FOR many Singaporeans, Chinese New Year is not complete without the usual festive rituals: the spring-cleaning of homes, eating of pineapple tarts and spending hours queuing for bak kwa (barbecued pork slices).
Add buying plants to the list of must-dos, as many believe buying certain plants will ensure them a year of good luck and fortune because of the plants' auspicious colours and significance.
According to Mr Peter Cheok, sales and marketing director for Far East Flora in Thomson Road, traditional festive favourites include the four seasons lime, the kumq
uat, zamioculca (also known as the gold tree in Mandarin), lucky bamboo and pussy willows.
The nursery began selling plants for Chinese New Year at the start of this month.
Sales have blossomed 10 per cent this year compared to the same period last year, as the nursery has imported more plants.
Plants with auspicious colours such as red and yellow - signifying luck and prosperity - that are popular include kelanchoe with its red blooms and celosia, which has red and yellow flowers.
Mr Lee Meng Kwan, sales manager at nursery World Farm in Sembawang, also points out that guzmania is auspicious because its name in Hokkien, wang lai hua, means prosperity has arrived.
"The Chinese believe that having such plants in their home will also ensure them plenty of wealth and luck," he says
Both nurseries say prices have remained similar to last year, despite increasing costs for transporting plants from places such as China, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Plants at both will be for sale right up to the eve of Chinese New Year on Feb 6. World Farm will close for business at noon on Feb 6. Far East Flora will stay open till 3am on Feb 7.
But Mr Lee says the best time to buy plants is now, rather than at the last minute.
"By then, the best plants would have been bought," he says. "Wouldn't you rather enjoy the plants earlier?"
If you feel like cultivating pots of luck and prosperity this Chinese New Year, Life! has dug around to come up with a bunch of blooming marvels, plus tips on their care.
Adenium
Ardisia Creneta
Celosia
From $30 per pot from
World Farm,
15 Bah Soon Pah Road
This is commonly known as the desert rose and is a popular choice during Chinese New Year because of its auspicious Chinese name, fu gui hua, or prosperity flower.
Care: It is a fuss-free plant that likes full sun. Needs little water. Give the pot a good drenching and water again when the soil dries out.
$29.90 per pot from
Far East Flora, 555 Thomson Road
This newly introduced plant comes from China and is called fu gui zi in Mandarin. Its red berries are inedible, but numerous ones in a cluster signify prosperity and good luck.
Care: Place in semi-shaded areas and
water on alternate days.
From $12 per pot
from World Farm
Celosia flowers often come in red and yellow. Its Chinese name is feng wei, or
phoenix tail. The phoenix is
considered an auspicious creature in Chinese legends, so having this plant around is expected to bring good luck
all year round.
Care: Needs plenty of sunlight and water. Do not allow the soil to dry out.
Chrysanthemums
Four Seasons Limes
Guzmania
From $5 to $63 a pot, depending on size, from World Farm
These are popular blooms, coming as they do in bright colours such as purple, yellow and orange, and signifying good luck.
Care: They do well in partial sunlight, so
keep them out of direct sunlight. Water the
soil thoroughly and do not let it dry out.
Spray-mist the leaves but do not spray the
blooms as this may cause them to rot.
From $18 for a table-top arrangement to $68 for a big pot from World Farm
The plant bears limes in all seasons - hence its name. The ones sold in Singapore come from China and Malaysia. They are considered a must-have for Chinese New Year because, like mandarin
oranges, they signify "da ji da li", or lots of good luck and smooth-sailing.They come either in a whole bunch or in
tiers.
Care: Place in a bright but covered area that is not in direct sunlight. Water daily, but avoid getting water on the fruit or they may rot. Fruit can be eaten.
From $30 per pot from World Farm
Another hot favourite because its Chinese name, wang lai hua (pineapple
flower), also translates as a flower that
brings wealth. It is related to the pineapple family, hence its Chinese name. Comes in those auspicious shades of red and yellow.
Care: Place them under shade or indoors.
Pour water into the leaf vase (the central cup formed by the leaves). Refill every few days to keep from becoming stagnant.
Kelanchoe
Lucky Bamboo
Pussy Willow
From $6.80 per pot from Far East Flora
Its Chinese name, wan zi qian hong,
means thousands of colours and is auspicious, along with its red or pink flowers. It also goes by another Chinese
name, chang shou hua, or longevity
flower. The kelanchoe also signifies protection and adding wealth.
Care: Place in semi-shaded area and water
sparingly on alternate days.
From $3.50 for a table-top arrangement to$9 for a bunch of 10 from Far East Flora
Another must-have during Chinese New
Year - who doesn't want extra luck- Luckybamboo is sold either in small shallow vases and styled in various designs, or by the individual branch. Growers make them curly by twisting them, as they are believed to make a person's luck turn. It is also believed that if your luck for the year is good and you want to keep it stable, then buy straight branches. World Farm also sells lucky bamboo shaped like a pineapple for $58. The pineapple is called wang lai in Hokkien, which sounds like fortune has arrived.
Care: Place in an area with indirect sunlight. Change the water every three to four days. Water the lucky bamboo pineapple on alternate days.
From $8 for a bunch of 10 branches
from World Farm
Another hot favourite for Chinese New Year, the pussy willow is called jing yu man tang in Mandarin, which means great wealth and prosperity. Its fluffy white blossoms resemble silk. New shoots that
appear are in jade green.
Care: Best placed in semi-shaded areas. If
planted in a pot, water sparingly on alternate days. It can also grow in water alone, but remember to change the water every three
