Forget the Color of the Year—The Flower & Plant of the Year Are Way More Exciting

Delphinium certainly strikes that hopeful, "onward and upward" tone, with its cool-toned blue and purple flowers—and the fact that it can grow up to six feet tall, depending on the variety. It's a perennial that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds when grown at home, and in a floral arrangement, it can add height and visual interest.

The 1-800-Flowers team cites the "calm luxury" movement as also being a source of inspiration behind this pick, as its blooms tend to feature mellow, soothing shades and the flower itself is often used in more contemporary arrangements, adding an "airy, sculptural quality" (which aligns very much with the language being used to describe Pantone's Color of the Year pick, Cloud Dancer).

You can find it in use in a handful of the brand's arrangements, like Cerulean Dreams (pictured), Watercolor Skies, Honey Bee Buzz Delphinium and Delphinium Garden.

While delphinium was chosen for its uplifting stance, the Money Tree is the other side of the coin—a plant for anyone who's trying to stay rooted in what's real and authentic in their lives. (And, admittedly, wants a cool-looking plants that's hard to kill, especially if you're the forgets-to-water type.)

It stands out for its braided trunk and glossy leaves, and it's long been considered a symbol of prosperity and harmony. "In feng shui, it's believed to attract positive energy, while its five-lobed leaves represent the five elements of balance," the 1-800-Flowers team noted. "The braided trunk design showcases how individual strength becomes more powerful when woven together."

The plant can grow up to six feet tall, if you repot it every two to three years, and while it is easy to care for, that's dependent on finding the right spot to house it, according to the New York Botanical Garden. Their advice? Aim for an area with bright, filtered light—some shade is OK—that's ideally between 65 and 85 degrees F.

Beyond its traditional symbolism, 1-800-Flowers also cited that its striking appearance fit in with the biophilic design movement that's been popular these past few years, encouraging people to bring nature indoors.

What are you seeking more of in the year ahead? It may seem navel-gazing, but as the new year approaches, 'tis the season to consider what you're hoping to cultivate in 2026. Maybe it's the jolt of joy that comes from feeling hopeful; maybe it's feeling grounded, watching as you grow something over time.

Maybe it isn't all that complicated, and you just want something pretty to enjoy during the gray winter ahead. Whatever it is, I hope you find it.