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11 Auspicious Chinese New Year Flowers and Plants

11 Auspicious Chinese New Year Flowers and Plants

Introduction

Chinese New Year is celebrated as a joy which is spring Festival. It, is one of the happiest and most exciting times in Chinese culture. Therefore, it starts the lunar calendar and brings families together for joy, fun, and fresh beginnings. People scrub their homes to chase away bad luck, hand out red envelopes full of blessings, and fill their spaces with bright flowers and lucky chinese new year plants. These special plants and flowers are said to bring good fortune, wealth, and joy, so they are must-haves for homes and offices. Families, friends, and even businesses love to gift these cheerful blooms to share wishes for a lucky and successful year.

In 2025, Chinese New Year jumps in on January 29, welcoming the Year of the Snake. Families and shops get busy picking the perfect Chinese New Year flowers and plants. These colourful and meaningful decorations light up any room and fill it with happy, lucky energy for the new year.

Why Are Flowers and Plants Important During Chinese New Year?

Flowers and plants hold deep cultural significance in Chinese traditions. Their blooming represents the arrival of spring and the promise of new life. Each flower or plant carries its own symbolism, often associated with luck, wealth, longevity, and happiness. Choosing the right plants not only enhances the festive atmosphere but also invites auspicious energy for the coming year.  

Top 11 Auspicious Chinese New Year Flowers and Lucky Plants

1. Orchids (兰花)

Symbolism: Wealth, health, and happiness.  

Orchids are a timeless favorite during Chinese New Year. Their refined beauty and symmetrical blooms symbolize wealth, abundance, and perfection. Orchids also represent fertility and family harmony, making them a meaningful Chinese new year flower gifts for families and newlyweds.  

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids), Orange Mokara, Dancing Orchids and James Storie are popular choices due to their bright colors and long-lasting blooms.

Availability: Year round. Many varieties are available as both cut flowers and potted plants

2. Lucky Bamboo (富贵竹 / 转运竹)

Symbolism: Wealth, health, and happiness.  

Lucky Bamboo is a popular lucky plant for Chinese New Year due to its association with prosperity and positive energy. The number of stalks in an arrangement carries specific meanings. 

Three stalks: Happiness, wealth, and longevity.  
Five stalks: Health and balance.  
Eight stalks: Prosperity and abundance, as the number 8 is considered especially auspicious.  

Place Lucky Bamboo in the east or southeast corner of your home to maximize its positive energy.  

Availability: The cut form is more available, although you can also find it as potted plants in some nurseries. Lucky bamboo comes in two varieties - straight (富贵竹) and spiral (转运竹). The straight one has more leaves while the spiral one only has little leaves at the top. Both are available year round, but it may be easier and cheaper to purchase during CNY period. 

3. Peonies (牡丹)

Symbolism: Wealth, honor, and romance.  

Peonies, known as the "King of Flowers," are symbols of wealth, honor, and prosperity. Their lush full blooms are a sign of good fortune and success. Among the auspicious colors of peonies are red and pink, which stand for luck and joy in red and love and harmony in pink.

Availability: Yes, only as cut flowers. but could be more expensive due to higher demand and lesser supply (CNY period is not their peak blooming season)

4. Chrysanthemums (菊花 )

Symbolism: Longevity, vitality, and happiness.  

Chrysanthemums are loved because of their intense colors and endurance. Yellow and red are often used during the Chinese New Year because they indicate wealth and good fortune. Families often place the flowers in their living rooms or dining areas so that family bonding can be an enjoyable and energy-positive activity. 

Availability: Only as cut flowers; available year round

5. Mandarin Orange Plant (桔)

Symbolism: Wealth, success, and good fortune.  

The Mandarin Orange Plant is a traditional symbol of prosperity and abundance during Chinese New Year. The bright orange fruits resemble gold, and the word for orange sounds similar to the word for success in Chinese. Displaying a Mandarin Orange Plant near the entrance of your home or business is believed to attract wealth and good luck throughout the year. Some plant it along corridors or on balconies all year round!

Availability: Yes, available as potted plants across many nurseries in Singapore year round.

6. Plum Blossoms (梅花)

Symbolism: Resilience, perseverance, and new beginnings.  

Plum blossoms bloom in late winter, often under harsh conditions, making them a symbol of resilience and hope. They represent the promise of new beginnings and are considered a harbinger of spring. Their delicate pink or white flowers add elegance and beauty to any festive display. 

Availability: As they are highly seasonal and fragile, their supply in Singapore can be unstable even during CNY period.

7. Pussy Willow (银柳)

Symbolism: Growth, prosperity, and renewal.  

A quintessential plant during CNY in Singapore, the Pussy Willow with their soft, fuzzy buds, symbolize growth and the arrival of spring. In Chinese culture, they are associated with prosperity and the promise of new opportunities. Their long, upright branches make them a popular choice for decorating homes and offices during Chinese New Year.  

Availability: Only available during CNY period! Available in cut and potted forms in Singapore.

8. Solanum (乳茄 / 五代同堂)

Symbolism: Family unity and prosperity.  

The Solanum, also known as the Foxface Plant or Nipplefruit, is valued for its bright yellow-orange fruit that resembles a fox face. In Chinese culture, it represents family unity and prosperity across multiple generations. This plant is often used as a decorative centerpiece to bring harmony and good fortune to the household.

Availability: Only available during CNY period! Typically can only find them as cut branches, not potted plants. In addition, do not attempt to eat as it is highly toxic. The plant is only grown for decorative purposes.

9. Money Plant (金钱树)

Symbolism: Wealth, prosperity, and financial success.  

Money Plant is Known for round coin-shaped leaves which symbolize the accumulation of money and abundance. It attracts one to success, so is often put in the southeast corner of your home or workplace to increase money and prosperity.

Availability: Find them in nurseries across Singapore all year round. Might be easier and cheaper to purchase during CNY period.

10. Bird of Paradise (天堂鸟)

Symbolism: Joy, freedom, and paradise.  

The Bird of Paradise, with its striking, flamboyant shape, represents strength, beauty, and success. Its vibrant orange hues and tinge of blue make it an eye-catching addition to Chinese New Year floral arrangements.

Availability: Yes, available as cut flowers all year round.

11. Ginger Flower (姜花)

Symbolism: Strength, resilience, and prosperity.  

The Ginger Flower, famous for its bold and lightly scented blossoms, radiates strength and resilience. People often place it in Chinese New Year decorations to bring prosperity and show the power to overcome challenges. Its vibrant hot pink color splashes exotic beauty into any festive arrangement.

Availability: Yes, available as cut flowers all year round.

Conclusion

Flowers and plants light up Chinese New Year celebrations, bringing homes and businesses alive with color and joy. Each flower and plant tells its own story—like the graceful orchid that whispers elegance or the Mandarin Orange Plant that promises prosperity. As the Year of the Snake slithers in on January 29, 2025, decorating with these lucky blooms and plants can pull in luck, wealth, and happiness.

Want to fill your space with dazzling flowers and good vibes? Dive into our special collection of Chinese New Year flowers and plants to kick off the new year in style. Whether you're sprucing up your home or giving a thoughtful gift, these bright arrangements make every celebration extra special.

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7 Types of Orchids Commonly Seen in Singapore (With Photos and Names)

FAQs About Chinese New Year Flowers and Lucky Plants

Some of the most popular Chinese New Year flowers include orchids, peonies, and pussy willows. Popular CNY plants include the money plant and spiral lucky bamboo. These flowers are chosen for their vibrant colors and auspicious symbolism, such as wealth, prosperity, and new beginnings.
To keep your lucky plants healthy and vibrant, place them in a well-lit area with indirect sunlight. Water them daily, once is enough. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Ensure proper drainage to maintain their freshness throughout the festive period.
For business clients you may consider more colourful and grand CNY floral grand arrangements that incorporate the flowers we have listed. Alternatively, you may choose large arrangements using multiple stalks of phalaenopsis. For close friends and family who prefer something that’s low maintenance and long lasting, you could consider the money plant, lucky bamboo or small potted pussy willows and orchids for brighter colours.
In Feng Shui, placing lucky plants in the southeast corner of your home or office is believed to enhance wealth and abundance. Additionally, displaying them near the entrance invites positive energy and prosperity into your space.
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