Easter Flowers Meaning: What 10 Spring Blooms Stand For, the Dogwood Legend, and the 7 the ASPCA Lists as Toxic to Cats

Easter flowers mean new life, renewal and resurrection in Easter tradition. The Old Farmer’s Almanac links the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) to purity and resurrection, the daffodil to new life, and the tulip and hellebore to rebirth. This guide covers ten flowers that appear in Easter customs or Easter sales: the Easter lily, flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, crocus, hellebore, pasque flower, azalea and hydrangea. For each one it separates the Easter tradition from the meaning in Victorian flower dictionaries where a book gives one, and it gives the ASPCA’s pet-safety listing where one exists.

What do flowers mean at Easter?

Easter flower meanings come in three layers: tradition, bloom timing and the Victorian flower dictionaries.

Tradition. The Almanac traces the lily’s link to purity and resurrection to a Christian legend that the flowers were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after the resurrection. The Almanac presents this as legend, and so does this guide.

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Timing. Easter Sunday falls between March 22 and April 25, and the Almanac’s Easter calendar puts it on March 28 in 2027. The Woodland Trust gives March to April as the flowering season of the wild daffodil, and Illinois Extension gives March through April for the Lenten rose. NC State Extension gives March to May for flowering dogwood.

Dictionaries. The Victorian flower dictionaries give these flowers older meanings with no Easter link. I searched the full text of five of them for the word “Easter”: Greenaway, Tyas (1869), Flora’s Pocket Dictionary (1870), Worthington’s (1884) and Dumont’s (1851). The word appears twice. Tyas says the wood sorrel “flourishes at Easter”, and a poem on the snowdrop in Worthington’s book mentions “Easter news”. Neither assigns an Easter meaning to a flower in this guide, so every Easter meaning below is tradition, not a printed Victorian meaning. For the wider picture, see our flower symbolism guide.

Easter flower meanings at a glance

Seven of the ten flowers have an ASPCA plant page that lists them as toxic to cats, dogwood and pasque flower have no entry in the ASPCA’s cat or dog plant lists, and spring crocus is listed for stomach upset.

The Easter lily: meaning, history and where the bulbs come from

The Easter lily means purity and resurrection in tradition, and nearly all of the Easter lily bulbs sold in North America come from one coastal area on the Oregon–California border. NDSU Extension says four producers in that area grow 99% of them.

Lilium longiflorum is native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, according to Nebraska Extension. The same page calls it “the Bermuda lily, better known as the Easter lily”, and says Bermuda and then Japan dominated the U.S. export market.

Louis Houghton, a World War I soldier, is credited with starting U.S. production. Nebraska Extension says he brought a suitcase full of hybrid lily bulbs to the southern Oregon coast in 1919 and gave them to family and friends. NDSU says he fell in love with the flowers while in Japan and stuffed his suitcase with bulbs. NDSU says Japan’s bulb exports ceased when World War II began, and that by 1945, 1,200 producers were trying to grow the bulbs along the coast from California to Canada. It says the bulbs grew best in a coastal area straddling the Oregon–California border, with a mild climate, 75 inches of annual rainfall and rich soils.

NDSU places production in a coastal area straddling the Oregon–California border, and Nebraska Extension says most of its ten growers are located along that border. The two pages give different producer counts and shares for differently defined markets. I did not find a USDA figure for the share. NDSU adds that bulbs take on average three years to reach a saleable size, and Nebraska Extension puts the output at almost 12 million bulbs.

Easter lilies and cats: what the ASPCA says

Easter lilies are toxic to cats. The ASPCA’s Easter lily page lists the plant as toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs and horses. It gives vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and kidney failure as the signs, and says death is possible. It says cats are the only species known to be affected, and it lists the toxic principle as unknown.

The ASPCA’s 2019 article on Easter lilies says eating even a small piece of the plant, licking pollen off the face or drinking water from a vase that has held lilies can be deadly to a cat. It says it only takes a small exposure to cause acute kidney injury. If the exposure is caught early, aggressive treatment at a veterinary hospital can prevent kidney failure, but the ASPCA says it is often fatal if treatment is delayed longer than 18 hours. It tells owners to contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

The same article names Asiatic lilies and daylilies as dangerous to cats. It advises households with a cat to avoid bringing the flower inside and to keep Easter bouquets far out of paws’ reach.

Some Easter guides are broader than the ASPCA. The Almanac’s list says Easter lilies “are highly toxic and should be kept out of reach of pets and children”, while the ASPCA’s page narrows the pet risk to cats.

The dogwood cross legend: what the flower really shows

The dogwood legend says the cross was made of dogwood wood and the flower now carries its shape. It is folklore: the USC Digital Folklore Archives says that neither the Bible nor other historical records say what wood the cross was made of, so the idea that it was dogwood cannot be verified.

NC State Extension describes the flowering dogwood’s showy “flower” as a cluster of small true flowers surrounded by four petal-like bracts. It says the tree blooms in early spring before leaf-out, March to May, the true flowers at the center are green and insignificant, and the bracts are 2 inches long and notched at the ends.

The version USC recorded in April 2007 is a poem credited to “author unknown”. In it the dogwood grew to a stately size in Jesus’ time, its timbers were chosen for the cross, and Christ promised it would never again grow large enough to be used that way. The poem reads the blossom as a cross, the brown-marked petals as bloodstains and the center as a thorny crown. The informant who shared it heard the legend from a grandmother and did not know where it began.

NC State lists the tree’s native range as southeastern Canada, eastern North America and eastern Mexico, which does not include the Middle East.

The Victorian books do not carry the legend. Greenaway gives the dogwood “Durability”. Tyas files the cornelian cherry (Cornus sanguinea) under “Duration” and writes that it “is called Dogwood”. None of the five books I searched mentions a cross legend for it. I did not trace the legend’s earliest printed appearance. Our dogwood meaning page covers the tree’s other symbolism.

Spring bulbs at Easter: tulip, daffodil, hyacinth and crocus

Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths reach Easter as potted spring plants, and Penn State Extension says potted daffodils and hyacinths can go into the garden afterward.

Tulip

Tulips mean rebirth, love, belief and forgiveness in the Almanac’s Easter list, which adds that people sometimes link the blooms to Easter eggs. Greenaway gives the tulip “Fame”, the red tulip “Declaration of love” and the yellow tulip “Hopeless love”. The ASPCA lists the tulip as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, names tulipalin A and B as the toxins, and puts the highest concentration in the bulb. Penn State Extension says forced tulip bulbs are unlikely ever to bloom again. Our tulip meaning page covers the colors.

Daffodil

The wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is also called the Lent lily and the Easter lily, according to the Woodland Trust. The Almanac says daffodils represent the arrival of new life and are called “Lent lilies” in England because they have long been associated with Lent. The Woodland Trust gives hope, foolishness and unrequited love as the language-of-flowers meaning. Greenaway gives the daffodil “Regard” and the narcissus “Egotism”. The ASPCA lists daffodils as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, names lycorine and other alkaloids, and says the bulbs are the most poisonous part. See also daffodil meaning.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth means constancy and sincerity in the Almanac’s list. Greenaway gives “Sport. Game. Play.” and the white hyacinth “Unobtrusive loveliness”. Flora’s gives the blue hyacinth “Constancy” and the purple hyacinth “Sorrow”, and Dumont gives “Constancy”. Penn State Extension says potted hyacinths bloom the following spring when planted out, with flowers a bit smaller but just as fragrant. The ASPCA lists the hyacinth as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and gives intense vomiting and diarrhea as signs. See hyacinth meaning and our page on hyacinths and dogs.

Crocus

Crocus means youth and happiness in the Almanac’s list. Greenaway gives the spring crocus “Youthful gladness” and the saffron crocus “Mirth”. The ASPCA says spring crocus (Crocus sp.) may cause stomach upset, with vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. It separates this from the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), which it lists as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with bloody vomiting, shock and multi-organ damage as signs. See crocus meaning.

Named for Lent and Easter: hellebore and pasque flower

Hellebore (Lenten rose)

NC State Extension lists Christmas rose, hellebore and Lenten rose as names for Helleborus orientalis and calls it winter-blooming, while Illinois Extension gives March through April as its bloom season. The Almanac says hellebore is associated with Lent because it emerges in that season, and that it represents rebirth. Greenaway gives hellebore “Scandal. Calumny.” The ASPCA lists hellebore (Helleborus niger) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and its plant lists also give “Easter Rose” as a name for that species. NC State rates the Lenten rose’s poison severity to humans as low, lists contact dermatitis, and flags it as a problem for cats, dogs and horses. See hellebore meaning.

Pasque flower

The pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is named for the Easter season. Wakefield Museums and Castles says “Pasque” is derived from the Hebrew word for Passover, “pasakh”, and that the name refers to the Easter (Passover) flowering period. It says the plant flowers in March and April. Greenaway gives the pasque flower “You have no claims”, and Tyas gives it “You are without pretension”. Wakefield Museums calls pasque flowers poisonous to humans and animals, and the ASPCA’s cat and dog plant lists have no pasque flower entry.

Forced for Easter: azalea and hydrangea

Penn State Extension says growers force hydrangeas and azaleas to bloom for Easter and Mother’s Day, and that many, even most, of the varieties offered are not winter-hardy in most of Pennsylvania.

Azalea

The Almanac says azaleas are popular at Easter as a symbol of temperance, moderation and love. Greenaway gives the azalea “Temperance”. The ASPCA lists azalea (Rhododendron spp.) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, names grayanotoxin as the toxic principle, and gives vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and cardiac failure as signs. The Almanac says the florist azalea is the tender greenhouse type, generally not hardy outside USDA zone 8. See azalea meaning.

Hydrangea

The Almanac says hydrangeas given at Easter represent gratitude and understanding. Greenaway and Flora’s both give the hydrangea “A boaster. Heartlessness.” The ASPCA’s hydrangea page, for Hydrangea arborescens, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, names a cyanogenic glycoside, and says cyanide intoxication is rare and usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance. The Almanac says the florist hydrangea is the macrophylla type and can be planted outdoors in USDA zones 6 to 9 after the holiday. See hydrangea meaning.

Which Easter flower should you choose?

• If a cat lives in your home, skip the Easter lily: the ASPCA advises households with a cat to avoid bringing it inside. The ASPCA lists forsythia and grape hyacinth as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
• If you want a plant that comes back, plant out the Easter lily, daffodil or hyacinth after Easter, as Penn State Extension advises, and compost forced tulips.
• If you want a shrub for the garden, read the USDA zone on the tag first, because Penn State Extension says many, even most, of the varieties offered are not winter-hardy in most of Pennsylvania.
• If you want a flower with an Easter or Lent name, choose the Easter lily, the daffodil (Lent lily), the Lenten rose or the pasque flower, and check its pet listing in the table first.

After Easter: from meaning to care

Advice on planting an Easter lily out differs between sources. Nebraska Extension says to plant it outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked, in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, about 6 inches deep. Penn State Extension says to dig a hole at least 6 inches deep as soon as the weather warms, and that the lily blooms in late summer of the following year. The Almanac says to plant in early summer, 4 to 6 inches deep, and that it reblooms in midsummer the following year. Nebraska Extension says to remove spent flowers and leave the stems and leaves until they die back in fall.

For the plants themselves, start with our Easter planter ideas, then see the spring bulb planting guide, daffodil growing guide and how to plant tulip bulbs. Shrub buyers can use the azalea growing guide, the hydrangea care guide and the dogwood growing guide. For a houseplant named for the holiday, see Easter cactus care, and for the lily’s other symbolism, lily meaning.

If you are planting out after Easter, these Amazon searches cover the basics: a bulb planter, garden gloves and a garden kneeler. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Easter flowers meaning FAQ

What do Easter flowers symbolize?

Easter flowers symbolize new life, renewal and resurrection in Easter tradition. The Almanac pairs the Easter lily with purity and resurrection, the daffodil with new life, and the tulip and hellebore with rebirth.

What is the Easter flower?

The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) is the flower named for the holiday, and the Almanac puts it first on its list of nine Easter flowers. The Woodland Trust also gives “Easter lily” as a name for the wild daffodil.

Where do Easter lily bulbs come from?

NDSU Extension says four producers in a coastal area straddling the Oregon–California border grow 99% of the Easter lily bulbs sold in North America. Nebraska Extension says ten growers, most along the California–Oregon border, produce 95% of the bulbs grown for the world’s potted Easter lily market.

Are Easter lilies poisonous to cats?

Yes. The ASPCA lists the Easter lily as toxic to cats, with kidney failure as the main danger, and says even a small exposure can cause acute kidney injury. Contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 straight away.

Are Easter lilies poisonous to dogs?

The ASPCA lists the Easter lily as non-toxic to dogs and says cats are the only species known to be affected.

What is the dogwood legend?

The legend says the cross was made of dogwood wood and the tree was changed so its flower would show a cross. The USC Digital Folklore Archives says the idea cannot be verified.

Did the Victorians give flowers Easter meanings?

Not that I found. A search of five Victorian flower books for the word “Easter” found it twice, in Tyas on the wood sorrel and in a snowdrop poem in Worthington’s book, and neither gives any of the ten flowers an Easter meaning.

Can you plant an Easter lily outdoors after Easter?

Yes. Penn State Extension says the lily blooms in late summer of the following year when planted at least 6 inches deep, and Nebraska Extension says to plant it in a sunny, well-drained spot about 6 inches deep.

What flowers bloom around Easter?

Wild daffodils, the Lenten rose and the pasque flower bloom March to April, and flowering dogwood blooms March to May. Easter Sunday falls between March 22 and April 25, so the mix in bloom depends on the year.

Sources

1. Kanuckel, A. 9 Popular Easter Flowers and What They Symbolize. The Old Farmer’s Almanac / Farmers’ Almanac (updated 20 July 2026)
2. Boeckmann, C. Easter 2027: When Is Easter? The Old Farmer’s Almanac (22 October 2026)
3. McGinnis, E.E. Dakota Gardener: A new appreciation for the Easter lily. NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University (26 March 2024)
4. Frogge, M.J. Easter Lily Care. Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1 April 2022)
5. Gibson, M.J.R. Care of Spring Holiday Plants. Penn State Extension (updated 12 March 2024)
6. ASPCA. Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, ASPCA Animal Poison Control
7. ASPCA. Getting to the Bottom of the Dangers of Easter Lilies (27 March 2019)
8. ASPCA. Tulip (Tulipa spp.). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
9. ASPCA. Daffodil (Narcissus spp.). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
10. ASPCA. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
11. ASPCA. April Showers May Bring Spring Bulbs. What Does that Mean for Your Pet?
12. ASPCA. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
13. ASPCA. Hellebore (Helleborus niger). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
14. ASPCA. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
15. ASPCA. Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
16. ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List: Cats
17. ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List: Dogs
18. ASPCA. Golden Bells (Forsythia). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
19. ASPCA. Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum). Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
20. Woodland Trust. Wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
21. Illinois Extension, University of Illinois. Lenten Rose
22. NC State Extension. Helleborus orientalis (Christmas Rose, Hellebore, Lenten Rose). Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
23. Wakefield Museums and Castles. Medieval herb garden blog 64: Pasque flower (31 March 2026)
24. USC Digital Folklore Archives. The Legend of the Dogwood (performance April 2007). Wayback Machine snapshot of 6 August 2025
25. NC State Extension. Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood). Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
26. Greenaway, K. Language of Flowers. George Routledge and Sons (Project Gutenberg ebook 31591)
27. Tyas, R. The Language of Flowers: or, Floral Emblems of Thoughts, Feelings, and Sentiments. George Routledge and Sons, 1869. Internet Archive
28. Flora’s Pocket Dictionary: A Lexicon of the Language and Sentiment of Flowers. Porter and Coates, Philadelphia, 1870. Internet Archive
29. The Language of Flowers, Including Floral Poetry. R. Worthington, New York, 1884. Internet Archive
30. Dumont, H. The Language of Flowers: The Floral Offering. H. C. Peck and Theo. Bliss, Philadelphia, 1851 (Project Gutenberg ebook 71779)