Move over, Cupid! If Parks & Recreation fame has taught us anything, it’s that February 13th is for the girls. Whether you’re channeling your inner Leslie Knope or just want to tell your work-wife that she’s the only reason you haven’t quit yet, Galentine’s Day is the ultimate excuse to celebrate the platonic loves of our lives… and what better way to do exactly that than with flowers?
Oh sure, a brunch with bottomless mimosas is great, but if you want to give a gift that lasts longer (and smells sweeter) than a hangover, flowers are the way to go. Especially if you opt for something truly special and choose the ones that symbolize friendship in all of its glory.
In the language of flowers (or floriography, if you feel like being fancy at your next trivia night), different blooms carry wildly different meanings. So, to help you navigate the garden of friendship, here are seven stunning blooms that say ‘You’re my person’ without any of the romantic baggage. Consider it our very own Galentine’s gift to you all, we guess…
1. Yellow Roses: The Gold Standard of Besties
In the Victorian era, a yellow rose actually meant jealousy (yikes!), but thankfully, we’ve all evolved into the sort of people who don’t send bouquets when they’re feeling envious. Today, these uplifting roses are the universal symbol of joy, warmth, and platonic affection. They are the ‘sunshine in a vase’ that every best friend deserves (unless you fancy being really clever and gifting them their birth month roseof course).
If you want to skip the cut flowers and go for a live plant, something like this Yellow Brick Rose from Nature Hillsthen, offers armloads of pollinator-friendly blooms each year from late spring through the first frost of fall. Just remember that, like most roses, it thrives in USDA Planting Zones 5-9 and needs at least six hours of full sun to really show off.
2. Alstroemeria: The Long-Distance Legend
Commonly known as the Peruvian LilyAlstroemeria is the MVP of friendship flowers. Each stem features multiple blooms, symbolizing the many facets of a bond. But the real kicker? They symbolize devotion and mutual support.
Honestly, these things are tough. They can last up to two weeks in a vase, making them the perfect metaphor for a friendship that survives even the longest dry spells between FaceTime calls.
GREEN BEAR
Inca Alstroemeria Peruvian Lily Plant
Make a statement with a bold red pop of color; this live alstroemeria arrives in a spacious 5-gallon pot.
DutchGrown
Alstroemeria Majestic Mix
Fancy peach, pink, yellow, and cream flowers? Of course you do, and this one delivers all that with a lovely crimson finish.
KaBloom
30 Stem Alstroemeria / Peruvian Lilies Assorted Bqt
If you’ve (whisper it) forgotten to send anything for Galentine’s Day, this bouquet is available for next day delivery.
Try something like the Alstroemeria Majestic Mix from Dutch Grown if you want a live plant rather than a traditional bouquet. They love well-drained soil, and, if you’re in Zones 8-10, you can leave them in the ground year-round. Any colder, and you’ll want to treat them as annuals or dig up the tubers for winter.
3. Sunflowers: For the ‘Ride or Die’
(Image credit: Nahhana / Shutterstock)
Nothing says ‘I’ve got your back’ quite like a sunflower. Because they literally turn their heads to follow the sun (a trait called heliotropism), they represent loyalty and constancy. They’re unpretentious and bold, too, which is a great way to celebrate that friend who brightens up your life on a daily basis.
As these are the ultimate ‘easy mode’ plant, you’ll find that they’re a) easy enough to start from seed (something like Sow Right Seeds’ Mammoth Sunflower is a great choice), and b) they’ll grow almost anywhere in the US during the summer. Just make sure you give them plenty of space and… and sun, obviously. It’s in the name, folks!
4. Chrysanthemums: The ‘Good Vibes’ Bloom
In many cultures, chrysanthemums (or mums if you prefer) are the go-to gift for wishing someone well-being and a long life. Specifically, white and yellow mums are associated with honesty and optimism, and Victorians often used them to convey the bond of friendship.
These will instantly add amazing texture to a Galentine’s arrangement, true, but mums are so easy to grow it’s almost a crime not to.
IN THE TANK
Chrysanthemum Plants Live Tree
This vibrant pot of mums is one surefire way to transform your bestie’s porch, balcony, or garden!
Carpet Creeping
Chrysanthemum Seeds for Planting
Get creative and pot up some mums seeds for your pal, so she can watch them grow and bloom over time.
SPROUTARAQ
Chrysanthemum Seeds Showy Blooms
A flair for drama to cater to? These ruffled showy mums are ideal for a pal who likes the spotlight.
Whichever you choose, just be sure to pinch them back in early July to get that bushy look we all love for fall.
5. Zinnias: For the Friend Who’s Always There
(Image credit: Joerglondong / 500px / Getty Images)
In the Victorian language of flowers, zinnias represent “thoughts of absent friends”, which means they’re a truly lovely way to show someone that you’re thinking of them. They also represent endurance, because these little powerhouses can bloom their heads off from midsummer right up until the first frost.
As these come in every color of the rainbow (except blue!), you can customize the palette of a bouquet to your friend’s favorite aesthetic. Or, y’know, you could take full advantage of the fact that these are heat-loving annuals. You can toss a packet of zinnia seeds in the dirt across all US zones once the soil is warm, and they’ll reward you with a cutting garden that just won’t quit.
6. Sweet Peas: The ‘Thanks for the Memories’ Flower
(Image credit: Alex Manders / Shutterstock)
If you’re celebrating a friend who has been by your side through a specific chapter of life (maybe a college roommate or a former coworker), then sweet peas are your best bet. They symbolize delicate pleasure and “thank you for a lovely time”, plus the scent is genuinely heavenly. Trust us when we say that a small posy of sweet peas smells better than any expensive candle.
If you want to grow them, remember these guys like it cool. If you’re in the South (Zones 8+), you should plant something like The Old Farmer’s Almanac Sweet Pea Seeds in late fall for spring blooms. In the North (Zones 3-7), get them in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. Ideally, you want a chance of light frost.
7. Tulips: The Sweet & Simple Choice
(Image credit: Vera Larina / Shutterstock)
Red tulips might be for lovers, but pink tulips are for caring and attachment. They are less intense than roses but still feel incredibly special and elegant – with the added bonus that they are the heralds of spring. Giving these for Galentine’s Day is a lovely way to say, “The winter is almost over, and I’m glad I’m spending it with you.”
Bulbs need to be planted in the fall for a spring show, and they generally thrive in Zones 3-8. If you’re in a warmer climate, though, you might need to ‘pre-chill’ your bulbs in the fridge for a few weeks to trick them into thinking they’ve had a winter.
There’s a lot to choose from, of course, so remember this: whether you’re gifting a single giant sunflower or a sophisticated mix of alstroemeria and pink tulips, the best part of Galentine’s Day isn’t the flowers, but the (ahem) “beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk ox” you’re sharing them with.
Happy planting (and happy brunching)! To quote Leslie, let’s not forget that “women’s friendships are like a renewable source of power” – and well worth celebrating, every single day of the year.
