Forget flowers this Valentine’s Day: 5 houseplant alternatives to gift instead

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The gift that keeps on growing

Sweet Hoya houseplant in a galvanized pot
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Flowers are the traditional gift to give on Valentine’s Day, and I would never turn away a beautiful, fragrant bouquet. But the problem with flowers is that they have a short life.

However, there is another option that (hopefully) won’t wilt as quickly — and is still a symbol of love and affection. I’m talking about houseplants.

While I wouldn’t welcome receiving a Venus flytrap or a Rat-tail cactus on Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of charming houseplants that send a romantic message. Here, Diane Blaze, Executive Director at National Garden Bureau, shares her top 5 heart-shaped houseplants to give on Valentine’s Day.

1. String of hearts

String of hearts houseplant

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

“When one heart isn’t enough,” says Blaze, “this vine provides an entire cascade. Its trailing stems are dotted with small green and silver hearts, occasionally blushing with pink. It’s a sun-lover perfect for south-facing windows.”

For anyone new to houseplants, String of Hearts is a great choice. It’s easy to care for and features a delicate trail of semi-succulent heart-shaped leaves with purple stems. It looks beautiful on a shelf, with the leaves trailing down.

Blaze says it thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers a ‘soak and dry’ watering routine.

What does ‘soak and dry’ mean?
Succulents prefer a ‘soak and dry’ watering method that involves thoroughly watering the soil and allowing it to dry out completely before watering again. You can check whether the plant needs watering by touching the top of the soil. It won’t need watering again until it feels completely dry.

And as an added bonus, she says, “This pet-friendly plant is exceptionally easy to grow and propagate.”

2. String of pearls

String of pearls houseplant

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

“For a botanical take on fine jewelry, these green beads spill gracefully over decorative pots,” explains Blaze.

I’ve owned a String of Pearls myself, and can vouch for its delicate nature and elegant appeal.

And although February 14 is too early, you’ll get a surprise in the summer, when it blooms with cinnamon-scented flowers. Blaze explains that this houseplant is a succulent and that the round bead-like leaves store water. This makes it perfect for sunny spots and infrequent watering.

However, she adds, “While it creates a beautiful ‘beaded curtain’ effect, it is highly sensitive to overwatering.”

I have to admit that I overwatered my String of Pearls, so err on the side of caution when it comes to watering.

To help you know whether this delicate plant needs watering, Blaze suggests, “ If your String of Pearls starts to look shriveled, check the ‘window’ — the tiny translucent slit on each bead. If that slit is closed, the plant is thirsty.”

Unlike the String of Hearts, it is toxic to curious pets, so either position it out of reach or opt for a different houseplant to gift on Valentine’s Day.

3. Sweet Hoya

Woman holding Hoya Kerrii houseplant

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It’s no surprise that Sweet Hoya makes the list, as Blaze says it’s often called the ‘Valentine Plant’, and she adds, “This succulent is famous for its thick, perfectly heart-shaped leaves.”

While it won’t blow you away like a big bouquet of flowers — it’s often sold as a single leaf in a pot — its meaning is clear. And, if you wait, you’ll be rewarded with a lush vine of green hearts, but you will have to be patient.

“The Sweetheart Hoya is a slow-growing, non-toxic succulent vine famous for its thick, perfectly heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in bright, indirect light and only needs water when the soil is completely dry, making it exceptionally low-maintenance,” says Blaze.

Top tip
Blaze has a top tip if you buy a Sweetheart Hoya with a single leaf. “Ensure it has a piece of stem (a node) attached below the soil, or that ‘zombie leaf’ will stay a single heart forever without ever growing into a vine!”

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4. Anthurium

nthurium flower in pot on wooden tableA

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you’re looking to buy an eye-catching houseplant for Valentine’s Day, an Anthurium makes an excellent pick.

“It’s a tropical showstopper where both the glossy leaves and the flashy red or pink flowers are heart-shaped,” explains Blaze.

What’s more, it blooms almost year-round, making it a plant that keeps on giving. To keep it thriving, it prefers indirect light, so keep it away from sunny windowsills.

Unlike the succulents in the list, Blaze says anthuriums crave high humidity and consistently moist, well-drained soil. Under these conditions, you’ll keep the flowers looking fresh, which Blaze says are actually modified leaves.

However, keep it away from pets, as it can be toxic.

5. Heart Leaf Philodendron

Heart Leaf Philodendron

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you’re looking to gift a houseplant to someone who might not be sure how to take care of one, the Heart Leaf Philodendron is your answer. Blaze describes it as the ultimate ‘easy-to-grow’ houseplant.

“This resilient plant creates a dense canopy of greenery and is adaptable to almost any indoor space, making it an ideal gift for new plant parents,” she explains.

In fact, she describes it as a ‘nearly indestructible trailing plant’, and it also does well in low-light spaces.

If you’re familiar with other houseplants, you might think it looks similar to a Pothos. However, Blaze says, “You can identify it by its perfectly symmetrical, thinner leaves and its tendency to grow incredibly fast even in dim corners.”

What’s more, apart from the heart-shaped leaves, there’s another reason why it’s suitable to give on Valentine’s Day. The name Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo (love) and dendron (tree). Now, what could be more perfect than that?

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Camilla Sharman
Camilla Sharman
Staff Writer, Homes

Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides. 


Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.


Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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