50 Pretty White Flowers to Plant in Your Garden
From classic roses to white bluebonnets.
Just as some people prefer dogs to cats, there are those who prefer colorful flowers to traditional houseplants, ferns, and climbing vines. Whether you plant them as a pop of color in a garden bed, a border along a front walkway, or a complement to a planter's color palette, white flowers are every bit as beautiful as more pigmented blooms. Because the color symbolizes renewal, purity, and healing, many white flowers are used ceremoniously for everything from births to weddings to funerals. The history of white flowers is long and rich, from the Dutch who bred cabbage roses in the 15th century to the many Eastern cultures who used jasmine as an herbal tea and natural medicine.
When you're deciding what type of white flowers to grow or add to your garden, it's important to consider more than just which ones you like the best. You need to make sure that the soil and sunlight conditions where you want to plant them meet their needs. Many flowers are hardy, and perennials can continue to bloom for decades when they're planted and cared for properly. You should also consider whether the flowers you like are safe for pets and humans, especially if you have a dog or cat or children who may come into contact with them. White flowers such as lily of the valley and yarrow are poisonous to pets and sometimes humans, so be cautious when planting or displaying toxic white flowers in high traffic or easily accessible areas.
The most popular white flower to grow is the classic white rose, but the peace lily is the most popular one to share as a gift. Carnations and cosmos symbolize first and second marriage anniversaries, respectively.
From petite yarrow to towering magnolias, read on to learn more about the 50 most beautiful white flowers to plant in your garden and use in bouquets.
Tuberose
Best known as a heady floral note in elegant perfumes, the tuberose flower is a tall-growing perennial.
Hellebore
Commonly called potter’s wheel or Christmas rose, hellebore is a perennial flower that blooms from late winter to early spring. It's perfect to add some to your evergreens when the rest is dormant.
Flowering Dogwood
Native to the eastern United States, flowering dogwood trees bloom in the spring before revealing their seed pods in the early summer. The flowers can be white or pink, so double check before buying your tree.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a fast-growing flower that looks more like a fern when clustered together. Left unchecked, it can take over a garden, so just remember to prune it back.
Ranunculus
Known for its dense, spiraling petals, ranunculus looks gorgeous in bouquets and comes in a wide range of colors including pure.
Cosmos
This annual flower features long, spindly stems, and it thrives in warm, sunny climates. Like ranunculus, it's a beautiful and useful addition to a cutting garden.
Chrysanthemum
The signature birth flower of November, mums are large, bushy flowers that can grow up to 16 inches high and 18 inches wide. They do extremely well in porch planters.
Lupine
Native to Nordic countries, lupine (aka bluebonnet or Texas bluebonnet) is famous for its purple hue, but it can also be white.
Begonia
Petite and delicate, begonia flowers thrive in tropical climates, including the southern United States, where they get ample sun and humidity.
Primrose
One of the first spring flowers to bloom, primrose often symbolizes youth, optimism, and renewal. They have a gorgeous fragrance and bloom at night, making them perfect for a moon garden.
Cabbage Rose
A more delicate version of their cousin the Damascus rose, cabbage roses are a hybrid species native to France. They're known for their light, honey-like scent and rounded blooms with creamy petals.
Water Lily
Actually an aquatic web, water lilies thrive when they receive up to six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Candytuft
A bushy, stout plant, candytuft blooms from spring to early summer and has standard care needs, including an ample amount of sun.
Rose
Classic and traditional, white roses symbolize purity and clear intentions. With their long stems, they're perfect for cutting gardens and arrangements.
Anemone
This hardy perennial requires a fair amount of water and partial sun to thrive. We love the personality they bring to loose bouquets and floral arrangements.
Orchid
Finicky to grow but immensely rewarding, orchids thrive in tropical-like climates with ample humidity. Caring for orchid plants indoors can take practice, but when you get their watering needs right you'll enjoy long-lasting blooms.
Foxglove
Reaching up to four feet in height, the foxglove flower thrives in the sun, but it likes some shade when the temperatures get too hot.
Narcissus
Also known as a daffodil, this sun-loving flower is also popular in its vibrant yellow variation. Plant the bulbs to enjoy year after year.
Magnolia
Flowering from late winter into early spring when its branches are still bare, this plant brings new life to any garden and smells divine.
Baby's Breath
Traditionally used in wedding bouquets and baby shower florals, baby's breath is an invasive species that grows low to the ground.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
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