Joey's ACNH Flower Guide For Nerds

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Overview

This is an "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" flower breeding guide for nerds like me. I had a lot of questions that weren't answered by other guides and infographics. I was able to work out a lot of answers from other guides, but needed some of those answers compiled into a readable format.

So, if you are missing:

  • all the gene sequences for all flower species
  • all the possible outcomes of a breeding pair, not just the target
  • a clear layout for each breeding scenario
  • every possible optimization in your flower breeding

... then this is the guide for you.

Quick ref mode activated. Deactivate for the full overview.

Usage

If you don't know how flower genes work, read the Flower Genes Primer tab, which is based on the genes section of Aeter's guide. The 3-digit and 4-digit numbers next to flowers in the breeding tables here are gene sequences.

If you want to breed all the various hybrid colors of a certain flower, click the tab for that flower to see breeding stages and notes.

If you aren't familiar with the best layouts for breeding and cloning, you'll also want to refer to the Breeding Layouts tab, which is based on Yue's guide with additional notes. Each flower breeding table recommends a specific layout and links to this tab.

Finally, there are appendices with All First Generation Hybrids and All Phenotypes and their Genes for all flower species in the game.

Legend

These are the conventions we will follow and icons we will use in the breeding tables.

Flower icon, with tooltip showing its color
101
Numeric gene sequence for this flower
Seed bag icon, seen on flowers grown from seed
Throw away this offspring; it is not useful
Use this offspring in the next stage
Recycle this offspring into this stage; notes will elaborate
Keep this; you did it!

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful guides that came before. I learned a great deal from these, and they are all excellent resources that are worth your time:

Without the hard work of those authors, I would not have been able to write this guide.

Flower Genes Primer

Each type of flower has three genes (red, yellow, and white). Each individual has two copies of each gene, and each copy is either dominant or recessive. For example, you might see a plant with two dominant red genes refered to as RR, or two recessive red genes as rr, or one of each as Rr.

In this guide, we use a numerical representation instead. If the plant has two dominant copies (RR in the examples above), we use the number 2. One dominant copy (Rr) is 1. And no dominant copies (two recessive copies, or rr) is 0.

We list these gene sequences in the order of red, yellow, white. So if you see 201, that plant has two dominant red genes, zero dominant yellow genes, and one dominant white gene.

Sometimes the phenotypes (the visual expression) of a certain genotype (exact gene sequence) may surprise you. For example, two dominant white genes (WW) tends to make roses purple, while it tends to make some other flowers blue. And the various color genes also combine in different ways from flower to flower. (For a full table of genotypes to phenotypes, see Flower Genotypes Table by Aeter.)

Roses are an exception in this system. They have four genes instead of three. The fourth gene is sometimes called a "brightness" or "shade" gene. Because roses have four genes, there are 81 different genotypes. However, only 1 of those produces blue roses. This is why breeding blue roses takes so many steps.

Finally, you should know that when you plant seeds, you get a very specific, known gene sequence for those plants. Seed plants are always the starting points for the breeding guides so that we can control the genes and know what we've planted. We use this seed bag icon to represent these in the breeding tables:

Quick ref mode activated. Deactivate for the full primer.

Cosmos

There are three hybrid cosmos: black, pink, and orange. Pink and orange are frequent side effects of pursuing black, so the black path is probably the only one you need to follow if you are trying to breed all colors.

Black Cosmos

Start with red and yellow to get orange, then breed oranges together to get black. As a side effect, you are likely to get pink, as well.

200
×
021
=
100.0%
110
50.0%
111
50.0%
110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
12.5%
100
12.5%
50.0%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
210
12.5%
6.25%
200
6.25%
6.25%
220
6.25%
110
×
111
=
6.25%
000
3.12%
001
3.12%
18.75%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
3.12%
021
3.12%
12.5%
100
6.25%
101
6.25%
50.0%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
6.25%
210
6.25%
211
6.25%
6.25%
200
3.12%
201
3.12%
6.25%
220
3.12%
221
3.12%
111
×
111
=
9.38%
000
1.56%
001
3.12%
002
1.56%
012
3.12%
15.62%
010
3.12%
011
6.25%
020
1.56%
021
3.12%
022
1.56%
18.75%
100
3.12%
101
6.25%
102
3.12%
112
6.25%
40.62%
110
6.25%
111
12.5%
120
3.12%
121
6.25%
122
3.12%
210
3.12%
211
6.25%
10.94%
200
1.56%
201
3.12%
202
1.56%
212
3.12%
222
1.56%
4.69%
220
1.56%
221
3.12%

Recycling oranges is questionable. It could increasing the likelihood of black hybrids from 6.25% to 12.5% or 25% for second generation oranges, depending on the exact genes, but for later generations, it could also reduce the chances to 4.7% or even 0%. There are seven orange genotypes, so it is difficult to predict. I recommend trashing the orange offspring instead of recycling.

Detailed outcomes for recycling oranges
110
×
111
=
6.25%
000
3.12%
001
3.12%
18.75%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
3.12%
021
3.12%
12.5%
100
6.25%
101
6.25%
50.0%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
6.25%
210
6.25%
211
6.25%
6.25%
200
3.12%
201
3.12%
6.25%
220
3.12%
221
3.12%
110
×
120
=
25.0%
010
12.5%
020
12.5%
62.5%
110
25.0%
120
25.0%
210
12.5%
12.5%
220
12.5%
110
×
121
=
25.0%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
6.25%
021
6.25%
62.5%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
12.5%
121
12.5%
210
6.25%
211
6.25%
12.5%
220
6.25%
221
6.25%
110
×
122
=
25.0%
011
12.5%
021
12.5%
62.5%
111
25.0%
121
25.0%
211
12.5%
12.5%
221
12.5%
110
×
210
=
12.5%
100
12.5%
62.5%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
210
25.0%
12.5%
200
12.5%
12.5%
220
12.5%
110
×
211
=
12.5%
100
6.25%
101
6.25%
62.5%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
6.25%
210
12.5%
211
12.5%
12.5%
200
6.25%
201
6.25%
12.5%
220
6.25%
221
6.25%
111
×
111
=
9.38%
000
1.56%
001
3.12%
002
1.56%
012
3.12%
15.62%
010
3.12%
011
6.25%
020
1.56%
021
3.12%
022
1.56%
18.75%
100
3.12%
101
6.25%
102
3.12%
112
6.25%
40.62%
110
6.25%
111
12.5%
120
3.12%
121
6.25%
122
3.12%
210
3.12%
211
6.25%
10.94%
200
1.56%
201
3.12%
202
1.56%
212
3.12%
222
1.56%
4.69%
220
1.56%
221
3.12%
111
×
120
=
25.0%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
6.25%
021
6.25%
62.5%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
12.5%
121
12.5%
210
6.25%
211
6.25%
12.5%
220
6.25%
221
6.25%
111
×
121
=
21.88%
010
3.12%
011
6.25%
020
3.12%
021
6.25%
022
3.12%
3.12%
012
3.12%
53.12%
110
6.25%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
12.5%
122
6.25%
210
3.12%
211
6.25%
6.25%
112
6.25%
6.25%
212
3.12%
222
3.12%
9.38%
220
3.12%
221
6.25%
111
×
122
=
18.75%
011
6.25%
021
6.25%
022
6.25%
6.25%
012
6.25%
43.75%
111
12.5%
121
12.5%
122
12.5%
211
6.25%
12.5%
112
12.5%
12.5%
212
6.25%
222
6.25%
6.25%
221
6.25%
111
×
210
=
12.5%
100
6.25%
101
6.25%
62.5%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
6.25%
210
12.5%
211
12.5%
12.5%
200
6.25%
201
6.25%
12.5%
220
6.25%
221
6.25%
111
×
211
=
18.75%
100
3.12%
101
6.25%
102
3.12%
112
6.25%
50.0%
110
6.25%
111
12.5%
120
3.12%
121
6.25%
122
3.12%
210
6.25%
211
12.5%
21.88%
200
3.12%
201
6.25%
202
3.12%
212
6.25%
222
3.12%
9.38%
220
3.12%
221
6.25%
120
×
120
=
25.0%
020
25.0%
50.0%
120
50.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
120
×
121
=
25.0%
020
12.5%
021
12.5%
50.0%
120
25.0%
121
25.0%
25.0%
220
12.5%
221
12.5%
120
×
122
=
25.0%
021
25.0%
50.0%
121
50.0%
25.0%
221
25.0%
120
×
210
=
75.0%
110
25.0%
120
25.0%
210
25.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
120
×
211
=
75.0%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
12.5%
121
12.5%
210
12.5%
211
12.5%
25.0%
220
12.5%
221
12.5%
121
×
121
=
25.0%
020
6.25%
021
12.5%
022
6.25%
50.0%
120
12.5%
121
25.0%
122
12.5%
18.75%
220
6.25%
221
12.5%
6.25%
222
6.25%
121
×
122
=
25.0%
021
12.5%
022
12.5%
50.0%
121
25.0%
122
25.0%
12.5%
221
12.5%
12.5%
222
12.5%
121
×
210
=
75.0%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
12.5%
121
12.5%
210
12.5%
211
12.5%
25.0%
220
12.5%
221
12.5%
121
×
211
=
62.5%
110
6.25%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
12.5%
122
6.25%
210
6.25%
211
12.5%
6.25%
112
6.25%
12.5%
212
6.25%
222
6.25%
18.75%
220
6.25%
221
12.5%
122
×
122
=
25.0%
022
25.0%
50.0%
122
50.0%
25.0%
222
25.0%
122
×
210
=
75.0%
111
25.0%
121
25.0%
211
25.0%
25.0%
221
25.0%
122
×
211
=
50.0%
111
12.5%
121
12.5%
122
12.5%
211
12.5%
12.5%
112
12.5%
25.0%
212
12.5%
222
12.5%
12.5%
221
12.5%
210
×
210
=
25.0%
200
25.0%
50.0%
210
50.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
210
×
211
=
25.0%
200
12.5%
201
12.5%
50.0%
210
25.0%
211
25.0%
25.0%
220
12.5%
221
12.5%
211
×
211
=
43.75%
200
6.25%
201
12.5%
202
6.25%
212
12.5%
222
6.25%
37.5%
210
12.5%
211
25.0%
18.75%
220
6.25%
221
12.5%
Black cosmo self-breeding

You can almost always breed black cosmos together to make more. There is a small chance of red offspring for certain combinations of black cosmos. Even so, self-breeding is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

220
×
220
=
100%
220
100%
220
×
221
=
100.0%
220
50.0%
221
50.0%
221
×
221
=
75.0%
220
25.0%
221
50.0%
25.0%
222
25.0%

Pink Cosmos

Pink cosmos are easy: red × white = pink. But if you're also working toward black cosmos, you can skip this. You will very likely get pink cosmos while working toward black cosmos.

200
×
001
=
100.0%
100
50.0%
101
50.0%
Pink cosmo self-breeding

Pink cosmos bred with each other will make more pink cosmos only half the time. Since the red-white breeding always produces pink, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink cosmos.

100
×
100
=
25.0%
000
25.0%
50.0%
100
50.0%
25.0%
200
25.0%
100
×
101
=
25.0%
000
12.5%
001
12.5%
50.0%
100
25.0%
101
25.0%
25.0%
200
12.5%
201
12.5%
101
×
101
=
25.0%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
002
6.25%
50.0%
100
12.5%
101
25.0%
102
12.5%
25.0%
200
6.25%
201
12.5%
202
6.25%

Orange Cosmos

Orange cosmos are easy: red × yellow = orange. But if you're also working toward black cosmos, you can skip this. You will have to make orange cosmos while working toward black cosmos.

200
×
021
=
100.0%
110
50.0%
111
50.0%
Orange cosmo self-breeding

Orange cosmos bred with each other will make more orange cosmos only 40%-50% of the time. Since the red-yellow breeding always produces orange, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more orange cosmos.

110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
12.5%
100
12.5%
50.0%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
210
12.5%
6.25%
200
6.25%
6.25%
220
6.25%
110
×
111
=
6.25%
000
3.12%
001
3.12%
18.75%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
3.12%
021
3.12%
12.5%
100
6.25%
101
6.25%
50.0%
110
12.5%
111
12.5%
120
6.25%
121
6.25%
210
6.25%
211
6.25%
6.25%
200
3.12%
201
3.12%
6.25%
220
3.12%
221
3.12%
111
×
111
=
9.38%
000
1.56%
001
3.12%
002
1.56%
012
3.12%
15.62%
010
3.12%
011
6.25%
020
1.56%
021
3.12%
022
1.56%
18.75%
100
3.12%
101
6.25%
102
3.12%
112
6.25%
40.62%
110
6.25%
111
12.5%
120
3.12%
121
6.25%
122
3.12%
210
3.12%
211
6.25%
10.94%
200
1.56%
201
3.12%
202
1.56%
212
3.12%
222
1.56%
4.69%
220
1.56%
221
3.12%

Hyacinths

There are four hybrid hyacinths: purple, blue, pink, and orange. Orange is always a side effect of purple, and blue and pink frequently are, as well. So you might not need to follow any path other than purple to get all colors.

Purple Hyacinths

Start with red and yellow to get orange and hybrid yellow, then breed those together to get purple. Recycle all orange offspring into the existing orange and yellows to accelerate the process. Do not recycle yellows, because some of them have unhelpful genotypes.

201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
18.75%
100
12.5%
200
6.25%
37.5%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
12.5%
210
12.5%
6.25%
220
6.25%
110
×
111
=
6.25%
000
3.12%
001
3.12%
37.5%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
3.12%
021
3.12%
111
12.5%
121
6.25%
18.75%
100
6.25%
200
3.12%
201
3.12%
211
6.25%
6.25%
101
6.25%
18.75%
110
12.5%
120
6.25%
6.25%
210
6.25%
6.25%
220
3.12%
221
3.12%
111
×
111
=
10.94%
000
1.56%
001
3.12%
012
3.12%
102
3.12%
4.69%
002
1.56%
210
3.12%
43.75%
010
3.12%
011
6.25%
020
1.56%
021
3.12%
022
1.56%
111
12.5%
112
6.25%
121
6.25%
122
3.12%
18.75%
100
3.12%
200
1.56%
201
3.12%
202
1.56%
211
6.25%
212
3.12%
6.25%
101
6.25%
9.38%
110
6.25%
120
3.12%
6.25%
220
1.56%
221
3.12%
222
1.56%

Recycling oranges will accelerate the process by increasing the likelihood of purple hybrids from 6.25% to 12.5% or 25% (depending on the exact genes). If you run out of room, replace some of your yellows with these recycled oranges.

Detailed outcomes for recycling oranges
110
×
120
=
25.0%
010
12.5%
020
12.5%
50.0%
110
25.0%
120
25.0%
12.5%
210
12.5%
12.5%
220
12.5%
111
×
120
=
50.0%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
6.25%
021
6.25%
111
12.5%
121
12.5%
25.0%
110
12.5%
120
12.5%
6.25%
210
6.25%
6.25%
211
6.25%
12.5%
220
6.25%
221
6.25%
120
×
120
=
25.0%
020
25.0%
50.0%
120
50.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
Purple hyacinth self-breeding

You can always breed purple hyacinths together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

220
×
220
=
100%
220
100%

Pink Hyacinths

Pink hyacinths are easy: red × white = pink (50% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple hyacinths, you can skip this. You will very likely get pink hyacinths while working toward purple hyacinths.

201
×
001
=
25.0%
100
25.0%
50.0%
101
50.0%
25.0%
102
25.0%
Pink hyacinth self-breeding

Pink hyacinths bred with each other will make more pink hyacinths only 25% of the time. Since the red-white breeding produces pink 50% of the time, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink hyacinths.

101
×
101
=
31.25%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
102
12.5%
6.25%
002
6.25%
37.5%
100
12.5%
200
6.25%
201
12.5%
202
6.25%
25.0%
101
25.0%

Orange Hyacinths

Orange hyacinths are easy: red × yellow = orange (50% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple hyacinths, you can skip this. You will have to make orange hyacinths while working toward purple hyacinths.

201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
Orange hyacinth self-breeding

Orange hyacinths bred with each other will make more orange hyacinths only 37.5% of the time. Since the red-yellow breeding produces orange 50% of the time, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more orange hyacinths.

110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
18.75%
100
12.5%
200
6.25%
37.5%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
12.5%
210
12.5%
6.25%
220
6.25%

Blue Hyacinths

Blue hyacinths are easy: white × white = blue (25% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple hyacinths, you can skip this. You will very likely get blue hyacinths while working toward purple hyacinths.

001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%
Blue hyacinth self-breeding

These particular blue hyacinths can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of blue may produce other results.

002
×
002
=
100%
002
100%

Lilies

There are three hybrid lilies: black, pink, and orange. Pink is frequently a side effect of working on black.

Black Lilies

Black lilies are easy: red × red = black (25% of the time). You are just as likely to get pink while working toward black, so you might as well do both at once if you want every color.

201
×
201
=
25.0%
200
25.0%
50.0%
201
50.0%
25.0%
202
25.0%
Black lily self-breeding

These particular black lilies can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of black may produce other results.

200
×
200
=
100%
200
100%

Pink Lilies

Pink lilies are easy: red × white = pink (50% of the time). But if you're also working toward black lilies, you can skip this. You will very likely get pink lilies while working toward black lilies.

201
×
002
=
50.0%
101
50.0%
50.0%
102
50.0%
Pink lily self-breeding

Pink lilies bred with each other will make more pink lilies only 31.25% of the time. Since the red-white breeding produces pink 50% of the time, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink lilies.

101
×
101
=
37.5%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
002
6.25%
102
12.5%
25.0%
100
12.5%
201
12.5%
31.25%
101
25.0%
202
6.25%
6.25%
200
6.25%

Orange Lilies

Orange lilies are easy: red × yellow = orange (50% of the time).

201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
Orange lily self-breeding

Orange lilies bred with each other will make more orange lilies only 43.75% of the time. The red-yellow breeding produces orange 50% of the time, but recycling orange offspring will accelerate the orange self-breeding process. Orange offspring will often have genes that further increase the odds of more orange offspring to 62.5% - 100%.

110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
12.5%
100
12.5%
43.75%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
220
6.25%
18.75%
200
6.25%
210
12.5%
Detailed outcomes for recycling oranges
110
×
120
=
25.0%
010
12.5%
020
12.5%
62.5%
110
25.0%
120
25.0%
220
12.5%
12.5%
210
12.5%
110
×
220
=
75.0%
110
25.0%
120
25.0%
220
25.0%
25.0%
210
25.0%
120
×
120
=
25.0%
020
25.0%
75.0%
120
50.0%
220
25.0%
120
×
220
=
100.0%
120
50.0%
220
50.0%
220
×
220
=
100%
220
100%

Mums

There are three hybrid mums: green, pink, and purple. Pink and purple are frequent side effects of pursuing green, so the green path is probably the only one you need to follow if you are trying to breed all colors.

Green Mums

Start with red and yellow to get a hybrid yellow, then combine hybrid yellows to get purple, pink, and green. Recycle purples into the hybrid yellows.

200
×
020
=
100%
110
100%
110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
43.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
110
25.0%
12.5%
100
12.5%
25.0%
120
12.5%
210
12.5%
6.25%
200
6.25%
6.25%
220
6.25%

Recycling purples into the yellows will accelerate the process by increasing the likelihood of green hybrids from 6.25% to 12.5% (yellow × purple) or even 25% (purple × purple). So concentrate your purples to one side, and if you get a new purple, but your plot is full, replace a yellow with a purple.

Detailed outcomes for recycling purples
110
×
120
=
50.0%
010
12.5%
020
12.5%
110
25.0%
37.5%
120
25.0%
210
12.5%
12.5%
220
12.5%
110
×
210
=
12.5%
100
12.5%
25.0%
110
25.0%
37.5%
120
12.5%
210
25.0%
12.5%
200
12.5%
12.5%
220
12.5%
120
×
210
=
25.0%
110
25.0%
50.0%
120
25.0%
210
25.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
120
×
120
=
25.0%
020
25.0%
50.0%
120
50.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
210
×
210
=
25.0%
200
25.0%
50.0%
210
50.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
Green mum self-breeding

You can always breed green mums together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

220
×
220
=
100%
220
100%

Pink Mums

Pink mums are easy: red × white = pink. But if you're also working toward green mums, you can skip this. You will very likely get pink mums while working toward green mums.

200
×
001
=
100.0%
100
50.0%
101
50.0%
Pink mum self-breeding

Pink mums bred with each other will make more pink mums only half the time. Since the red-white breeding always produces pink, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink mums.

100
×
100
=
25.0%
000
25.0%
50.0%
100
50.0%
25.0%
200
25.0%
100
×
101
=
25.0%
000
12.5%
001
12.5%
50.0%
100
25.0%
101
25.0%
25.0%
200
12.5%
201
12.5%
101
×
101
=
18.75%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
6.25%
002
6.25%
50.0%
100
12.5%
101
25.0%
102
12.5%
25.0%
200
6.25%
201
12.5%
202
6.25%

Purple Mums

Purple mums are easy: white × white = purple (25% of the time). But if you're also working toward green mums, you can skip this. You will very likely get purple mums while working toward green mums.

001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%
Purple mum self-breeding

These particular purple mums can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of purple (as found above in the green mum path) may produce other results.

002
×
002
=
100%
002
100%

Pansies

There are three hybrid pansies: blue, orange, and purple. Blue pansies are a side effect of pursuing purple.

Purple Pansies

Start with white pansy seeds to get blue, then mix those with red seeds to get hybrid reds. The hybrid reds then make purples.

001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%
200
×
002
=
100%
101
100%
101
×
101
=
18.75%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
18.75%
002
6.25%
102
12.5%
56.25%
100
12.5%
101
25.0%
200
6.25%
201
12.5%
6.25%
202
6.25%
Purple pansy self-breeding

You can always breed purple pansies together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

202
×
202
=
100%
202
100%

Orange Pansies

Orange pansies are easy: red × yellow = orange.

200
×
020
=
100%
110
100%
Orange pansy self-breeding

Orange pansies bred with each other will make more orange pansies only about 30% of the time. Since the red-yellow breeding always produces orange, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more orange pansies.

110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
31.25%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
120
12.5%
31.25%
100
12.5%
200
6.25%
210
12.5%
31.25%
110
25.0%
220
6.25%

Blue Pansies

Blue pansies are easy: white × white = blue (25% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple pansies, you can skip this. You will always get blue pansies on the way to purple.

001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%
Blue pansy self-breeding

These particular blue pansies can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of blue may produce other results.

002
×
002
=
100%
002
100%

Roses

There are more rose colors than any other flower. There are also more complex genes for roses than for any other flower. Blue roses are the most rare.

There are five hybrid roses: blue, purple, pink, orange, and black. Purple and orange roses are a side effect of pursuing blue, and pink roses are a frequent side effect of pursuing black. So the only unique paths you need to follow are blue and black.

Finally, there is a gold rose, which is outside the normal gene system. See the gold rose section for details.

Blue Roses

Blue roses are by far the most rare phenotype (1 genotype out of 81), so the breeding paths to blue roses are long, numerous, and varied. If you want to read an excellent and detailed write-up on blue roses, the various methods recommended by various people, and the trade-offs of these methods, refer to Yue's Blue Rose Guide.

This guide uses the Folklore method, because although it has more stages than some other methods, the final stage has the highest possible chance of a blue rose (25%). This allows you to keep breeding that final plot to produce more blue roses instead of relying on cloning to scale up blue rose production.

This method involves six stages, each in their own zippy for clarity.

Stage 1

In this stage, you need to make special hybrid white and purple roses for stage 2, and orange roses for stage 4. These three hybrids can be grown in parallel from seed roses. Save the oranges somewhere where they will not breed yet.

0010
×
0200
=
50.0%
0100
50.0%
50.0%
0110
50.0%
0010
×
0010
=
75.0%
0000
25.0%
0010
50.0%
25.0%
0020
25.0%
2001
×
0200
=
50.0%
1100
50.0%
50.0%
1101
50.0%

Stage 2

Next you breed stage 1's hybrid whites and purples together to make hybrid purples with some different genes. In this stage, there are two genotype outputs, so in stage 3 we test these offspring to determine which genes they have.

0110
×
0020
=
50.0%
0010
25.0%
0110
25.0%
50.0%
0020
25.0%
0120
25.0%

Stage 3 (Testing)

Here we need to test our purple roses from stage 2. Half of them are 0020, which won't help, and half of them are 0120, which we want to use in the next stage. We test them through breeding to find out which genes they have. This requires a specific testing layout so that you always know which output came from which pair.

To differentiate, we breed the purples with seed yellows. If we get a yellow offspring, the purple was 0120, and it moves to the next stage. If it breeds white more than 4 times, we assume it was 0020 and throw the purple away.

0020
0120
×
0200
Trash after 5 failures
0020
×
0200
=
100%
0110
100%
0120
×
0200
=
50.0%
0110
50.0%
50.0%
0210
50.0%
👍

Stage 4

Now we take the second-generation purple hybrids that passed testing in stage 3, and we breed them with the orange hybrids from stage 1. The offspring are orange roses with different genes, which move on to stage 5.

0120
×
1100
=
37.5%
0010
12.5%
0110
25.0%
12.5%
0210
12.5%
37.5%
1010
12.5%
1110
25.0%
12.5%
1210
12.5%

Stage 5

Here we take the orange hybrids from the previous stage and breed them with each other to get hybrid red roses. Once you get a few, you can start cloning them before you begin stage 6, to scale up stage 6 more quickly.

1210
×
1210
=
18.75%
0200
6.25%
0210
12.5%
6.25%
0220
6.25%
56.25%
1200
12.5%
1210
25.0%
2200
6.25%
2210
12.5%
12.5%
1220
12.5%
6.25%
2220
6.25%

Stage 6

These hybrid reds have the best chance to produce blue. Breed them with each other to get blue roses. Any red offspring are genetically identical to the parents, so they can be recycled to grow the plot.

1220
×
1220
=
25.0%
0220
25.0%
50.0%
1220
50.0%
25.0%
2220
25.0%
Blue rose self-breeding

You can always breed blue roses together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

2220
×
2220
=
100%
2220
100%

Purple Roses

Purple roses are easy: white × white = purple (25% of the time). But if you're also working toward blue roses, you can skip this. You will produce purple roses while working toward blue roses.

0010
×
0010
=
75.0%
0000
25.0%
0010
50.0%
25.0%
0020
25.0%
Purple rose self-breeding

These particular purple roses can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of purple may produce other results.

2220
×
2220
=
100%
2220
100%

Pink Roses

Pink roses are easy: white × red = pink (50% of the time). You are also likely to run into pink roses while working toward black roses.

0010
×
2001
=
50.0%
1000
25.0%
1010
25.0%
50.0%
1001
25.0%
1011
25.0%
Pink rose self-breeding

Pink roses bred with each other will make more pink roses only about 30% of the time. Since the red-white breeding produces pink 50% of the time, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink roses.

1001
×
1001
=
37.5%
0000
6.25%
0001
12.5%
0002
6.25%
1002
12.5%
25.0%
1000
12.5%
2001
12.5%
31.25%
1001
25.0%
2002
6.25%
6.25%
2000
6.25%
1001
×
1011
=
37.5%
0000
3.12%
0001
6.25%
0002
3.12%
0010
3.12%
0011
6.25%
0012
3.12%
1002
6.25%
1012
6.25%
25.0%
1000
6.25%
1010
6.25%
2001
6.25%
2011
6.25%
31.25%
1001
12.5%
1011
12.5%
2002
3.12%
2012
3.12%
6.25%
2000
3.12%
2010
3.12%
1011
×
1011
=
28.12%
0000
1.56%
0001
3.12%
0002
1.56%
0010
3.12%
0011
6.25%
0012
3.12%
1002
3.12%
1012
6.25%
9.38%
0020
1.56%
0021
3.12%
0022
1.56%
1022
3.12%
25.0%
1000
3.12%
1010
6.25%
1020
3.12%
2001
3.12%
2011
6.25%
2021
3.12%
31.25%
1001
6.25%
1011
12.5%
1021
6.25%
2002
1.56%
2012
3.12%
2022
1.56%
6.25%
2000
1.56%
2010
3.12%
2020
1.56%

Orange Roses

Orange roses are easy: red × yellow = orange (50% of the time). But if you're also working toward blue roses, you can skip this. You will produce orange roses while working toward blue roses.

2001
×
0200
=
50.0%
1100
50.0%
50.0%
1101
50.0%
Orange rose self-breeding

These particular orange roses bred with each other will make more orange roses about 56% of the time. Since the red-yellow breeding produces orange 50% of the time, self-breeding can be more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

Furthermore, recycling the orange offspring of these particular oranges can accelerate the orange self-breeding process. The majority of orange offspring have genes that will further increase the odds of more orange offspring.

1100
×
1100
=
6.25%
0000
6.25%
18.75%
0100
12.5%
0200
6.25%
12.5%
1000
12.5%
56.25%
1100
25.0%
1200
12.5%
2100
12.5%
2200
6.25%
6.25%
2000
6.25%
Detailed outcomes for recycling oranges
1100
×
1200
=
25.0%
0100
12.5%
0200
12.5%
75.0%
1100
25.0%
1200
25.0%
2100
12.5%
2200
12.5%
1100
×
2100
=
12.5%
1000
12.5%
75.0%
1100
25.0%
1200
12.5%
2100
25.0%
2200
12.5%
12.5%
2000
12.5%
1100
×
2200
=
100.0%
1100
25.0%
1200
25.0%
2100
25.0%
2200
25.0%
1200
×
1200
=
25.0%
0200
25.0%
75.0%
1200
50.0%
2200
25.0%
1200
×
2100
=
100.0%
1100
25.0%
1200
25.0%
2100
25.0%
2200
25.0%
1200
×
2200
=
100.0%
1200
50.0%
2200
50.0%
2100
×
2100
=
25.0%
2000
25.0%
75.0%
2100
50.0%
2200
25.0%
2100
×
2200
=
100.0%
2100
50.0%
2200
50.0%
2200
×
2200
=
100%
2200
100%

Black Roses

Black roses are easy: red × red = black (25% of the time). You are also likely to produce pink roses (25% of the time), so you can work on both black and pink at once.

2001
×
2001
=
25.0%
2000
25.0%
50.0%
2001
50.0%
25.0%
2002
25.0%
Black rose self-breeding

These particular black roses can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of black may produce other results.

2000
×
2000
=
100%
2000
100%

Gold Roses

Gold roses are special. They are clones of black roses that have been watered with a golden watering can. A golden watering can requires a 5-star island evaluation, after which you can get the recipe from Isabelle in Resident Services.

Gold roses are not a particular genotype, but black roses born from other black roses with a certain flag set by the gold watering can. The details of producing gold roses is best captured by Yue's Gold Rose Guide.

Tulips

There are four hybrid tulips: purple, black, pink, and orange. Orange is a side effect of purple, and black and pink are frequently produced while working on purple, as well. So you might not need to follow any path other than purple to get all colors.

Purple Tulips

Start with red and yellow to get orange and hybrid yellow, then breed those together to get purple. Recycle all orange offspring into the existing orange and yellows to accelerate the process. Do not recycle yellows, because some of them have unhelpful genotypes.

201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
12.5%
100
12.5%
37.5%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
18.75%
200
6.25%
210
12.5%
6.25%
220
6.25%
110
×
111
=
6.25%
000
3.12%
001
3.12%
37.5%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
3.12%
021
3.12%
111
12.5%
121
6.25%
12.5%
100
6.25%
101
6.25%
18.75%
110
12.5%
120
6.25%
9.38%
200
3.12%
210
6.25%
9.38%
201
3.12%
211
6.25%
6.25%
220
3.12%
221
3.12%
111
×
111
=
12.5%
000
1.56%
001
3.12%
002
1.56%
012
3.12%
102
3.12%
43.75%
010
3.12%
011
6.25%
020
1.56%
021
3.12%
022
1.56%
111
12.5%
112
6.25%
121
6.25%
122
3.12%
9.38%
100
3.12%
101
6.25%
9.38%
110
6.25%
120
3.12%
4.69%
200
1.56%
210
3.12%
14.06%
201
3.12%
202
1.56%
211
6.25%
212
3.12%
6.25%
220
1.56%
221
3.12%
222
1.56%

Recycling oranges will accelerate the process by increasing the likelihood of purple hybrids from 6.25% to 12.5% or 25% (depending on the exact genes). If you run out of room, replace some of your yellows with these recycled oranges.

Detailed outcomes for recycling oranges
110
×
120
=
25.0%
010
12.5%
020
12.5%
50.0%
110
25.0%
120
25.0%
12.5%
210
12.5%
12.5%
220
12.5%
111
×
120
=
50.0%
010
6.25%
011
6.25%
020
6.25%
021
6.25%
111
12.5%
121
12.5%
25.0%
110
12.5%
120
12.5%
6.25%
210
6.25%
6.25%
211
6.25%
12.5%
220
6.25%
221
6.25%
120
×
120
=
25.0%
020
25.0%
50.0%
120
50.0%
25.0%
220
25.0%
Purple tulip self-breeding

You can always breed purple tulips together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

220
×
220
=
100%
220
100%

Pink Tulips

Pink tulips are easy: red × white = pink (75% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple tulips, you can skip this. You will very likely get pink tulips while working toward purple tulips.

201
×
001
=
75.0%
100
25.0%
101
50.0%
25.0%
102
25.0%
Pink tulip self-breeding

Pink tulips bred with each other will make more pink tulips only 37.5%-50% of the time. Since the red-white breeding produces pink 75% of the time, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink tulips.

100
×
100
=
25.0%
000
25.0%
50.0%
100
50.0%
25.0%
200
25.0%
100
×
101
=
25.0%
000
12.5%
001
12.5%
50.0%
100
25.0%
101
25.0%
12.5%
200
12.5%
12.5%
201
12.5%
101
×
101
=
37.5%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
002
6.25%
102
12.5%
37.5%
100
12.5%
101
25.0%
6.25%
200
6.25%
18.75%
201
12.5%
202
6.25%

Orange Tulips

Orange tulips are easy: red × yellow = orange. But if you're also working toward purple tulips, you can skip this. You will have to make orange tulips while working toward purple tulips.

201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
Orange tulip self-breeding

Orange tulips bred with each other will make more orange tulips only 37.5% of the time. Since the red-yellow breeding produces orange 50% of the time, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more orange tulips.

110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
18.75%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
12.5%
100
12.5%
37.5%
110
25.0%
120
12.5%
18.75%
200
6.25%
210
12.5%
6.25%
220
6.25%

Black Tulips

Black tulips are easy: red × red = black (25% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple tulips, you can skip this. You will very likely get black tulips while working toward purple tulips.

201
×
201
=
25.0%
200
25.0%
75.0%
201
50.0%
202
25.0%
Black tulip self-breeding

These particular black tulips can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of black may produce other results.

200
×
200
=
100%
200
100%

Windflowers

There are three hybrid windflowers: blue, pink, and purple. Blue windflowers are a side effect of pursuing purple.

Unlike every other flower, windflower seeds come in red, white, and orange instead of red, white, and yellow. There are no yellow windflowers.

Purple Windflowers

Start with white windflower seeds to get blue, then mix those with red seeds to get hybrid reds. The hybrid reds then make purples.

001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%
200
×
002
=
100%
101
100%
101
×
101
=
18.75%
000
6.25%
001
12.5%
18.75%
002
6.25%
102
12.5%
56.25%
100
12.5%
101
25.0%
200
6.25%
201
12.5%
6.25%
202
6.25%
Purple windflower self-breeding

You can always breed purple windflowers together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts.

202
×
202
=
100%
202
100%

Pink Windflowers

Pink windflowers are easy: red × orange = pink.

200
×
020
=
100%
110
100%
Pink windflower self-breeding

Pink windflowers bred with each other will make more pink windflowers only about 30% of the time. Since the red-orange breeding always produces pink, it is better either to continue breeding those or to rely on cloning layouts to create more pink windflowers.

110
×
110
=
6.25%
000
6.25%
31.25%
010
12.5%
020
6.25%
120
12.5%
31.25%
100
12.5%
200
6.25%
210
12.5%
31.25%
110
25.0%
220
6.25%

Blue Windflowers

Blue windflowers are easy: white × white = blue (25% of the time). But if you're also working toward purple windflowers, you can skip this. You will always get blue windflowers on the way to purple.

001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%
Blue windflower self-breeding

These particular blue windflowers can always breed together to make more. This is more space-efficient than cloning layouts. Other genotypes of blue may produce other results.

002
×
002
=
100%
002
100%

Appendix: Breeding Layouts

Breeding layouts are a complicated topic that I have boiled down to some concrete recommendations. I assume that you do not have visitors to your island, so I'm presenting layouts that are easy and work for non-networked islands. To keep things simple, these layouts also do not require any trickery with cliffs. Each breeding chart will reference one of these layouts.

If you want to read much more detail on many more layouts, or to find out about layouts that work better for islands where you can count on visitors to help you water, please visit Yue's Garden Layouts Guide.

Same-parents / Layout A / "Hexahole"

When the parents are the same (e.g. red+red), use the "hexahole" layout. Repeat the pattern to fill whatever space you have, but be careful to leave an empty border around the outside to avoid breeding failures.

Different-parents-different-output / Layout B / "Checkerboard"

When parents are different from each other (e.g. red-yellow), and the potential offspring are all different from the parents (e.g. orange, but never red or yellow), you can use this. This is ~23% more efficient than isolated pairs below.
[1](See Isolated pairs vs Checkerboard on GardenScience.ac)

It is not 100% resistent to clones. The flowers on the outside (red in this diagram) have a low chance of cloning instead of breeding. Because of this, you should never use this if a clone could be confused for offspring.

Different-parents-same-output / Layout C / "Isolated Pairs"

When parents are different from each other (e.g. red-yellow), and the potential offspring could be the same as the parents (e.g. red is possible, or yellow is possible), you should always use this. It is 100% resistent to clones, so you can never confuse a clone for a usable offspring.

You do not need a border of clear space around this layout. The interior clear spaces are enough for offspring.

Single-species cloning layout / Layout D / "Isolation"

To clone a flower, you must make sure it doesn't touch any flowers of the same species. Chances of a cloning event and a breeding event are the same.

You do not need a border of clear space around this layout. The interior clear spaces are enough for the clones.

Multi-species cloning layout / Layout E / "Double-Spaced Clone Rows"

You can put 4+ species together into a dense configuration. Colors don't matter here. The only important thing is that you keep two flowers of the same species from touching (adjacent or diagonal). Having an empty row/column next to each full one makes cloning failures unlikely. There should be enough space for anything to clone.

In this example, you see more than 4 species. Again, so long as you don't have any same-species flowers touching, they can only clone.

And this is a little more chaotic, but still ordered enough to keep same-species flowers from touching.

Appendix: All First Generation Hybrids

These tables show the outcomes of all possible combinations of all seed flowers.

Cosmos

200
×
200
=
100%
200
100%
200
×
021
=
100.0%
110
50.0%
111
50.0%
200
×
001
=
100.0%
100
50.0%
101
50.0%
021
×
021
=
100.0%
020
25.0%
021
50.0%
022
25.0%
021
×
001
=
75.0%
010
25.0%
011
50.0%
25.0%
012
25.0%
001
×
001
=
100.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
002
25.0%

Hyacinths

201
×
201
=
100.0%
200
25.0%
201
50.0%
202
25.0%
201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
201
×
001
=
25.0%
100
25.0%
50.0%
101
50.0%
25.0%
102
25.0%
020
×
020
=
100%
020
100%
020
×
001
=
100.0%
010
50.0%
011
50.0%
001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%

Lilies

201
×
201
=
25.0%
200
25.0%
50.0%
201
50.0%
25.0%
202
25.0%
201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
201
×
002
=
50.0%
101
50.0%
50.0%
102
50.0%
020
×
020
=
100%
020
100%
020
×
002
=
100%
011
100%
002
×
002
=
100%
002
100%

Mums

200
×
200
=
100%
200
100%
200
×
020
=
100%
110
100%
200
×
001
=
100.0%
100
50.0%
101
50.0%
020
×
020
=
100%
020
100%
020
×
001
=
100.0%
010
50.0%
011
50.0%
001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%

Pansies

200
×
200
=
100%
200
100%
200
×
020
=
100%
110
100%
200
×
001
=
100.0%
100
50.0%
101
50.0%
020
×
020
=
100%
020
100%
020
×
001
=
100.0%
010
50.0%
011
50.0%
001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%

Roses

2001
×
2001
=
25.0%
2000
25.0%
50.0%
2001
50.0%
25.0%
2002
25.0%
2001
×
0200
=
50.0%
1100
50.0%
50.0%
1101
50.0%
2001
×
0010
=
50.0%
1000
25.0%
1010
25.0%
50.0%
1001
25.0%
1011
25.0%
0200
×
0200
=
100%
0200
100%
0200
×
0010
=
50.0%
0100
50.0%
50.0%
0110
50.0%
0010
×
0010
=
75.0%
0000
25.0%
0010
50.0%
25.0%
0020
25.0%

Tulips

201
×
201
=
25.0%
200
25.0%
75.0%
201
50.0%
202
25.0%
201
×
020
=
50.0%
110
50.0%
50.0%
111
50.0%
201
×
001
=
75.0%
100
25.0%
101
50.0%
25.0%
102
25.0%
020
×
020
=
100%
020
100%
020
×
001
=
100.0%
010
50.0%
011
50.0%
001
×
001
=
100.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
002
25.0%

Windflowers

200
×
200
=
100%
200
100%
200
×
020
=
100%
110
100%
200
×
001
=
100.0%
100
50.0%
101
50.0%
020
×
020
=
100%
020
100%
020
×
001
=
100.0%
010
50.0%
011
50.0%
001
×
001
=
75.0%
000
25.0%
001
50.0%
25.0%
002
25.0%

Appendix: All Phenotypes and their Genes

These tables show all phenotypes for each flower, and all possible genes that produce each phenotype.

Cosmos

14.81%
000
001
002
012
18.52%
010
011
020
021
022
14.81%
100
101
102
112
25.93%
110
111
120
121
122
210
211
18.52%
200
201
202
212
222
7.41%
220
221

Hyacinths

14.81%
000
001
012
102
7.41%
002
210
33.33%
010
011
020
021
022
111
112
121
122
22.22%
100
200
201
202
211
212
3.7%
101
7.41%
110
120
11.11%
220
221
222

Lilies

29.63%
000
001
002
011
012
022
102
222
25.93%
010
020
021
111
112
121
122
11.11%
100
201
211
11.11%
101
202
212
14.81%
110
120
220
221
7.41%
200
210

Mums

11.11%
000
001
012
22.22%
002
120
121
122
210
211
22.22%
010
011
020
021
022
110
14.81%
100
101
102
112
22.22%
111
200
201
202
212
222
7.41%
220
221

Pansies

7.41%
000
001
11.11%
002
012
102
29.63%
010
011
020
021
022
120
121
122
22.22%
100
101
200
201
210
211
18.52%
110
111
112
220
221
11.11%
202
212
222

Roses

22.22%
0000
0001
0002
0010
0011
0012
0110
0111
0112
0220
0221
0222
1002
1012
1112
1222
2112
2222
11.11%
0020
0021
0022
0120
0121
0122
1022
1122
2122
22.22%
0100
0101
0102
0200
0201
0202
0210
0211
0212
1101
1102
1201
1202
1211
1212
2102
2202
2212
16.05%
1000
1010
1020
1110
1120
1220
2001
2011
2021
2110
2111
2121
2221
11.11%
1001
1011
1021
1111
1121
1221
2002
2012
2022
11.11%
1100
1200
1210
2100
2101
2200
2201
2210
2211
4.94%
2000
2010
2020
2120
1.23%
2220

Tulips

18.52%
000
001
002
012
102
33.33%
010
011
020
021
022
111
112
121
122
7.41%
100
101
7.41%
110
120
7.41%
200
210
14.81%
201
202
211
212
11.11%
220
221
222

Windflowers

7.41%
000
001
11.11%
002
012
102
29.63%
010
011
020
021
022
120
121
122
22.22%
100
101
200
201
210
211
18.52%
110
111
112
220
221
11.11%
202
212
222