10 Flowers That Symbolise Peace and Why

An introduction to ten flowers associated with peace – their symbolism, cultural history, and how they translate into floral design.

Lavender is one of the most widely recognised flowers associated with peace and tranquillity.

Its soothing scent is well-established in aromatherapy and has long been used to ease stress and promote calm. The fragrance and the bloom work together – there is something inherently settling about lavender in any form.

Lavender traditionally blooms from June to September in the UK and is harvested in late July, making it a natural choice for summer celebrations where a quiet, harmonious atmosphere is part of the brief.

The peace and accord associated with lavender carry well into cut floral design – and the blooms themselves lend a distinctly naturalistic quality to arrangements, as in the example below.

The peace lily takes its name from its symbolism directly. Its white blossoms represent innocence and harmony, while the foliage is associated with resilience and strength.

The connection with peace is thought to originate with travellers who found the white blooms reminiscent of the white flags historically used to signal a ceasefire or end to conflict. That association has persisted, making peace lilies a considered choice when the gesture of flowers is intended to repair or strengthen a relationship.

Peace lilies usually flower in spring or early summer – and work beautifully within contemporary white and green floral displays, as in the arrangement below.

Since Victorian times, white roses have been given as gifts to symbolise love, peace, and an enduring bond. That meaning has carried through – alongside associations with innocence and loyalty – making them one of the most enduring choices for weddings.

This hand-tied bouquet of 200 white roses contains the freshest available stems, presented in an exquisite vase and arranged on compostable, eco-friendly material.

The peony carries a range of cultural meanings across different traditions. One of these is a strong connection with peace and prosperity – and the flower earns its place on this list on that basis, as well as through its own inherent qualities: the softness of its petals and gentle fragrance combine to instil a sense of calm.

Peonies also symbolise luck in romance and successful marriage. They bloom in spring and early summer, making them a natural presence at weddings and a considered romantic gift.

The Rosolite Bouquet – pink peonies with delicate phlox – brings together the symbolism of peace and romance in a single arrangement.

White poppies became prominent in the aftermath of World War I as a symbol of the desire for peace – a rejection of conflict as a means of resolving disputes, and a wish that its scale and cost would never be repeated.

That meaning endures. Poppy flowers more broadly are also associated with renewal, peace, and calmness.

Poppies usually bloom in June and July, making them a fitting inclusion in summer celebrations – particularly where a white and green palette is part of the brief, as in the installation below.

The violet’s association with peace, devotion, and healing dates back to Ancient Rome, where violets were believed to bring peace to the afterlife. They are also associated with mental clarity – and with faithfulness, everlasting love, and remembrance.

Violets have different blooming periods between February and May depending on the variety. Their blooms range across blue-purple, pink, yellow, and white, with five petals – a versatility that makes them well-suited to a wide range of floral compositions, such as this pairing with white calla lilies.

When apple blossoms appear in spring and early summer, they bring associations with peace, fruitfulness, rebirth, and fertility – alongside their characteristically delicate white and pink tones.

These qualities make apple blossom a particularly fitting addition to a wedding bouquet, where the symbolism of new beginnings and future growth carries natural resonance. We also include them in hand-tied bouquets and boutonnieres, where their lightness reads especially well at close range.

In Buddhist tradition, the lotus flower represents peace, inner calm, and wholeness. It is understood as a symbol of the ability to allow negativity to pass without being changed by it – a quality that reduces conflict and promotes equanimity.

The pink lotus is most directly associated with peace, though white lotus flowers carry their own serene quality. The precise meaning of the flower varies across cultures, but the consensus centres on peace, freedom, and enlightenment.

Lotus blooms from July to September.

The hyacinth has long been associated with peace and is the flower of Apollo, the Greek god of goodness. Additional symbolism includes beauty, dedication, and power.

Hyacinths bloom in a wide range of colours – white, cream, pink, rose, lavender, blue, deep purple, and red – which makes them a versatile choice for event florals where the colour must sit within a specific palette. They usually bloom in early to mid-spring.

Purple hyacinth, for instance, would sit well within the purple and gold palette of the event space shown below.

Cosmos have a simple, open elegance. White cosmos in particular symbolise peace, and the flower more broadly is associated with renewal, growth, innocence, and harmony.

They provide a colourful contrast against a green backdrop, making them a natural fit for woodland weddings and outdoor celebrations. Both annual and perennial varieties flower through the summer months.

If you’re considering any of the flowers above for an event, wedding, or private commission, we’d be glad to discuss how they might work within your brief.

Every Blooming Haus project receives a fully personalised approach – from initial consultation through to installation.

Our sustainable practice is central to every project. This includes using 100% green energy to power our studio, partnering with local business Quiver for bicycle deliveries, operating a fully electric vehicle fleet, composting organic waste, avoiding non-compostable materials where possible, reusing flower baskets and delivery packaging, recycling carton boxes and other recyclable packaging, working with suppliers certified by organisations such as the Soil Association and the Rainforest Alliance, and using probiotic cleaning products where possible.

We fund a tree to be planted for every wedding couple we work with, and annually in the name of each long-term corporate client. The display of white roses below reflects the same commitment to natural materials and considered design.

For further reading on tree planting and its relationship to climate change: Can Planting Trees Really Help Us Tackle Climate Change?