Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and you’re likely looking for the perfect gift to show your special someone just how much you care. While chocolates, jewelry, and cards are all nice, why not try something a bit more unique and memorable? A plant is the perfect gift to give your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Not only are they beautiful and long-lasting, but they also represent the growth and strength of your relationship.
Here are our top plant gifting choices this Valentine’s Day:
Calathea
Known for its gorgeous foliage, the Calathea is marked with bright colors, stripes, and intricate patterns. The leaves are usually oval or lance-shaped and can range from deep green to shades of purple and pink. They prefer bright indirect light and should be watered once the top couple inches are dry.
Calathea plants are usually low maintenance but do have some quirks. They are sensitive to abrupt changes in temperature and humidity, so be sure to keep them in a stable environment. With the right care, Calathea plants can bring beauty and life to any home.
Our favorite Calathea varieties include the Medallion, Dottie, Rosy, Corona, Peacock, and Pinstripe.
Florist’s Cyclamen
The Cyclamen Persicum is a beautiful and vibrant flowering plant that comes in a variety of colors. It is known for its heart-shaped foliage and delicate blooms, which can be pink, red, white, or purple. They need bright indirect light and water once the top couple inches of soil starts to dry.
Cyclamen prefer cooler temperatures under 60 degrees, but will survive in higher temps. Keep them away from heater vents or other hot areas or they will suffer and most likely won’t rebloom. To encourage reblooming, it’s best to keep them in as ideal conditions as possible and allow them to rest once dormant (usually in the summer) in a cool, dark spot with minimal watering. Once fall rolls around, move them back to a bright, cool area and fertilize every month or so.
Red Siam & Pink Lady Aglaonema
Aglaonemas are stunning tropical low-maintenance plants. The Red Siam and Pink Lady are hybrids of the Chinese Evergreen which make great indoor plants. The leaves of the Red Siam Aglaonema are a glossy dark green with wide, deep red stripes while the Pink Lady features bright green leaves and unique pattern of bright pink spots and stripes.
They prefer bright, indirect light but can survive in lower light areas. They only need to be watered every 2-4 weeks when the soil starts to feel dry making these great plants for beginners, those with hectic schedules, or those who just want something easy and beautiful. They are slow growing and will stay moderately compact which means they are the perfect size for desks and side tables. They can even produce small, white flowers when conditions are good.
Tradescantia
The Tradescantia, or Inch Plant, is known for its bright and colorful foliage, which can range from shades of bright green to pink and purple. The leaves are long and slender, and often have a silvery sheen. This plant is very easy to take care of, needing only indirect sunlight and water about once a week or when the top inch of soil is dry.
These plants grow fast and are easily propagated so you can either let them grow long or cut the excess to make a new plant. For a bushier look, trim the trailing vines or stick them back in the pot to root. They can even grow petite flowers if well taken care of.
Our favorite colorful varieties of Tradescantia include the Pallida Purple Heart, Zebrina, Nanouk, and Silver Plus.
Bromeliad
Bromeliads come in a variety of vibrant colors and shades, ranging from green, yellow, pink, and red. The foliage may have stripes, spots, or other designs, and the blooms can be single or multi-petaled. These can be planted in a garden or kept indoors as long as they aren’t left in direct sunlight.
They are hardy and slightly drought tolerant. This also means they are susceptible to root rot so it is important to only water when the top half of soil is dry. When in doubt, it’s better to water less often than more. Make sure the rosette in the middle of the flower gets watered as well but if the water doesn’t get absorbed in a few days, empty it out to keep mold or other things from growing.
Some of our favorite bromeliads include the Guzmania, Neoregelia, Vriesea, Summer, and Pineapple.
Succulents
Succulents are a type of water-retaining plant with thick and fleshy leaves. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and come in colors ranging from green, blue, pink, and purple. Succulents are low-maintenance plants needing only occasional watering, about once a month or longer depending on how much light they receive. When kept indoors, succulents should be placed near a bright window or in a spot that receives plenty of indirect light. These plants are incredibly versatile and can be planted indoors or outdoors, making them a great addition to any home or garden.
Some colorful succulents to look for include the Violet Queen, Minima Echeveria, Sedeveria Blue Elf, Ghost Echeveria, Aeonium Kiwi, Crested Sunburst, Calico Kitten, Ivory Towers, and Nudicaulis var. Herrei.
No matter what type of plant you choose, it will be the perfect gift to show your loved one just how much you care. So, this Valentine’s Day, express your love with something special and unique – a plant!
