Hearts, cupids and lots of red roses: love is in the air. Valentine's Day has become the perfect excuse to share with your loved one. Every February 14th around the world the day of love is celebrated.
Each country has its own traditions around this date, but it always coincides on one point: flowers. In modern times, symbols and gifts have expanded to include other alternatives, just as beautiful and full of symbolism, such as plants.
If you are looking to make a difference with a gift that expresses all your feelings in a natural and beautiful way, then these top plants for Valentine's Day are just what you need.
Why we celebrate Valentine's Day
The true origin of this celebration is shrouded in mystery, as there is no consensus on the event it commemorates. In mid-February, just before spring, Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome, was held in mid-February, just before spring.
The festival began when the Luperci (an order of priests) gathered in a sacred cave, where the twins Romulus and Remus were supposed to have been raised by a she-wolf. The priests sacrificed a goat for fertility and a dog for purification. Then they would take the skin of the goat, cut it into strips and gently beat the women and the fields with these strips. This ritual was supposed to make the fields and women much more fertile in the following year.
The next version of the story is the Catholic one, but it is still just as confusing, as there are 3 canonised martyrs whose name is Valentine. One of them is said to have been a Roman priest who performed clandestine marriages between couples when there was a ban by Emperor Claudius II, who sought to keep all young men single, so that they would become soldiers and their family would not interrupt their military careers. Others claim that St. Valentine helped Roman prisoners escape. No matter which version: St. Valentine will always be a heroic, altruistic figure, ready to help those in love.
Flowers on Valentine's Day
Long-stemmed red roses are almost synonymous with Valentine's Day. This association is not as fortuitous as it seems, but its origins go back to the 17th century, during the reign of Charles II of Sweden. On his trip to Persia, King Charles was exposed to the art of the language of flowers. From then on, a whole host of books explaining the language of flowers and plants were written, to such an extent that in Victorian times conversations could almost be established based on flower arrangements.
Flowers and plants have since become ways of expressing feelings, but although roses are the epitome of beauty, of the purest, most passionate love and happiness, they are not the only flower related to Valentine's Day, because beyond the species, the language of flowers includes colours and tones to express different emotions.
Dahlias, for example, represent commitment and an unbreakable bond. These beautiful flowers are also associated with power, grace and delicate strength. Other favourite flowers for Valentine's Day are the lilies, so beautiful and elegant. Pink lilies are preferred as they symbolise royal love, fertility, purity, passion and excellence. Avoid giving white lilies on Valentine's Day, as they are sometimes given to remember those who have gone.
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Chrysanthemums are ideal for showing a more maternal, solid and loyal love, so they are perfect flowers to give on Valentine's Day to those who are not your romantic partner, but to whom you wish to give a special gift on this date. The same happens with tulips, which are usually perceived as another flower for friendship, although depending on their colour they can have an even more intense meaning than red roses.
Plants vs. flowers: the best gift
Although flowers and chocolates are the typical gift for Valentine's Day, let's be honest: they are a bit worn out. Everyone has been giving these things for centuries and it's getting a bit boring. If you ask me, I prefer gifts that are a little more personal or have a little deeper symbolic meaning. Flowers also have the disadvantage of being short-lived. Even if you do the thousand and one tricks, they will always have a life of a week or less.
On the other hand, it's time to set the tone and step out of the comfort zone. If you really want to surprise the one you love, then go the extra mile and find an original gift that reflects their individuality, that shows you've gone out of your way to find something special.
If you want a gift that is able to combine the natural beauty of flowers with an equally important symbolic charge and a much longer life span, the answer is simple: you should give a houseplant for Valentine's Day. There are plants for all tastes and lifestyles, and there are some with very interesting flowers and colours that also have a very romantic symbolism that is perfect for the day when love is celebrated.
The best plants for Valentine's Day
Plants are the ideal gifts for Valentine's Day as they last much longer than short-lived cut roses. This alone gives them a timeless character, making the bond that is shared and celebrated on Valentine's Day much more meaningful and long-lasting. Some of the most popular plants to give as gifts on these dates are heart-shaped, while others give beautiful flowers that relate to these romantic and passionate feelings.
- Poto:
If your love is unconditional, unwavering and capable of anything, then you must gift a poto for Valentine's Day. The poto is one of those popular plants because they are very easy to care for, they adapt to any situation and space, plus they have a beautiful colour and you may have noticed, but their leaves have a cute heart shape.
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These plants are perfect to give as a gift to those people for whom you are willing to do anything, because the love you feel for them is loyal and capable of surviving even the most difficult circumstances. And all this is not a sacrifice, but a pleasure because that is the intensity of your feelings. They also have another great advantage: they are perfect for those who do not have much idea of how to take care of plants.
- Ceropegia Woodi
This plant has the most romantic names you can imagine: strip of hearts, chain of hearts, tangled hearts, heart vine and rosary vine. It is notable for its violet or green stems, with pretty two-tone heart-shaped leaves with a violet underside. This plant is easy to care for, but little attention will transform it into a cascade of charming hearts. Because of these characteristics it is perfect for expressing pure, simple love, but so deep that it will continue to grow with a little care to the point of becoming an overflowing torrent. It is a plant with a very romantic symbolism, ideal as a gift in a beautiful hanging pot.
- Hoya Kerri
This small succulent is the epitome of Valentine's Day plants. It is sold everywhere, as it is shaped like a heart and if you combine it with a decorative pot, it makes an amazing gift for the one you love. First of all, it is a succulent, so it is very easy to care for as long as you don't overwater it. It is ideal for long-term relationships, as it is virtually indestructible and will stay alive with very little attention. Ideal to symbolise those relationships that exist against all odds, capable of surviving any challenge.
- Orchids
If red roses are for romantic loves, orchids are for passionate, refined and mature loves. You could argue that they may have the same symbolism as roses, but orchids are more luxurious and delicate. Orchids convey a vibe of security, permanence and an affection that continues to grow over time. They are also a symbol of lust and fertility.
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You can find orchids in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes, so it will be easy to find one that accurately represents your loved one's tastes. Don't even worry about care, because while they may seem like delicate and whimsical flowers, the truth is that they are simple plants to care for once you've established the perfect spot to place them. You can also count on the support of Be Green, who will give you a card with everything you need to know about their care.
- Anthurium
According to Greek myth, Cupid's arrows are made from the flowers of Anthuriums, so if you're looking for a plant that epitomises the romantic spirit of Valentine's Day, the Anthurium is just what you need. Its deep red flowers with a shiny, waxy texture grow all year round, are long-lasting and are associated with love and friendship. It is also said that giving one of these plants as a gift is a way of showing the purest feelings of love and friendship towards the recipient.
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NASA classifies these plants among the species capable of purifying the environment and, as if that were not enough, in the tradition of feng shui they are good luck plants that should be placed in the baguas of happiness and relationships. As for their care, they are quite simple, although they require a lot of humidity and indirect light if you want them to continue to flower abundantly throughout the year.
- Cyclamen or Alpine violet
The cyclamen is one of those popular plants because they have beautiful, abundant and very particular flowers, but depending on the culture, they have an incredible symbolism. It will always express sincere, real and lasting feelings. In Mediterranean culture it speaks of empathy and devotion, while in Japan it is considered one of the most sacred flowers of love, in fact it is believed to be the daughter of Cupid and is therefore a popular choice on Valentine's Day.
- Jade
Jade is a succulent plant that is often given as a wedding gift and can become a lovely Valentine's Day tradition. Being such a long-lived and hardy plant, it is perfect as a gift for relationships that are just beginning, as a symbol of eternity and love that will last forever. As if that wasn't enough, it is a plant that grows and develops more or less quickly, so it is related to abundance, prosperity and fertility, so it is a wonderful gift for new homes, marriages and for relationships that have already been established for a long time.
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Another wonderful thing about Jade is that it is very easy to care for. It requires virtually no more than a bright spot, spaced watering and little else. In summer it can give you beautiful white flowers.
- Miniature Roses
If you are one of those classic romantics and refuse to let go of the reins of tradition, then a miniature rose will be the perfect gift for your loved one, as it combines the beauty of the rose with the practicality of being able to be grown in a pot, as long as they are in full sun. However, you have to take into account that it requires certain care such as adequate watering and fertilising a little more frequently, so it is ideal for those who have a little experience with plants.
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