With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, consider giving your valentine something different. something they can nurture. Instead of heart-shaped chocolates, look for heart-shaped plants.
Anthuriums are easy-to-grow, low maintenance, and long-blooming indoor plants with red, pink, or white heart-shaped flowers. They are pretty and resilient.
Pothos and philodendron with heart-shaped leaves are easy to grow and long time favorites.
Select one of the newer varieties, like Brazil philodendron, with a thin line of chartreuse down the center of the leaf.
Or select the Neon pothos, with bright lime green leaves.
Caladiums and Elephant ears are popular in the garden, but also make great houseplants.
Perhaps your valentine would prefer a living heart sculpture. Stems of lucky bamboo are often shaped into hearts and are a fun, unique gift.
Other ideas include making your own wire vine topiaries. All you need is a pot with drainage holes, a couple vining plants, and a piece of heavy gauge wire or a pre-formed heart-shaped topiary frame.
Bend the wire into a heart shape with one or two legs that will extend into the container. Select small plants with long branches to provide immediate impact. Consider dressing up your container with a bit of paint.
Fill the bottom half of the container with well-drained potting mix. Set the topiary frame in place. Arrange the plants in the container so the stems can grow along either side of the heart. Cover the roots with soil and water. Secure the stems to the wire frame and add a decorative stone mulch, if desired.
For a simpler gift, add a few cut flowers placed in water picks to any pot of indoor plants. They add some color and are sure to brighten your Valentine’s Day. No matter how you decide to celebrate, enjoy a Valentine’s Day celebration with a friend or family member that is sure to refresh your spirit and honor those you love.
