Almost every plant, including flowering and foliage varieties, is often used by people to represent emotions, ideas, and actions.
For every plant, there’s a meaning, and surrounding yourself with plants symbolizing things you wish for or value helps to initiate a positive environment.
Again, when deeply rooted in plant meanings, it can help you select more meaningful and personalized décor and gifts. Plants with meanings are essential in choosing plants for one of life’s greatest moments, such as weddings or other occasions.
This article will highlight some of the most popular plants and their meanings.
Jump to:
- Most Popular Plants and Their Meanings
- 1. Blazing Star
- 2. Rose
- 3. Air Plant
- 4. Daisy
- 5. Tulips
- 6. Bluestar
- 7. Blanket Flower
- 8. Scotch Brooms
- 9. Begonias
- 10. Carnation
- 11. Orchids
- 12. Bonsai Tree
- 13. Cactus
- 14. Jasmine
- 15. Bee Balms
- 16. Sunflowers
- 17. Ficus
- 18. Dandelion
- 19. Daffodil
- 20. Hyacinth
- 21. Lilies
- 22. Golden Pothos
- 23. Marigold
- 24. Poppy
- 25. Lotus
- 26. Lucky Bamboo
- 27. Money Tree
- 28. Dahlia
- 29. Peace Lily
- 30. Chrysanthemums
- Conclusion
Most Popular Plants and Their Meanings
As mentioned earlier, almost all plants or flowers have deep and unique symbolism. For instance, you can use red roses to show love to your significant other and several other plants and blooms that can also represent romantic passion and affection, etc.
1. Blazing Star
The first most popular plant on our list with deep meaning is a blazing star. It is also known as Liatris and Gayfeather and produces lovely flowers.
Meaning: It symbolizes joy, happiness, and peace. It is commonly presented as a gift in ceremonies and other celebratory events.
2. Rose
Rose is among the most popular and favorite plants of all time, thanks to its gorgeous flowers and lovely meaning, which is common amongst many plant lovers. It features a unique blend of thorny stems and fragrant blooms.
Meaning: It is most commonly bought and known to represent achievement, completion, and perfection. Rose is a perennial flower with more than 100 species. While some of them feature closely packed petals, others possess loose leaves.
Yellow roses stand for friendship, old love, and joy; white rose means sanctity, purity, peace, and secret admirer. Red roses represent immortal love and passion, while pink symbolizes healing, innocence, and first love.
3. Air Plant
Also known as Tillandsia specie, the air plant is a beautiful plant that does best in temperatures between 50 and 90ºF. It also thrives in indirect sunlight, but you must ensure it avoids draft or hot drafts that tend to dry them out.
For a good watering routine, it would be best to water your air plant by dipping it in water for about 10 to 15 minutes every one to two weeks.
Meaning: A tillandsia specie has deep sense, as many see it as a symbol of freedom and creativity. This unique plant is perfect for those who love change or residents of tight spaces.
4. Daisy
It is called a daisy because of its beautiful flowers; hence has increasingly become the favorite of many plant enthusiasts, thanks to its decorative color blends.
Meaning: Daisies come in stunning colors that symbolize purity and innocence. Varieties like Gerbera spp. are used to show cheerfulness, thanks to its unique color varieties.
5. Tulips
Thanks to their perennial bulb-like form, tulips represent resurrection and determination. Tulips come from the genus family of tulips with over 109 species. It produces blooms with six petals, which are uniquely different. They come in different colors, including red, pink, yellow, orange, and purple.
Meaning: Tulip blooms are used for the 11th wedding anniversary as they mean elegance and grace. Yellow varieties stand for cheerfulness; white represents forgiveness, purple symbolizes royalty, and red indicates deep love. However, it has a few types with a velvety black center, usually a symbol of a lover’s heart.
6. Bluestar
To put it quite simply!!! Bluestar is a flowering plant that can add vibrancy to any space thanks to its beautiful blend of colors.
Meaning: You can make the Bluestar a part of your floral arrangement as a sign of recognition to your loved ones, to admire their strength, determination, and endurance.
7. Blanket Flower
Most commonly known as Gaillardia, the blanket flower is a flowering plant with several color combinations that can add vibrancy and lovely fragrance to your home.
Meaning: The beautiful colors of the blanket flower represent joy and modesty. You can grow them anywhere around your home or garden and present them as a gift for your loved one, as it is ideal for the charming figure in your life.
8. Scotch Brooms
It is a beautiful set of flowering plants that is very popular for its blend of beautiful colors and is widely used to regulate the heart and circulatory system.
Meaning: Scotch brooms are unique plant that shows strength and abundance.
9. Begonias
If you are looking for a gorgeous plant that can add color to your indoor space, don’t look further than begonias. It is a perfect houseplant that will add vibrancy to your indoor space.
Meaning: Apart from what they offer in beauty, begonias are also popular as a sign of gratitude, uniqueness, and caution. Because of these unique symbols, you can present them to family members or friends for their anniversary or as a way of saying “Thank You.”
10. Carnation
Another popular plant with deep meaning on our list is carnation. It is a beautiful flowering plant that you can place on your office table or an area of your room that you want to decorate.
Meaning: Light red carnations are used to show feelings of admiration. But they also have a pink variety, which suggests gratitude. On the other hand, its dark red variety symbolizes affection and love, while the white version stands for luck and purity.
11. Orchids
Taking about the gorgeous blooms, there’s no way you will leave out orchids. They are one of the most popular flowering plants and have the most beautiful and delicate flowers featuring about 880 genera and 250,000 separate species.
They resemble anti-flower with their geometrical shaped petals, making them even more lovable and exotic.
Meaning: Orchids are highly adored and cherished by many thanks to their unique symbolism, as they are used to show love, luxury, beauty, and strength and are a perfect 14th wedding anniversary flower. Its pink and white versions are used as gestures of sympathy. However, pink orchids represent pure affection, while the catty variety shows mature calm.
12. Bonsai Tree
Scientifically called Juniperus procumbens, the bonsai tree is a sun-loving species that prefer 50 to 70ºF temperature.
To maintain its unique appearance, you must regularly prune, as it will become easier with practice. Don’t water more than once a week; mist its leaves to prevent its pores from getting clogged.
Meaning: Apart from its beauty, the bonsai tree has a unique purpose and is used to show harmony, wisdom, and calm. It is ideal for people that need more balance in their life.
13. Cactus
Cactaceae, sometimes called, is a lovely plant that will do well when you water at least once a week; however, it can tolerate less watering. Several cacti species prefer bright light, but most have different care requirements, so you must consider these factors while growing them.
Meaning: Apart from its outstanding features, the cactus is one of the most popular plants known for being symbolistic. For instance, most people believe it to be a sign of protection and endurance, ideal for determined people or those going through rough times.
14. Jasmine
Jasmine is one of the most popular plants with deep meanings. It is notable for featuring a heady scent and is a perfect flowering plant for home and office spaces.
Meaning: Jasmine symbolizes attachment, sensuality, grace, and elegance.
15. Bee Balms
Bee balms come from the mint family and most commonly treat sore throats, bloating, and nausea, which is why it is called balm.
Meaning: Thanks to its incredible medicinal use, bee balm is seen by many as a symbol of protection and prosperity.
16. Sunflowers
Initially grown in Central and South American regions, sunflowers are a unique blend of beauty and utility. They serve decorative purposes and use to produce oil and means for food.
Meaning: Their cheerful faces represent the sun, warmth, happiness, adoration, and longevity. The sunflower is a perfect 3rd-anniversary flower and arguably the most cherished flower in the world.
17. Ficus
Scientifically called Ficus microcarpa, the focus is a flowering plant that prefers indirect sunlight and temperatures of 60ºF and above. You can use only water weekly when the soil is dry to the touch and stop watering in the winter period.
Meaning: Ficus plant symbolizes abundance and peace and is ideal for a leader to represent unity and success.
18. Dandelion
If you are looking for a plant that adds a unique look to your garden or indoor space, you should consider the dandelion plant. Even though it is seen as a pest weed in several western worlds, it is cherished by many cultures for its juice.
Meaning: Dandelion shows returned affection, desire, and faithfulness.
19. Daffodil
The daffodil is one of the most popular plants with deep meanings on our top list. It does best in bright, indirect sunlight and requires moderate watering to thrive.
Meaning: The daffodil represents new beginnings, rebirth, unrequited love, and eternal life. They also show chivalry and regard. A single daffodil shows misfortune, and they symbolize happiness and joy when in the group.
20. Hyacinth
Few flowers can be comparable to the beauty of the hyacinth with its ornamental blooms that stand in its adorable stems. It thrives in almost every condition but does best in bright indirect light and minimal watering.
Meaning: Hyacinth is used to show peace and commitment. It can also symbolize sorrow or forgiveness.
21. Lilies
Lilies are notably used for funerals thanks to their numerous symbolic natures. However, they are lovely plants that can beautify any home if you give them the right growing conditions and care.
Meaning: Lilies symbolize the innocence being restored to the soul of the departed, primarily used in funerals. Peruvian lilies signify friendship and devotion, while pink symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
Stargazer lily means sympathy and is associated with majesty and purity and was a sign of Mother Mary’s purity and innocence. However, its leaves are a sign of modesty; the white petal shows innocence and purity.
22. Golden Pothos
Scientifically called Epipremnum aureum, golden pothos is a houseplant that thrives in medium light indoors and temperatures of 55 to 90ºF. Ensure its soil is dry between watering in colder seasons and moistening the ground in warmer seasons.
Meaning: Golden pothos symbolize perseverance and desire, which is why they are perfect for those who continually follow their dreams, especially hanging arrangements.
23. Marigold
Marigold is a lovely plant that can thrive in indirect light conditions and minimal watering. Thanks to their unique appearance, marigolds can add color to any home.
Meaning: Marigold got its name as an amalgam of Mary’s gold, which was given to the Virgin Mary by the poor who couldn’t afford other gifts.
24. Poppy
You can think of poppy flowers as an ornamental plant for every home or office, and with the right growing conditions, they will produce an optimum appearance.
Meaning: Poppies symbolize imagination, oblivion, and eternal rest. The red variety shows pleasure, white means consolation, while yellow poppies signify wealth and success.
25. Lotus
Lotus is a plant from the Nillumbik genus and holds central meaning in several cultures worldwide. The most exciting feature of the lotus is its ability to grow in mud and comes back within, and the blooms clean the following day.
Meaning: Lotus flower symbolizes rebirth and divinity. In Buddhism, it signifies purity of speech and mind. It also has to do with spiritual awakening and enlightenment. While in Hinduism, it is linked with beauty. Finally, in Egypt, it is a sign of the sun.
26. Lucky Bamboo
Scientifically called Dracaena braunii, lucky bamboo is a lovely plant that will not like soggy roots; hence you should ensure you fill the vase every 7 to 10 days. It thrives in moderate to indirect sunlight and temperatures of around 65 to 95ºF.
Meaning: Lucky Bamboo has a deep sense and is believed to bring good luck and longevity, and is ideal for those entering a new chapter in their life.
27. Money Tree
Also known as Pachira Aquatica, the money tree is a lovely plant that thrives in temperatures of about 65 to 75ºF but can tolerate temperatures 10º+ F higher or lower than their maximum range.
It prefers direct and indirect light and moist soil during hotter seasons; however, you must let the soil dry between watering during colder months.
Meaning: The money tree symbolizes wealth and good luck, which is why it is perfect for career-driven or starting a new business.
28. Dahlia
Dahlia is Mexico’s national flower named after Anders Dahl, an 18th-century botanist, and originates from an Asteraceae genus of more than 30 species. It comes in many colors, including bronze, red, white, and purple, and grows yearly.
Meaning: Most people see dahlia as a warning sign or sign of change. It could also be a sign of betrayal and shows sentiments of dignity and elegance. For others, it represents commitment and a solid bond to last forever.
29. Peace Lily
Peace lily thrives in moderately moist soil, prefers bright light, and does best in temperatures over 55ºF.
Meaning: The peace lily is used to signify peace and sympathy, which is why it is perfect for those with a recent loss or who want a reminder of peace in their life.
30. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are made up of 30 flower varieties and come in different colors, including white, yellow, pink, and red.
Meaning: chrysanthemums could mean many things, including loyalty and friendship. Yellow varieties signify calmly declining romantic advances, and red symbolizes an invitation to produce a new relationship. Finally, the white chrysanthemum stands for honesty, and the violet chrysanthemum symbolizes a merry wish for wellness.
Conclusion
Most plants go beyond their ornamental benefits, as people believe they have more meaning.
Some people consider the money tree to signify good luck and wealth, as indicated by its name, while others, like peace lily, bring peace and calmness, etc. However, it is a good idea to tend to your plants if you want to enjoy all of their benefits.
