ANN/THE STAR – The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year (CNY) sees Chinese families busy brightening up their homes with vibrant flowers and plants. Nurseries saw a surge in sales as festive plants with symbolic meanings remained highly sought after.
One of the most popular choices is the lime tree, a symbol of prosperity and fresh beginnings, said Abby Soh, 57, co-owner of a plant nursery. To meet the seasonal demand, Soh’s Kuala Lumpur nursery has stocked 400 lime trees this year.
“Most Chinese families buy a new lime tree every year to invite fresh luck and prosperity into their home. We have ordered about 20 types of popular CNY plants. It includes red pineapple (representing prosperity), bamboo plant (good luck), kalanchoe (longevity) and pussy willow (wealth and prosperity).
“Many CNY plants at the nursery are sourced from China, Vietnam, Ipoh, Perak and Cameron Highlands, Pahang. In Malaysia, we can’t bring in many plants as our weather isn’t ideal for most flowers. Instead, we focus on hardy plants that can last longer during the festive season,” she said during an interview.
She said customer preferences vary by age, with middle-aged buyers preferring traditional choices like pussy willow, lime trees and chrysanthemums. Younger customers, however, lean toward low-maintenance, smaller plants such as bamboo and succulents, likely due to limited space in condominiums.
“We have also noticed more young visitors coming to take photos for their social media at our nursery. However, our plant selection is driven by CNY traditions, not online trends,” she added.
With orchids growing in popularity, Soh has stocked up on 1,000 phalaenopsis, commonly known as moth orchids, for the season.
“Though priced from MYR95, these vibrant pink and purple phalaenopsis are favoured as they can last up to two months after CNY. Other orchid species like tiger orchids, dancing lady and golden showers are less popular due to their shorter bloom period.”
Soh said her customers are willing to spend generously on prosperity plants during the Lunar New Year.
“On average, they spend between MYR50 and MYR400 on plants. The top favourites are lime trees and yellow chrysanthemums. Twisted bamboos are also popular because people believe these plants can ‘twist’ luck in one’s favour.”
The nursery, a family business for 40 years, offers CNY plants starting from MYR4.90.
Here are the top five plants trending at Soh’s nursery for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
LIME TREE
This plant is a cherished symbol of prosperity during CNY celebrations. Placed at entrances, this perennial plants are believed to welcome luck while their fruits are thought to absorb negative energy, protecting homes from bad luck. Their vibrant appearance also enhances the festive atmosphere.
ORCHIDS
Orchids are popular during CNY as they symbolise fertility, abundance and elegance. These beautiful blooms are associated with harmony, luxury and prosperity, making them a meaningful gift and festive decoration. Their vibrant colours and graceful shapes add a touch of refinement and positivity to the celebrations.
LOTUS BAMBOO
Lotus bamboo, often associated with the deity Kuan Yin in Chinese culture, symbolises spiritual growth, purity and peace. Kuan Yin is closely linked to the lotus flower, which represents enlightenment.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Chrysanthemums, available in vibrant hues such as maroon, yellow and pink, hold cultural significance beyond their aesthetic appeal. In many Asian cultures, they symbolise longevity and rejuvenation. Plants with yellow blooms are believed to usher in prosperity.
KALANCHOES
Kalanchoes are known for their long-lasting flowers, which can bloom for several weeks.
Their flowers are small but grouped into dense clusters that come in bright colours like red, orange, yellow, pink and white. Their blooms symbolise longevity and prosperity. – Sheela Chandran
