Skip the cut flowers this year
Valentine’s Day is a popular time for cut flowers. Consider a flowering plant! The instant flowers are cut, they begin their journey towards death. With a flowering plant with heart-shaped leaves, the gift is just the beginning!
The cold-loving cyclamen is the perfect houseplant to brighten up February with its heart-shaped and colorful blossoms in Valentine colors of pink and red!
Cyclamen flower for several months indoors, as long as they are kept cool. When plants finish their bloom cycle, feed them with diluted water-soluble fertilizer so they put out more leaves to increase the size of their underground tuber. By June, plant go dormant, leaves die and tubers should be removed from pots to dry and store. They’ll bloom again the following winter.
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Or, consider the hellebore. This lovely plant with its pastel flowers will bloom for months. After enjoying hellebore flowers, you can plant them outside when the ground thaws enough to dig a hole. They laugh at the cold and keep on blooming. See how to care for hellebore.
Other easily found flowering plants such as African violets and Peace Lilies bloom year-round indoors in the right light conditions. Neither need strong direct light, but do well in an east-facing window or a three or four feet away from the bright light of west and south windows.
Even orchids, particularly phaleonopsis, can be grown indoors throughout the year. Though, I get better flowering results if I put both outside in a sheltered northeast spot for the summer.
Red-flowered Anthurium are perfect for Valentine’s Day, because the “flowers” (which are actually modified leaves) are heart shaped!
Miniature roses are another good choice to give or receive as a token of love. Enjoy the blooms for several months by placing the plant in strong light. Deadhead spent flowers, fertilize and then wait until outdoor temperatures warm. The little flower powerhouses look terrific in containers on the patio or deck and do well in the ground in climates where temperatures don’t go below 10ºF in the winter.
All the plants I mentioned and more can be found at local garden centers or ordered from flower delivery services.
I’m hoping for red Anthurium this week. You can print out this article and leave it in a spot where your Valentine is certain to see it. Let me know what you receive or give (or pick up for yourself!).
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Very interesting information. Thanks a lot for this. I completely agree with this. It's amazing images. Very good ideas for giving gifts.
Just search Valentines Day TickleMe Plant to grow the only house plant that reacts to affection by closing its leaves when you Tickle it or blow it a kiss!
Hi, Doreen! My dining room is north-facing with a north-facing window. It's narrow and tall so the room is rather dark. Are there plants that you suggest for this room? I love flowers, but greenery is fine, too. Thanks!
Sanseveria will tolerate very low light, and are so forgiving. Great for places that don’t get light, and will last many years!
Aunt Weezie, I can sympathize. I have a sunroom that faces north and east! Had to add a skylight. What grows well in the dark corners of that room are hanging baskets of pothos, spilt-leaf philodendron, ferns, Peace lily (spathaphyllum), primrose (they bloom) and cyclamen. All are green, luxurious and make the house much brighter.
When my husband and I first got together, I put one rule out on the table--no cut flowers as gifts. They're always too expensive (especially around V-Day!) and I don't get the idea of giving something that will wither and die fairly quickly to express one's love.
I've gotten my fair share of potted plants over the years. I adore tulips, but I seem to be able to do better with non-flowering plants.
Great column!
I love buying and getting potted tulips this time of year. After the blooms fade I stick the pot in the basement. Come fall I plant the dried bulbs outside for spring bloom next year. Pick up some bright red tulips for your Valentine!!
Thanks, Doreen. I like the idea of a longer-lasting flower--esp the heart-shaped anthurium. And the idea of sharing this blog with my husband. :-) Happy birthday to you!
I got red anthurium today from husband and my son sent me a catci dish garden for my birthday.
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