Plants are given Latin names so they can be identified precisely, as many have multiple names and even duplicated common names with other plants. However, from a marketing point of view, these names can be sterile, hard to pronounce and difficult to remember. Common names on the other hand often sum up the plant’s main characteristics based solely on observations such as flower color, mature size and leaf shape. Common names can even be cute.
Cute plant names can foster a more personal relationship between the grower and the plant, which can lead to more attentive care and increased satisfaction. A survey in Britain found that one in three plant purchasers in England name their houseplants. A US poll found that 36.9% of Gen Z, 32.1% of Millennials, 25.4% of Gen X, and 14.9% of Baby Boomers name their houseplants not only standard American names like Fred or Mary, but whimsical or cute names like Vincent van Grow or Fernie Sanders.
Even cute names given to plants by plant breeders and nurseries can help create a positive bond between a “plant parent” and the plant. Below are seven plants with cute names that you may want to take home, befriend and post on Instagram. You may even wish you could hug them.
“Little Miss Figgy” is a dwarf fig tree variety that was patented in 2017. It grows to an average height of about five feet with a width of three to four feet, making it suitable for growing in small gardens and in containers on patios and balconies. This cute little fruit tree produces deep purple figs with a golden flesh that has a sweet berry-like taste.
“Raspberry Swirl” is a variety of Dianthus that produces fragrant, edible, pale pink flowers with a magenta edge and deep maroon center. The flowers sit atop long stems and hover above the plant’s compact mound of blueish-green grassy foliage. It’s drought tolerant, deer resistant and attracts charming butterflies.
“Bumbleberry Pie” is another type of Dianthus with an enchanting name. This variety produces scented hot-pink frilly flowers with a crimson center ring that appear to float above the plant’s drift of silvery-blue and green grassy foliage. The lovable pink flamingo-colored flowers are great for floral arrangements.
“Miss Piggy” is a Bergenia that has clusters of bright pink flowers that form on a cone-shaped panicle. It may hog attention from the other shade growing plants in the garden. The dark green luscious glossy leaves slowly turn purplish-bronze in the winter, adding dramatic color.
“Watermelon Party” is a Begonia hybrid with foliage that explodes with color. Its glossy leaves have deep purple serrated edges which fade inward to dark green, then silver, finishing with a vibrant salmon-reddish color in the center. White dots overlay the surface of the leaves and keep the visual party going by adding a dramatic contrast to the colorful veining.
“Prince Charming” is a tiny three to four-foot-tall Buddleia (butterfly bush) with a fairytale name. It blooms from mid-summer to fall. It generates multiple long deep raspberry-pink flower spikes despite its small size. The flower spike consists of hundreds of mini-individual flowers that, as the name suggests, charm butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
“My Guy” is a Hibiscus hybrid whose name immediately forms a bond between it and whoever is growing and caring for it (“plant parent” for the Millennials and Gen Zers). It blooms with beautiful double flowers, which are flowers with extra petals that are sometimes called ‘flowers within flowers.’ The large red petal flowers with yellow highlights are truly captivating.
A recent study from a marketing company called CraftJack found that 60% of people under 40 think that “pets are the new kids, and plants are the new pets.” Many are even opting for plant over animal ownership. Whether the plant is named at the nursery or by its new parent, a cute plant name changes the relationship from owner to companion, creating a win-win for both the person and the plant.
Daniel O’Donnell is the co-owner and operator of an organic landscape design/build company in Fremont. Chrysalis-Gardens.com
I usually name my plants and talk to them whenever I go out to water! My tomato is Thomas, the little Tie-Dyed tomato is TJ (Tom, Jr.). I have spider plants that I call Charlotte, Peter, Parker and Spidey. My lambs ear is named Jennifer (after my cousin – her last name is Lamb). My apricot tree is Robert as he’s a Robusto variety. Callie, my Calla Lilies, and I have several that have people names already – Olive (my olive tree), Astrid, Iris, Jade & Lily. I also have a Bird of Paradies named Birdie.