Top 14 Ornamental Plants and Flowers commonly displayed indoors during Tet

1. Kumquat tree

Kumquat tree is traditionally considered a symbol of prosperity, promising a year of abundance for the homeowners. In Chinese pronunciation, the word 'quất' sounds similar to 'cát,' meaning prosperity. Hence, kumquat trees are favored during the Tet holiday, symbolizing the wish for a year as prosperous as a thriving cactus. The lush green leaves and golden fruits of kumquat trees represent prosperity, anticipating a year full of vitality and abundance.

Decorating the home with kumquat trees is a hopeful gesture to bring joy and luck throughout the year. Placing kumquat trees in offices or shops is believed to enhance the atmosphere, bring wise investments, and attract wealth and good fortune to family members. Beautifully adorned kumquat trees signify positive meanings and good luck on Tet day. Trees with vibrant green leaves and alternating ripe and unripe fruits symbolize affluence, promising an efficient and prosperous year ahead.

2. Bamboo tree

As Tet approaches, it's not just peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, or daisies... the kumquat tree is also chosen by many as a decorative plant inside the house. The kumquat tree is not only favored by plant enthusiasts but also by those who are not gardening experts. According to folklore, the kumquat tree holds cultural and spiritual significance, symbolizing prosperity and fullness, often displayed on the five-fruit tray.

Along with that, the kumquat tree carries various meanings, especially in feng shui. The kumquat tree in feng shui holds many meanings. Vietnamese people like to display kumquat trees on Tet because the name symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and fulfillment. The kumquat tree remains vibrant throughout the year, is easy to cultivate, and can be shaped effortlessly. Not only is the kumquat tree beloved, but the kumquat fruit also symbolizes prosperity and is often displayed on the five-fruit tray.

For centuries, lily flowers have been a symbol of elegance, sophistication, and refinement. They represent not only human beauty and virtue but also pride, expressing sublime and faithful love. Today, lily flowers are widely available, bringing beauty to landscapes and serving as suitable gifts for mothers, loved ones, or on occasions like holidays, congratulations, openings, and graduations.

Giant Yellow lilies with large yellow petals are perfect for offering prayers on the ancestral altar at the beginning of the year. The large, pale yellow petals symbolize luck, prosperity, and abundance for the homeowner. If the flowers bloom on the first day of Tet, it is believed that financial luck will soon come to the family. White lilies symbolize purity, happiness, and prosperity. Additionally, pink lilies represent wealth, abundance, and pride.

Autumn maple flowers, with their vibrant blooms and profound significance, are among the favored ornamental plants during Tet. Characterized by large flowers in bright red or pink, these flowers bring radiance and luck to living spaces.

Traditionally, autumn maple flowers symbolize health, luck, and prosperity. Displaying autumn maple flowers at home not only brings fresh beauty but is also considered a meaningful wish for a new year filled with happiness, success, and luck.

Tết, a festive occasion eagerly anticipated by most people, brings the warmest atmosphere of the year, with flowers blooming and families gathering. Adding to the fragrance are numerous types of flowers imported in large quantities by stores to meet the Tet demand of city dwellers. Spring buds are among the most popular flowers sold, known for their longevity, making them a favorite during Tet.

Amidst the variety of flowers, spring buds stand out with diverse colors like green, red, purple, and yellow. Spring buds have long been considered a Tet flower alongside Peach Blossoms, Apricot Blossoms, and Kumquat trees. On Tet day, the fresh buds receive special attention. Placed indoors during Tet, spring buds symbolize vitality, growth, and bring good luck. Alongside peach blossoms, kumquat trees, spring buds are an indispensable decoration in many families during Tet.

As Tet approaches, everyone is busy with various preparations. Yet, no one forgets to arrange a pot of apricot blossoms or a branch of apricot flowers at home. Golden apricot blossoms have long been a significant spiritual symbol for every family during Tet. These blossoms are characteristic of Tet in the southern regions due to their suitability for the climate of Central and Southern Vietnam.

According to ancient beliefs, apricot blossoms blooming on Tet bring good luck, abundant health, prosperity in business, and symbolize the yellow color of prosperity and growth. Folklore also suggests that the more petals the apricot flowers have, the more prosperity they bring. Especially, if an apricot tree in a house blooms exclusively with 7-petaled apricot flowers, it is considered highly auspicious. Hence, apricot branches are often placed on the ancestral altar of Southern Vietnamese families during Tet.

Money Tree, also known as the lucky tree, has become a familiar and popular symbol in the cultural customs of Tet in many places around the world. This type of ornamental plant carries the meaning of wealth, luck, and prosperity. The money tree usually has small, glossy, round, and thick leaves resembling small coins, highlighting its elegant beauty and strong vitality. People believe that this tree brings luck and attracts wealth to the home, so it is often placed indoors during the Lunar New Year.

In addition to the meaning of wealth, the money tree is also considered a symbol of patience, resilience, and robust life. Caring for and nurturing the tree is similar to nurturing success and growth in life. With its natural beauty and profound symbolic meaning, the money tree not only enriches the living space but also contributes to creating an elegant focal point, bringing joy and hope to the family during the traditional Tet season.

As Tet arrives and the spring comes with joyful celebrations, every household is bustling with preparations to welcome the upcoming new year. Amidst the abundance of 'banh chung,' 'cay neu,' and fireworks, the presence of various colorful flowers is essential. Alongside peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and orchids, the Chrysanthemum flowers are always considered one of the main characters of the Tet flowers, contributing to the festive atmosphere and bringing hope to families. Chrysanthemum flowers are seen as symbols of nobility, power, and wealth.

The Chrysanthemum flower is a precious species among the 'four noble ones: pine, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and apricot blossom.' In folklore, chrysanthemums symbolize longevity, abundant blessings, and represent filial piety towards parents and grandparents. According to feng shui, chrysanthemums bring luck and a peaceful life to the homeowners. Therefore, they are an indispensable part of every Vietnamese family during Tet, whether as a small pot of chrysanthemums placed in front of the house or chrysanthemum blooms on the ancestral altar.

The orchid flowers boast vibrant colors, graceful shapes, and long-lasting freshness, lasting continuously from 10-20 days. Therefore, during Tet, everyone tries to buy a bouquet to decorate their homes for the festive season. The orchid flower is one of the commonly used Tet flowers in Vietnam. It is called the 'sword orchid' with significant feng shui meanings, acting as a charm against evil, dispelling negativity, and bringing good luck.

In many cultures, this flower is considered the flower of warriors because its leaves and branches resemble a sword, and in some places, it is known as the 'sword orchid.' However, its most well-known symbolism is associated with honor and remembrance. It is also a symbol of personal strength, loyalty, sincerity, and integrity, never giving up. In Vietnam, the orchid is seen as a flower that brings prosperity to the homeowner.

The rose moss flower, also known as the 'Portulaca grandiflora,' is a flower with a very ladylike name. While not overly vibrant, it exudes a sweet, charming, and elegant beauty. Rose moss is particularly favored in Japan and across Asia because it symbolizes 'luck.' It is renowned for being a beautiful cut flower.

On Tet days, rose moss flowers are arranged in vases, showcasing their gentle and romantic beauty. You can place vases of flowers on the altar, windows, work desk, living room, dining table, windowsill, TV shelf, or flower stand, bringing a fresh and lively touch of spring to the room. Observing these rose moss flowers, one might be reminded of the full and tender beauty of a moonlight maiden. The sweet charm of rose moss flowers makes them a perfect choice to convey messages of love or simply to display on the tea table for admiration during Tet.

For as long as we can remember, the flower that seemingly originated in high-altitude regions with a climate close to temperate zones has been domesticated by the people of Northern Vietnam, earning itself the simple name: peach blossom. It's become a symbol of spring for the Vietnamese, so much so that poet Vu Dinh Lien only needs to write, 'Every year, the peach blossoms bloom,' and readers immediately understand that it's a verse dedicated to the time when 'Tet arrives, spring returns.'

Not only does it add warmth and joy to the Tet atmosphere, but the peach blossom also carries many layers of meaning. It symbolizes vitality, bringing a new source of life, abundant health to everyone in the family, all wishes coming true, and the hope for a prosperous, successful, and happy year. The beauty of this flower also symbolizes Northern Vietnamese women: gentle, graceful, and charming...

12. Money Plant

Money Plant, also known as the lucky plant, is often displayed in homes during the Lunar New Year. It's not just a beautiful ornamental plant but also carries the meaning of luck, prosperity, and success in the new year. The money plant typically has vibrant green leaves, a round shape, creating a very interesting and eye-catching appearance. According to folklore, the money plant brings wealth, luck, and prosperity to the homeowner. Displaying a money plant is seen as a way to attract and retain fortune for the family.

Beyond the significance of luck and wealth, cultivating and caring for the money plant also contributes to adding greenery to the home. It not only serves as a beautiful ornamental plant but also brings comfort, a sense of peace, and freshness to the living space. On Tet day, displaying the money plant is not just a tradition but also an opportunity for the family to gather, share joy, and hope for a new year full of luck and success. The money plant truly symbolizes luck and happiness in every Vietnamese family during the welcoming of the new year.

13. Orchid

Not by chance does this flower bloom most beautifully in the spring. Orchids bring a sense of brightness, purity, and elegance for a prosperous and lucky year. Each flower branch usually bears 5-6 blossoms, with thick and variously colored petals. Orchids are often chosen by many families because they last long and thrive in cool temperatures. Orchids come in various colors, each representing a specific meaning.

White orchids symbolize purity, purple orchids represent sophistication, yellow orchids stand for friendship, and so on. Orchids are considered the 'queen' of flowers, symbolizing wealth, elegance, and nobility. In feng shui, orchids bring luck and positive energy to the household. Therefore, with their elegant beauty and vibrant colors, these flowers are often displayed in the living room every spring.

14. Water Lily

Water Lily, also known as Lily of the Nile, is a decorative plant with an air of sophistication and elegance. Recognized by slender tube-shaped flowers, water lilies often boast the subtle green of leaves and unique purple or light green flowers. This common ornamental plant is cultivated indoors to add a sophisticated touch and bring elegance to living spaces.

During Tet, water lilies are often favored for decoration indoors. With their graceful beauty and the meaning of good luck, they not only freshen up the space but are also considered a symbol of wealth, luck, and happiness in the new year. Displaying water lilies is not just a way to showcase care and honor the beauty of nature but also reflects the traditional cultural beauty in welcoming the new year for the Vietnamese people.