November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
November has a single birth flower, the chrysanthemum, which stands for friendship, loyalty and joy.
Chrysanthemum
| Scientific name | Chrysanthemum |
|---|---|
| Family | Aster family (Asteraceae) |
| Native to | Asia |
| Blooms | Fall |
| Colors | Yellow, orange, white, purple, pink and red |
Chrysanthemum color meanings
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | True love |
| White | Innocence and honesty |
| Yellow | Neglected love |
From Chinese art to Japan's imperial seal
- The name comes from the Greek for "gold flower", its original color.
- Grown in China since the 15th century B.C., it is one of the Four Gentlemen of Chinese art.
- It is the national flower of Japan and appears on the emperor's seal.
- It is the flower for a 13th wedding anniversary and the official flower of Chicago.
- The National Chrysanthemum Society, formed in 1949 and incorporated in 1954, sorts the many kinds into 13 groups.
Cut mums and potted mums
Chrysanthemums come as long-lasting cut flowers and as potted fall mums. University of Illinois Extension says cut mums last about two weeks. Their weak points are wilting and yellowing leaves, so strip the lower third of each stem and pull yellow leaves as they appear. Keep arrangements away from radiators and other heat sources, which make the flowers wilt early. One thing to know before giving mums abroad: in Belgium, families mark All Saints' Day (Toussaint, November 1) by placing chrysanthemums on relatives' graves, the US Army garrison there notes. For a friend from Belgium, a birthday bouquet of another flower may land better.
Plant mums in spring after frost; they grow all summer. Move them every 3 years to avoid pests. For a fuller plant, University of Illinois Extension says to pinch off the growing tips once stems reach 4 to 6 inches, and once or twice more before July. Leave the old stems standing over winter under about 4 inches of mulch: mums survive the cold better that way.
The ASPCA puts chrysanthemums on its list of plants toxic to horses, cats and dogs. A pet that chews a potted mum may show vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, poor coordination or skin irritation.
Orange mums match citrine, which GIA prizes for its yellow and orange hues, and topaz, the other November birthstone. Relatives far away can follow a birthday countdown embedded on a family blog. A printed Life in Weeks poster is another keepsake to go with the flowers.
Birth flowers for other months
November Birth Flower questions
Does November have a second birth flower?
Some lists add the peony, the Farmers' Almanac among them. Both 1907 lists in Glover's party book name the chrysanthemum for November, which makes it the one month where today's list and those early ones agree exactly.
Published October 12, 2026. Last updated October 28, 2026.