Discover the Best Carnations for Mother's Day: Symbolism, Care Tips, and More!

Carnations are the official flower of Mother’s Day: a bloom deeply tied to the holiday’s origins. The tradition dates back to Anna Jarvis, the modern “inventor” of Mother’s Day, who chose white carnations to honor her late mother. Over time, carnations became a universal symbol of motherhood, love, and appreciation.  

Their long-lasting nature and fragrant beauty makes them a natural representation of a mother’s enduring love. 

Here’s a brief history of how carnations became the symbol of motherhood.

Which kind of carnations are best for Mother’s Day?

Red carnations of the spray variety are best for Mother’s Day bouquets. Red carnations embody the love and admiration at the root of the holiday, and sprays carnations specifically make for longer-lasting bouquets than their large-flower and dwarf-flower counterparts. If you’re celebrating a mom who’s no longer with us, white carnations show love and remembrance in the traditional nature of the holiday.

Why are carnations the official flower of Mother's Day?

As a young girl living in Philadelphia, Jarvis and her mother cared for a garden full of white carnations — her mother’s favorite flowers. In 1907, after her mother's passing, Anna delivered 500 white carnations to the church where her mother taught Sunday school. She requested that each mother in the congregation receive one as they arrived at church that week.

Every year after that, the church upheld the tradition and continued to hand out carnations at their Mother’s Day service. Neighboring communities and churches soon took notice and began incorporating it into their own Mother’s Day services. In the mid-1940s, carnations were dubbed the official Mother’s Day flower.

What do different carnation colors symbolize?

Over time, different colored carnations began to take on their own meanings. Because of their history, fragrance, and “heavenly soft” texture, white carnations became popularly thought of as the flowers you left at the gravesite of a mother who had passed away. Even though the tradition originated with white, red carnations are also considered the official Mother’s Day flower. However, red carnations are believed to be a gift for mothers who are still alive, as it was believed carnations’ deep red petals represented that of a beating heart and love rather than loss.

How to care for carnations: Keeping Mother’s Day flowers fresh 

 To ensure carnations stay fresh long after Mother’s Day, follow these simple care tips. 
1. Trim the stems – Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water to help them absorb nutrients. 
2. Use fresh water – Change the water every two days to prevent bacteria growth. 
3. Avoid direct heat – Keep carnations away from direct sunlight, heaters, and air vents. 
4. Remove wilting petals – This encourages new blooms to open and prolongs the life of your bouquet. 
With proper care, carnations can last up to two weeks, making them one of the longest-lasting Mother’s Day flowers. 

My Mother's Day carnations are wilting after 2 days - how can i revive them?

If it’s Tuesday and your carnations are already wilting there’s still time to turn back the clock. Cut one to two inches off the bottom of the stems at a 45-degree angle while holding under running water (or submerged) to prevent air bubbles from forming. Remove any lower leaves that fall beneath the water line, then place the entire flower in water for 30 to 60 minutes (up to the bloom).