15 Best Flowers For Valentine’s Day

1. Roses

Roses are the obvious choice for Valentine’s Day. You won’t struggle to find roses for sale!

Beautiful roses symbolize love. In Ancient Rome, a red rose was a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love, so traditionally, red roses signify romantic love, passion, and desire. One or a dozen red roses are one of the best flowers for lovers and partners on Valentine’s Day.

But that’s not all.

White roses signify purity, loyalty, and innocence, and they represent the dawn of new love. Yellow and orange roses embody loyal friendship and gratitude.

And pink roses?

Pink roses illustrate appreciation and admiration. On Valentine’s Day, pink roses are a good choice for early-day relationships because they’re not as full-on as passionate red roses.

2. Tulips

In the Victorian love language, tulips represented true love. They’re often overlooked for modern-day roses, but tulips are very beautiful flowers available in a range of colors. Did you know they originally grew wild in central Asia but became so valuable in The Netherlands that a whole economy grew and collapsed around them?

Choose red or deep-coloured tulips for passion or yellow for friendships. White tulips signify forgiveness and fresh beginnings.  

3. Orchid

An orchid is a modern choice for Valentine’s Day. In the Far East, orchids signify love, beauty, and strength, so it’s a thoughtful choice for lovers, friends, and moms.

An orchid plant can live for years (get plenty of light on its roots and don’t overwater it), making it an eco-friendly choice and one for folks who don’t like cut flowers.

4. Sunflower

Another modern choice is the sunflower. A single stem, or bunch of sunflowers, is an up-to-date Valentine’s Day flower representing happiness and adoration. Gifting sunflowers on Valentine’s Day is a perfect choice for someone who’s been feeling low, unwell, or going through a difficult time.

And if you’re looking to create an impact, large sunflower heads are hard to miss!

5. Gypsophila

Fluffy white or pink gypsophila indicates eternal love; it’s highly popular in wedding bouquets, so it’s a dead cert for Valentine’s Day!

However, gypsophila is a small, fluffy flower that doesn’t always make an impact by itself. Unless you can source a large, healthy bouquet, this one is best paired with roses or tulips.

6. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, known as “mums,” are one of the best flowers for Valentine’s Day – for your mom!

Mums are sold in most florists and general stores, too. Their beautiful big blooms are eye-catching, and there’s a huge range of sumptuous colors to pick from.

Mums originate from China, where they represent good luck and a long life. White, peach, yellow, and blue are best for your mom or a friend, whereas reds and pink best suit a romantic relationship.

7. Daisy

A pretty daisy is a sweet choice for sweethearts on Valentine’s Day. Folks choose daisy arrangements for daughters, friends, and parents. In Ancient Greece, a daisy signified happiness, good fortune, and innocence. In the Victorian language of flowers, daisies also signify the ability to keep a secret.

8. Hydrangea

A popular Valentine’s flower is the hydrangea, but what does a hydrangea signify? Well, today in the Western world, this sumptuous bloom represents unity and love, so it’s a good pick for long-term relationships.

In Victorian times, hydrangeas represented boastfulness and vanity. In Japan, it’s remorse, and in Korea, hydrangeas signify resilience.

9. Peony

Peony is an unusual Valentine’s Day choice, but because it represents abundance, beauty, honor, and romance, it’s a top pick for pretty much anyone in your life.

A bunch of peonies is a real talking point and often a big surprise too, especially if you regularly gift roses or lilies. Their massive heads create an epic bunch of flowers that always look expensive.

10. Lily

Beautiful lilies create a really stunning bouquet, but be careful because some folks equate white lilies with death. Unless you’re 100% sure your recipient doesn’t think of lilies as funeral flowers, it’s best to avoid them on Valentine’s Day.

However, if you’re buying for a special someone you’ve lost, a bouquet of white lilies or a single lily is a heartfelt act of remembrance and love.

11. Eucalyptus

It symbolizes strength and protection, but eucalyptus isn’t the first bouquet that springs to mind for Valentine’s Day. However, it’s a modern take on a floral tribute with a divine scent that fills a home with fresh, clean smells.

Eucalyptus is native to Australia where aboriginal tribes burn it to purify bad energy. If your recipient isn’t into flowers, or flowers make them sneeze, then a eucalyptus bouquet is a contemporary alternative.

12. Carnation

Carnations fell out of fashion, in no small part due to their long-lived flowers surviving gas stations for days without water and being grabbed as a last-minute gift, but these exquisite blooms represent a mother’s undying love. Legend says carnations grew where the Virgin Mary’s tears fell.

The most common color available is pink, which is a great choice for moms, family members, and friends on Valentine’s Day. Just beware of yellow carnations, which traditionally represent rejection and disdain!

13. Stocks

Sweetly scented stocks are the best flowers for Valentine’s Day if you’re in a long-term relationship. They embody a contented existence and a happy life.

These underappreciated blooms are native to the Mediterranean and Greece, where they bloom in pink, red, iliac, or white. Some folks call stocks gilly flowers or Virginia stocks, but whatever you name them, stocks won’t let you down on the 14th.

14. Gardenia

Sending flowers to someone you admire but keeping it on the low? Choose gardenia, which signifies secret passionate love!

Gardenia flowers come in white or yellow, and their scent is a knockout. It’s not a traditional choice for sure, but the recipient won’t fail to fall in love – with the flowers, that is!

15. Freesia

Botanist Christian P. Ecklon discovered freesia for the Western world in 1866. He found this pretty flower in southern Africa and named it after his botanist friend, Dr. Friedrich Freese. Today, freesia symbolizes lasting friendship and trust.