Best Valentine’s Gift Plants & Their Meanings

Did you know that flowers are filled with meanings? Floriography, also known as speaking with flowers, dates back to the Victorian era, when etiquette was very strict and people had to get creative with expressing their feelings. So, they utilized flowers to convey certain messages. The type, color and number of flowers given held secret meanings, many of which we still recognize today.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to outline a few popular flower colors and types, as well as their specific meanings. This way, you’ll know exactly what to gift your friend, significant other or family member this Valentine’s Day!

Red: Passion, Deep Love, Romance & Desire

Flowers that symbolize love are typically red in color and represent passion, deep love, romance and desire. Valentine’s Day is, of course, all about love, so what better way to impress your special someone than by gifting them red flowers? Try out any of these varieties if you’re feeling lovey-dovey this year!

Red Roses

You can’t go wrong with red roses for Valentine’s Day! You may have heard that a single rose means love at first sight, while a dozen roses symbolizes a declaration of love and passion, as well as perfection and completeness. For a unique twist on traditional red roses, try the Petite Knock Out® Rose (shown above). This miniature variety is perfectly suited for containers or in-ground plantings, so your loved one can enjoy abundant blooms for years to come!

Red Tulips

If you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary than roses, try tulips. Red tulips are also perfect for expressing romantic sentiments, specifically true love. Plus, they’re a reminder of springtime and all the beauty and warmth that’s to come. For a truly special tulip arrangement, try the Red and White Tulips with Crocus and Hyacinth. Not only will you get beautiful red tulips, but you’ll get the added bonus of white tulips, white hyacinth and white-yellow crocus all in a glossy red tin!

Red Carnations

Red carnations are also a great choice when it comes to expressing your love at Valentine’s Day. Light red carnations symbolize admiration, while dark red carnations symbolize deep love, so choose whichever fits your feelings. Carnations are also known to be long-lasting in a bouquet, and their ruffled petals offer tasteful texture.

White: Purity, Humility & Innocence

You can also opt for white flowers this Valentine’s Day, which often stand for purity, humility, and innocence, as well as light and brightness. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s gift for friends or family that need a dose of hope, white flowers are the way to go! Try out these varieties below.

White Roses

White roses stand for innocence, youthfulness, young love and loyalty, so they’re perfect for a new relationship or budding romance or simply a sweet and gentle gesture. Try the Pretty Polly® White Rose for pure white color, repeat blooms and sweet fragrance. Plus, it’s easy to care for and perfect for planting into the landscape.

White Orchids

For a white flower with elegance and long-lasting blooms, try orchids. The White Orchid Plant is a perfect gift option that’s planted in a silver container and even topped with a cute red heart! Alternatively, opt for the Gianna White Orchid and Fern (shown above) for a combo gift plant that comes with a white orchid, as well as a lush green fern, packaged in a white planter. Both of these options make gifting easy and are sure to lighten and brighten any loved one’s day (and their home!).

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is another perfect choice for white flowers at Valentine’s Day. Representing goodwill, purity and innocence, as well as prosperity and peace, Peace Lilies produce blooms year-round, are low-maintenance and are excellent for using as cut flowers. Their glossy, green leaves and uniquely shaped blooms create an elegant display that your loved ones will appreciate.

Pink: Grace, Joy, Trust, Good Health & Fortune

Pink flowers represent grace, joy, trust, good health and fortune, making them another fantastic option for Valentine’s Day gifting. When you want to bring a smile to a friend, family member or significant other, choose one of the below varieties. A pop of pink does everyone well, especially in February!

Pink Roses

Pink roses are an obvious choice for Valentine’s Day, and for good reason. They stand for appreciation and admiration, so anyone in your life would be lucky to receive a bouquet of pink roses. Show someone you care by gifting them with a Queen Elizabeth Rose. This variety makes a rich impression with multi-layered, re-blooming, aromatic flowers, ideal for cutting and placing in an arrangement.

Pink Camellias

A symbol of longevity, happiness and love, pink camellias are a sweet decision when it comes to showing someone you care. Try the Debutante Camellia (shown above) or Shi-Shi Gashira Camellia, in particular, for vibrant pink, layered blooms, rich foliage and easy-care. They’re the perfect, out-of-the-ordinary Valentine’s Day gift to surprise your loved ones with.

Pink Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas might not be the first flower you think of when it comes to Valentine’s Day, but they’re ideal for expressing understanding and deep gratitude towards your nearest and dearest. Love Hydrangea and Flamingo Hydrangea, in particular, put on a show with abundant blooms, vibrant foliage and versatility. They can be planted in mass, used as a focal point or planted into containers for porches and patios. Plus, they can be cut and used in flower arrangements!

Pink Tulips

Pink tulips, a symbol for caring and well wishes, are equally appropriate for Valentine's gifting. And our Valentine's Day Garden with Seagrass Pot (shown above) is the absolute perfect, tulip gift selection! Complete with eight Innuendo Tulip bulbs and three Jan Bos Hyacinth bulbs bundled into a stylish seagrass pot, this duo is the ultimate Valentine's Day gift to show someone special you're thinking of them.

Yellow: Joy, Happiness & Friendship

Yellow flowers are a representation of joy, happiness and friendship. They’ll instantly brighten your mood and lift your spirits. Perfect for showing your friends you’re thinking of them this Valentine’s Day, consider any of the following cheery yellow varieties. Alternatively, yellow flowers can also be given for birthdays or get-well-soon sentiments.

Yellow Roses

Yellow roses have long been a symbol of friendship, so snag your closest pals a bouquet of them to show you care. Or, instead of traditional cut flowers, gift them a rose shrub like Julia Child or Popcorn Drift® Rose. They’ll appreciate the longevity and abundant blooms of these varieties that they can enjoy year after year! Julia Child is a fragrant, easy-care, gorgeous golden rose, and Popcorn Drift® is a disease-resistant, continually blooming, groundcover variety. Just be careful not to give your sweetheart yellow roses, as they can also be a symbol of infidelity.

Golden Raspberries

Because Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romance and flowers, consider a totally unique gift like Golden Raspberries. This durable, versatile plant produces sweet, juicy fruit from late June to October. Plus, its unique, bright yellow color is sure to send anyone smiling. Perfect for the fruit lover in your life or someone that’s seeking ornamental appeal in their garden, the Golden Raspberry will surely delight!

Yellow Rhododendrons

Yellow Rhododendrons are another out-of-the-ordinary but totally perfect Valentine’s gift. Symbolizing light and warmth, you can’t go wrong gifting the Yellow Rhododendron Shrub (shown above) to special friends and family. This compact, rounded evergreen provides long-lasting color with its large yellow blooms, making it a happy addition to anyone’s landscaping.

The meaning of flowers and the ways we can use them to convey certain feelings is fascinating! Who knew there was so much history and symbolism behind them? Whether you’re looking to woo your crush or simply show a friend you care this Valentine’s Day, there’s a flower for each and every occasion. So, get creative with your gifting this February and show your true feelings!

And if you’re looking for further gift inspiration this Valentine’s Day, check out the list of expressions and their corresponding flower types below so you can pick the right ones for the people in your life!

And don't forget to shop our full Gift Ideas Collection!

Love

• Red Roses
• Red Tulips
• Red Carnations
• Dahlias
• Pink Carnations

Luck

• Crape Myrtles
• White Carnations
• Peace Lilies

Friendship

• Yellow Roses
• Chrysanthemums
• Yellow Sunflowers
• Yellow Azaleas

Gratitude

• Pink Roses
• Hydrangeas

Admiration

• Pink Camellias
• Orchids
• Lilies
• Peonies

Despite all the positive meanings above, certain plants and flowers can hold negative connotations, as well. Be sure to avoid gifting these plants for Valentine’s Day so as not to offend your loved ones!

• Basil: hatred
• Aloe: bitterness or grief
• Yellow Roses: infidelity when given to a lover
• Impatiens: impatience
• Yellow Carnations: disdain