Yellow Flowers: 18 types and What They Mean

Many of us have fond memories of the small yellow blooms of dandelions that sprouted on the lawns every spring. Dandelions were probably the first yellow flower we were introduced to as a child and the plant may find a place in our lawns, memories, and kitchen pantry after we became adults.

Dandelion is a yellow flower with multiple meanings – like hope, wish for dreams to come true, and a floral gift given to a loved one as a promise of faithfulness. The entire plant is also edible and used for herbal remedies.

To say the right thing, all you have to do is give the right flower. Here 18 other yellow flowers and what they mean so you can give a lovely and meaningful floral gift.

Begonia

Begonia blooms are typically shades of red and a yellow begonia is rare. Yellow begonia blooms are a wish for richness, joy, and feelings of contentment for the recipient. Yellow begonias also mean friendship and pride.

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Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan stand for hope, fairness, motivation, and equality. It’s also the best yellow flower to be given to someone who needs encouragement during a difficult time or life-changing event.

Black-eyed Susans are hardy plants that bounce back after a hard year and convey that hope for the recipient.

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Carnation

Carnations are favorite flowers given at Mother’s Day and used in the making of corsages and boutonniere. However, the meaning of the yellow carnation might make you reject using it for happy occasions. This yellow flower means rejection and disappointment. Typically sent to an ex-lover or used as a funeral flower.

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Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are the autumn favorite. Colorful bunches of chrysanthemums can be found mixed in with hay bales and pumpkins to create fall decor. Pick another color of chrysanthemums for your fall floral display, these yellow flowers mean unrequited love or a love-filled with sorrows.

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Dahlia

Dhalia flowers have been used to represent a commitment shared forever by two people, like as part of wedding decor, since the Victorian era. These large yellow flowers also symbolize beauty, elegance, and strength, and make a great addition to a bridal bouquet.

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Daffodil

Daffodils are sunny yellow flowers that emerge every year in early spring, giving us renewed hope that warmer days are just ahead. This yellow flowering beauty has been used for years by the American Cancer Society as a symbol of hope and healing. Daffodils also mean positivity,  happiness, joy, and optimism.

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Goldenrod

Goldenrod is often referred to as ‘sneeze-weed’ because it’s loaded with pollen and cause allergy-sufferers a lot of grief. However, when these yellow flowers are given to non-allergy sufferers, they meant to bring the recipient good thoughts, inspiration, creativity, and encouragement.

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Iris

Iris is a tall, stately flower that dominates the spring landscape and produces many bloom colors. The yellow flower of an iris means wisdom, hope, and purity, which makes it a popular choice for use in bridal bouquets.

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Marigold

Marigolds are the happy little orange or yellow blooms of summer. Often referred to as the ‘herb of the sun’, marigolds mean passion and creativity. These sunny yellow flowers mean happiness everywhere except in Mexico. In that country the yellow flower means death.

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Orchid

Orchids of any color have good meanings, but a yellow-blooming orchid is the best. A yellow orchid stands for friendship and well wishes to the recipient. The yellow blooms also mean a new beginning for the recipient making it an ideal flower to give at graduations, weddings, retirement, or other milestones of life.

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Pansy

Pansies are flowers with happy faces that make you smile by just looking at them. The yellow flowering pansy means free-thinking, loving thoughts, optimism, and joy.

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Primrose

Primrose blooms come in a wide array of colors and produce their blooms in early spring. The yellow primrose bloom symbolizes femininity, youth, new beginnings, new life, or birth. As women bring new lives to the world, the yellow primrose flower stands for the beauty of women and their ability for reproduction.

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Ranunculus

Ranunculus bloom in many colors, but the yellow blooms mean the giver is infatuated with you. These blooms mean the giver finds you attractive, charming and would like to pursue you as a love interest.

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Rose

Roses are considered to be a symbol of love but yellow roses have a slightly different meaning. These yellow flowers once symbolized jealousy, but now are given to express friendship, affection, joy, and gladness. The yellow blooms also convey good luck, welcome back, and remember me, making them an ideal parting gift for someone who is leaving.

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Sunflower

Sunflowers are non-romantic yellow flowers that can be given to anyone and for any occasion. The large flower represents good luck, long life, and lasting happiness in ancient Chinese culture. This yellow flower also expresses admiration and loyalty.

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Tulip

Tulips in bloom are a sure sign that winter is almost over and spring is near. The bloom colors in a landscape are a welcomed sight and these flowers rival roses when expressing romantic interest. But not yellow tulips, they mean unrequited love and were once sent to would-be lovers to spite them. The meaning of yellow tulips has softened over the decades and it’s generally accepted now as meaning cheerful thoughts.

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Tansy

Tansy is a yellow-flowering herb plant that got its name from the Greek word athanatos, which means immortality. Tansy is a medicinal herb plant that has been used for centuries to treat many ailments. It was once used as an embalming agent, too. Giving someone the yellow flowers from a tansy plant means they are declaring war on the recipient.

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Yarrow

Yarrow blooms give the appearance of a large, flat-faced bloom but they are a multitude of tiny blooms that make up one large yellow flower. Yellow yarrow flowers represent both healing and inspiration. The flowers are given as gifts to symbolize concern for the recipient’s well-being and to help them find joy and illumination in their lives. Yarrow has a strong licorice scent, a mildly sweet flavor, and the entire plant is edible.