Guide
Why monstera leaves have holes
by Darina Schweizer
Bye-bye bouquets! 6 alternatives to Valentine’s Day flowers
7.2.2024
Translation: Katherine Martin
What’s that date looming over you next week? That’s right, it’s Valentine’s Day! If you’d rather skip the panicked annual dash to the florist, I’ve got a couple of ideas lined up for you.
I live across the road from a flower shop. In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, it’s always overrun by swarms of men, their faces stricken with exhaustion. But what if I told you that this desperate annual hunt for flowers was unnecessary? Instead, why not buy a Valentine’s Day plant that’ll still be in full bloom come 14 February 2025 and beyond? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Japanese roses
Camellia japonica or Japanese camellia is a rose that won’t droop after just a couple of days. Found in the high mountains of China, Japan and Vietnam, they bloom between January and April (before conventional roses). This makes them the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. What’s more, they won’t cost you any more than cut flowers. And if your loved one fancies a traditional bouquet next year after all, you can simply pick the flowers from your own garden.
2. Tropical plant with heart-shaped leaves
3. Alocasia
One of the most unusual houseplants with heart-shaped leaves is the Alocasia. With its stripy, zebra-like stems and «elephant ear» leaves, you’ll be able to take your significant other on a Valentine’s Day safari. But be careful, Alocasia’s also high maintenance. It needs plenty of moisture (preferably sprayed rainwater) and warmth.
4. Another heart-shaped variety
If caring for Anthurium clarinervium or Alocasia would be too much effort for you, there’s a low-maintenance, heart-shaped alternative: Ceropegia woodii. As it’s a succulent, you hardly need to water it. Its long, dangly shoots are covered in little, heart-shaped leaves. Occasionally, they sprout lantern-shaped flowers. The perfect backdrop for a candlelit dinner.
5. Lego flowers
Instead of barging around a flower shop in a panic, you could build these 12 indestructible Lego roses in a state of meditative serenity. Maybe you and your Valentine’s date could do it together. Need ever-lasting flowers for next Valentine’s Day too? Lego also does traditional and wildflower brick bouquets.
6. Preserved roses
If you’re after something slightly more elegant, stabilised roses might be for you. Using a preservation process, the flowers remain intact for up to two years. However, if that’s not long enough for you, you could also go for gold roses. These are real flowers, coated with layers of preservative metal and delicate gold. According to the manufacturer, they last as long as true love: forever.
As for me, I’m curious to see how this year’s onslaught on the flower shop across the road will pan out. Here’s hoping it won’t end with wreaths.
Header image: Shutterstock/AFaisal13
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
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