July Babies Have Two Birth Flowers — and Their Meaning Is Surprisingly Spot-On

Fact-Checked by Olivia DeLong |

July marks a season of independence, from carefree summer days to Fourth of July celebrations. So it's fitting that a baby born this month is said to have an independent spirit! Here's more about what the larkspur and water lily suggest about your little one with a big personality.

July babies are associated with two birth flowers: larkspur and water lily. Both flowers symbolize positive qualities and suggest that July-born children may have creative, joyful, and adventurous personalities.
Larkspur represents uniqueness and positivity. July babies may be independent thinkers who embrace unexpected ideas and see the world differently from others.
The water lily symbolizes purity, determination, and strength. July babies tend to be honest, strong-willed personalities with the determination to overcome challenges.

What are the July birth flowers?

If you have a July baby, her birth flowers are the blue larkspur and the majestic water lily.

The larkspur's scentless, dainty petals may seem like polar opposites of the water lily's fragrant, dinner-plate-sized blooms, but both suggest that you have adventures in store with your little one. She's sure to be a creative, joyous child who's bound to keep you on your toes. Who knows what she'll think up next?!

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Larkspur: Unexpected, yet positive

Larkspurs' blooms are at their best in July. These wild cousins of the annual delphinium are native to the northern hemisphere and don tall cones of blue or purple flowers. Larkspurs have no scent, but that's certainly not holding back this beautiful flower.

While blue may seem abundant on Earth (think sky and sea), blue is the rarest color among plants and animals. This might be how larkspur has gained such a unique mythology — our ancestors were just trying to figure out how this plant got here! In medieval Italy, larkspur was associated with dragon's blood, while the North American Pawnee have a legend that larkspur flowers are fallen crumbs of sky.

All of this is to say, expect the unexpected with your July baby. The good news is that every unexpected thing your little one does will be fueled by her truly positive and loving nature. This is what makes larkspur children a joy to be around. Do your best to embrace her wild ideas — she'll see things in a way that no one else does, and that's what makes her unique.

Water lily: Determined and pure

Known as the queen of the water, water lilies are found in the shallow water of ponds and lakes, as well as slow-moving streams. Recognizable year-round by their floating, round, shiny leaves, water lilies produce their signature starburst blooms and sweet, lemony fragrance in July's heat.

Water lilies can be found all over the world — the largest are found in the Amazon River basin with flowers up to 18 inches in diameter and leaves big and buoyant enough to hold up that July infant of yours.

Water lily children were recognized by Victorian authors and poets for their purity of heart, and if the Amazon water lily has any influence, they've got impressive strength of both body and mind. As your July baby continues to grow into her honest, determined disposition, she'll rarely meet an obstacle she can't overcome.

How can I incorporate the larkspur and water lily into our family's life?

Using these unique flowers as inspiration for home decor, colorful landscaping, or a DIY craft can be a special way to honor your child's birth month — and personality. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Grow them. Unless you happen to own a private pond, water lilies might be a little difficult to grow at home. However, larkspur is an easygoing wildflower that enjoys full sun and well-drained soil. A note of caution: Larkspur flowers are toxic, so make sure to plant them out of reach of children and pets, or wait until your child is a bit older and understands not to eat them.
Go blue. Larkspur's rare blue is the ideal excuse to go blue in the baby nursery to promote serenity and relaxation (perfect for getting that little one to embrace a regular sleep schedule!). Check out this light blue nursery for inspiration, or hone in on your aesthetic via your favorite online image search.
Embrace a little lily pad play. Crochet, buy, or DIY your way to a sensory lily pad activity for your little one. Some fun ideas include a lily pad-shaped playmat (fabric) or stepping stones (cement for the garden or foam cutouts for indoors), or even a crocheted lily pad blanket with 3-D lilies for tummy time.
Invest in paintings and prints. Whether botanical prints of larkspur or enchanted pond paintings are more your style, celebrate your July baby with some beautiful floral art on her nursery wall — or even around your home.
Get crafty. As your little one reaches the preschool years, there's plenty of fun to be had with tissue paper paintings inspired by Claude Monet's oil painting series, "Water Lilies." And if you're looking for a craft for your own enjoyment, check out these larkspur-inspired paper wreaths to hang in the nursery.