What’s Your Sign?
By Dina Gachman | Illustrations by Jordan Kay
Sagittarius is symbolized by a centaur, and Leo by a lion, but there are Texas wildflower equivalents if you just follow the respective personality traits of the zodiac. Here we pair your astrological sign with its spiritual equal blooming across the state.
Or click here to see all the signs
Aries
March 21-April 19
This fire sign is bold, rebellious, and—at times—aggressive. The hearty white prickly poppy, with its nettle-esque leaves, is so tough that even hungry cattle will leave it alone in a drought.
Taurus
April 20-May 20
The bull rules over this fixed earth sign at a slow and steady pace. Tauruses are dependable, resilient, stubborn, and they thrive in bucolic environments. Enter the prairie verbena, one of the state’s most abundant wildflowers, which covers diverse terrain. You can count on the purple and lavender blooms to pop up throughout the year.
Gemini
May 21-June 21
Symbolized by twins, Geminis are versatile multitaskers who hate being restricted. Pink evening primrose drop seeds and take over wherever they land. Vigorous spreaders, the flowers are hard to tame—just like their astrological counterpart.
Cancer
June 22-July 22
It only makes sense that a rain lily would be Cancer’s perennial of choice. It’s a water sign that’s delicate, loyal, and tends to retreat when scared. Rain lilies bloom for just a few days after heavy downpours, their delicate white petals opening at dusk and fully flowering in the morning.
Leo
July 23-August 22
Yes, we associate Leo with the lion, but the common sunflower has that fiery magnetism and showiness that Leos are famous for. They grow up to 10 feet tall and are fearless when it comes to Texas’ summer heat.
Virgo
August 23-September 22
This mutable earth sign is obsessed with perfection—an obvious match with our state flower. Virgo is also all about wellness and routine, and Texans are extremely serious about getting their annual bluebonnet photos, right?
Libra
September 23-October 23
Libras strive to be a source of joy and harmony, analogous to the showy purple false foxglove, whose roots can penetrate the tissues of other plants. This allows them to take nutrients from a neighbor, balancing the scales when it comes to survival.
Scorpio
October 24-November 21
Mysterious, elusive, stable, and complex: Scorpio and Drummond phlox both fit that bill. Botanist Thomas Drummond sent seeds to England after visiting the state in 1835, making this Texas annual—which grows in sporadic clumps of pink, white, or red—a prized possession in Europe.
Sagittarius
November 22-December 21
A thrill-seeking fire sign that tends toward the adventurous, Sagittariuses sync with the bold, fiery yellow and red Indian blanket (aka firewheel). Seeing as how these native flowers are some of the first to burst forth each spring, they signify that optimistic spirit.
Capricorn
December 22-January 19
The legendary sea goat tends to be ambitious, determined, and thick-skinned. One of the only native flowers you might see in frigid winter weather is the equally tenacious, daisy-like plateau goldeneye, which thrives in tough, dry areas.
Aquarius
January 20-February 18
The swamp milkweed is one of the few native wildflowers that thrives in muddy areas and wet clay soils. Basically, they don’t mind getting a little weird. That’s just like Aquarius folks who want to make the world a better place, even if it means bucking the status quo.
Pisces
February 19-March 20
A dreamer associated with water, this mutable sign is delicate yet resilient, similar to the winecup, or purple poppy mallow. This seemingly simple perennial has a deep purple bloom that looks like a little glass of red wine. Look for them year-round.
