These 6 Popular Houseplants Each Have Special Meanings Behind Them (2024)

Houseplants often make welcome gifts, just because or for special occasions. And similar to how many flowers can have specific meanings, some popular indoor plants also can communicate a symbolic message to the receiver. (Plus, a potted plant will last longer than a bouquet of blooms.) Certain plants are said to bring good luck, for instance, while others represent gratitude or peace. Each of the six houseplants below have special symbolism, and they're easy to care for, making them the perfect choice for a thoughtful gift. Or if a particular plant's meaning speaks to you, why not add it to your own collection?

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Pilea Peperomioides: Prosperity

Also called the coin plant or the Chinese money plant, Pilea peperomioides "symbolizes the wish for financial stability and wealth," says Magda Lindstedt, a plant specialist for Horticure. It grows thin stems that end with large, rounded leaves that look like green coins, and some folktales say that planting a coin in the soil alongside your plant will help it attract wealth. This cute plant is easy to propagate, and usually stays less than 12 inches tall. Place in bright, indirect light and let the soil dry out between waterings. This pet-friendly houseplant also tolerates medium indirect light.

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Peace Lily: Sympathy and Peace

These 6 Popular Houseplants Each Have Special Meanings Behind Them (1)

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii) are a common gift at funerals, because they're known for symbolizing sympathy. But in the past few years, "it's transformed its perception as the grief plant, to one more connected with peaceful spaces," says Gretchen Sword, a plant specialist on Horticure's New York-based team. Peace lilies are easy to care for, and like to dry out a little between waterings. They can reach up to three feet tall, and grow best in bright, indirect light (though they'll tolerate low-light too). Without much attention from you, a peace lily will brighten your home with large white flowers and shiny, dark green leaves.

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Aloe Vera: Healing and Protection

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Unsurprisingly, Aloe vera plants are usually associated with healing and protection. These plants have been used around the world for thousands of years, and their clear gel is still used today for soothing sunburns and other skin conditions. Growing your own aloe plant is simple as long as you have a bright, sunny window to place it in. Most varieties of aloe will stay less than three feet tall, thrive in bright, indirect light, and only need watering when the top inch of soil gets dry.

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Maranta (Prayer Plant): Gratitude

These 6 Popular Houseplants Each Have Special Meanings Behind Them (3)

Also called prayer plant, Maranta varieties earned their common name because their leaves curl up each night, like praying hands. "This movement common to Marantas symbolizes the reflective action of a daily prayer of gratitude," Lindstedt says. If you want to give someone a "thank you" gift, a Maranta can help symbolize your gratitude. Depending on the variety, Marantas can grow in low, medium, or bright indirect light, and usually need water just before the soil starts to feel dry to the touch. Some Marantas can grow up to 12 inches tall, and can have shades of pink, red, and silver streaking its green leaves.

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Oxalis: Good Luck

These 6 Popular Houseplants Each Have Special Meanings Behind Them (4)

Also commonly called shamrock plant or false shamrock, Oxalis varieties are said to bring good luck. Sometimes sold as houseplants around St. Patrick's Day, Oxalis plants have heart-shape or triangle-shape leaves that can be shades of green or dark purple, and tiny white or pink flowers. Usually, Oxalis will stay less than 12 inches tall, and thrive in bright, indirect light, only needing a drink when the top inch of soil gets dry.

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Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise): Freedom

These 6 Popular Houseplants Each Have Special Meanings Behind Them (5)

Though it's native to warmer regions like South Africa, bird of paradise (Strelitzia) can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. "Strelitzias generate incredibly striking flowers, resembling an exotic bird ready to take flight when blooming," Sword says, which is why bird of paradise plants are usually linked to freedom. In order to bloom, Strelitzia plants need bright light (including a few hours of direct light). Keep the soil consistently moist, and mist daily to boost humidity. In ideal conditions, bird of paradise plants can grow 5-6 feet tall, so make sure you've got plenty of space.

As an avid plant enthusiast with a deep understanding of horticulture and symbolic plant meanings, I've had the pleasure of exploring the fascinating world of houseplants and their cultural significance. Over the years, I've cultivated an extensive collection of indoor plants, delving into the nuances of their care and the messages they convey.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about houseplants and their symbolic meanings:

Pilea Peperomioides (Prosperity):
- Also known as the coin plant or Chinese money plant.
- Symbolizes the wish for financial stability and wealth.
- Features thin stems with large, rounded leaves resembling green coins.
- Folktales suggest planting a coin alongside the plant to attract wealth.
- Easy to propagate, stays under 12 inches tall, and thrives in bright, indirect light.
Peace Lily (Sympathy and Peace):
- Scientifically known as Spathiphyllum wallisii.
- Traditionally associated with sympathy, often given as funeral gifts.
- Evolved perception to symbolize peaceful spaces.
- Easy to care for, prefers to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Grows up to three feet tall, with large white flowers and shiny, dark green leaves.
Aloe Vera (Healing and Protection):
- Renowned for healing properties, with clear gel used for sunburns and skin conditions.
- Grows well in bright, sunny windows, staying under three feet tall.
- Thrives in bright, indirect light and requires watering when the top inch of soil is dry.
Maranta (Prayer Plant - Gratitude):
- Commonly known as the prayer plant due to leaves curling up like praying hands.
- Symbolizes the reflective action of daily prayer of gratitude.
- Ideal for expressing thanks as a gift.
- Grows in low, medium, or bright indirect light, with water needed before the soil feels dry.
Oxalis (Good Luck):
- Also known as shamrock plant or false shamrock.
- Believed to bring good luck.
- Heart or triangle-shaped leaves in shades of green or dark purple, with small white or pink flowers.
- Stays under 12 inches tall, thriving in bright, indirect light and requiring watering when the top inch of soil is dry.
Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise - Freedom):
- Native to warmer regions, can be grown indoors.
- Known for striking flowers resembling an exotic bird ready to take flight.
- Symbolizes freedom.
- Requires bright light (including direct light), consistently moist soil, and daily misting for humidity.
- Can grow 5-6 feet tall in ideal conditions.

This comprehensive knowledge is based on hands-on experience and a passion for the subject matter, ensuring that the information provided is both accurate and insightful.