Two equally exquisite blooms, the larkspur and the water lily, represent the month of July. One rises tall toward the sun, the other floats serenely on calm waters. Here is everything to know about July's birth flower duo, their meanings, and how to enjoy them.
If you were born in July, two flowers are yours to claim: the larkspur and the water lily. Together, these July birth flowers capture the duality of midsummer, energetic zeal, and composed mindfulness, and they suit those born under both July zodiac signs, Cancer (through July 22) and Leo (from July 23). One bloom soars into the warm summer air on tall, showy spikes; the other drifts in quiet grace across the water's surface.
This guide is for July-born celebrants, gift-givers, and flower lovers who want to understand what the July birth flower truly means, where its symbolism comes from, and how to grow and enjoy both blooms. It matters because these are not just decorative plants. The larkspur and water lily carry centuries of mythology, color symbolism, and cultural meaning, and knowing their story turns a simple bouquet or a single floating flower into something deeply personal.
The July Birth Flower Duo – Larkspur and Water Lily
The pairing of larkspur and water lily as the July birth flower graces midsummer with elegance. Larkspur, a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), stands tall with spikes of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Often found in mixed borders, it is a classic cottage garden plant, prized as much for its airy, showy stature as for its meaning.
The water lily, from the Nymphaeaceae family, plays the opposite role. Glowing serenely on the water's surface, its teacup-sized floating blooms, set among broad, ribbed leaves, bring stillness and calm to July. Where larkspur is the energetic, party-guest bloom of the border, the serene water lily is the meditative one of the pond. Larkspur is the primary July birth flower; the water lily is its equally meaningful secondary.
The Historical & Cultural Significance of Larkspur and Water Lily
Both July birth month flowers hold deep meaning across many cultures. Larkspur, also known as Delphinium, has a rich history. Its genus name comes from the Greek word delphínion, meaning dolphin, because the closed flower buds resemble a dolphin's nose. The common name "larkspur" was coined later for the way each bloom's backward spur resembles a lark's claw. In Europe, its colors signified bravery, and in the Victorian era, it came to symbolize levity and lightness. Native Americans used the blooms to make dyes and to repel insects, while European folklore credited larkspur with warding off evil spirits.
The water lily, thriving in tropical and temperate regions alike, symbolizes purity. In ancient Egypt, the blue water lily was linked to the sun god Ra. In Buddhism, it represents wisdom, rising immaculately from murky water, and in Hinduism, the closely related sacred lotus signifies spiritual awakening. It is worth clarifying a common point of confusion here: the water lily (Nymphaea) and the lotus (Nelumbo) are different plants in different families. The water lily floats on the surface, while the lotus holds its blooms above the water on tall stems. They share overlapping symbolism, but they are not the same flower. Celebrated across so many cultures, these birth month flowers highlight the enduring beauty July brings.
The Origins and Legends of Larkspur's Rich History
Few flowers carry as much folklore as the larkspur. In ancient Greece, legend held that the first larkspur sprang from the blood of the hero Ajax (Aias) after the Battle of Troy; grief-stricken at being denied Achilles' armor, he took his own life, and where his blood fell, the flower bloomed, its petals seemingly marked with the letters "AI" – a cry of sorrow meaning "alas." A Roman version credits the sea god Neptune with transforming a dolphin into the bloom, which neatly echoes the dolphin-shaped buds behind the name Delphinium.
The protective folklore runs deep, too. In England, larkspur was once sprinkled into baths or hung in the home to guard against ghosts and witches, and the Victorian era cemented its reputation for warding off evil spirits. Cultivated since ancient times as an ornamental, and still being advanced today by modern growers and breeders, the larkspur proves its lineage is very much still evolving.
Symbolic Meaning of the Larkspur
Traditionally, larkspur symbolizes an open heart and ardent attachment, which makes it a popular choice for romantic bouquets. Larkspurs symbolize love, positivity, dedication, and new beginnings, embodying both strong feelings and the spirited nature of July-born individuals, who are said to be loyal, loving, and resilient. Its enchanting hues and towering stature give it a natural flair for expressing intense emotion.
Color Symbolism of Larkspur
In floral symbolism, each color of the larkspur tells its own story.
- White larkspur symbolizes purity and innocence, ideal for joyous occasions.
- Blue larkspurs represent trust and loyalty, conveying deep respect.
- Purple larkspur exudes the charm of first love, dignity, and elegance.
- Pink larkspur embodies a capricious spirit, while purple exudes the charm of first love and elegance.
The Serenity of July Flower of the Month: Water Lily
Water lilies thrive in tropical and subtropical freshwater habitats, where their beautiful flowers float on the water's surface and create a harmonious ecosystem. Of the roughly 70 species in the Nymphaeaceae family, blooms appear from late spring to early fall and fall into two main groups. Hardy water lilies shrug off cold and even ice, returning year after year, while tropical water lilies are larger, more fragrant, and available in a wider range of colors. Tropical day-bloomers open mid-morning and close by late afternoon, while night-blooming types open at dusk. Notable varieties include the giant Victoria amazonica, with tea-tray-sized leaves and pads up to several feet across, and the blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea), the famed "blue lotus" of ancient Egypt.
The Symbolism Behind the Water Lily
As a July birth month flower, the water lily symbolizes purity, tranquility, and grace. Rising spotlessly clean from muddy water, it has long stood for rebirth, transformation, and optimism. In Chinese culture, poets read the plant as a lesson in remaining pure while growing through chaos. In Buddhism, it signifies wisdom and the soul's journey toward spiritual awareness, and in Hindu tradition, the sacred lotus, the water lily's celebrated relative, represents the infinite potential of the human soul.
The plant's daily rhythm deepens that meaning: many water lilies retreat at night and re-emerge with the morning light, a natural metaphor for spiritual renewal. In ancient Egypt, the blue water lily was sacred to the sun god Ra; priests watched it sink beneath the surface at dusk and rise again at dawn as a symbol of rebirth. Centuries later, Claude Monet immortalized the water lily in roughly 250 paintings, proving that a single floating bloom can convey emotion no other flower can.
Color Symbolism of Water Lily
The color of a water lily carries its own deep meaning. These birth month flowers are far more than visually appealing; they embody distinct emotional and spiritual states:
- White water lilies, the most common, symbolize purity and peace.
- Pink water lilies represent romance, friendship, and tenderness.
- Blue water lilies convey depth of feeling and spiritual wisdom.
- Yellow water lilies symbolize joy and optimism, adding cheer to any water garden.
- Red water lilies signal romance and passion.
- Pink water lilies often represent romance, friendship, and tenderness, making them perfect for expressing love.
- White water lilies, the most common, symbolize purity and peace, embodying innocence and tranquility.
- Blue water lilies represent depth of feeling and spiritual wisdom, while yellow water lilies symbolize joy and optimism, adding cheer to any water garden.
For all these reasons, designers often rank the water lily among the world's most beautiful flowers.
Botanical Profile of the July Flowers - Larkspur and Water Lily
In the garden, larkspur blooms from June through September, preferring full sun (with some afternoon shade in hot regions) and well-draining, fertile soil with cool roots. Annual larkspur typically grows one to three feet tall, while tall, robust delphiniums reach much higher. Deadhead after the first bloom to coax fresh flower buds, and you will be rewarded with weeks of color.
Water lilies, by contrast, want at least six hours of sunlight a day and grow from tuberous roots anchored in the muddy bottom of a pond or container. Thanks to internal air channels, each leaf floats at the water's surface, shading the water below, supporting fish, and limiting algae growth. Hardy water lilies survive in USDA zones 3 to 11, while tropical types glow under warmth and light.
The cultivar world shows just how varied this duo can be. On dry ground, Westendorp's double-petalled Delphinium Kissi® Blush Milka splashes lavender-rose across sturdy six-foot spires, while Nico Wigchert's snow-white Delphinium Dewi Siberia and Ball SB's compact, ever-branching Delphinium Trick™ series push the palette into pastel pinks, sunny yellows, and dreamy lilacs. Out on the water, the hardy, peach-scented Nymphaea Colorado perfumes ponds for much of the year, while the Egyptian white water lily, Nymphaea lotus (the tiger lotus), and the dinner-plate-leaved Victoria amazonica supply nocturnal drama in warmer pools. Together, these cultivars prove July's birth-flower duo can move well beyond myth into diverse gardens, offering textures, fragrances, and hues as multifaceted as midsummer itself.
July Flowers in Sustainability
Both July flowers earn their keep ecologically. Because water lilies shade the water's surface, they cool ponds, slow algae growth, and provide cover for fish and dragonflies, the very creatures that help keep mosquito larvae in check, supporting balanced water gardens. Larkspur, for its part, is a magnet for pollinators, drawing bees, bumble bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to its nectar-rich spikes, and its flowers have historically been used to make a blue dye. A word of caution balances the beauty: all parts of larkspur and delphinium are toxic if ingested, so both plants should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.
Ways to Celebrate July Through Body Art and Tattoos
An expressive way to honor July's birth flower is through floral tattoos, an increasingly popular choice among July babies and flower lovers alike. Larkspur and water lily tattoos, with their distinctive shapes and colors, range from minimalist line work to intricate, full-color designs. A water lily tattoo might reflect purity and spiritual growth, while a larkspur tattoo can symbolize a strong bond of love, an open heart, and positivity.
Personalization & Meaning Behind July Flower Tattoos
Each July birth flower tattoo carries personal significance. For some, it honors a birth month; for others, it resonates with the deeper symbolism of larkspur and water lily. The designs can be personalized through color choices or added symbols pink larkspur for tenderness, a white water lily for calm and purity, or a small bowl of water and a nectar-filled spur for a more literal nod. These details turn a tattoo into a profound, individual emblem of beauty and meaning.
Ways to Integrate July Birth Flowers in Everyday Life
You do not need a birthday to enjoy these blooms. Arrange a fresh bouquet of larkspur on a dining table or sideboard, where its tall spikes and soft fragrance bring color and calm to a room. If you have an outdoor pond or a small water feature, cultivate water lilies for a breathtaking display of floating flowers and lily pads, or float a single bloom in a shallow bowl indoors as a striking centerpiece.
In a workspace, a potted larkspur or an indoor water plant can lift the mood, encourage focus, and foster creativity. Larkspur's symbolism of strong attachment and an open heart makes it a quiet reminder of good relationships with colleagues, while gifting July birth flower plants or ornaments is a thoughtful gesture that can deepen personal and professional bonds alike.
Celebrating Every July Birth with July Flowers
Yes, July is represented by two captivating flowers, larkspur and water lily, each carrying a unique symbolism that mirrors the diverse traits of July-born individuals. Whether you float a single water lily on calm waters, weave larkspur spires into a wild summer bouquet, or ink a quiet birth flower tattoo, this duo keeps midsummer's legends alive. The pairing thrives on balance: which bloom speaks loudest is a matter of personal preference and cultural meaning, with both the larkspur and the water lily offering their own beauty, grace, and significance to the month of July.
Header image: @bensblooms.
