jonquil?
A jonquil is a type of daffodil. All daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus, while true jonquils have several yellow flowers per stem, a strong scent, and rounded, rush-like leaves, according to the Northern California Daffodil Society. Most other daffodils have flat leaves and one flower per stem.
What does the March birth flower mean?
The daffodil means rebirth, new beginnings, joy, eagerness, friendship, and get-well wishes, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. A bunch of daffodils is traditionally good fortune, while a single daffodil was historically a sign of misfortune. In Wales, the daffodil is the national flower, worn on St. David’s Day.
Why is the daffodil the national flower of Wales?
The daffodil blooms around St. David’s Day, Wales’s national day on March 1, according to Wales.com. Its Welsh name, cenhinen Bedr, means “Peter’s leek,” linking it to the leek, Wales’s older national symbol. The daffodil’s appearance helped it overtake the leek in popularity as an emblem.
Are daffodils poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists daffodils as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The bulbs are the most poisonous part, and large amounts can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and heart problems. Keep bulbs, cut flowers, and vase water away from pets.
What is the March birthstone?
The March birthstone is the aquamarine, according to Jewelers of America. The modern birthstone list was standardized in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association. Pale blue aquamarine pairs well with white and pale yellow daffodils in March birthday gifts and jewelry.
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