Free Flower Basket Day is a wonderful occasion to bring joy to others! After all, who doesn’t love flowers? Their fragrance fills any room and inspires us to dream, create, and feel uplifted. What’s your favorite flower?
History
Scientists believe flowers first appeared between 140 and 250 million years ago, during a period when Earth’s climate was much warmer and the air richer in oxygen than today. While it’s easy to reconstruct the appearance of dinosaurs from bones, plant fossils are rare since plants decay quickly. The oldest known flower fossil is about 130 million years old.
Research shows the earliest flowers were hermaphroditic and capable of self-pollination—an advantage for colonizing new environments. While we know how flowers evolved, their exact origin remains a mystery.
The tradition of giving flowers goes back to the time of the Roman Emperor Nero, when specially trained florists created elaborate bouquets for celebrations. By the 15th century in Europe, flowers gained popularity and symbolic meaning. This “language of flowers” allowed people to express feelings or seek forgiveness through floral gifts.
Interesting Facts
Fascinating things about flowers:
- Some flowers act like clocks—certain species open and close their petals on a regular schedule. This was observed in 18th-century Sweden and inspired the creation of the floral clock;
- There are no true white or black flowers—white ones are colorless, and so-called black flowers are actually a deep burgundy;
- The rose is the national symbol of Great Britain;
- In the Middle Ages, tulip bulbs were used in European cuisine—and they’re still enjoyed as a delicacy in some Eastern countries today.
How to Take Part
On Free Flower Basket Day, buy a beautiful basket of flowers and give it as a gift! If you can’t be there in person, send flowers by delivery—it’s easy to brighten someone’s day, even from a distance. Take some time to learn more about your favorite plant and share what you’ve discovered with friends.
When is Free Flower Basket Day in 2026?
Free Flower Basket Day is observed on January 4 each year.
Observations
| Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
| Sunday | January | 4 | 2026 |
| Monday | January | 4 | 2027 |
| Tuesday | January | 4 | 2028 |
| Wednesday | January | 4 | 2029 |
