16 personality types, and the flowers that match them

Your Myers-Briggs personality type represented in flowers

Life has a habit of changing from week to week. To help us through, we rely on various friends and family. And we may need each person for different reasons.

There are the friends we love sharing a laugh and a joke with. Some friends can pick us up no matter how down we’re feeling. And there are the friends we trust with secrets we wouldn’t share with anyone else.

Surrounding ourselves with people who have wildly different personalities keeps life interesting. And it means we have people who can support us emotionally and practically through every eventuality.

When it comes to thanking and celebrating those special people, it’s important to choose a gift they’ll like and that fits their personality.

Give a bouquet gift that’s bursting with personality

Flowers are always a fail-safe, beautiful gift option. And it’s something anyone can enjoy. It’s estimated that 10 million cut flowers are bought each day in America. But how many are put into custom-made bouquets that capture the recipient’s personality, resulting in a more meaningful gift?

Our guess? Not many. However, we think personalizing bouquets should become far more common.

We’re turning to the Myers-Briggs personality test to help you create the perfect bouquet gift for the special people in your life. The 16 personality types in the test help people better understand themselves, their relationships, and even their career paths.

You can either ask a person what their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is or use the summaries we’ve written for each personality. Which one sounds most like the person you’re buying flowers for?

To help you create the perfect posy, we then explored the power of flower symbolism and representation (and added some of our own ideas) and matched flowers to each personality type. So when you’re buying your bouquet, ask for one or two of the blooms we’ve associated with that personality to create a more meaningful gift.

Curious to take the test, or have your friends or family try it? Here’s a free version.

The inspector

Calm, thoughtful, and detail-oriented, these are the people you turn to when you need some honest, level-headed advice. You’ll probably also know them to be highly organized. And if there are rules to be followed you can bet they’ll stick to them.

Flowers to include

• Lavender represents devotion and loyalty. It’s also the floral symbol for confession and truth.
• White chrysanthemums symbolize truth and loyal love.
• Gladiolus is known to represent strength of character, honor, and conviction.
• Purple hydrangeas represent deep understanding and empathy.

Best bouquet: Grounded

The crafter

Always keen for a new experience, you can rely on the crafters in your life to be up for action and adventure. They’ll want to get right amongst it. (‘It’ is whatever event or activity is happening at the time.) These people are also fiercely independent and supremely self-confident, yet wonderfully easygoing. Always expect them to take life at their own pace, even if it inconveniences others.

Flowers to include

• Succulents, daffodils, and asters are all low-maintenance plants and flowers, capturing the crafter’s easygoing nature.
• Red and pink hyacinths symbolize playfulness and adventure.
• Similarly, Bird of Paradise represents excitement and joy.

Best bouquet: Indian Springs

The protector

Warm-hearted, and protective of the people they care about, protectors are fantastically responsible, dependable, and loyal. Another strength is their ability to read the mood in any room and notice how others are feeling. But while they’re good at spotting this in other people, they’re pretty lousy at opening up about their own emotions, often repressing their own feelings.

They’re also very practical, and love routine.

Flowers to include

• White or pastel pink roses for loyalty. You can also depend on roses to look great in any arrangement, while their prickly thorns ‘protect’ the flower.
• Common malva represents protection, affection, and loyalty.
• Iris symbolizes wisdom, which in this case is the protector’s ability to read other people.
• Cosmos for order and harmony.

The artist

These people have a great eye for detail and an awareness of what’s happening around them. They’re also considerate of other people’s feelings and views, and would rather remain quiet if they disagree with something. Conflict is not their thing. That’s OK, but you may know them as someone who doesn’t always advocate for themselves or speak up about how they truly feel. Generally they’ll want to focus on the here and now rather than plan ahead. And they like to be proactive rather than procrastinate.

Flowers to include

• Daisies and dahlias for their very detailed layers of petals. (The center of a daisy is made of lots of tiny, individual flowers.)
• Peonies or orchids are short-blooming flowers representing immediacy, and being in the here and now.
• The scent of fresh lavender is known for inducing feelings of calm and peacefulness.

Best bouquet: Hunter’s Moon

The advocate

In this group you can expect to find musicians, writers, artists, and entrepreneurs. While their creativity is driven by emotion, they also grapple with wanting to be logical and methodical as they strive for perfection. They’re also very determined. They don’t just want to think about what could happen. They want to make it happen. As a friend, you can expect them to be compassionate and helpful.

Flowers to include

• Snapdragons with their strong, straight stem and beautiful delicate flowers are a great representation of the contradictory nature of this personality.
• Cosmos and poppies are self-seeding flowers, symbolizing a determination to keep going.
• Carnations represent kindness and compassion.

Best bouquet: Purple Rain

The mediator

Keen to make the world a better place and help others, mediators are good at seeing the bigger picture. They have strong ideas and values, and use these qualities to make things happen. They’re also highly sensitive to the feelings of others, so you’ll find them to be caring and wanting close, meaningful relationships.

Flowers to include

• Stems of gladiolus represent strength and moral integrity.
• Aster flowers are late-summer blooms, which sum up the mediator’s ability to be patient and contribute to the bigger picture.
• Baby’s breath adds balance and complements other, more striking blooms in an arrangement.

Best bouquet: Eternal Summer

The architect

This personality type is also referred to as ‘the strategist.’ People in this group are very analytical and logical (sometimes overly so). But they’re also very creative. Their curiosity and keenness to learn means they’re innovative and productive. When faced with opposing viewpoints, they’ll happily listen to all sides before coming to their own conclusions. You may also know them as people who are happy to work independently. And when working on a task they’ll approach it methodically, sticking with it until they’ve achieved their goal.

Flowers to include

• Hydrangeas have multiple flowers on a single stem, which perfectly represents the architect’s ability to follow their curiosity and take on numerous viewpoints.
• Daffodils are hardy and determined, as well as the first flowers to bloom in spring.
• Iris flowers symbolize wisdom and respect.

The thinker

Happy in their own company, your thinker friends are best described as quiet, introverted, and thoughtful. And while they may not have a wide social network, they offer great loyalty and friendship to the people they’re close to.

Flowers to include

• Aster, which symbolizes wisdom and faith.
• The calla lily’s smooth lines and simple elegance make it a beautiful floral representation of this personality.
• Violets represent loyalty.
• Tulips and daffodils are known for symbolizing friendship.

Best bouquet: Just Tulips

The persuader

A proper people-person, persuaders are confident and will never shy away from drama. They’re known for living for the here and now, prefer to avoid planning anything, and may be described as impulsive. One of their strongest traits is their social and observational skills. They may pick up on vibes in social situations that others miss.

Flowers to include

• Bird of Paradise and Amaryllis capture the drama and excitement this personality exudes.
• Roses for their confidence, and the fact that everyone loves them. (OK, most people love them.)
• King protea, which symbolizes resourcefulness.

Best bouquet: Autumn Zest

The director

When you need someone to take control of a situation, turn to your dependable director buddy. Known for being logical and assertive, they prefer it when things run smoothly and everyone sticks to the rules. However, their strong beliefs and leadership skills can sometimes make them appear argumentative and bossy.

Flowers to include

• Carnations, to represent leadership and dependability.
• Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character.
• The tightly closed petals of the ranunculus open up to reveal a perfectly formed flower.

The performer

Extroverted and outgoing, performers (or entertainers) enjoy being around people and… well, entertaining them. They often have an optimistic outlook, with their fun-loving and in-the-moment attitude leading to spontaneity. As a friend, you can rely on them to be understanding, warm, and sympathetic.

Flowers to include

• Sunflowers and gerbera, which are large, fun, and eye-catching.
• Naturally in bloom in the spring, peonies are popular and much loved.
• Pink and yellow tulips represent care, warmth, and friendship.
• Chrysanthemums symbolize optimism, which this personality has lots of.

Best bouquet: Clownin’ Around

The caregiver

You might describe this person as big-hearted, kind, and loyal. They’re the friend who is always ready to help, and who will find the good in everyone. At times they can come across as highly sensitive, with their feelings easily hurt. They have a need to be liked by everyone but have the strength and wherewithal to not be taken for as a pushover.

Flowers to include

• Lilies for their large, beautiful flowers that never fail to put on a stunning display.
• Freesia and hibiscus for their delicate shapes and scents. (They also represent friendship.)
• Large gerberas represent the large, happy heart at the center of this personality type.

Best bouquet: Pollinated

The champion

Champions are known for their enthusiasm that, when put in front of others, can be infectious. Their warm, charismatic nature is great for drawing people in. They’re genuinely interested and curious about others, making them highly sociable folks. Put them in situations where they get to be spontaneous and creative, and you’ll see them thrive.

Flowers to include

• The tall stems of flower-covered delphiniums are good for drawing in the eye.
• Passionflower and hellebore are distinct in appearance, making them hard to ignore. The latter also symbolizes curiosity.
• Yellow roses represent excitement and joy.

The giver

Warm, loyal, and sensitive to people’s needs, folks with this personality can make friends with anyone—even the most introverted and reserved people. Outgoing and fun to be around, givers want to highlight everyone else’s best qualities. You may find them in managerial or teaching roles, or professions where people need reassurance and support to reach their goals.

Flowers to include

• Sunflowers for their outgoing, larger-than-life presence.
• Daisies and baby’s breath are used in bouquets to lift and complement other flowers.
• Tulips and roses work perfectly for this personality because they’re two very popular bouquet flowers.
• Lisianthus is a flower that mixes well with others and works for all occasions.

The debator

Sometimes called ‘the innovator’ or ‘the visionary,’ debaters love to play devil’s advocate. They’ve also got a sharp wit, which they use to fuel their creativity and as part of their ongoing need for social interaction. (They love to chat.) Sometimes their desire to argue every point (however small) can come across as insensitive and needlessly rebellious. But don’t be put off. It’s just them satisfying their curiosity and competitive nature.

Flowers to include

• Stock flowers for their spicy scent.
• Poppies, which represent imagination and creativity.
• Buttercups for their childishness and playfulness.

The commander

Commanders love routine and a well-thought-out plan. Predictability helps them feel in control. These people are often thinking (or talking) about what’s next, rather than settling into the here and now. This makes them great at spotting potential problems. But when it comes to how to solve those challenges, expect them to put logic and objectives before emotions and feelings.

Flowers to include

• Daffodils and camellias symbolize routine and predictability, constancy, and steadfastness.
• Thistles for strength, determination, and bravery.
• Fennel symbolizes courage.

Personalize your next bouquet gift

The flowers we’ve suggested for each personality type are just ideas. The person you’re choosing the bouquet for might be a mix of character traits. (Most of us are.) So unless you know the person’s MBTI, you may think one or two of the flowers we’ve suggested for one personality type would work well with those mentioned in other types.

In this case, your best option for getting the perfect bouquet is to work with one of our florists to create a Just For Them custom arrangement. They’ll take your budget, seasonal flowers, and the person you’re giving it to into consideration, and then help you design the right bouquet for the occasion.