Top 20 Traditional Tet Plants in Vietnam

1. Kumquat Tree

The reason why kumquat trees are often displayed during Tet is because in Chinese phonetics, the pronunciation of 'quất' is similar to the word 'cát' in 'cát tường' (prosperity). Therefore, kumquat trees are often chosen for decoration during Tet to bring luck and blessings. When selecting a tree, people look for those with good green leaves, evenly yellow fruits, and no withered fruits, symbolizing prosperity and the promise of a year full of abundance and good health. If lucky enough to find a tree with both ripe and green fruits, along with young buds, it signifies completeness, success, and good luck. The kumquat tree is also a symbol of health, peace, longevity, and good luck in love.

Kumquat trees have the advantage of lasting a long time during Tet. You can buy a kumquat tree 1 to 2 weeks before Tet, and it will remain beautiful without withering or dropping fruits until the end of the first lunar month. Prices for beautiful and large kumquat trees can range from a few million to tens of millions. Affordable trees are priced around a few hundred thousand. Whether you are well-off or not, having a kumquat tree at home for Tet is not difficult.

2. Yellow Apricot Blossom

As Tet approaches, Vietnamese streets and homes are adorned with carefully chosen branches of yellow apricot blossoms, symbolizing growth, survival, and prosperity. People meticulously select these apricot branches to bring home as an offering to their ancestors, hoping for a year of peace and happiness. Yellow apricot blossoms symbolize development, survival, and prosperity. The ancient belief is that when yellow apricot blossoms bloom during Tet, they bring luck, wealth, and good health to the family.

Yellow apricot blossoms are not common in the Northern region but are concentrated in the South. One can choose a large, beautiful apricot tree to display in front of the house or simply a small potted apricot tree placed on a table. Regardless of size, during the traditional Tet, it is considered a symbol of luck for the family if the apricot blooms on time. Moreover, it makes your family have a warmer, happier Tet.

Like other plant species, the cost of apricot trees depends on the tree's prosperity, shape, and size. Many families, if they cannot afford a large tree, opt for a smaller one or even just branches with many buds to put in a vase.

Peach blossoms are considered the essence of the five elements and a symbol of vitality, human connection... According to feng shui, peach blossoms can dispel evil spirits, ward off ghosts, and bring good luck. Therefore, during the traditional Tet of the people in the North, they often decorate their homes with a peach tree or a large branch of peach blossoms inside the house, with the desire for wealth, prosperity throughout the year.

Like the kumquat tree, the peach tree brings many blessings and good fortune, so many companies and enterprises also choose a large, beautiful tree to display at the entrance to pray for prosperity. Some families, offices, and enterprises even choose both kumquat and peach trees for decoration on Tet day.

The price of a peach tree with beauty, size, and many buds can range from several million VND and up. Smaller peach trees or branches are more affordable.

Chrysanthemum flowers are known as familiar and intimate flowers in our daily lives. Chrysanthemum flowers are also a traditional Tet flower for the Vietnamese people during the Lunar New Year.

Chrysanthemum flowers belong to the quartet of 'pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo, apricot blossom,' symbolizing longevity, wealth, and abundant happiness. According to feng shui experts, chrysanthemum flowers bring peace, luck, and prosperity to the homeowner. This is an indispensable flower in Vietnamese families on every occasion of Tet.

With chrysanthemum flowers, people can choose a beautiful pot of flowers to place in front of the door or simply a vase of chrysanthemum flowers on the ancestral altar. The price of chrysanthemum flowers is not as expensive as other Tet decorative plants.

Lucky Bamboo symbolizes prosperity and abundance. Many people choose bamboo as a decorative plant during the Lunar New Year, as it holds the top position in the trio of wealth, happiness, and longevity. Alongside the money tree, which signifies wealth, and the longevity tree, representing long life, Lucky Bamboo completes the trio on the ancestral altar.

Traditionally, bamboo was grown for its leaves and fruits, with little consideration for its decorative appeal. However, understanding its positive symbolism transformed Lucky Bamboo into an admired ornamental plant. It has earned a spot among the favored plants for enthusiasts and is commonly used for home decoration during the Tet holiday. The price of Lucky Bamboo during Tet is reasonable compared to some other plants.

Orchid is also chosen as a Tet decorative plant during the traditional Tet holiday. Known as the queen among flowers, orchids symbolize elegance, sophistication, and wealth.

According to Eastern feng shui, it's best to choose soft, varied colors with lush green leaves for prosperity. The Warrior Orchid meets these criteria. The colors of orchids create a positive and vibrant space, heralding a new year filled with prosperity and luck.

Research shows that in England, orchids symbolize royalty, while in Japan, they represent wealth. In Vietnam, orchids signify elegance and sophistication due to their gentle colors, soft stems, and subtle fragrance. They also represent harmony and prosperity in the early days of the new year.

Orchids and individuals are seen as a harmonious entity. Life is lucky and happy when orchids are well-cared-for, thriving, and vice versa. These are practical experiences shared by many orchid enthusiasts. Always nurture and care for orchids to receive the best for the new year.

Money Tree—the name alone is enough to spark curiosity. Why is it called the money tree? Many believe it brings fortune, prosperity, and luck for the entire year.

The tree has a straight stem, no branches, but numerous small joints from 2-3cm. Particularly, the tree can be shaped according to the grower's preference. Thriving in cool, humid environments, it adapts well indoors or in offices, acting as an air purifier. In feng shui, placing it on the work desk signifies smooth work, broadening one's career prospects, and a constant flow of money. Inside the house, it dispels negativity, bringing peace to everyone's health.

People also interpret its meaning based on the quantity in a pot:

• 2 trees: symbolizes marriage and love.
• 3 trees: represents three types of luck for the homeowner—happiness, wealth, and longevity.
• 5 trees: brings health and positive energy to the family.
• 8 trees: signifies fortune, prosperity, and abundance.
• 9 trees: brings luck to the homeowner.

Depending on the number of trees in a pot, the money tree holds different symbolic values. However, not everyone knows the significance of this plant to choose it as a Tet decorative plant.

Money Plant is a familiar flower to many. With its radiant beauty, it is a popular choice for decorating homes, especially during the Tet festival.

The money plant has a resemblance to daisies. They have two types of petals, tongue-shaped and tube-shaped. The tongue-shaped petals are larger, usually arranged in an outer circle, while the tube-shaped petals are smaller and grow inside. When the flower blooms, the tongue-shaped petals bloom first, followed by the tube-shaped petals. In the center is the flower's heart or eye.

Spring Buds is the name of a tree belonging to the Willow family, known as Pussy Willow or Goat Willow (Salix caprea). It is called this because its flowers bloom into soft, furry strands resembling cat fur.

Gladiolus flowers, also known as Sword Lily, scientifically named Gladiolus, comprise around 260 species and 10,000 varieties. This flower comes in various colors such as orange, red, light green, pink, and yellow. Blooming on a tall stem ranging from 40 – 80cm, it lasts a long time, making it a popular choice for significant occasions and the Lunar New Year.

The gladiolus plant is also known as the 'sword orchid.' It is a favored flower during the spring season and the Lunar New Year. The flowers have a beautiful, long-lasting freshness. Many families like to arrange gladiolus in large bouquets, choosing the longest and most abundant blossoms to display from Tet to the full moon of the first lunar month.

Gladiolus symbolizes warm and enduring affection. In the 1980s, Hanoi brides were often required to carry a bouquet of red gladiolus during weddings, perhaps for this reason.

Peruvian Lily, also known as the Inca Lily, gets its name from its resemblance to the lily flower. Additionally, scientifically termed Alstroemeria, this flower's name is inspired by a Swedish man named Alstroemer who, captivated by its beauty during a visit to South America, brought back seeds to cultivate. Since then, the flower has been named after him.

When we talk about Peruvian Lily, we think of a flower that comes in various vibrant colors. The gentle and pleasant fragrance, along with its glossy leaves, makes it not only aesthetically valuable but also enhances the vitality of the surrounding space. Peruvian Lily is a popular choice for Tet decoration among many Vietnamese people. Symbolizing wealth, prosperity, success, abundance, and luck for homeowners, it is also believed by feng shui practitioners to ward off negative energies and bring positive vibes to the household. Moreover, this beautiful and fragrant flower makes it a preferred Tet decoration for many families.

Mexican Marigold is the name of a perennial plant with robust stems and roots, blooming in summer and autumn. Originating from Mexico, it is also the national flower of the country. In 1872, a box of young Mexican Marigold plants was sent to the Netherlands.

You can buy Mexican Marigold flowers to decorate your home. A vase of Mexican Marigold flowers will make the space in your house warmer and more cheerful. If you truly love the beauty of this flower, you can plant pots of Mexican Marigold to display on your balcony, in your garden, or place them in front of your door to attract good fortune.

Despite the increasing presence of various imported flowers, Mexican Marigold, with its simple and familiar beauty, still holds a special place during Tet. The delicate and colorful flowers suit the gentle spring weather. Arranging a vase of Mexican Marigold flowers brings tranquility to the soul and a love for life.

Not only possessing a captivating beauty, but lily flowers also exude an incredibly alluring fragrance. Perhaps that's why many families choose lily flowers for decoration on Tet.

Lilies with large petals symbolize luck and prosperity. Especially if yellow lilies are arranged on the ancestral altar and bloom on the first day of Tet, the homeowner will receive much joy, luck, and happiness that year. In feng shui, this flower also has the power to ward off negative energy, foster relationships, and express comfort and sharing.

In some other cultures around the world, lilies are also a symbol of luck, goodness, representing innocence, purity, or embodying boundless maternal love. Therefore, many people choose to decorate with lilies on Tet for these reasons.

Sea Hibiscus, a plant species in the Camellia genus, scientifically known as Camellia amplexicaulis. Originating from tropical regions in South America and Asia, notably prevalent in Brazil. Currently cultivated extensively worldwide. In Vietnam, Sea Hibiscus is well-suited and widely grown from Lang Son to Thua Thien Hue provinces.

Each flower species holds distinct meanings for homeowners, and Sea Hibiscus is no exception. Besides adorning the family garden, Sea Hibiscus brings warmth and joy with its vibrant pink-red hue.

Moreover, Sea Hibiscus carries the significance of 'wealth and sweetness along the way.' This implies happiness and prosperity for your family when decorating with Sea Hibiscus at home. Especially during festivals and Tet, people often decorate with Sea Hibiscus, hoping for a fortunate and successful year ahead.

Another crucial meaning of Sea Hibiscus is fostering unity and harmony among siblings in the family. These are desirable aspects that every family wishes to have.

Rose is increasingly favored, with flowers of various colors and sizes. Beautiful, elegant, and charming, roses exude an irresistible allure for anyone beholding them on the first days of the new year.

Roses are widely used during Tet, especially red roses displayed everywhere. Upon entering someone's home during the first days of the new year, one is sure to encounter large and beautiful bouquets of roses. The fragrance of roses permeates the entire house, creating a distinctive atmosphere in the early days of spring.

In traditional ethnic Tet, when all family members return from afar, the moment of reunion brings joy and warmth. Additionally, purchasing vibrant red rose bouquets for the family brings luck to everyone.

Roses during Tet are beloved by many, not only for their beauty but also for symbolizing luck in the new year. Roses carry wishes for family bonds and love between couples, as intense as the early days of romance in the new year. Let's buy a rose bouquet for our families on the first days of spring.

If the apricot tree and its branches symbolize wealth and prosperity, and the peach tree drives away evil spirits while bringing abundant harvests in the coming year, the money tree carries the meaning of bringing luck and fortune throughout the year.

The image of the money tree exudes elegance, uniqueness, and spirituality, bringing luck and prosperity to the homeowner throughout the year. Therefore, besides being used for worship, the money tree is also considered a meaningful gift. It can be given on occasions such as birthdays, Tet holidays, grand openings, inaugurations, or housewarmings. Displaying it in offices, administrative offices, or meeting rooms is also common. Having a money tree at home or in the workplace brings luck, health, and a belief in a smooth and favorable new year.

The fruit of the money tree is often displayed on the five-fruit tray or placed on the ancestral altar for ritual offerings. If placed on the tray, the money tree is usually positioned in the center, the highest point on the tray. The fruit is seen as a symbol of Buddha's hand, embracing and protecting the household from evil spirits, bringing luck and fulfillment of wishes.

Alongside the traditional apricot, peach, and kumquat trees that adorn homes during the Tet festival, this year, we encounter a new type of plant on the streets with a price tag that's far from modest. Dragon fruit, a fruit symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and good luck, has taken on a new role this Tet season. If there's a potted ornamental dragon fruit tree in the house during the Lunar New Year, many believe it will bring good fortune and peace.

Similar to regular dragon fruit trees grown for their fruit, the difference lies in the careful selection and artistic cultivation by skilled gardeners to create a new and festive aspect. Ornamental dragon fruit trees are meticulously chosen for their health and resilience, with craftsmen carefully pruning and shaping them into beautiful forms, planted in pots like ornamental plants.

These pots of ornamental dragon fruit serve not only as Tet decorations but also as unique and thoughtful gifts. Moreover, these Tet ornamental dragon fruit trees can stay indoors for a long time since they are grown in pots, providing visual delight for one to two months after the fruit ripens. Afterward, the plants can be transferred to the garden for continued growth.

Bonsai Orange Tree is undoubtedly the most fascinating and unique ornamental tree for the first days of the new year. By cultivating Bonsai orange trees, you not only create a picturesque scene but also have the prospect of enjoying the fruit after Tet. Bonsai Orange Trees can be potted and shaped like ornamental plants, making them suitable for planting during Tet to bring luck and prosperity.

Bonsai Orange Trees are considered a type of fruit belonging to the citrus family because they are easy to peel and eat just like oranges. Juicy oranges with a delicious taste are highly favored by consumers not only for their sweet spring color but also for their easy cultivation.

Symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and sweetness, Bonsai Orange Trees are chosen by many gardeners as ornamental citrus trees for this Tet season, gaining popularity among customers. For well-established trees with correct fruiting, large and beautiful fruits, lush greenery, and substantial size, prices can reach tens of millions of VND.

In recent years, the market for Tet ornamental plants has seen a growing variety of unique bonsai trees, including pomelo, kumquat, lemon, and even papaya bonsai, which has gained popularity.

Therefore, papaya bonsai is selected for indoor decoration or as a gift during Tet. Each papaya bonsai is considered beautiful based on various factors such as tree form, abundant and diverse fruit sizes, flowers, and foliage.

The papaya tree symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and sustainability, making it a sought-after choice for Tet decoration. However, according to garden owners, caring for papaya bonsai is challenging, and the quantity of well-crafted trees is limited. As a result, enthusiasts need to act quickly to secure one for Tet decoration. The prices of papaya bonsai pots range from 2 million to tens of millions of VND, depending on the buyer and the tree's style.

Hoa tuyết mai có màu trắng tinh khiết đặc trưng, dáng vẻ rất nhẹ nhàng, quý phái nên được nhiều người tìm mua để chưng trong mỗi dịp Tết Nguyên Đán. Bạn có thể cắm hoa tuyết mai trong vườn nhà, phòng khách,... cho không gian thêm nhẹ nhàng, sang trọng.

Hoa tuyết mai vốn có nguồn gốc từ Trung Quốc và nở vào dịp đầu xuân, loại hoa này mang một vẻ đẹp thanh tao, nhã nhặn với những bông hoa nhỏ màu trắng xinh xắn. Bên cạnh đó hoa tuyết mai có mùi thơm nhẹ và dễ chịu. Mỗi cành tuyết mai có chiều dài khoảng 1,2 đến 1,5m và trên thân nở rất nhiều hoa và lộc. Mỗi bông hoa tuy rất nhỏ nhưng vì một cành tuyết mai có nhiều hoa nên tạo ra một tổng thể rất thu hút. Một bình tuyết mai có thể chơi trong nhà từ 7 đến 10 ngày, nếu biết cách chăm sóc thì bạn có thể để đến tận 20 ngày.