15 Flowering Plants that Symbolize Love
Flowers are widely recognized as symbols for expressing love, gratitude, passion, and romance. While the classic bouquet of flowers is the traditional choice for expressing affection, plants can provide an equally powerful symbolic gesture, and have the added advantage of longevity. Plants can serve as a constant reminder of the love and connection shared between two individuals. There are a variety of flowers to choose from, each with its unique meaning, such as roses and lilies, making it possible for everyone to find a flower that represents eternal love. Here are the list of 15 flowering plants that symbolize love and a perfect gift for your loved ones.
Red Rose
Red roses have become the quintessential symbol of love and are a popular choice for various celebrations such as anniversaries, weddings, and Valentine’s Day. This association with love dates back to Greek and Roman mythology, where red roses were linked to Venus, the goddess of love. Whether it’s a single red rose or a bouquet, these flowers are an excellent way to express your deep affection for someone special. So, surprise your loved one with a beautiful arrangement of red roses or a single stem, and let them know how much you care.
Hot Lips
Hot Lips Plant, also known as Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’, is a beautiful and vibrant plant that is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. This evergreen perennial is a member of the mint family, and it is characterized by its bright red and white flowers that bloom throughout the year.
One of the most attractive features of the Hot Lips Plant is its flowers, which are produced in profusion throughout the year. The flowers are tubular in shape and appear in dense clusters at the tips of the stems. They are about an inch long and have two lobes, with the upper lip being white and the lower lip being red, giving the plant its distinctive hot lips appearance.
The bright red and white flowers of the Hot Lips Plant are often associated with passion and love, making them a popular choice for romantic occasions such as Valentine’s Day or weddings. The Hot Lips Plant is a tough and hardy plant that can withstand extreme heat and drought, making it a symbol of strength and resilience. The vibrant colors and unique appearance of the Hot Lips Plant can inspire creativity and imagination
Bleeding Heart
Originating from tropical West Africa, the Lamprocapos spectabilis, commonly known as the bleeding heart plant, is an evergreen twining plant. Its distinct features include long, arching stems that bear puffy, heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white. Alternatively, the ‘Alba’ cultivar of the bleeding heart plant has solid white flowers. Similar to the red rose, the bleeding heart plant also represents love and affection, making it a perfect gift for expressing your heartfelt emotions.
Anthurium
Anthuriums, which are native to tropical rainforests, are characterized by their heart-shaped, brightly colored spathes. Despite their resemblance to flowers, the heart-shaped structure of the plant is actually a modified or large leaf, known as a spathe.
Often referred to as the “Heart of Hawaii,” Anthuriums are a symbol of love and adoration due to their heart-shaped appearance. In fact, it is believed that giving these plants as a gift can even make someone fall in love with you. So, if you want to express your affection towards someone special, Anthuriums could be an ideal choice.
Dancing lady Orchid
The Oncidium genus, which is native to tropical and subtropical America, is a group of orchids that deserves recognition for its association with affairs of the heart. The genus contains several species of orchids commonly known as “dancing lady orchids” due to their striking resemblance to dancers.
Each flower features an arrangement of petals that resembles a little dancing figure wearing a colorful, flowing skirt. It’s a beautiful and unexpected symbol of love found in nature, reminding us that romance can be found in the most unexpected places.
Whether you’re looking for a unique flower to express your affection or simply appreciate the beauty of nature’s romantic symbolism, this flower is an excellent choice.
Jasmine
Jasmine is a flower that has been widely recognized as a symbol of eternal love and beauty. Its gentle white flowers and calming fragrance have made it a popular choice for florists and romantics alike. The white blossoms of jasmine also symbolize purity, making it a traditional flower for weddings and other sacred ceremonies.
In addition to its association with love and purity, jasmine is also believed to bring good luck in some cultures. Its symbolism is connected to innocence and beauty, as well as purity and love.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, celebrating an anniversary, or simply looking for a way to express your love and appreciation, jasmine is an excellent choice that represents the timeless ideals of love, beauty, and purity.
Daffodil
Daffodils are a popular spring flower that are also known as Narcissus or Jonquils. With their bright yellow color and trumpet-shaped petals, they are often associated with new beginnings and the arrival of spring. Daffodils symbolize hope and new birth, making them a popular choice for celebrations and ceremonies.
In addition to their association with new beginnings, daffodils are also linked to self-love and respect. They are often given as gifts to express admiration and appreciation for someone’s character and qualities. Daffodils are frequently used as a symbol of unrequited love and hope.
Whether you are looking to celebrate a new beginning or show appreciation for someone special, daffodils are an excellent choice that represents the hope and promise of spring.
Iris
The iris flower is known for its unique appearance, with its large, flat, and symmetrical blooms that come in a range of colors, including blue, purple, yellow, and white. The structure of the iris flower typically includes three sepals, three petals, and three broad stigma branches that receive pollen, with the anthers producing the pollen hidden beneath them.
Iris flowers are great to have around the house as they commonly represent hope, wisdom, trust, and valor. The iris has been associated with royalty and nobility, and it also represents cherished friendship and promise in loving relationships. Purple irises symbolize royalty and wisdom, while yellow irises have a meaning of passion instead of friendship like most yellow flowers. Blue irises symbolize faith, hope, and deep trust, making them ideal to give to someone waiting to hear some good news. Delicate white irises are popular in wedding bouquets and decor as they symbolize purity.
Lily
Lilies are perennial plants that grow upright with leafy stems and scaly bulbs. They typically have narrow leaves and produce solitary or clustered flowers. The flowers are composed of six petal-like segments that can resemble a trumpet, featuring a more or less elongated tube.
Lilies have always been connected with ideas of love, devotion, purity, and fertility. The flower’s innocent and sweet beauty has ensured its association with fresh new life and rebirth.
Although the above meanings are general across the lily family, the symbolism of the flower may vary slightly depending on its color. White lilies, for example, represent a rejuvenation of the soul and stand for purity, commitment, and rebirth. As a result, they are frequently used as Sympathy Flowers.
Pink lilies symbolize love, femininity, and admiration, making them an ideal gift for female friends and family members in need of a little confidence boost or pick-me-up.
Red lilies, with their vibrant and fiery appearance, are associated with love and passion and are an excellent substitute for red roses in a romantic bouquet.
Orange lilies, full of positivity and warmth, are the perfect flowers to give when congratulating someone on a new job, a new home, or a personal achievement.
Yellow lilies are great as ‘thank you’ flowers, symbolizing thankfulness and awakening feelings of happiness with their sunny color, sure to bring a smile to the face of the person you appreciate.
Tulip
Tulips have been a favorite flower for centuries and are renowned for their association with love and affection. Depending on their color, tulips hold various meanings, but generally represent perfect love, respect, and admiration. In many cultures, the tulip is also known as the “Flower of Heaven” and a symbol of paradise.
Today, tulips are widely cultivated worldwide and are a favored choice for bouquets and floral arrangements. They come in a vast array of colors, ranging from traditional reds and pinks to more unusual hues such as black and blue.
Regardless of the color, a bouquet of tulips is a timeless gesture that conveys a message of eternal love. So, if you want to express your affection towards someone special, tulips could be an ideal choice.
Carnation
The carnation, also known as grenadine or clove pink, is an herbaceous plant belonging to the pink family and is native to the Mediterranean region. This plant is highly valued for its fringed, or ruffled, petals, which often emit a spicy aroma. It is extensively cultivated for ornamental purposes and is widely used in the floral industry due to its long-lasting, attractive blooms.
Carnations are an excellent choice for individuals about to get married as they symbolize devotion. In addition to devotion, they are also associated with love, whether it is the love of a family member, a romantic partner, or a friend. Carnations make for a fantastic gift on a variety of occasions, including Mother’s Day, birthdays, and anniversaries. Due to their distinctive and attractive appearance, carnations are often used to symbolize distinction, making them an excellent present for that unique and quirky person in your life. They truly stand out from the crowd!
Forget me not
The forget-me-not, or Myosotis, is a flower that holds various meanings, including hope for everlasting love, remembrance, sincerity, fidelity, enduring love, trust, and loyalty. Although it is typically associated with remembrance, many traditions also associate it with new beginnings, indicating a fresh start in which both partners should trust each other more.
This flower can also help you maintain contact with distant friends or navigate a new phase in your relationship. As the name suggests, forget-me-nots are the perfect flowers to give to someone you hope will always keep you in their heart. So, whether you want to express your loyalty, remember a loved one, or mark a new beginning, forget-me-nots can convey your heartfelt message with grace and beauty.
Zinnia
Zinnias are classified as annual plants, meaning that they complete their life cycle in a single growing season, during which they develop flowers and seeds. However, they do not return in subsequent years from the same plant. These vibrant plants feature striking, solitary, daisy-like flowerheads that grow on a single, upright stem.
Zinnias have a wide range of meanings, but they are often linked to friendship, perseverance, daily memory, benevolence, and enduring love. Additionally, zinnias can be utilized to express affection. They are a lovely way to communicate your affection and concern for someone. Pink zinnias are typically used to symbolize love, romance, and tenderness. Purple zinnias generally represent royalty, elegance, and beauty. Finally, red zinnias usually convey feelings of love, passion, and romance.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and they feature flower clusters at the ends of their stems, which are round or shaped like an umbrella. These blooms come in an array of colors, including white, pink, blue, purple, and sometimes a combination of these hues.
The hydrangea has several meanings, including gratitude, grace, and beauty. Its numerous flowers and generous, round shape also represent abundance. Additionally, the colors of hydrangeas can symbolize love, harmony, and peace. This flower is often associated with heartfelt emotions, understanding, and apologies. Furthermore, the hydrangea can be a symbol of unity and togetherness.
The blue hydrangea is often used to symbolize gratitude and understanding towards someone, and it can also serve as a way of apologizing thoughtfully. On the other hand, the white hydrangea is sometimes associated with arrogance, vanity, or boastfulness, although it can also symbolize purity and grace.
Pink hydrangeas, which are frequently used in spring and summer wedding bouquets or table arrangements, are said to convey genuine emotions and are associated with love. Lastly, the purple hydrangea is often chosen as a gift for the fourth wedding anniversary and represents the desire for deep understanding. The color purple is connected with pride, royalty, and gratitude in many cultures, making it an excellent choice for showing appreciation to one’s partner after four years of marriage.
Sweet Pea
Sweet peas, also known by their scientific name Lathyrus odoratus, are climbing vines with delicate flowers arranged in clusters. They have curling tendrils that help them climb and attach to structures for support.
In the language of flowers, sweet peas hold the symbolic meaning of blissful pleasure, conveying a sense of happiness and joy. The upright, clumping flower clusters of sweet peas also represent good wishes, friendship, kindness, and goodbyes, making them an appropriate gift for a variety of occasions. Many people believe that these blooms leave a positive sentiment and are a thoughtful way to express gratitude. Additionally, sweet peas are the official birth flower for the month of April.
Sweet peas come in various colors, each with its own symbolism. Red sweet peas are often associated with romance, but also represent courage and strength. Purple sweet peas symbolize royalty, while blue sweet peas create a sense of relaxation. Pink sweet peas are playful and can convey a sense of joy and happiness.
Conclusion
Flowering plants have long been used to symbolize love and affection, with different plants and their colors holding specific meanings. From roses to carnations, hydrangeas to sweet peas, each flower carries its own unique symbolism, allowing people to express their emotions in a subtle and meaningful way. Whether it’s a gift for a loved one, a gesture of gratitude, or a symbol of deep understanding and apology, flowering plants can convey a wide range of emotions and sentiments. The beauty and fragrance of these plants serve as a reminder of the power of love and the importance of expressing it in different ways. [15 Flowering Plants That Symbolize Love.]
Read Also: 12 Indoor Plants That Symbolize Love
