Sure, you can be predictable and buy flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day, but there are better, more enduring, more sustainable options out there. This year, give your significant other a small plant that announces your love with heart-shaped leaves. (Or maybe just gift yourself one of these sweethearts and consider it self care).

String of Hearts Vine, Ceropegia woodii

This trailing plant gifts delicate and petite green and silver heart-shaped leaves. It can quickly reach approximately 10 feet long, so make sure to situate this cutie where it can let its hair down. Bright indirect light is best, and even though it is not a succulent, it acts like it, preferring to dry out completely before watering. This is a bonus for the forgetful plant owner. Oh, and it’s fast-growing and low-maintenance, maybe only needing a light pruning to keep it bushy.

Heartfern, Hemionitis arifolia

This petite-sized tropical fern sports elongated heart-shaped, leathery leaves that grow on thin dark stems. Moderately easy to care for, heart fern is a popular houseplant. You can either enjoy this plant in a well-draining pot propped on a shelf, or be creative and try it in the bathroom or in a terrarium as it appreciates warmth and high humidity. Grows to only 10 inches tall and likes bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil.  Non-toxic to pets and people. According to Feng Shui, a heart fern symbolizes love and harmony and brings balance and emotional understanding. Definitely worth trying!

Flamingo Flower, Anthurium

While it doesn’t have the word heart in its name, this flower signals love for sure. With its recognizable shiny, red heart-shaped “flowers” and glossy heart-shaped leaves, this indoor tropical plant fills the shelves at garden centers and grocery stores around Valentine’s Day. Cool facts: The brightly colored “flowers” of Anthurium are not actually flowers at all, but instead modified leaves called spathes. This plant grows slow but makes up for it by blooming for many months and with little care. Grows to about 12 inches high and likes bright indoor light. Too little light and it won’t bloom as much—or not at all.  Too much light and the leaves scorch. Yes, sounds a bit like the Goldilocks of plants but it just takes noodling to find the right spot. Hardy to USDA 11-12 where you could try growing a few outside if you live in a mild climate. Warning: toxic to pets and and people.

Heartleaf Philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum

Commonly known as the sweetheart plant, this evergreen plant is often confused for a pothos but these leaves are thinner and less waxy. Enjoy this tropical plant indoors where it can receive bright indirect light and perhaps perch it on a shelf where the long stems can cascade or climb for many feet. Tepid (not cold) water is preferred and the occasional wiping of its leaves to remove collected dust is also appreciated. Please note that this plant is toxic to pets and people.

Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis 

If you’ve never grown this romantic plant in a shady spot in your garden, then you really must indulge yourself. Ridiculously cute heart-shaped flowers come in pink, red, or white and dangle casually from long arching stems like tiny charms. Its blue-green or gold foliage is also beyond attractive. Plus, bleeding hearts quickly and effortlessly emerge in the spring from moist soil and grow to about 2 feet tall. Plant them in a partly shady to fully shaded spot. USDA Zones 3-9. Warning: toxic to pets and humans which means deer also leave it alone.

See also:

• 10 Great Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Gardener
• The Language of Flowers: Send the Right Message With Your Valentine’s Day Bouquet
• Ask the Experts: What’s Your Favorite Valentine’s Day Flower?