Ditch the bouquet. The gardener in your life will be far happier with a plant that grows, not one that fades.

Chocolates and bouquets are the usual Valentine’s fare, but gardeners would secretly prefer a trailer-load of compost or a value pack of fertiliser. Not ready for that level of gifting honesty? These heart-shaped plants will thrill them just as much.

1. Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’

A much-coveted variegated form of the popular beginner’s plant, Monstera deliciosa. A few years ago this plant was a collector’s dream. These days it’s widely available, but its heart-shaped leaves speckled with glossy green and cream marbling still steals the show.

2. Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)

A showy perennial that produces pendent heart-shaped flowers in red, pink or white that hang from arching stems. Bleeding heart can grow in moderate poorly drained soil. Being from the poppy family, all parts of the plant may cause irritation.

3. Cercis canadensis (Forest Pansy)

A small precocious-flowering tree that forms dark red to burgundy-heart shaped leaves. It provides shade in summer before turning a brilliant russet hue in autumn. Forest Pansy is a tree well worth having in every garden given the right conditions.

Image source: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Cyclamen

A low-growing tuberous plant with heart-shaped leaves that prefers a cool, sheltered position. In the cooler months, cyclamens flower for a long period of time in shades of pink, red and white, which make them a pretty present for a special gardener. Give them bright, indirect light indoors and protect them from hot afternoon sun outdoors.

5. Ceropegia (Chain of Hearts)

A small succulent with thick, heart-shaped leaves. Chain of hearts is a minimal-fuss gift perfect for novices or experienced plant lovers. It can be trained around structures or left to drape elegantly to the ground. They prefer to stay on the dry side, so avoid watering them overly much.

6. Scindapsus pictus (Satin Pothos)

Another trailing plant that spreads the love around, the Satin Pothos is well-loved for its silvery leaves. They can be left to trail or supported on walls with plant hooks, however, their leaves tend to grow larger when they are trained to grow on a pole.

7. Philodendron hederaceum (Heartleaf Philodendron)

The heartleaf philodendron is reliable, very forgiving, and always looks good. They are fast growing trailers that can be trained on a pole or left to trail from a hanging basket.

8. Anthurium (Flamingo Plant)

With its glossy green leaves and attractive ‘flower-like‘ bracts that last for weeks, many people mistake Anthuriums for plastic. The actual flowers are almost insignificant, but the bracts, which come in red, pink or white, make a wonderful coffee table centrepiece.

Gift Vouchers

If nothing here catches your fancy, consider purchasing a gift voucher for your Valentine. It’s flexible, thoughtful, and leaves room for personal meaning, which is what good gifts are really about. Give us a ring or drop us an email to purchase yours today.

Come in to the Nursery and talk to one of our friendly garden experts today!