7 Lucky Cut Flowers in the Year of the Fire Horse

chrysanthemum — (Image credit: Getty Images/ Natalia Spiridonova)

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Calla lily
Cymbidium orchid
Peony
Asiatic lily
Chrysanthemum
Blossom stems
Marigold

As the Chinese New Year approaches, excitement and expectations soar for the months ahead. The Year of the Fire Horse is particularly special, bringing with it passion, positive energy, bold decisions and transformation. To harness these positive and feelgood vibes for you and your loved ones, we have some tried and tested expert tips for displaying choice cut blooms in your home.

According to the Chinese zodiac, certain plants and flowers are closely associated with specific emotions and energies, and their presence in accordance with the principals of Feng Shui can help shape future life events. Along with lucky houseplants, cut flowers can have the same effect.

Calla lily

Elegant and curvaceous cala lilies embody all the dynamism and impact associated with the Year of the Fire Horse.

Simple in form, with their trumpet shaped spathes wrapped around a central spadix, Zantedeschia come in many eye-catching shades from purest white and palest pink through to gold, orange and deepest burgundy. Their speckled foliage adds to their dramatic appeal.

Thriving in deep, moist soil ideally in full sun, calla lilies will tolerate some shade but do hate being waterlogged.

A south African native, these rhizomes are best grown as tender perennials in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 but if you live outside these zones its worth finding out how to winterize calla lilies outdoors.

With stems reaching up to 3ft (91cm) tall, these glamourous plants make striking cut blooms. Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle with a pair of sharp secateurs, such as these from Amazon and leave in cold water for a couple of hours before arranging.

Cymbidium orchid

These exotic blooms typically bloom from late fall through winter, in an array of seductive shades from rose pink, glowing copper, deep magenta to near black.

While orchids have long been associated with luxury, refinement and prosperity, cymbidium orchids are thought to be the perfect fit for the sign of the Fire Horse, marrying fiery tones and dramatic forms with an underlying elegance.

Look for varieties Cymbidium 'Valley Fire' or 'Fire on the Mountain’ for a particularly auspicious display.

Sometimes known as Boat orchids, these plants love bright, humid conditions in temperatures of 50-75F (10-25C). Reducing the temperature at night to 18F (10C) will encourage buds to form and is a useful trick when knowing how to care for orchids.

Water cymbidiums regularly and moderately in spring and summer, allowing soil to dry out between dowsing. Use rainwater and a long spout watering can such as this from Target to help avoid wetting the foliage.

Make cut stems last indoors by cutting at a 45 degree angle and placing immediately in tepid water. Re-snip the stem, removing 1 inch (2.5cm) every three weeks.

Peony

Enticingly ruffled and ostentatious, peonies have long been celebrated in Chinese culture.

'Peonies symbolize wealth, prosperity honor, and success. Known as the “king of flowers”, peonies are classic symbols of riches and social prestige,' explains garden expert Laura Walsh. 'Red or pink peonies boost auspicious energy and align beautifully with the Fire element’s vitality.'

Herbaceous and intersectional peonies are best planted as bare roots in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

Shallow planting is essential for these frost hardy perennials, making sure the “eyes” or tiny white/pink buds are facing upwards no more that 2 inches (5cm) below the soil surface.

Flowering late May through to early July, learn how to support peonies to prevent blooms from drooping and stems from snapping. These half round plant supports from Walmart are simple but effective.

Laura Walsh

Laura is a dynamic professional in the world of horticulture and floriculture, serving as the Marketing Director at Smithers-Oasis North America, a renowned leader in these industries. With a passion for all things botanical, Laura has made a name for herself as a certified floral designer and a member of the Academy of Floriculture. As a member of the Professional Floral Communicators International, Laura has the privilege of traversing the country, sharing her insights and knowledge about floral design and foraged floral design.

Asiatic lily

Known in Chinese history for representing a 'harmonious union for a hundred years', lilies are the perfect balance for the energetic and forceful nature of the Fire Horse.

Flowering in vibrant, fiery colours, these hardy perennials reliably appear year after year symbolizing strength and endurance, the perfect counterbalance to the unpredictable nature of this Zodiac sign.

The large open petals of Asiatic lilies possess a strong positive energy that is a perfect match for the forthright Fire Horse.

True summer flowering showstoppers, learn how to grow lilies in pots or borders using fertile, yet free draining soil for best results.

Aim to place them three times their height below the soil’s surface, to encourage strong roots and sturdy growth. Heavy feeders, these plants will benefit from a balanced slow release plant fertilizer, widely available from Amazon.

Chrysanthemum

Frequently pictured in art and sculpture for thousands of years, the Chrysanthemum has become a highly revered flower in Chinese culture.

'Chrysanthemums are a poplar cut flower that is known to bring positive energy and attract luck into a home,' says plant expert Katie Sunderlage. 'They are also associated with creating a peaceful, harmonious space.'

An all important factor when facing the erratic and dramatic energies of the Fire Horse, expect these flowers to become even more sought after this coming year.

Floral designers and flower growers love these vibrant blooms not only for their long lasting and resilient nature but for their seasonality; providing a flash of color through fall, and into winter if grown under cover.

For early-flowering chrysanthemums aim to sow seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last spring frost. 'You can then transplant them into the garden after all danger of frost has past,' says flower grower Meredith Bishop. 'Or, you can sow directly into the garden in spring, though germination is often lower when sowed directly,' she adds.

Suited to a sunny spot in US hardiness zones 5-9, these plants need regular watering and can benefit from pinching out to create strong, bushy plants with plenty of blooms. Use your fingertips for this gardening task or try a pair of small snips such as these from Walmart.

Katie Sunderlage

Operations Manager at Holland Group, managing the customer service department and purchasing. Katie has been in the green industry since 2005 in the Greater Milwaukee area, earning her degree in Horticulture in 2008. She has been able to share her love for plants working in multiple garden centers, in sales positions and most recently in an online retail platform at Holland Group.

Meredith Bishop

Meredith Bishop is a sustainable flower grower specializing in old-world blooms grown from seed in her gardens in urban Nashville, Tennessee. She also operates a retail design studio in Nashville, and enjoys teaching, speaking and writing about all aspects of flower gardening.

Blossom stems

Any cut stem with emerging flower buds epitomises spring’s natural energy and promise. Hugely popular in Chinese culture, displaying snipped branches of plum, cherry, peach blossom or pussy willow indoors conveys this positivity along with a calming sense of renewal and longevity.

The perfect antidote to drama and unpredictability of this double fire year, floral designers expect these arrangements to be more popular than ever.

While plum blossom is seen as representing resilience, thanks to its habit of blooming on bear stems, Peach flowers are seen to boosting friendships and happy social interactions.

Consider placing blossom branches in vases either side of an entranceway to enhance relationships, welcome positive energy and success into the home.

Choose branches that have had at least six weeks of cold weather and that bear plump, tight flower buds. Cut the base of the branch at a 45 degree angle and use a clean, sharp knife such as this folding pruning knife from Amazon to cut an ‘X’ up the lower 1 inch (2.5cm)of the stem.

Marigold

In Chinese culture, marigolds are closely linked with wealth and good fortune so it’s no surprise that they are extremely popular cut flowers.

Radiating cheer and positive energy, their golden and deep orange petals are perfectly aligned with the fire horse sign and thanks to their long-lasting nature, they help to stabilise the year’s volatile energy too.

African marigolds – Tagetes erecta – with the dense, pompom flowerheads are particularly sought after.

A summer flowering annual, these flowers are great companion plants, warding off aphids from susceptible crops and blooms and are ideal for bringing color to pots and borders. Reaching 39-59 inches (1-1.5m) these plants love heat and thrive in US hardiness zones 2-11.

For more good fortune, be sure to familiarize yourself with these lucky plants and learn to where to place a Chinese money plant, according to Feng Shui.

Journalist Jill Morgan has spent over 20 years writing and editing gardening, interior and property features. Titles she has worked on include The English Home, House Beautiful, Ideal Home, Houzz and Modern Gardens and she writes regularly for H&G as a Contributing Editor. Whilst she is a dab hand at renovation projects and DIY, she is happiest when out digging in the garden or planning a new border.