October is one of the most exciting months—it’s when we go all in on pumpkin spice, and marks the start of the spooky season. There are a million things to celebrate! And what better way to celebrate this inherently festive month than with the two October birth flowers? Yes, we’re talking about the marigold and the cosmos. Two gorgeous blooms that perfectly capture that special fall feeling.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect floral birthday gift or just want to learn more about these autumn blooms, let’s dive into the world of October’s birth flowers.
Related: What Is Your Birth Flower? Find Out the Meaning Behind the Blooms for Each Month
What Are October’s Birth Flowers?
October has two beautiful birth flowers to call its very own: the marigold and the cosmos.
Eka Dara, founder of Edelweiss Floral Atelier, explains, “They are both vibrant flowers that can be enjoyed as plants in your garden as well as cut flowers inside your home.”
Hannah Bonham Blackwell, founder and Lead Creative Director at Southside Blooms, adds a fun tip: “You don’t have to choose between them because they look beautiful together in a bouquet. If you want to add some extra fun to your October birthday cake, you can use marigolds (that haven’t been treated with chemicals) as cake decor. They’re edible!”
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What Does the Marigold Symbolize?
Marigolds carry different meanings across cultures. Dara shares that in Mexico, marigolds take a big part in the celebration of Día de los Muertos. “Their bright orange and yellow colors and distinctive smell are said to attract the souls of those who passed away,” she shares. “In Hinduism, they have purifying and protective properties.”
Blackwell adds, “The bright yellow blossoms remind me of the sun so it makes sense that they can represent warmth and joy—just like the sun does. They are also symbols of remembrance.”
Related: What Is Your State Flower? Your Guide to All 50 Blooms from Alabama to Wyoming
Marigold in History
Marigolds have a fascinating history, especially in medicine. Dara shares, “The Aztecs believed marigolds could cure hiccups and were used in treatments for infections and skin diseases. In European herbal medicine, marigolds were used to reduce inflammation, heal wounds, and treat skin conditions.”
Blackwell highlights their native status: “Marigolds are native to the U.S., which means they’ve been used in arrangements here for centuries. They don’t need to be imported from overseas to create arrangements. This helps reduce the carbon footprint of using them in bouquets.”
How to Care for Marigolds
Dara shares that there are three main types of Marigolds: French Marigolds, larger African Marigolds, and the daisy-looking Signet Marigolds. “French Marigolds are easy to grow from seeds, and African Marigolds are easy to grow from as a small plant,” she explains. “Marigolds thrive in full sun and bloom from late summer to the early frost depending on the variety.”
For cut flowers, Blackwell says that marigolds, in general, are thirsty. “So, get them into a clean vase filled with clean water the moment you cut them (and be sure to make the cut at a 45-degree angle),” she suggests. “They do best if you cut them just as the buds start to open. Some people don’t like how marigolds smell. You can eliminate some odor by removing the leaves.”
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What Do Cosmos Symbolize?
According to Dara, cosmos symbolize beauty, harmony and balance. “The word ‘Cosmos’ is derived from the Greek term ‘kosmos,’ which literally means ‘beauty’ or ‘harmony.'”
Blackwell adds, “You can use alliteration to remember this; cosmos are calming. They commonly symbolize serenity. Like roses, different colors can represent different things. White can represent purity, pink stands for a mother’s love.”
Related: 18 Rose Color Meanings
Cosmos in History
Cosmos have traveled far and wide. Dara notes, “Cosmos originated from Central America. They were then transported by Spanish explorers in the 16th century and traveled all the way to Asia in the 19th century. They have since become one of the beloved Japanese flowers of fall.”
Blackwell adds an interesting etymological note: “The name cosmos comes from the Greek word that can mean order. That reflects the flowers’ symmetry. They have a long history in traditional medicine. Central and South American people often made oils out of cosmos then used these oils to treat things as varied as eczema and Malaria.”
How to Care for Cosmos
Dara explains, “There are two primary types of Cosmos: Cosmos sulphureus, which produces blooms in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red, with small, flat leaves, and Cosmos bipinnatus, which typically produces blooms in shades of white or various shades of pink.”
For growing cosmos, she advises, “Cosmos seeds can be planted indoors first or directly in the ground after the risk of frost is over. Cosmos plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. The tallest varieties can grow up to 6 feet tall. They bloom from mid-summer to early frost.”
For cut flowers, Blackwell recommends, “Before you place them in a vase, cut about half an inch of the stem off at a 45-degree angle. Do them one at a time so you don’t waste any time getting them right into the water. Be gentle while you do this because cosmos are quite delicate.”
Whether you choose the sunny marigold or the serene cosmos (or both! Why not both!?), October birth flowers offer a beautiful way to celebrate fabulous fall birthdays. As Blackwell notes, they look beautiful together in a bouquet, giving you the best of both worlds!
October Birth Flower Tattoo Ideas
1. Delicate Design
@simi.tattoos ✨ October ✨ birth month flowers #tattoo #tattoodesigns #art #viral #tiktoksouthafrica #fyp #tattooideas #tattooartist #foryou
♬ Just a Cloud Away – Pharrell Williams
2. Cute Cosmos
@mikel_ink_ Octobver birth flower Fine line tattoo 🙂 ✨Cosmos✨ Love this feminine tattoo so mich! #finelinetattooideas #finelinetattooartist #femininetattoos #octoberbirthflower #birthflowerstattoo #birthflowers
♬ Crimson And Clover – The Shacks
Related: What Do Flower Tattoos Symbolize, Exactly? Plus, the Prettiest, Daintiest Floral Tattoo Designs To See
3. Darling Duo
@liveforlines Birth Month Flower Tattoos. Which one next?
♬ Eat Your Young – Hozier
Up Next:
– What Is the March Birth Flower?
– What Is the April Birth Flower? Celebrate April Birthdays With This Fabulous Bloom
– May Has 2 Birth Flowers—Here’s What They Symbolize
– The Month of June Has 2 Birth Flowers to Choose From—Here’s What They Symbolize
– July Has 2 Birth Flowers to Choose From—Here’s What They Symbolize
– August Has 2 Birth Flowers to Choose From—Here’s What They Symbolize
– Everything To Know About September’s 2 Birth Flowers
Related: Here’s Exactly What Your Month’s Birthstone Says About Your Personality
