The flower of love: Most romantic plants (2024)

Red rose (Rosa)

Of all the symbols of romance and love, the red rose is one of the most iconic and beautiful.

But you'dfind it tricky to spot a natural deep red rose species in the wild.

Varieties within the Rosa genus that havethis lovely crimson colourhave been cultivatedby selective breeding across the years.

Our own Rose Garden is home to 170 different rose species and cultivars.

Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

With its delicate pink-red heart-shaped flowers,Lamprocapnos spectabilis is one of the most romantic looking plants out there.

Native to Asia and commonly known as bleeding heart, this species is a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae).

Hot lips (Psychotria elata)

Take a look atPsychotria elata. Do you see a pair of bright red lips?

This tropical plant species has bracts (the modified leaves that are often different from foliage leaves) that look likea pair of pouting human lips.

You can see how it earned one of its common names, hot lips.

Dove orchid (Peristeria elata)

Peristeria elata resembles another popular emblem of love, a white dove.

It's easy to see where this species picked up its common name. White with small purple spots, thecentral section of the flower has a distinct dove shape.

The eye-catching plant is part of the orchid family, Orchidaceae,and its native range is Central America to Venezuela and Ecuador.

Anthurium

Many species within the Anthurium genus of flowering plants resemble romantic hearts by the shape of their leaves and petal-like spathes (largebracts enclosing the flower cluster).

Here, the bright red of the heart-shaped spathe adds to the plant'samorous appearance.

Can you spot the Anthuriumin our Princess of Wales Conservatory?

Hoya kerrii

Originating in SoutheastAsia,Hoya kerrii is a very love-themedspecies thanks to its thick heart-shaped leaves.

Its romanticappearance makes it a popular gift on Valentine's Day.

Hearts on a string (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)

Continuing with the heart motif,Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii also shows off heart-shaped leaves.

Native to South Africa, the evergreen species was discovered by botanist John Medley Wood in 1881.In 1894, Wood sent a living specimen to Kew.

Awatercolour and pencil illustration of the plant featured in an issue of our long-runningCurtis's Botanical Magazine in 1900.

Dancing lady orchid (Oncidium sp.)

Dancing and romancinggo hand in hand. That's why the Oncidium genus, native totropical and subtropical America, deserves a nod foraffairs of the heart.

Many species within this genus of orchids arecommonly known asdancing lady orchids for their clear resemblance todancers.

The arrangement of petals on each flower looks like a little dancing figure wearing acolourful flowing skirt.

It seems nature is full of romance, with symbols of love to be found in many unexpected and beautiful places.