Move Over, Roses! These 7 Underrated Plants Are Just as Romantic for Valentine’s Day
The special person in your life deserves a plant that's just as unique as they are. Give them one of these unexpected plants instead of the same old red roses.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll show that special someone you care. Roses are the traditional plants for Valentine’s Day. They are considered romantic, especially in deep red. But roses aren’t the only romantic flowers you can gift on V-Day.
Instead of the cliched dozen red roses, consider gifting your loved one something a little different this year. Cut flowers are nice, but what about other types of plants or even houseplants for Valentine’s Day? They can be romantic too, and they'll last longer – just like your love.
Here are some underrated plant ideas to help you be more creative this Valentine’s Day. Choose one of these uniquely romantic plants to show the person you love just how special they are.
1. Tulips
Tulips are a great alternative to roses as Valentine’s Day plants. You can gift them as cut flowers or as forced bulbs. Either way, they bring a sense of spring to the end of winter and brighten up the home as the days finally start to get lighter. Tulips are an especially thoughtful gift if you're in a new relationship. As a sign of spring, they represent fresh starts and new love.
As a romantic gift, tulips make sense. They have long stood as symbols of passionate and true love. As with roses, the color holds special meaning. Red references romantic love, pink stands for affection, and yellow means friendship. Choose a bundle of cut tulips or force a bulb that can be enjoyed indoors and planted outside later.
Shop beautiful cut tulip bouquets from Bouqs or buy pre-chilled bulbs for forcing from Amazon.
2. Lilies
Lilies are beautiful and dramatic flowers that make a stunning bouquet of cut flowers. Different types of lilies have carried various meanings across history and cultures. A common meaning includes devotion and commitment, a perfect message for Valentine’s Day.
Red lilies are often associated with passionate love, while white lilies symbolize pure love, and pink lilies stand for a softer, romantic love and affection. Cut lilies make lovely romantic gifts, but be aware that they are extremely toxic to cats. Even a small amount of lily pollen can be fatal, so it’s best to avoid these flowers if your loved one also loves cats.
Shop gorgeous lily bouquets grown in the USA from Farmgirl Flowers.
3. Sweetheart Hoya
The name says it all! Sweetheart hoya is a cute little succulent that is shaped like a heart, making it an ideal and unique plant for Valentine’s Day. Also known as sweetheart vines, hoya hearts, and even Valentine’s hoya, this plant is officially called Hoya kerrii.
The fleshy leaves of this succulent are perfectly heart-shaped and grow on trailing vines. In summer, sweetheart hoya blooms with sweet-smelling white flowers.
Hoya is easy to care for. Just give it a container with light soil, like this cactus and succulent mix from Amazon, put it near a sunny window, and let the potting mix dry out completely between waterings.
Get a sweetheart hoya plant in a Valentine's Day-inspired pot from Costa Farms at Lowe's.
4. String of Hearts
Ceropegia woodie, also known as hearts on a string or string of hearts, is a South African native and popular houseplant in colder climates. Like sweetheart hoya, they make good Valentine’s plants because of their distinctive, heart-shaped leaves that symbolize love and devotion.
The leaves of hearts on a string are succulent, but not as fleshy as those of hoya. They grow on evergreen vines that look nice in hanging baskets indoors. This is a good choice for anyone new to houseplants, as it is low-maintenance and easy to grow.
Provide your string of hearts with well-drained soil and deep watering each time the soil dries completely. Place it in a spot where the light is bright, but indirect or dappled.
You can find string of hearts plants for sale on Amazon that will arrive by Valentine's Day.
5. Orchids
Another good choice for a potted plant for Valentine’s Day is an orchid. Orchids are sophisticated and long-lasting, and send the message that your relationship is here to stay. Find a potted orchid in bloom and your loved one will enjoy the flowers for weeks.
To care for an orchid, make sure it has good drainage and the right potting mix. Drench the roots and let the water run all the way through the container about once a week. Different types of orchids have different light needs, but generally they prefer a spot with bright, indirect or filtered light.
Shop tons of unique orchids in a wide variety of colors from The Sill.
6. Anthurium
Another good houseplant option is anthurium, also known as flamingo flower. This tropical plant is known for its large, striking flowers. While there are many different types, one of the most popular and easy to find varieties blooms with a large, deep red spathe that's shaped like a heart.
Like orchids, anthuriums should bloom for a long period of time, symbolizing lasting love and commitment. Your tropical anthurium needs a potting mix and container that drains very well. Water only when the soil is dry and give your plant indirect light to thrive.
Get a beautiful bright red anthurium in a modern ceramic pot from the Home Depot today.
7. A Personalized Bouquet
While many flowers have historic and cultural meanings, they can also be highly personal. A bouquet with a mix of cut flowers that mean something special to you and your partner is a great idea for a gift. They’ll love the thought you put into this unique Valentine's day arrangement.
To create a personalized bouquet, think about when flowers have played a role in your relationship. Maybe you visited a sunflower or lavender farm, or you gave them roses on your first date.
You can also personalize the mix by using their favorite flowers, their birth month flower, or flowers in their favorite color, regardless of whether the choices have traditional romantic meaning.
