Valentine’s Day is clearly the most flower-filled holiday on the U.S. calendar, a day where partners choose flowers to say the words, “I love you.” Yet, behind the veneer of romance sits an objective truth: the global supply chain for flowers is creaking under the weight of demand.
This Valentine’s Day will bring some mind-boggling statistics, if the last few years in America are an indication. The flower company, Rio Roses, published a recent breakdown of what Americans spent in 2025, and it is staggering (a total of $27.5 billion).
Say it with Roses
While flowers don’t exceed candy as America’s go-to Valentine’s gift, at least 41% of Americans bought some last year. The Society of American Florists’ About Flowers webpage reveals 83% of the U.S. Valentine’s Day participants bought roses for their significant other. It equates to $250 million spent on roses alone.
Furthermore, a 2024 report from Waterborne Environmental looked at the impact of the rose industry. “Often grown outside the United States in South America or Africa, roses are a water-intensive crop that requires irrigation systems to maintain their lush appearance,” reads a post. “The expansion of commercial rose cultivation often comes at the expense of natural habitats.”
Rising fuel costs, flowers traveling thousands of miles, and rising societal adoption have put pressure on flower growers during this period. It presents questions for homesteaders and backyard gardeners, who have the wherewithal to grow their own.
Romance and Backyard Basics
Perhaps the most meaningful flowers of the year can just grow slowly at home, rooted in local soil, and planted with pollinators in mind. Michael Pope of the National Environmental Education Foundation concurs, explaining where most of our February blooms originate.
“Most of the United States is still firmly within winter’s grasp when February 14 rolls around,” says Pope. “That means most of the bright red bouquets you see filling your local store came from somewhere else—most likely Ecuador or Colombia.”
What’s more, to mitigate wilting, these foreign flowers travel by air freight and are then delivered in energy-burning refrigerated trucks. Therefore, the carbon footprint cannot be ignored.
Multipurpose Valentine’s Gifts
“Instead of the traditional rose bouquet,” writes Pope, “what about giving your special someone something that won’t wilt and die in a few days?” He suggests something like a succulent, or if your partner likes cooking, a pragmatic choice, such as rosemary, basil, or mint.
Notwithstanding the ecological benefits, multi-use gifts such as these kitchen-friendly perennials serve more than one purpose. Not only do they help with cooking, but they also become a reminder of a partner’s romantic dedication.
Pollinators for Pleased Partners
Furthermore, planting for the garden’s ecosystem can also add more ethos to one’s Valentine’s Day goals. For instance, choosing flowers that are welcoming for nature’s pollinators can also blend romance with a healthy garden community.
Help comes from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a useful resource for any grower’s repertoire. The platform has a list of recommended species by state, and every member of the union is included.
Homegrown is the Way Forward
What’s more, for those unable to grow flowers at home, a glossary of suppliers for each state’s indigenous or thriving plant species also resides here. For anyone with the ability, space, and time to grow their own Valentine’s Day flowers, a multitude of helpful platforms, such as Food Hero, exist.
Perhaps it is time to ease the strain on commercial growers and bring some much-needed color to the garden, ready for the February 14 date. The more growers can learn about the commercial flower industry, the better. If it means we one day see a pivot to more self-grown figments of romantic intent, this can only be positive.