Give the Lasting Love of a Plant Instead of Flowers!

Who doesn't love receiving flowers? I received flowers at the office many times over the years from my special someone and was always thrilled. I think flowers delivered to the workplace are extra special in that it lets all your colleagues know you are loved. Sometimes it's a little embarrassing, but who doesn't enjoy such a public display? Cut flowers are a beautiful way to brighten someone's day. One of my favorite florists is In The Company of Flowers in downtown Keene (soon moving to Walpole). Not only is the variety of flowers available top-notch, but they also offer houseplants for sale. And if you're looking for other options besides the dozen roses or box of chocolates for next week's Valentine's Day, there's some gorgeous plants that can say "I Love You" just as passionately as those red roses. Some folks opt for plants as gifts because they last much longer. Many object to the carbon footprint of cut flowers given the amount of energy it takes to grow them and then ship them hundreds, if not thousands, of miles. So, if either of those reasons for skipping cut flowers and opting for a live plant sounds more your style, here's some perfect plants for your sweetheart: Anthurium. This tropical beauty with its open, heart-shaped flowers of vivid red is probably the best fit for embodying the spirit of Valentine's Day. Also known as lace flower and flamingo flower, Anthurium is referred to as the hospitality flower because it can thrive in just about any household. It also symbolizes strength and perseverance, according to lovingly.com. Given a mix of orchid soil and regular potting soil, warm indoor temperatures and a little humidity, this symbol of love will last and last. Hoya kerrii. Speaking of heart-shaped, how about an easy-care succulent whose leaves are perfectly heart-shaped? Hoya kerrii is unsurprisingly also known as the heart plant, Hoya hearts or lucky-heart. Native to southeast Asia, its thick leaves are shaped just like a heart, and like any good succulent, a single heart leaf pushed into some moist soil will take root and last for years, making it a popular novelty plant for Valentine's Day. Dracaena marginata. Dracaenas are often used as an accent thriller in a large planter of summer annuals. With spiky, grass-like leaves emerging from a semi-woody stem, Dracaena marginata typically has a braided trunk. Manipulated this way, three base stems are braided while they're still supple. Also known as the Marginata Braid, the plant represents strength and flexibility in love, according to plantvine.com. Relatively easy to care for, it likes bright, indirect light and occasional water. Nice and undemanding. Heart-leaf Philodendron. One of the most common houseplants for decades, Philodendron hederaceum has shiny, deep-green, heart-shaped leaves and is a vine similar in habit to the pathos. Native to Central America and the Caribbean, the name Philodendron originates from the Greek words "philo," meaning "love," and "dendron," meaning "tree," since philodendrons do best when climbing up the trunks of trees. String of Hearts. And finally, Ceropegia woodii, better known as String of Hearts plant, is an attractive, quiet succulent trailing vine that looks great in a hanging basket or draping from a pot on a windowsill. Native to South Africa, Ceropegia woodii is frequently used as a sprawling groundcover or as a romantic display spilling over stone walls in Mediterranean regions. The thin vine looks like purple string with grey-green leaves that have a marbled pattern. A relatively easy-care houseplant, use a cactus soil mix and let it dry out between waterings, just not for prolonged periods like you might with other succulents. Bright, indirect light and warm temperatures keep this string of hearts happy. There's plenty of other houseplants on the market that would also make great Valentine's gifts. I chose these for their relatively easy care and somewhat passionate personalities. It is the holiday of love after all. For goodness sake, don't bring your sweetheart a peace lily. You're not attending a funeral!