27Sep
What Rose Colours and Numbers Mean
Red roses say romantic love, pink says admiration and thanks, white says remembrance and new beginnings, and yellow says friendship. The number of roses adds to the message: one says “I love you”, a dozen is a classic declaration, and two dozen says “I’m yours”. Here’s a quick guide to rose colour meanings from our Cambridge florists.
Rose colour meanings
| Colour | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Romantic love and passion | Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, partners |
| Pink | Admiration, gratitude, gentleness | Mothers, thank-yous, birthdays |
| White | Purity, remembrance, new beginnings | Weddings, sympathy, new babies |
| Yellow | Friendship and joy | Friends, get well, congratulations |
| Orange | Energy and enthusiasm | Celebrations, new jobs |
| Deep burgundy (“black”) | Deep love, farewell | Dramatic gifts, memorials |
What the number of roses means
- 1 rose: “I love you”, or love at first sight. A single red rose is $20.
- 3 roses: “I love you”, one word per rose.
- 6 roses: “I want to be yours”. See our half dozen red roses ($75).
- 12 roses: the classic declaration of love and gratitude. See our classic dozen red roses ($135).
- 24 roses: “I’m yours” and “I think of you every hour of the day”. Call us to order.
Wondering about cost? Read how much roses cost.
Mixing rose colours
- Red and pink: love with tenderness, a lovely choice for a partner’s birthday.
- Red and white: unity, often chosen for weddings and engagements.
- Yellow and red: friendship turning into something more.
Are black roses real?
Not quite. The darkest natural roses are a very deep red or burgundy that can look almost black in low light. Roses sold as pure black have usually been dyed. For a dramatic look, we can pair our darkest red roses with a black wrap, such as our dozen red roses in black wrap.
Not sure what to choose? Read our guide to flowers for every occasion, or browse our roses.