Roses are red, violets are blue, and in a week, they’re in the compost, too. While a dozen red roses is a classic for Valentine’s Day (or anytime you want to show your love), a houseplant is a gift that actually grows with your relationship.
It’s a sustainable, living reminder of your affection that won’t be tossed out with the weekly recycling. If you’re looking to branch out this year, these unique plants offer a lasting impression that no bouquet can match.
1. Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart Hoya)
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The Hoya Kerrii is literally a Valentine’s Day plant. It’s usually sold as a single, heart-shaped leaf in a cute little pot, making it an easy and adorable gift. This semi-succulent is super resilient and doesn’t need much water, so it’s perfect for a partner who’s a bit forgetful with plants.
While the single leaf is sweet, a full-grown Hoya Kerrii is a vining plant covered in those same thick, heart-shaped leaves. It loves bright, indirect light and needs to dry out completely between waterings. Since it holds water in its leaves, the biggest mistake you can make is giving it too much love (and water). It’s a low-maintenance way to say “I love you” without giving your partner another chore.
2. Anthurium (Flamingo Flower)
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For those who love the bold red color of roses but want something that lasts for months, the Anthurium is the ideal candidate. This tropical plant features glossy, deep green leaves and heart-shaped, waxy blooms called spathes. These spathes come in shades of lipstick red, pink, white, and even purple. The “flowers” are actually modified leaves, which explains why they last so incredibly long compared to traditional blooms.
Anthuriums act as a vibrant piece of living decor. They prefer high humidity and bright, indirect light. Placing them in a bathroom with a window or near a kitchen sink often keeps them happiest. With proper care, an Anthurium can bloom in cycles throughout the year, providing constant pops of color that brighten up a room.
3. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
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This trailing vine is elegant, delicate, and perfectly themed for Valentine’s Day. The String of Hearts features cascading purple stems adorned with small, variegated heart-shaped leaves. It looks spectacular in a hanging basket or placed on a high shelf where its vines can drape down, sometimes reaching several feet in length.
Despite its fragile appearance, this plant is quite hardy. It grows tuberous roots that store water, so it can forgive a missed watering now and then. It prefers bright light, which encourages the leaves to develop a beautiful purple underside. It is a fast grower during the warmer months, offering immediate gratification as the vines lengthen and create a lush curtain of hearts.
4. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
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Orchids carry an air of sophistication and luxury that elevates them above standard grocery store bouquets. The Phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchid, is the most recognizable and accessible variety. Its long, arching stems support moth-like blooms that can last for two to three months before fading. They come in a vast array of colors, including crisp whites, deep purples, and speckled pinks.
Many people find orchids intimidating, but they are surprisingly easy to keep alive if you understand their roots. In nature, they grow on trees, not in soil. Therefore, they need a potting mix that consists mostly of bark and allows for significant airflow. They do best in bright, filtered light. Watering should be thorough but infrequent, allowing the planting medium to dry slightly. An orchid symbolizes refined beauty and makes a stunning centerpiece.
5. Red Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)
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Flowers are not the only way to introduce color to a space. The Red Aglaonema creates a dramatic visual impact with its foliage alone. The leaves are a striking mix of dark green and vibrant shades of pink or red. Some varieties, like the ‘Siam Aurora,’ look as if they have been outlined in neon lipstick.
This plant is famously easy to care for and tolerates lower light conditions better than most other colorful plants. It is an excellent choice for an office desk or a corner of a living room that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. It prefers to stay on the dry side, so it won’t suffer if the recipient forgets to water it for a week or two. It offers all the romance of red roses with the sturdiness of a foliage plant.
6. Cyclamen
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February is cold in many parts of the world, and the Cyclamen loves the winter weather. They produce sweet-smelling, upswept flowers that look like shooting stars over a cluster of heart-shaped leaves. These plants bloom a lot during the cooler months, adding a pop of color to gray winter days.
Cyclamen do best in cool spots, like near a drafty window. Be careful not to overwater them; it’s best to water them from the bottom. They often go dormant in the summer but will come back to life when it gets cold again, just in time for the next Valentine’s Day.
7. Pink Princess Philodendron
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For the fashion-forward partner who keeps up with trends, the Pink Princess Philodendron is a showstopper. This vining plant has dark, almost black-green leaves splashed with variegation in shades of bubblegum pink. Each leaf is unique; some might have small speckles of pink, while others emerge with half-moon blocks of color.
To keep the pink variegation vibrant, this plant needs bright, indirect light. Without enough light, the leaves will revert to green. It climbs as it grows, so providing a moss pole or trellis will help it reach its full potential. It is a bold, stylish gift that serves as a conversation piece and adds a modern touch to any interior collection.
Make Love Grow This Year
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Choosing a living plant over cut flowers shows a level of thoughtfulness and a desire for longevity. These botanical gifts offer ongoing beauty and serve as a daily reminder of your relationship. Head to your local nursery or browse an online plant shop to find the perfect pot and plant combination to surprise your Valentine.