Tattoos of flowers might be commonplace, but that doesn’t mean they have to be ordinary. Here’s how some of today’s most talented artists are reinventing classic peonies, lilies, roses, and more.
Flowers are easily one of the most popular tattoo designs. “I find that floral tattoos are popular because [they have] the most versatility in regards to execution,” Bronx-based tattooist Julissa Rodriguez tells Allure. “Floral designs can be executed in various styles and can be incorporated into almost every general custom design that an artist creates.”
Brooklyn-based tattoo artist Tiaret Mitchell, who studies floral symbolism and regularly incorporates blooms into their work, believes these tattoos are popular because of the deeper meanings some flowers embody. “[Flowers] symbolize growth and the beauty in transformation,” Mitchell shares. “I think having a symbol marked on your body that represents these elements helps assist a lot of people in their own journeys of navigating their growth and finding the beauty within it.” They note, for example, that the lotus flower symbolizes “the murkiness and muddy patches in life help us deeply in our growth,” for Buddhists.
Of the floral design requests they’ll receive, Rodriguez says that roses, lilies, and peonies are the most popular flowers their clients choose. “My clients tend to request these specific flowers…in memory of a loved one that’s passed,” they explain. They add that lilies are typically associated with passing and mourning, while peonies tend to be symbols of love and honor. Mitchell, on the other hand, says their clients typically will ask them to choose a floral or even do a freehand design. With hundreds of thousands of flowering plants known to exist throughout the world, the options for floral tattoos are practically endless.
How To Find a Floral Tattoo That’s Right for You
Finding the right floral design for you starts with researching flowers and their meaning, especially if you have zero idea of what you want, explains Mitchell. In addition to discovering new types of flowers, this process can help you find inspiration for the sizing, shape, and color of your tattoo.
“It all depends on a person’s journey,” Mitchell says, explaining that many people search for a flower that best commemorates and represents whatever it is they’re looking to celebrate. But if a flower resonates with you simply because it is cute, that’s okay too.
Your tattoo artist might also be able to help and provide suggestions, particularly if they specialize in floral designs. Rodriguez will try to assist their undecided clients with picking a flower design by asking a few questions. “I always ask my clients if they have any favorite flowers, or their 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 month or the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 month of the family member or person(s) they may want the piece to represent,” they share. “I ask them what feelings they want their design to invoke, and from their answers, I actually will look up what flowers represent those emotions or values.”
For any tattoo, Mitchell highly recommends looking at different artists’ portfolios. Doing so will help you decide if that tattooist’s style matches what you envisioned for your ink. For instance: If you are thinking about colorful body art, then make sure the artist has colorful work in their portfolio. If you want a watercolor-style design, an artist who specializes in bold, American traditional tattooing probably won’t be a fit.
If you know you want a color tattoo, you may also want to ask the artists you’re considering if they offer a color test. Color tests involve your artist tattooing several rainbow shades, typically in small designs, onto your skin to see what works best. It’s your best bet for ensuring the inks your tattooist used will heal well, Mitchell shares.
Floral Tattoo Ideas
Once you’ve figured out the type of flower you want to get, you may still need some help narrowing down the style in which to get it. For that, we present 31 floral tattoo designs that range from hyper-realistic to traditional to weird and abstract.
1. Fuchsia Daisy Back Tattoo
Rodriguez tattooed this pretty fuchsia daisy onto a client’s back. Though the petals look realistic, the stem turns into the words “my sister” written in cursive. The gorgeous ombré petals float away and transform into small butterflies that look like they are flying toward the client’s shoulder.
2. Japanese Poppy Forearm Tattoo 
Mitchell worked their interpretation of the Japanese poppy into a fine-line design of a curvy, feminine body. The poppy — with its petals outstretched — seemingly represents the head of the body, while a second, smaller flower appears to be its feet.
3. Ombré Chrysanthemum Tattoo
This chrysanthemum — a large thigh piece on one of Rodriguez’s clients — features burgundy coloring on select petals. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find that the colored petals have an ombre effect where the deep reddish hue fades into a navy blue.
4. Chrysanthemum Arm Tattoo 
New York City-based Olga Szublak, who goes by Szabla, isn’t aiming to tattoo flowers that look like they were freshly picked. “I like to play around with the design, try to make it more abstract, and make a hybrid with human parts,” she says.
It’s exactly what she did here with this vibrant chrysanthemum arm tattoo that has a skull emerging from the flower’s center. She added a coral hue to the outer portion of the petals and a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 blue on the other side that looks like the clearest Caribbean ocean. The skull is highlighted with the same blue hue as well as a muted violet, making this tattoo an explosion of color.
5. Watercolor Cosmos Tattoo
Rodriguez is the mastermind behind this vibrant tattoo. You’ll notice its watercolor effect, with washes of color that look airbrushed. “A watercolor tattoo is a tattoo using textures that replicate the aesthetic of watercolor or brushstroke paint,” tattoo artist Melody Mitchell previously told Allure.
6. Rose Hip Tattoo 
This multicolored snake and rose tattoo is a perfect illustration of American traditional tattooing. It’s a recreation of a design by Sailor Jerry, a popular tattooist who was known for revolutionizing what traditional American tattooing looks like. We love New York City-based tattoo artist Jaz’s iteration of the design, which features the stark contrast between the bright green and red hues throughout.
7. Apple Blossom Thigh Tattoo
We always love how tattoo artists use color in a variety of ways. This piece, tattooed by Rodriguez, only has color on the flowers. The tips of these apple blossom flowers have a reddish hue that looks like it was airbrushed.
8. Sunflower Forearm Tattoo
This bright yellow tattoo looks like a real sunflower. Rodriguez’s s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ful use of various colors is what makes this design eye-catching — shades of orange and yellow fade seamlessly on each petal.
9. Lily Rib Tattoo
Splashes of red, orange, and green look stunning in this lily watercolor tattoo by Rodriguez. This rib piece is a great example of another way to incorporate color through a watercolor effect.
10. Wisteria Tattoo
If you’re a floral enthusiast, you might recognize design as a wisteria. (If not, no worries that’s what this gallery is here for.) The flowers’ viny appearance makes it a good design option for a larger piece, as shown here on a forearm.
