Soft hues like white have a soothing effect on the soul. They are cherished not only for their serene beauty but also for their ability to complement nature’s vibrant color spectrum. Symbolizing innocence, peace, and purity, they are often used in weddings, funerals, and gifting occasions as expressions of hope and new beginnings. Their graceful appearance also makes them a popular choice for home decor, bringing a sense of tranquility to indoor spaces.
These delicate blooms grace gardens from spring through late fall, adding a touch of elegance and quiet charm to outdoor spaces for much of the year. According to a 2022 New York Globe analysis, white flowers have become the most requested wedding color, with soaring demand pushing their per-stem cost up by 25 to 50 percent. Poppy Flowers’ 2024 Wedding Floral Trends report further revealed that in 2023, 25 percent of couples chose an ‘Elegant White’ palette for their bouquets, and 17 percent of all Poppy weddings featured primarily white blooms.
However, not all white flowers are suitable for every home. Some, like lilies, daffodils, and hydrangeas, can be toxic to pets. Lilies, for example, are especially dangerous to cats; ingestion of even a small amount can lead to kidney failure. Thus, for pet-friendly households, safer alternatives such as white peonies and Arabian jasmine offer beauty without the risk.
Name | Appearance & Fragrance | Toxicity to Pets |
---|---|---|
Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Elegant, trumpet-shaped white flower
![]() None | Moderate |
Iceberg Rose
Rosa ‘Climbing Iceberg’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Classic white petals with soft blush undertones
![]() Mild | Non-toxic |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Creamy white flowers
![]() Strong | Moderate |
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tiny bell-shaped white flowers
![]() Strong | High |
White Peony
Paeonia spp. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Lush, romantic blooms with soft white ruffles
![]() Mild | Non-toxic |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rounded clusters of creamy white flowers
![]() None | Moderate |
Tulip ‘White Triumphator’
Tulipa ‘White Triumphator’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Lily-shaped snow-white petals
![]() Mild | Moderate |
White Carnation*
Dianthus caryophyllus ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ruffled, snow-white petals with serrated edges
![]() Mild | Moderate |
White Chrysanthemum*
Chrysanthemum spp. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pom-pom style blooms with dense white petals
![]() None | Moderate |
Snowdrop
Galanthus spp ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Drooping bell-like white flowers
![]() Mild | Toxic |
White Lotus*
Nelumbo nucifera ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Large, snow-white petals with a yellow center
![]() Strong | Non-toxic |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rose-like layered white petals with glossy foliage
![]() Mild | Non-toxic |
Arabian Jasmine
Jasminum sambac ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Small star-shaped blooms
![]() Strong | Non-toxic |
Moonflower
Ipomoea alba ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Elegant, trumpet-shaped white flower
![]() Strong | High |
Moth Orchid (White Phalaenopsis)
Phalaenopsis spp. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Graceful, waxy white petals with yellow centers
![]() None | Non-toxic |
Dahlia ‘White Perfection’
Dahlia pinnata ‘White Perfection’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Symmetrical, showy white petals
![]() Mild | Moderate |
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Gigantic creamy blooms with a lemony scent
![]() Strong | Non-toxic |
Sweet Alyssum ‘Carpet of Snow’
Lobularia maritima ‘Carpet of Snow’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tiny white flowers forming dense carpets
![]() Strong | Non-toxic |
White Ranunculus
Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Amandine White’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Layered, rose-like white petals with green bases
![]() Mild | Moderate |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Large, tropical white blooms with yellow throats
![]() None | Non-toxic |
Poet’s Daffodil
Narcissus poeticus ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Star-shaped white petals with orange centers
![]() Strong | High |
Madagascar Jasmine
Stephanotis floribunda ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Waxy, star-shaped, white flowers
![]() Strong | Moderate |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cup-shaped white petals with a black to dark purple center
![]() None | Moderate |
White Dwarf Crested Iris
Iris cristata ‘Alba’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tiny white blooms with crested edges
![]() None | Toxic |
Canada Anemone
Anemonastrum canadense ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Open white petals with golden centers
![]() None | Moderate |
Oxeye Daisy#
Leucanthemum vulgare ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bright white daisy-like blooms with yellow centers
![]() None | Moderate |
Armand Clematis
Clematis armandii ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Five-pointed white star flowers in clusters
![]() Mild | Moderate |
African Daisy (White Daisy Bush)
Dimorphotheca ecklonis ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Daisy-like petals with a vivid purple center
![]() None | Non-toxic |
Geraldton Waxflower ‘White’*
Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘White’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Star-shaped white flowers with a waxy texture
![]() Mild | Non-toxic |
White Peruvian Lily*
Alstroemeria ‘White Pearls’ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Creamy white petals with blush tones and a yellow-streaked throat
![]() None | Moderate |
When it comes to special occasions, white flowers never disappoint. Among the many varieties, white roses, calla lilies, and white hydrangeas are especially popular in wedding floral arrangements. In contrast, lilies and chrysanthemums are commonly sent to grieving families at funerals, symbolizing honor and hope. Whether enhancing our mood or elevating the aesthetic appeal of our homes, white blooms remain consistently in high demand.