Barley has played a role in the story since the beginning, as part of Demeter’s corporate moniker “Barley Mother.” Historically it is one of the first ever crops cultivated by humans.

It’s likely been in many of Demeter’s headpieces and earrings throughout the series. In episode 192, it also appears in Persephone’s headpiece. This is a time where she is dirty and tired, having worked 10 years and never passing Zeus’ inspection. Could her barley headdress and green hands symbolize Persephone trying her best to do Demeter’s work, while sacrificing her own destiny/purpose?

Introduced in episode 192, two hydrangeas form Persephone’s hairstyle as she takes over Demeter’s job in the mortal realm. The meaning of this flower are many including: apology, unveiling, gratitude, understanding, and devotion to a noble cause. If a soil is acidic, it turns the flower blue, a color (in Victorian society) that symbolized frigidity.

Introduced in episode 192, a lilac is in young Persephone’s hair as her mother peels apples. They can symbolize memories and first emotions of love, which is pretty spot on! Additionally, in greek myth, the lilac was created when the god Pan, in love with the nymph Syringa, pursued her through the forests. Afraid of him, she transformed into a lilac shrub to disguise herself. The story is quite similar to Daphne’s origin story and the concept of Demeter’s home as a place of refuge for nymphs.

This mint plant is used to keep pests away from plants. It’s also been linked, in extremely high dosages, to infertility among men.

periwinkle/catharanthusoften represents early friendships, sweet memories, and harmony. These are seen in young Persephone’s hair when she recounts how she created her first friends, the flower nymphs. The light blue spotted color in the nymphs resembles the color periwinkle.

The Peony is a beautiful flower representing prosperity, good health, and a good life. Demeter’s birthday card with 3,000 drachma to Persephone had this flower with a smiling bee buzzing around (an animal also often associated with Persephone).

spicula rosarum appears frequently in the story when Persephone is angry and upset, particularly in her arguments and anxiety around Apollo. These thorny rose vines might show her dangerous side, but also might demonstrate that there is always hope (the rose) always within reach.

Unlike the tree branches Persephone grew in the hospital, the vines she grew in response to news of her arrest warrant were huge and grew out of control. They seemed to almost protect and keep her safe and/or lead Hades to her.

gypsophila is a small delicate bunch of tiny, white flowers. Beyond being used as fillers in bouquets, it can symbolize innocence and a pure heart. These appear in Persephone’s hair as she tells Hades her “truth” about the Act of Wrath in Episode 131.

Orchids can symbolize love, rare beauty, and even fertility. The word means “testicles” in Greek, and there is cultural history behind ancient Greeks eating the tubers of orchids to determine the sex of a child. If the father ate them, the child would be a boy; the mother, a girl. In Episode 138, we see Hades spitting out a petal. 👀

alstroemeria is a beautiful lily that often represents stability and bonding. Persephone blooms them when she remembers her mother and leans on that lesson to continue to push back against Apollo’s continued advances.

The water lily pops up while Persephone is exercising in the pool and trying to encourage Hades to join her. It can represent wellness, wisdom, and/or being a peace with one’s self.

Pomelia (aka plumeria)is a meaningful symbol to Hades and Persephone of their home, Sicily. She gifts it to him in the garden at Hera’s in a powerful moment of connection. It symbolizes many things including new beginnings, birth, and spring.

The Forget-me-not is a small blue flower and perhaps the one Persephone blooms with most frequency around Hades. It can symbolize a true or “the best” love and is a reminder of good times and hope.

The orange day-lily is a lovely orange flower that represents fascination, a burning love, wealth, and pride. Persephone had one in her hair when she went to visit Hera’s house to plant roses but then had dinner with the family and spent time with Hades in the garden.

The morning glory is a blue flower with a yellow center and often symbolizes a bond of affection, other times signifying a vain love. Persephone bloomed these when becoming reacquainted with Ares in the Underworld.

Deadly nightshade (aka atropa beladonna) is, as the name suggests, a dangerous flower. Belladonna’ means ‘beautiful women’. It was used by Renaissance women to dilate their pupils. ‘Atropa’ refers to the Greek Goddess Atropos, one of the three Fates, who cut the thread of a mortal’s life and thereby, ended their life. In a bouquet, it often represents falsehood. Persephone blooms these after her encounter with Minthe and Hades in the elevator.

The Pansy is a purple flower that often symbolizes to think about something. Persephone had these in her hair during a dream/nightmare sequence when she worried she might be pregnant with Apollo’s child.

Mistletoe is a flower that thrives in cold/winter and played a significant role in Norse mythology. The plant often signifies someone wanting to be kissed, unification, and protection. Persephone bloomed these when Hades came to her aid in Tartarus (along with the glowy butterflies). Fun fact: mistletoe is a parasitic plant! Previously, we thought this might be lily of the valley (who really knows, but mistletoe is a better guess!).

The cherry blossom is a flower of springtime and due to its short life span, can also represent the transient nature of life or youthful, feminine beauty. Persephone created this initially as a defense mechanism against the shades who attacked her in Tartarus, but it grew larger when she was on the run and almost went into hibernation.