Gardens

Valentine’s Day Plant Gift Ideas

Look beyond roses this year and choose one of these Valentine’s Day plant gift ideas instead.

A wooden bowl and spoon hold dried lavender buds next to a bunch of dried lavender stems on a wooden surface.

Lavender | Valentine's Day Plant Gift Ideas

Photo Credit: Dreamstime
Valentine’s Day was celebrated just as much (if not more) during the Victorian era when feelings were conveyed through the meaning of flowers. Today these meanings have been largely forgotten. What better time to reintroduce a bit of this romantic tradition to the one you love? Giving a Valentine’s Day plant or miniature garden is like giving a personalized gift that’s laced with meaning. Be sure to include a note card explaining what the plants and flowers represent along with the floral valentine.

VALENTINE’S DAY PLANT GIFT IDEAS

Lavender | Valentine’s Day Plant Gift Ideas
Photo Credit : Dreamstime
Lavender Fragrance, soaps, sachets and body lotions scented with lavender are a luxurious way to express your love. Purity and sentiment are the meanings of lavender. Orchids A potted orchid is a perfect plant to give for Valentine’s Day, as these delicate flowers are simple, elegant and exotic. Orchids come in a variety of colors such as white, purple, pink, yellow, and striped;  and they convey love, beauty, endurance and strength. Cactus and Succulent Dish Gardens Celebrate your friendship this Valentine’s Day by presenting a cactus or succulent dish garden to your best buddy. These plants represent endurance and longevity and are visually interesting and easy to maintain. Dwarf Pussy Willow A great valentine for a new mother or mother to be is a dwarf pussy willow tree. Pussy willows symbolize maternity and motherhood. If the new baby is a girl, tie a pink bow around the container and a blue bow if the child is a boy. Give two plants to the mother if she has twins. Pussy Willow trees may be kept inside until the danger of a frost has passed and then transplanted outside and enjoyed for years to come. Houseplants Small houseplants such as peace lilies are a casual way to send valentine greetings to those you want to acknowledge on Valentine’s Day. Peace lilies represent just that—peace. Plants with small flowers represent loyalty, while plants with just foliage such as ferns and bamboo represent good fortune. Presenting houseplants in a bright red pot with a bow or a heart shaped planter add to the festive appeal. Birth Flowers by Month The gift of a plant that represents your valentine’s birth month is a sure win, and a sentimental way to say I love you. January: Carnation or Snowdrop February: Violet or Primrose March: Jonquil, Daffodil or Narcissus April: Sweet pea or Daisy May: Lily of the Valley June: Rose July: Water Lily August: Gladiolus September: Aster October: Marigold November: Chrysanthemum December: Narcissus Once you have decided upon the Valentine’s Day plants or flowers you want to give, choose colors that properly convey the message you want to send. Flower Color Meanings Red: Love Pink: Sweetness Yellow: Friendship Crimson: Respect White: Purity Orange: Eternal Life Purple: Modesty Share your Valentine’s Day plant gift ideas with us in the comments! This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated. 

Shelley Wigglesworth

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  1. Thanks Shelley! These are wonderful live plant ideas. One more favorite of ours is The TickleMe Plant Valentines Day Gift Box. TickleMe Plants are guaranteed to tickle the hearts of the ones you love. This plant is the only plant that will react to your affections. Caress it or blow it a kiss and you will watch each leaf and branch move in response. Just search TickleMe Plant to see a live plant in action.