September Birth Flowers: Aster and Morning Glory Meanings & Symbolism

September marks the gentle turn from summer to autumn, and its two birth flowers reflect that shift beautifully. The primary September birth flower is the aster, a star-shaped bloom tied to wisdom, faith, and enduring love. The secondary September birth flower is the morning glory, a climbing vine whose flowers open with the dawn and symbolize affection and the fleeting nature of time. Together they pair late-season resilience with a reminder to treasure each day.

What Is the Birth Flower for September?

The birth flower for September is the aster (Aster), with the morning glory (Ipomoea) recognized as the monthu2019s secondary birth flower. The aster is usually listed first, admired for its daisy-like blooms and its symbolism of wisdom and love. The morning glory complements it with meanings of affection, mortality, and the beauty of a single day.

The Primary September Birth Flower: The Aster

The aster is a late-blooming perennial whose name comes from the Greek word for star, a fitting description of its radiating petals around a central disk. It flowers into autumn when many other blooms have faded, which made it a symbol of endurance and steadfast beauty.

As Septemberu2019s birth flower, the aster symbolizes wisdom, faith, valor, and enduring love. In some traditions it was associated with the gods and used as a talisman of protection, and it has long been given to convey deep affection and admiration that lasts.

January birth flowers: pink carnations and white snowdrops

Aster Meaning and Symbolism

The asteru2019s star-like form gave rise to its associations with the heavens, wisdom, and faith. It is frequently read as a symbol of patience and elegant love, and its late flowering reinforces themes of devotion that endures even as the year winds down. Historically it was also linked to remembrance and protection.

The Secondary September Birth Flower: Morning Glory

The morning glory is a fast-growing climbing vine known for its funnel-shaped flowers that unfurl in the early hours and often close by afternoon. This daily cycle of opening and fading is central to its symbolism and gives the flower a poignant, contemplative quality.

As a September birth flower, the morning glory symbolizes affection, love, and the fleeting nature of life. Because each bloom lasts only a day, it has come to represent both the intensity of a single moment and the importance of cherishing time, blending tenderness with gentle reflection.

What Do the September Birth Flowers Symbolize?

Together, Septemberu2019s birth flowers combine steadfastness with mindfulness. The aster contributes wisdom, faith, and enduring love, while the morning glory adds affection and a reminder of lifeu2019s fleeting beauty. For a September birthday, this pairing suggests lasting devotion balanced by an appreciation of the present moment.

Aster and Morning Glory Color Meanings

Both flowers offer a range of colors with their own nuances:

Purple asters symbolize wisdom and royalty.
Blue asters represent faith and serenity.
Pink asters convey love and sensitivity.
White asters suggest purity and innocence.
Blue and purple morning glories evoke calm, trust, and depth of feeling.

Morning glories also bloom in pink and white, all echoing their gentle message of affection.

History and Cultural Significance

The aster has appeared in folklore as a protective and even magical plant, sometimes burned to ward off misfortune and long valued for its beauty in autumn gardens. Its star symbolism connected it to ideals of wisdom and faith across various traditions.

The morning glory holds particular significance in East Asian art and poetry, where its brief daily bloom became a celebrated symbol of impermanence and love. Its rapid growth and vivid flowers also made it a favorite ornamental climber in gardens around the world.

Why Are These Flowers Associated With September?

The connection is seasonal. Asters are classic autumn bloomers that come into their own as September arrives and other flowers fade, making them a natural emblem of the month. Morning glories continue flowering into early autumn, their dawn blooms echoing the shortening days, which tied both flowers to September.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official birth flower for September?

The aster is the primary birth flower for September, with the morning glory as its recognized secondary flower.

Does September have two birth flowers?

Yes. September is commonly assigned both the aster and the morning glory, with the aster listed first.

What does the September aster symbolize?

The aster symbolizes wisdom, faith, valor, and enduring love.

What does the morning glory symbolize?

The morning glory symbolizes affection, love, and the fleeting nature of life, since each bloom lasts only a day.

What color is the September birth flower?

Asters bloom in purple, blue, pink, and white, while morning glories are best known in blue and purple, and also come in pink and white.

Why is the aster associated with September?

Asters are late-season flowers that bloom into autumn as September begins, which tied them to the month.

Explore the full series in our guide to Birth Flowers by Month.

Have a Question?

What is the birth flower for September?

September has two birth flowers: the aster and the morning glory. The aster is the primary birth flower, symbolizing wisdom, faith, and enduring love, while the morning glory is the secondary birth flower, representing affection and the fleeting beauty of life. Together they reflect the transition from summer to autumn that defines the month.

What does the aster flower symbolize?

The aster symbolizes wisdom, faith, valor, and enduring love. Its star-shaped blooms, which inspired its name from the Greek word for star, are also associated with patience, remembrance, and protection. Because the aster blooms late into autumn when most flowers have faded, it is seen as a symbol of steadfast devotion and enduring beauty.

What does the morning glory flower mean as a September birth flower?

The morning glory symbolizes affection, love, and the fleeting nature of life. Each morning glory bloom opens at dawn and closes by afternoon, lasting only a single day, which gives the flower its meaning of cherishing precious moments and appreciating the beauty of the present. As a September birth flower, it complements the aster by balancing enduring love with mindfulness of time.