140 of the most beautiful flowers in Italian and flowers of Italy

Think of Italy, and what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Chances are, it is blue skies, friendly locals, tangerine-colored vintage Vespa scooters, and patches of colorful flowers hanging from the balconies.

Italians love flowers. You can tell by the variety of floral displays often seen whenever wandering around cities and towns throughout the Bel Paese. Have you ever seen a lovely flower, and wondered what it was called in Italian?

From all-time classics, such as roses, lilies, and sunflowers, to more exotic and funny-named ones, such as forget-me-nots and naked man orchids, learning the Italian words for some of the most common flowers is an important part of learning Italian vocabulary.

In this article, we’ve put together 140 flowers that you could be growing in your garden, organized into different categories, such as Italy national flowers, typical flowers of different Italian regions, and funny flower names, along with handy floral words and verbs.

Ready to make your Italian vocabulary flourish? Let’s grow!

Flowers in Italian

Learning vocabulary, including flower names in Italian, is like growing a garden. With practice, persistence, passion and patience, you’ll soon have an abundance of vocabulary that you can use to communicate gracefully and with confidence in your newly learned language. Let’s get to it, then. To start, let’s learn how to actually say flower in Italian. Ready? In Italian, “flower” is “fiore”. “Flowers” is “fiori”.

English Italian (singular) IPA Pronunciation
Flower Fiore [fjˈore] phee-ohreh
Flowers Fiori [fjˈorɪ] phee-ohree

National flowers of Italy

The corbezzolo, or the strawberry tree, is one of the national flowers of Italy.

The white lily is a national symbol of Italy, usually associated with the Virgin Mary and the Holy Family in religious contexts. And there’s another one. With its green, glossy leaves, white flowers. and reddish-orange berries, the so called corbezzolo recalls the Italian flag. Known in English as the strawberry tree for its red, strawberry-sized fruits, it grows wild throughout the Mediterranean basin, and began to be considered Italy's national flower in the 19th century, during the Risorgimento.

Famed Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli even dedicated an ode to this lovely plant in 1906, Al corbezzolo. Check it out!

English Italian (singular) IPA Pronunciation
White lily Giglio bianco [d͡ʒˈiʎo bjˈanko] gee-wlhee-oh bee-ahn-koh
Strawberry tree Corbezzolo [korbˈet͡sːolo] kohr-beh-tsoh-loh

Flowers of Italy symbolic of the Italian regions

Like the sun they’re named for, spirit-lifting, cheerful sunflowers represent happiness, warmth, and loyalty. Did you know that sunflowers in Italian are also the emblem of Tuscany? In the table below, we’ve listed all the types of flowers of Italy, usually associated with Italian regions, and how to pronounce them.

Snowbell flowers are symbolic of the Italian region of Calabria.

Italian Region English Italian (Singular) IPA Pronunciation
Abruzzo Alyssum rupestre Alisso rupestre [alˈis͡so rʊpˈɛstre] ah-lee-soh rooh-peh-streh
Basilicata Anemone Anemone [anˈɛmone] ah-neh-moh-neh
Calabria Snowbell Soldanella calabrese [soldanˈɛlla kalabrˈeze] sohl-dah-neh-lah kah-lah-breh-seh
Campania Primula Palinuri Primula di Palinuro [prˈimʊla dˈi palinˈuro] pree-moo-lah dee pah-lee-noo-roh
Emilia-Romagna Cowslip Primula appenninica [prˈimʊla apːennˈinika] pree-moo-lah ahp-eh-nee-nee-kah
Friuli Venezia Giulia Armeria helodes Spillone palustre [spillˈone palˈustre] spee-loh-neh pah-loo-streh
Lazio Storax flower Storace [storˈat͡ʃe] stoh-rah-cheh
Liguria Bellflower Campanula [kampˈanʊla] kahm-pah-noo-lah
Lombardy Silene elisabethae Silene di Elisabetta [silˈɛne dˈi elizabˈetːa] see-leh-neh dee eh-lee-sah-beh-tah
Marche Peach flower Fior di pesco [fjˈɔr dˈi pˈɛsko] phee-ohr dee pehs-koh
Molise Great mullein Tasso barbasso [tˈas͡so barbˈas͡so] tah-soh bahr-bah-soh
Piedmont Saxifraga florulenta Sassifraga dell’Argentera [sas͡sifrˈaɡa dˈɛl’ard͡ʒentˈɛra] sah-see-frah-gah dehl ahr-gehn-teh-rah
Apulia Arum Lilies Gigaro [d͡ʒiɡˈaro] gee-gah-roh
Sardinia Peony Italian Peonia [peˈɔnia] peh-oh-neeah
Sicily Plumeria Plumeria [plʊmerˈia] ploo-meh-ree-ah
Tuscany Sunflower Girasole [d͡ʒirasˈole] gee-rah-soh-leh
Trentino-South Tyrol Androsace hausmannii Androsace di Hausmann [androzˈat͡ʃe dˈi hˈaʊzmann] ahn-droh-sah-cheh dee ahus-mahn
Umbria Jonopsidium savianum Bivonea di Savi [bivˈonea dˈi sˈavɪ] bee-voh-neh-ah dee sah-vee
Aosta Valley Astragalus alopecurus Pall Astragalo maggiore [astrˈaɡalo mad͡ʒːˈore] ah-strah-gah-loh mah-jee-oh-reh
Veneto Saxifraga berica Sassifraga dei Colli Berici [sas͡sifrˈaɡa dˈe͡ɪ kˈɔllɪ bˈɛrit͡ʃɪ] sah-see-frah-gah deh-ee koh-lee beh-ree-chee

Other flowers of Italy

Are you curious to know how to say Marigolds in Italian? Let’s find out! The seeds we’re going to plant now are related to names of Italian wildflowers and ornamental plants.

Valerian, or Valerianais in Italian, is a wild flower in Italy.

I personally think that the five most difficult Italian flowers to pronounce are:

  • glicine;
  • violacciocca;
  • giacinto;
  • rododendro; and
  • ciclamino.

So take extra time to practice those.

English Italian (singular) IPA Pronunciation
Orchid Orchidea [orkidˈɛa] oh-rkee-deh-ah
Rose Rosa [rˈɔza] roh-zah
Violet Viola [vjˈɔla] vee-oh-lah
Gillyflower Violacciocca [vjolat͡ʃːˈɔkːa] vee-oh-lah-chok-kah
Daisy Margherita [marɡerˈita] mahr-gheh-ree-tah
Cyclamen Ciclamino [t͡ʃiklamˈino] chee-klah-mee-noh
Hortensia Ortensia [ortˈɛnsia] ohr-tehn-seeah
Heather Erica [ˈɛrika] eh-ree-kah
Lavender Lavanda [lavˈanda] lah-vahn-dah
Edelweiss Stella alpina [stˈella alpˈina] steh-lah ahl-pee-nah
Wisteria Glicine [ɡlˈit͡ʃine] glee-chee-neh
Cornflower Fiordaliso [fjordalˈizo] phee-ohr-dah-lee-soh
Poppy Papavero [papˈavero] pah-pah-veh-roh
Marigold Calendula [kalˈendʊla] kah-lehn-doo-lah
Hyacinth Giacinto [d͡ʒat͡ʃˈinto] jeeah-cheen-toh
Hibiscus Ibisco [ibˈisko] ee-bee-skoh
Rhododendron Rododendro [rododˈendro] roh-doh-dehn-droh
Geranium Geranio [d͡ʒerˈanio] jeh-rah-nee-oh
Hawthorn Biancospino [bjankospˈino] beeahn-koh-spee-noh
Carnation Garofano [ɡarˈɔfano] gah-roh-fah-noh
Crocus Croco [krˈɔko] kroh-koh
Mulberry Gelso [d͡ʒˈɛlso] jehl-soh
Valerian Valeriana [valeriˈana] vah-leh-ree-ah-nah
Transvaal daisy Gerbera [d͡ʒerbˈɛra] jehr-beh-rah
Agatea Agatea [aɡatˈɛa] ah-gah-teh-ah
Ivy Edera [ˈedera] eh-deh-rah
Periwinkle Pervinca [pervˈinka] per-veen-kah
Honeysuckle Madreselva [madrezˈɛlva] mah-dreh-sehl-vah
Verbena Verbena [verbˈɛna] vehr-beh-nah
Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena [nid͡ʒˈɛlla damaʃˈɛna] nee-jehl-ah dah-mah-sheh-nah

Droll, quirky names of flowers in Italian

Comedians aren’t the only ones with a wacky sense of humor! Over the years, botanists have thought up some pretty funny flower names. Think Naked man orchid, Butcher's-broom, and Lady's-slipper! Their Italian counterparts are even funnier, because they’re hilarious and descriptive of the flower in some way.

Check out this list of fascinating flowers with funny, memorable names.

Bleeding hearts, or Cuor di Maria in Italian, resemble tiny heart lanterns as flowers in Italian.

English Italian (singular) IPA Pronunciation
Dandelion Dente di leone [dˈɛnte dˈi leˈone] dehn-teh dee leh-oh-neh
Forget-me-not Nontiscordardimé [nontiskordardimˈe] non-tee-skohr-dahr-dee-meh
Touch-me-not Mimosa pudica [mimˈoza pˈudika] mee-moh-zah poo-dee-kah
Four o'clock Bella di notte [bˈɛlla dˈi nˈɔtːe] beh-lah dee noh-teh
Snowdrop Bucaneve [bʊkanˈɛve] boo-kah-neh-veh
Campanula rapunculus Raperonzolo [raperˈont͡solo] rah-peh-rohn-tsoh-loh
Lady's-slipper Scarpetta di Venere [skarpˈetːa dˈi vˈɛnere] skahr-peh-tah dee veh-neh-reh
Sansevieria Lingua di suocera [lˈiŋɡwa dˈi sʊˈɔːt͡ʃera] leen-goo-ah dee soo-oh-che-rah
Naked man orchid Orchidea dell'uomo nudo [orkidˈɛa dellwˈɔmo nˈudo] oh-rkee-deh-ah dehl oo-oh-moh noo-doh
Snapdragon Bocca di leone [bˈokːa dˈi leˈone] boh-kah dee leh-oh-neh
Buttercup Ranuncolo [ranˈunkolo] rah-noon-koh-loh
Butcher's-broom Pungitopo [pʊnd͡ʒitˈopo] poon-jee-toh-poh
Pimpernel Mordigallina [mordiɡallˈina] mohr-dee gah-lee-nah
Johnny Jump up Viola del pensiero [vjˈɔla dˈel pensiˈɛro] vee-oh-lah dehl pehn-see-ehroh
Bumblebee orchid Calabrone ridente [kalabrˈone ridˈɛnte] kah-lah-broh-neh ree-dehn-teh
Madder Robbia dei tintori [rˈɔbːia dˈe͡ɪ tintˈorɪ] roh-beeah dehee teen-toh-ree
Chocolate cosmos Fior di cioccolato [fjˈɔr dˈi t͡ʃokːolˈato] phee-ohr dee cho-koh-lah-toh
Happy Alien Alieno felice [aliˈɛno felˈit͡ʃe] ah-lee-ehnoh pheh-lee-cheh
Bleeding heart Cuor di Maria [kʊˈɔr dˈi mˌarˈiːa] koo-ohr dee mah-ree-ah
Kangaroo paw Zampa di canguro [d͡zˈampa dˈi kaŋɡˈuro] tsahm-pah dee kahn-goo-roh
Parrot flower Fiore pappagallo [fjˈore papːaɡˈallo] phee-ohreh pah-pah-gah-loh
Bird’s-eye Occhio della Madonna [ˈɔkːio dˈella madˈɔnna] oh-kee-oh dehl-ah mah-doh-nah
Monotropa uniflora Fiore fantasma [fjˈore fantˈazma] phee-ohreh phan-tah-smah
Large Venus’s-looking-glass Specchio di Venere [spˈɛkːio dˈi vˈɛnere] speh-kee-oh dee veh-neh-reh
Umbrella plant Falso papiro [fˈalso papˈiro] phahl-soh pah-pee-roh
Adonis' flower Fiore d’Adone [fjˈore dadˈone] phee-ohreh dah-doh-neh
Goat’s rue Capraggine [kaprˈad͡ʒːine] kah-prah-jee-neh

More names of flowers in Italian

The common Italian flowers above give you a solid foundation, but if you want to expand your horizons, these more exotic flowers will take you to the next level.

You’ll notice that many Italian flower names are rather similar to those in English, which really helps memorization. Still, note that, even if some words are spelled the same, they might be pronounced differently.

Agapanthus flowers in Italian.

English Italian (singular) IPA Pronunciation
Daffodil Narciso [nart͡ʃˈizo] nahr-chee-soh
Water lily Ninfea [ninfˈɛa] neen-pheh-ah
Jasmine Gelsomino [d͡ʒelsomˈino] jehl-soh-mee-noh
Amaranthus Amaranto [amaɾˈanto] ah-mah-rahn-toh
Magnolia Magnolia [maɲˈɔlia] mahn-yoh-lee-ah
Tulip Tulipano [tʊlipˈano] too-lee-pah-noh
Star of Bethlehem Stella di Betlemme [stˈella dˈi betlˈɛmme] steh-lah dee beh-tleh-meh
Calla lily Calla [kˈalla] kah-lah
Alyssum Alisso [alˈis͡so] ah-lee-soh
Mimosa Mimosa [mimˈoza] mee-moh-zah
Lily of the valley Mughetto [mʊɡˈetːo] moo-geh-toh
Marsh mallow Altea [altˈɛa] ahl-teh-ah
Scotch broom Ginestra [d͡ʒinˈɛstra] gee-neh-strah
Foxglove Digitale [did͡ʒitˈale] dee-gee-tah-leh
Camellia Camelia [kamˈɛlia] kah-meh-lee-ah
Fuchsia Fucsia [fˈuksia] fook-see-ah
Speedwell Veronica [verˈɔnika] veh-roh-nee-kah
Apple blossom Fiore di melo [fjˈore dˈi mˈɛlo] phee-ohreh dee meh-loh
Eschscholzia Escolzia [eskˈolt͡sia] eh-skohl-tsee-ah
Freesia Fresia [frezˈia] phreh-see-ah
Amaryllis Amarillide [amarˈillide] ah-mah-ree-lee-deh
Forsythia Forsizia [forsˈit͡sia] phor-see-tsee-ah
Christmas holly Agrifoglio [aɡrifˈɔʎo] ah-gree-phoh-wlhee-oh
Mistletoe Vischio [vˈiskio] vee-skee-oh
Aloe Aloe [alˈoe] ah-loh-eh
Gardenia Gardenia [ɡardˈɛnia] gahr-deh-nee-ah
Dahlia Dalia [dˈalia] dah-lee-ah
Azalea Azalea [ad͡zalˈɛa] ah-tsah-leh-ah
Lotuses Fior di loto [fjˈɔr dˈi lˈɔto] phee-ohr dee loh-toh
Bird of paradise flower Strelitzia [strelˈiθθia] streh-leet-tsee-ah
Celosia Celosia [t͡ʃelozˈia] che-loh-see-ah
Angelica Angelica [and͡ʒˈɛlika] ahn-jeh-lee-kah
Gentian Genziana [d͡ʒent͡sjˈana] jehn-tsee-ah-nah
Hebe Ebe [ˈebe] eh-beh
Gladiolus Gladiolo [ɡladjˈɔlo] glah-dee-oh-loh
Aconite Aconito [akonˈito] ah-koh-nee-toh
St. John's wort Iperico [ipˈɛriko] ee-peh-ree-koh
Goldenrod Asteracea [asterˈat͡ʃea] ah-steh-rah-cheh-ah
Daphne cneorum Dafne odorosa [dˈafne odorˈoza] daph-neh oh-doh-roh-sah
Acacia Acacia [akˈat͡ʃa] ah-kah-chee-ah
Lilac Lillà [lillˈa] lee-lah
Eremurus Eremoro [eremˈɔro] eh-reh-moh-roh
Iris Iris [ˈiris] ee-rees
Guzmania Guzmania [ɡʊt͡smˈania] goos-mah-nee-ah
Chrysanthemum Crisantemo [krizantˈemo] kree-sahn-teh-moh
Alchemilla Alchemilla [alkemˈilla] al-keh-mee-lah
Petunia Petunia [petˈunia] peh-too-nee-ah
Agapanthus Agapanto [aɡapˈanto] ah-gah-pahn-toh
Elder Sambuco [sambˈuko] sahm-boo-koh
Columbine Aquilegia [akwilˈɛd͡ʒa] ah-koo-ee-leh-jee-ah
Feverfew Partenio [partˈenio] pahr-teh-nee-oh
Allium Allium [ˈalliʊm] ah-lee-oom
Hellebore Elleboro [ellebˈɔro] eh-leh-boh-roh
Asphodel Asfodelo [asfodˈɛlo] ahs-pho-deh-loh
Helenium Elenio [elˈenio] eh-leh-nee-oh
Candytuft Iberide [ibˈɛride] ee-beh-ree-deh
Abutilon Abutilon [abʊtˈilon] ah-boo-tee-lohn
Erigeron Erigero [erid͡ʒˈɛro] eh-ree-jeh-roh
Orange blossom Zagara [d͡zˈaɡaɾa] tsah-gah-rah
Mandrake Mandragola [mandrˈaɡola] mahn-drah-goh-lah

More handy floral words in Italian

The key to true fluency is to go beyond the broad terms for flowers, plants, veggies and fruits in Italian, and get into the details. Learning the individual flower parts, and the essential garden tools will help get you fluent fast.

A florist selling flowers in Italian.

English Italian (singular) IPA Pronunciation
Petal Petalo [pˈɛtalo] peh-tah-loh
Corolla Corolla [korˈɔlla] koh-roh-lah
Plant Pianta [pjˈanta] pee-ahn-tah
Stem Stelo [stˈɛlo] steh-loh
Stalk Gambo [ɡˈambo] gahm-boh
Reed Canna [kˈanna] kahn-nah
Root Radice [radˈit͡ʃe] rah-dee-che
Leaf Foglia [fˈɔʎa] phoh-wlhee-ah
Thorn Spina [spˈina] spee-nah
Pollen Polline [pˈɔlline] poh-lee-neh
Seed Seme [sˈeme] seh-meh
Sprout Germoglio [d͡ʒermˈoʎo] jehr-moh-wlhee-oh
Bud Bocciolo [bˈot͡ʃːolo] boh-cho-loh
Branch Ramo [rˈamo] rah-moh
Twig Ramoscello [ramoʃˈɛllo] rah-moh-shelloh
Bouquet Mazzo [mˈat͡sːo] mah-tsoh
Gardener Giardiniere [d͡ʒardiniˈɛre] jahr-dee-nee-eh-reh
Florist Fiorista [fjorˈista] phee-oh-ree-stah
Vase Vaso [vˈazo] vah-zoh
Wildflower Fiore di campo [fjˈore dˈi kˈampo] phee-ohreh dee kahm-poh
Greenhouse Serra [sˈɛrɾa] sehr-rah
Watering can Annaffiatoio [annaffjatˈojo] ah-nah-phee-ah-toh-ee-oh
Fertilizer Fertilizzante [fertilid͡zːˈante] pher-tee-lee-tsahn-teh

Floral verbs in Italian

Having nouns without verbs is like planting seeds without water. You need verbs to make your garden nouns sprout into beautiful, colorful, fragrant flowers. Here are some useful verbs that will help your Italian vocabulary grow and bloom.

English Italian IPA Pronunciation
To plant Piantare [pjantˈare] pee-ahn-tah-reh
To bloom Fiorire [fjorˈire] phee-oh-ree-reh
To wither Sfiorire [sfjorˈire] sphee-oh-ree-reh
To blossom Sbocciare [zbot͡ʃːˈare] sboh-cha-reh
To wilt Appassire [apːas͡sˈire] ahp-pah-see-reh
To sprout Germogliare [d͡ʒermoʎˈare] jehr-moh-wlhee-ah-reh
To pot Invasare [invazˈare] een-vah-zah-reh
To water Annaffiare [annaffjˈare] ahn-nah-phee-ah-reh
To sow Seminare [seminˈare] seh-mee-nah-reh
To trim Potare [potˈare] poh-tah-reh
To sever Recidere [ret͡ʃˈidere] reh-chee-deh-reh

How to go flower shopping in Italy

When done right, flowers are the perfect gift. Did you know that now you can have beautiful flowers delivered right to your special someone’s doorstep? We’ve rounded up the best flower delivery services that send all kinds of blooms and greenery across the Bel Paese:

How to order from a flower vendor

Below, we've collected phrases and example sentences that will be useful to you when shopping for flowers in Italy. You definitely want to know what to say when asking for a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses to impress your Italian crush on Valentine’s Day, or to surprise your best friend with a bunch of bright yellow flowers, don’t you? Here you go.

To buy a flower bouquet in Italy, you can say:

Italian English
Buongiorno, vorrei regalare dei fiori a un’amica per il suo compleanno. Good morning, I would like to give flowers to a friend for her birthday.
Buongiorno, vorrei regalare un mazzo di fiori a mia madre per la festa della mamma. Good morning, I would like to give a bouquet of flowers to my mom for Mother’s Day.
Buongiorno, vorrei regalare dei fiori alla mia fidanzata per festeggiare il nostro anniversario. Good morning, I would like to give flowers to my girlfriend to celebrate our anniversary.
Buongiorno, mi servirebbero dei fiori, per favore. Good morning, I need some flowers, please.

Haven’t made up your mind yet? Simply say:

  • Buongiorno, mi servirebbero dei fiori, per favore.
  • Good morning, I need some flowers, please.

Say it with flowers in Italian

Flowers have been used for centuries as a way for people to share emotions, sentiments and feelings they can’t express in words.

Here is a brief guide to the meaning behind some of the most popular flowers:

Lavender is believed to symbolize serenity and calmness in Italy.

  • Pink roses and yellow lilies are said to represent gratitude, so give them as a thoughtful thank you gift.
  • Yellow roses symbolize friendship and care. Use them to surprise a close friend and brighten their day.
  • Loaded with fragrance, long-stemmed red roses, red tulips, orchids and peonies mean love, romance, beauty, and fascination.
  • White roses, lilies and dahlias are believed to symbolize innocence, eternity and purity, that’s why they're often found in weddings.
  • Buttercups symbolize charm, attraction, and radiance.
  • Pink lilies and dahlias represent femininity and kindness.
  • Pink carnations represent motherly love, which makes them the perfect choice for a Mother's Day gift.
  • Orange lilies are representations of confidence.
  • Peonies and white carnations can represent good luck.
  • Lavender is believed to symbolize serenity and calmness.
  • Tulips and daffodils are the best choice if you’re asking for forgiveness in Italian.

As you can see, when words won’t cut it, Italian flowers are always there to do all the heavy lifting! The next time you’re ordering plants online, then, think about the meaning behind the flowers you’re picking.

You can learn a lot of things from the flowers

Do you remember the lovely, operetta-like choral song that a large group of beautiful flowers sing in the animated movie Alice in Wonderland? I do, even if it’s been over 30 years since I saw Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie for the first time. I remember that, when I was little, I was obsessed with this song, which is called “Nel Meriggio d'Or” in Italian. Listen to it, and check out the lyrics below.

Disney songs are extremely valuable in learning Italian, because they stick in the mind, cram plenty of Italian words into a few lines, and embed vocabulary and grammar in a meaningful context.

Wow, your Italian vocabulary is growing into a lush garden

Well done for making it to the end of this floral lesson! Now that you know all the basics, take care of the seeds you just planted, test out your green thumb, and watch your flower vocabulary grow and flourish!

Just as Italian flowers need to be watered, your Italian needs to be maintained if you want it to grow and flourish. Keep the joyful maintenance up on our free Italian blog lessons here.

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