Love Ferns Are Unironically the Best Valentine’s Day Gift for Anyone on Your List — Here’s Why

updated Feb 9, 2021
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Credit: Rachel Jacks

Matthew McConaughey’s character may have let the love fern die, but that doesn’t mean you have to.

In the classic 2003 film “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”, Kate Hudson’s character, Andie, gifts McConaughey’s character Ben a “love fern.” But during the famed poker game scene, Hudson, who is trying to get McConaughey to dump her to fulfill a magazine article she’s working on, looks over to the shelf and notices that the plant has seen better days. 

“Our love fern! It’s Dead!” Andie proclaims, bringing the game to halt. “Nah honey, it’s just sleeping,” Ben replies. 

“You let it die! Are you going to let us die?” Says Andie, trying to be as annoying as possible. 

But with Valentine’s Day around the corner, I have a suggestion. This year, when everyone is holed up at home and avoiding the outside world, maybe the best gift for your significant other (or best friend, sibling, or parent) is just that: a plant. 

Sure, leafy greens are a hot commodity right now, thanks to the world of plant influencers taking over Instagram and TikTok with their humidifier steam-filled social media feeds and ways of making potting soil look good. But in reality, there’s actually a significant amount of research that backs up the benefits of the trend. 

According to a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, plants in your home or office can make you feel more soothed by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity. It’s also just nice to take care of a living thing.

In classic celebrity style, Hudson is taking part in a promotion for her spirit brand, King St. Vodka, where you can buy your own “Love Fern” from Urban Stems, Domino reports. But if you don’t want to go the literal love fern route, there are still plenty of amazing options out there that make great gifts. Here are a few other options:

1 / 5
Plants.com
$44.99

The Hanging Plant: Hanging plants look amazing next to a window, where they can soak up plenty of sunlight. A spider plant is the perfect pick to hang, especially when the babies start sprouting off.

2 / 5
The Sill
$26.00

The Low Light Plant: Want a plant that lives like a vampire? The ZZ Plant tolerates low light like a pro, which makes it a perfect pick for that section of your apartment that doesn’t get much sun. 

3 / 5
Terrain
$68.00

The Un-killable Plant: Pothos plants are as hearty as can be. Easy to grow and care for, they can produce long, luscious vines and are easy to propagate into new ones. Plant newbies: this is a great pick for you.

4 / 5
Succulent Market
$8.99

The Non-Toxic Plant: The Burro’s Tail (real name: Sedum Morganianum) is a unique succulent with thick, fleshy leaves. Best of all, they're non-toxic, which means they’re perfect for homes with animals and children. 

5 / 5
Bloomscape
$118.00
was $169.00

The Instagram Aficionado Plant: If you’ve spent a moment or two cruising around plant Instagram, then you’ve probably seen a monstera or twenty. Often referred to as the “Swiss Cheese Plant,” the monstera loves bright, indirect light, but hates being near the cold, so be sure to avoid putting it next to a drafty window.