43 Beautiful Types of Red Flowers

Red Flowers for Spring

1. Rose

These are probably the first to come to your mind the moment you think of red flowers. Red roses, symbolizing love, passion, and romance, are irreplaceable in most flower arrangements and bouquets.

With thousands of varieties and cultivars, most roses are easy to grow, with the flowers blooming from spring to fall. 

2. Hyacinth

Often used in bouquets, hyacinths are small, fragrant flowers that bloom in large clusters. Their sweet smell makes them ideal as cut flowers for indoor floral arrangements and decorations.

It blooms in spring, and though the purple variety is the most common, the crimson flowers are no less attractive.

3. Lily

Like roses, lilies are among the most common and beautiful flowers used as cut flowers. At the same time, they are popularly grown in home gardens as well. The large flowers come in various shades of red and pink, and since they stand for rebirth, they are commonly used in spring flower arrangements.  

Lilies are pretty easy to grow, blooming from early summer to fall.

4. Tulip

Tulips come in almost all the colors you can imagine, with these red ones holding a special place in floral arrangements and bouquets. The dark red flower on top of its bright green stem looks striking, whether growing in a garden or as cut flowers. These are popular as wedding flowers with a red color theme.

Tulips bloom during spring, being one the most common choice for Easter flower arrangements.

5. Canna

Cannas, also known as canna lilies, are unique flag-like flowers growing at the top of tall stems. The delicate flower clusters make good cut flowers, and their long stems make them a good choice for centerpieces and bouquets.

Blooming throughout spring, these flowers invariably bring a tropical feel to the décor.

6. Peony

These large fragrant flowers come in shades of white, pink, and red, blooming from spring through summer. The red flowers growing among the dark green leathery leaves look especially attractive when grown in gardens. These flowers stand for courage, honor, and fortune.

7. Azalea

These delicate-looking magenta flowers are related to rhododendrons. Still, unlike them, azaleas are evergreen, deciduous shrubs that can grow over 8 feet tall. 

The funnel-shaped flowers bloom in clusters from spring through summer and fall. They symbolize family and home.

8. Gloxinia

These dark red velvety flowers look like miniature roses. The plants flower profusely in spring, with the blooms lasting for two months, but once the first season is over, the plants never flower again. 

9. Marigold

These are popular garden plants, with the flowers having insect-repelling properties. The hardy plants are easy to grow as well. 

Though the yellow and orange varieties are more common, red marigolds are equally beautiful, blooming from spring all the way through fall. The flowers stand for inner strength and encouragement, while in some cultures, they represent death and resurrection.

10. Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus)

Carnations are among the most popular flowers for bouquets as they stand for affection and admiration, making them ideal for gifting, especially for a first wedding anniversary. 

The large red flowers bloom around the end of spring, lasting all through summer.

11. Poinsettia

Poinsettias symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and are deeply associated with Christmas. So much so that whenever you see flower arrangements with the flower, it brings the joy of Christmas to mind.

The flowers bloom in winter, continuing through spring. They can be pretty tricky to grow, especially to make them bloom as red and gorgeous as they are supposed to be. 

12. Salvia

These flowers look similar to lavenders, and though not as sweet-smelling, they have a characteristic scent that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. The common spice, chia seeds, comes from one of the many types of salvia.

The flowers bloom in spring and last all summer. However, these self-seeding plants are highly invasive.

13. Verbena

The small flowers bloom in clusters from spring through summer and are often used in floral arrangements. They are popular as dried flowers as well. The trailing growth habit of these plants makes them a good option for hanging planters. They make lovely groundcover as well.

14. Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is popular with florists as they can be dyed easily to any darker pigmentation. The gorgeous red trumpet-shaped flowers look kind of like lilies, causing them to commonly be called Peruvian lilies.

The flowers bloom during spring and summer.

15. Gerbera Daisy

One of the most popular flowers for gifting and any flower arrangement, gerbera daisies come in almost all shades. The red gerbera daisies look stunning, with large 3-5 inch flowerheads symbolizing true love and affection.

The flowers start to bloom late in spring, continuing through fall.

16. Columbine

These drooping bell-shaped flowers are reminiscent of an eagle’s talons, hence their scientific name Aquilegia, derived from ‘aquila,’ the Latin word for eagle. Since the plants need a lot of water, they make good rain garden plants.

The red flowers have a yellow center, with yellow at the tops of the petals. They bloom from spring to summer, and though relatively short-lived, they are a favorite of hummingbirds.

17. Sweet peas

Named after their sweet fragrance, these delicate-looking flowers are great at attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. A popular choice for flower arrangements and floral decorations, the flowers stand for romance and kindness.

The flowers bloom from spring through fall. 

18. Petunia

Native to South America, these plants have gained widespread popularity among gardeners and florists due to their small star-shaped flowers.

The flowers bloom in spring, lasting through fall up until frost. They represent a feeling of resentment and anger. Their negative meaning does not keep them from being a popular choice for floral arrangements and bouquets.

19. Amaryllis

These trumpet-shaped flowers, blooming on top of their tall green stems, are among the most recognizable ones, often used in floral arrangements alongside tulips and other bright summer flowers.

Commonly associated with Christmas, their hardiness and height represent inner strength, determination, and pride.

20. Anemone

The red anemones resemble poppy flowers, with black centers that render them even more attractive.

They bloom in spring, representing love, which makes them a popular choice for wedding flowers.

21. Ranunculus (Buttercups)

These bright red flowers, growing on long stems, make excellent cut flowers as they can last for over a week in a vase or a bouquet.

The many-petal flowers bloom in spring and summer, symbolizing beauty and charm. They are also known as Coyote’s Eyes.

22. Freesia

Freesias come in plenty of different colors, with the red ones standing for friendship and innocence. Also symbolizing trust between two people, they are the flowers to gift on a seventh wedding anniversary.

The flowers arrive around springtime, lasting through summer.

Red Flowers for Summer

(Most of these last till fall)

1. Pentas

Small ruby-red star-shaped flowers, also known as the Egyptian star cluster, these bloom in large clusters that look good in table centerpieces and flower vase arrangements.

The blooms last all summer and are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The flowers also come in other pastel shades.

2. Hardy Chrysanthemum

Often referred to simply as ‘mums’, hardy chrysanthemums are a good choice for a fall garden. If growing them, go for the ‘hardy’ variety as the others are not good at withstanding the winter temperatures.

The flowers come in different shapes and sizes, from tiny pom-pom-shaped flowers to large ones that look somewhat like giant daisies. They bloom in summer, lasting till late fall.

3. Poppy

Poppies are probably one of the most beautiful red flowers, with their frilly petals and black center. They symbolize lasting peace and death. With the high opium content, these flowers are highly toxic but still a favorite among gardeners and florists.

They bloom in summer, with the plants going dormant in fall. In England, the flowers represent the sacrifice of the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.

4. Dahlia

These flowers come in different colors, with the red dahlia, in its multiple varieties and sizes, making a bold statement. The flowers range from 3-4 inches to giant 12-inch dinner plate varieties and are ideal for floral centerpieces.

The plants bloom from summer to fall, lasting when most other flowers are gone. Due to this, it is associated with lasting human bonds.

5. Calla Lily

Not true lilies, the velvety blood-red, bell-shaped red calla lilies are particularly popular as cut flowers. They are often grown as houseplants as well.

The flowers bloom early to late summer and symbolize love, passion, and courage. They are often associated with Easter.

6. Lycoris (Spider Lily)

The name spider lily refers to several similar-looking flowers, with lycoris being among the most recognizable ones. The red flowers look like upside-down spiders, with small petals and multiple long stamens.

Flowers appear on top of long green stems in late summer when the leaves are already gone, giving the plants a naked look, earning them the common name ‘naked ladies.’ Native to Asia, these flowers are associated with reincarnation.

7. Geranium

Though the white and pink versions are more common, the red geraniums are an excellent option for centerpieces and relatively easy to grow. Ideal for pots and planters, you can grow them indoors as long as you have a balcony or window where there’s a lot of sunlight.

The flowers have a pleasant peppery smell and bloom profusely from early summer to fall. 

8. Daylily

Yet another ‘lily’ that’s not a true member of the Lilium genus, daylilies are hardy perennials with trumpet-shaped flowers with six petals. The plants grow quickly, with the large flowers blooming on top of the leafless stems. Due to this, they are an excellent choice for mass planting.

The flowers start blooming early in summer. Though each flower lasts only about a day, each plant has a high bud count, blooming for weeks. These make excellent cut flowers.

9. Cosmos

These ruby-red flowers are native to Mexico and are referred to as ‘Rubenza’ for their vibrant color and hardy nature. With proper support, the plants can grow quite tall, so they are often planted along fences and walls. 

The flowers bloom in summer and last well into the fall. They stay fresh for quite a long time, even as cut flowers.

10. Hibiscus

One of the most recognizable tropical flowers, hibiscus comes in a number of varieties with vibrant red flowers as large as 8-9 inches in diameter.

The trumpet-shaped flowers have one long stamen, their most recognizable feature. They bloom from early summer to fall. 

11. Red Sunflower

Sunflowers, with their typical bright yellow color, stand for happiness, while the red variety represents strength and positivity, looking no less cheerful.

The flowers bloom in summer, with the wine-red flowers being perfect for a fall flower arrangement.

12. Cardinal Flower

Since these plants grow best in wet locations with a lot of moisture, they are great for waterside and rain gardens. The name comes from the shocking red color of the flowers that resemble the color of the robes of the Cardinals of the Catholic Church.

The flowers bloom late in summer, lasting till fall. The bronze-tinted dark green foliage remains colorful and attractive even when the blooming season is over.

13. Scarlet Bee Balm

Named after their ability to attract bees, these plants belong to the mint family and are used in fragrances for their pleasant aromatic scent. They are great at attracting hummingbirds and butterflies as well.

Blooming all through the summer, these compact round flowers stand for prosperity and protection from evil.

14. Cockscomb (Celosia)

The large compact velvety flowers look like a rooster’s comb, hence the name. These are great for adding a spot of color to a landscape or any floral arrangement.

The flowers appear in summer, continuing to bloom till early fall. They work great as dried flowers as well. 

15. Coneflower

These long-lasting flowers represent inner strength and healing, being amazing as both cut and dried flowers. As they attract songbirds and butterflies, coneflowers can also be a good addition to any garden.

The plants are good at tolerating drought conditions, blooming profusely throughout the summer. The flowers are edible, too, often used for herbal teas.

16. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

The bright and warm color of blanket flowers is great for floral centerpieces and flower vase arrangements – lending a cheerful look to any place.

The flowers bloom in summer, lasting till fall. Even with this relatively short blooming season, these self-seeding plants are a good option for ground covers as they quickly ‘blanket’ the area.

17. Prickly Pear

A type of cactus with red flowers, prickly pear can grow over 15 feet wide and 10 feet tall. So, the main thing to keep in mind before growing it is that there should be enough space. Being a cactus, its wide pads can grow at odd angles.

The cup-shaped flowers appear in summer and can be of different shades of warm orange to red. 

Red Flowers for Winter

1. Begonia

These gorgeous double flowers come in various colors, but the red ones look especially striking, whether in bloom among the dark foliage or arranged in bouquets with other flowers.

The small solid red flowers with a small yellow center bloom in clusters through the summer until frost. They stand for gratitude and respect while also symbolizing a new beginning.

2. Amaranthus

Originally from Africa and India, amaranthus has an interesting appearance where tiny flowers grow in long drooping stalks that look like magenta ropes.

The flowers bloom in summer, continuing till frost. Amaranthus makes perfect cut flowers as they retain their color and beauty even after drying completely. This is why these flowers often symbolize everlasting life.

3. Camellia

These dark green bushes with leathery foliage grow best in Southern climates. The fragrant compact semi-double flowers can add a cheerful note to any garden or flower arrangement.

The flowers bloom in winter.

4. Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus is most popular as a houseplant, which can flower all through the year with proper care when placed indoors. The small trumpet-shaped flowers can add a nice pop of red against the dark green foliage.