The February Flower: African Violet

We have all heard about birthstones but did you know that there is also a flower associated with each birth month? The African Violet has been the birth flower of february since as far back as the Roman Empire. Today, we are going to pay homage to this beautiful February Flower and the meaning that lies behind it’s pretty petals.

African Violets

Tradition

During the Roman Empire it became common practice to give both flowers and gemstones as gifts for both births and birthdays. These gifts have remained a birthday tradition throughout the centuries and the amethyst and the violet are still widely thought of as proper gifts for February birthdays today.

Meaning

The African Violet has come to symbolize faithfulness, humility, and chastity. When given as a gift, the purple violets are said to mean “I’ll Always be There” while the cream colored versions mean “Let’s Take a Chance.” The language of flower, along with the specific meanings of the different colors of violets was developed during the Victorian Era.

About African Violets

African Violets are an herbaceous plant that stays low to the ground and which produces an abundance of flowers. With more than 400 different varieties of violets available, these blooms can be seen as blue, green, violet, or cream depending upon variety. If you plant this flower in your garden, expect it to bloom from mid to late February throughout the month of April. Of course, if you would rather enjoy these colorful petals all year long, opt for artificial violets as a gift instead. They stay looking great and is a great way to subtly honor your birthday all year long in your home decor.