Plants of the Christian Church: How Flowers and Faith Grew Together Through History
- The Economic Botanist
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
This article is about the fascinating history of plants of the Christian Church and their symbolism.
“Flowers have always preached their own small sermons; the Church simply listened.” – The Economic Botanist
When we walk into a church decorated with lilies at Easter or see holly branches at Christmas, it can feel like these traditions have “always” been there. But the relationship between plants and Christian symbolism actually has a long, fascinating history.
After ancient Rome shifted from pagan religion to Christianity, early Church leaders made a wise and intentional choice: instead of fighting people’s love of nature-based symbols, they embraced it. Communities already had strong emotional connections to certain plants from older religions. So the Church gave new Christian meanings to familiar flowers, herbs, and trees.
This is how plants became active partners in worship—helping people understand spiritual ideas through the natural world around them.
Much of this floral symbolism centered on the Virgin Mary, Jesus, St. John, and the many saints on the Christian calendar. Over centuries, entire gardens, legends, and seasonal traditions grew from these associations.
Below we’ll explore this beautiful tradition of sacred plants in Christianity—how it formed, what different flowers meant, and why they still appear in church celebrations today.
On This Page
The Virgin Mary: Queen of Flowers
Plants Protecting the Holy Family
Sacred Plants of Mary in Europe
Flowers for the Church’s Marian Festivals
Good Friday and Plants of the Passion
What Was the Cross Made Of? Legends of the Wood
St. John the Baptist and the Magic of Midsummer
Flowers of the Saints: A Botanical Calendar
The Virgin Mary: Queen of Flowers
Early Christian writers loved to imagine Mary surrounded by flowers. Mr. Hepworth Dixon once wrote of her peaceful youth among the blossoms of Nazareth, saying she became “the patroness of all our flowers.” From this poetic idea grew a huge part of Christian floral symbolism.
Many plants that once belonged to pagan goddesses like Venus, Freyja, and Juno were lovingly rededicated to Mary. Her purity, beauty, and compassion felt naturally linked to the delicate and healing qualities of flowers.
Legends of Flowers Connected to Mary
Joseph’s Floral Staff
Joseph’s staff is said to have burst into bloom when he learned he would be Mary’s husband. Depending on the region, this “flowering staff” is represented by:
White Campanula (Bologna)
Oleander (Tuscany)
The Cherry Miracle
A charming story says that while pregnant with Jesus, Mary craved cherries. When Joseph refused to pick them, the branch bowed down to her by itself. From then on, the Cherry tree became Mary’s tree.
Strawberries and “Mary’s Nuts”
Strawberries were seen as a Marian fruit because of their sweetness and purity.
In the Isle of Harris, certain beans were called Virgin Mary’s Nuts.
Our Lady’s Bedstraw
Tradition says the manger at Bethlehem was filled with Our Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum)—a soft yellow herb. Plants connected to Mary often carry names like:
Our Lady’s Thistle
Our Lady’s Milk
Our Lady’s Mantle
These names show how deeply people connected everyday plants with Mary’s gentle presence.
Plants Protecting the Holy Family
During the Flight into Egypt, many plants earned symbolic roles in legends meant to comfort and teach.
Plants That Sheltered Mary and Jesus
According to tradition, these trees spread their branches wide to hide the Holy Family from Herod’s soldiers:
Juniper
Palm
Willow
Rosemary
Because of this, Juniper was believed to protect people from evil spirits and dark magic.
Plants That Betrayed Them
Not all plants behaved kindly. The Lupine, according to a story from Bologna, rustled so loudly that it nearly exposed their hiding place—earning Mary’s lasting dislike.
Sacred Plants of Mary in Europe
Throughout Europe, countless plants carried Mary’s name or were dedicated to her feast days. This grew into a vast tradition within Christian herbalism.
Some Examples of “Our Lady’s” Plants
These plants carried Marian names that reflected cultural devotion:
Our Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
Our Lady’s Smock (Cardamine pratensis)
Our Lady’s Tresses (Neottia spiralis)
Our Lady’s Cushion (Armeria vulgaris)
Our Lady’s Fingers (Anthyllis vulneraria)
Our Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus)
Our Lady’s Seal (Black Briony)
Even common flowers like Mary-golds and Mary-buds carry her name.
These names weren’t chosen lightly. People believed Mary’s presence lived through these plants—telling stories of comfort, purity, and protection.
Flowers for the Church’s Marian Festivals
Many feast days for the Virgin Mary were marked by specific flowers:
Feast | Plant Symbol |
Purification (Feb 2) | Snowdrop (“Fair Maid of February”) |
Annunciation (Mar 25) | Almond, White Iris, White Lily, Narcissus |
Visitation (July 2) | White & Red Roses, Lily |
Assumption (Aug 15) | Virgin’s Bower (Clematis flammula) |
Nativity of Mary (Sept 8) | Amellus (Aster amellus) |
Conception (Dec 8) | Arbor Vitæ |
These choices blended symbolism with seasonal blooms, helping people connect the rhythm of the Church year with the rhythm of nature.
Magdalene’s Plants
Even Mary Magdalene had her own set of plants:
Herb of Mary Magdalene (Valeriana sativa)
Pomegranate, called her apple in Germany and France
The Plants of Christ
Plants connected to Jesus often focus on themes of hope, sacrifice, and new life.
At the Nativity
Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) resembles the guiding star.
Sainfoin is said to have miraculously opened its blossoms around Jesus’ head in the manger.
Christmas Plants
These plants were believed to bloom or rejoice on Christmas:
Glastonbury Thorn
Christmas Rose
Apple and Cherry trees in warmer climates
Rose of Jericho
Many Christmas decorations also trace back to legends meant to protect and bless the home:
Juniper (safety during the Flight into Egypt)
Holly, Ivy, and evergreens (eternal life)
Good Friday and Plants of the Passion
In Christian folklore, even trees share in Christ’s suffering.
Trees That Shudder
A widespread belief says all trees tremble on Good Friday in remembrance of the crucifixion.
Plants Linked to Christ’s Scourging
Dwarf Birch (Sweden and Scotland)
Willow, whose branches droop “in sorrow” as Weeping Willows
These stories were ways for communities to hold sacred memory close to daily life.
What Was the Cross Made Of? Legends of the Wood
Many different traditions tried to identify the wood of the True Cross. Each version reflects the culture that told it.
Possible woods include:
CEDAR | CYPRESS | OLIVE |
PALM | PINE | BOX |
OAK | ASPEN | ELDER |
ASH | MOUNTAIN ASH | MISTLETOE |
One medieval account even claimed it was constructed from four different woods, each symbolizing part of Christ’s mission: purity, peace, victory, and eternal life.
While none of these can be proven scientifically, the symbolic meaning mattered more than the literal history.
St. John the Baptist and the Magic of Midsummer
St. John’s Eve (June 23rd) is one of the most plant-filled nights of the Christian year. Many ancient midsummer traditions were absorbed into this festival.
The Legendary Fern Seed
It was believed the Fern blooms only at midnight on St. John’s Eve. Whoever gathers this invisible seed becomes:
Invisible
Lucky
Wise
Able to find hidden treasure
Even Shakespeare references Fern-seed “to walk invisible.”
Herbs of St. John
Many herbs gathered at midsummer were believed to have healing or protective powers:
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — drives away evil, heals wounds
Orpine — used in love divination
Fennel, Wormwood, Birch, and Lilies — hung on doors and windows
Vervain — sought for magic and healing
The Power of Midsummer Dew
People across Europe collected dew on St. John’s morning, believing it could:
Brighten skin
Heal fever
Restore hair
Protect eyesight
Flowers of the Saints: A Botanical Calendar
Throughout the Middle Ages, monks and herbalists assigned plants to saints based on:
Their feast day
Their legends
Their virtues
The time of year the plant bloomed
This created a huge tradition of saintly plants.
Examples
St. Benedict — Valerian and other antidote plants
St. Christopher — Baneberry, Fleabane
St. George — Harebell (UK) or Peony (abroad)
St. Peter — Cowslip (resembling a key)
St. Margaret — Daisy
St. Katharine — Nigella damascena, whose seedpod resembles a wheel
St. Patrick — Saxifraga umbrosa (his “cabbage”)
These symbols helped teach the Christian calendar through the natural world.
Flowers and Greenery for Church Festivals
Church festivals throughout the year each gained their own plant traditions—many of which remain today.
Celebrations | Plant Traditions |
Palm Sunday Commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. |
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Easter Celebrates the resurrection of Christ. |
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Ascension Day Marks Christ’s ascent to heaven. |
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May Day and the Feast of St. Philip and St. James May Day celebrates the arrival of spring and the renewal of life, often with dancing, singing, and flower-adorned maypoles. The Feast of St. Philip and St. James (May 1) honors these apostles in the Christian calendar. |
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Whitsuntide (Pentecost) Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit. |
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Trinity Sunday Honors the Holy Trinity. |
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Royal Oak Day Celebrates the restoration of Charles II. |
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Corpus Christi A festival celebrating the Eucharist. |
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St. John’s Eve Celebrated on June 23rd, associated with midsummer traditions. |
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All Saints’ and All Souls’ Honors the dead. |
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Christmas The birth of Christ, celebrated with greenery symbolizing eternal life and hope. |
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The Bottom Line
Over the centuries, plants became a natural language for faith. They helped people—many of whom could not read—recognize feast days, understand Biblical stories, and feel connected to the holy figures they loved.
Even today, when we bring lilies into church at Easter or hang holly at Christmas, we’re joining a tradition that’s been blooming for over a thousand years.
Nature has always been one of humanity’s greatest teachers. Through these flowers and herbs, Christians found a way to celebrate beauty, remember sacred stories, and mark the seasons of life.
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