The Best Cut Blossom Varieties for Chinese New Year in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, Chinese New Year décor is as much about flowers as it is about food and firecrackers. Cut blossom branches — displayed tall, sculptural, and full of promise — are believed to usher prosperity, renewal, and good fortune into the home. With the city’s subtropical climate and strong floral trade, certain varieties have become New Year staples.
This is a curated guide to the most auspicious and practical cut blossom varieties, chosen for symbolism, availability, and performance in Hong Kong homes.
Peach Blossom (桃花)
Why it’s iconic
Peach blossom is the Chinese New Year flower. It symbolizes romance, vitality, prosperity, and new beginnings, making it especially popular among young professionals and families alike.
Look & feel
Soft pink blooms on long, elegant branches. Bud-heavy stems are prized, as they continue opening indoors throughout the holiday period.
How it’s used
Displayed in tall floor vases near entrances or living rooms. Often decorated with red envelopes or gold ornaments.
Buying tip
Choose branches with mostly closed buds and firm bark — flowers should open gradually over the 15-day New Year period.
Plum Blossom (梅花)
Why it matters
Plum blossom represents resilience and integrity, flowering in the cold while other plants lie dormant. It’s deeply symbolic and slightly more understated than peach.
Look & feel
Delicate white, blush, or pale pink flowers on dark, angular branches — refined and minimalist.
How it’s used
Favoured in more traditional or design-forward homes. Works beautifully as a single sculptural arrangement.
Buying tip
Ask for branches that have begun to swell but haven’t fully opened — plum blossoms are sensitive to heat and bloom quickly indoors.
Cherry Blossom (櫻花)
Why it’s trending
While not traditionally Chinese, cherry blossom has become increasingly popular in Hong Kong for its celebratory, spring-forward energy.
Look & feel
Cloud-like clusters of pale pink or white flowers with a soft, romantic silhouette.
How it’s used
Modern apartments, hotels, shopping centres, and festive installations.
Buying tip
Cherry blossom branches can drop petals quickly — keep them cool and away from direct sunlight to extend their life.
Forsythia (迎春花)
Why it’s auspicious
Literally meaning “welcoming spring,” forsythia is associated with wealth, luck, and early fortune.
Look & feel
Bright yellow flowers along slender, arching branches — bold, joyful, and unmistakably festive.
How it’s used
Often paired with red decorations for high-contrast New Year displays.
Buying tip
Branches with tightly closed buds will last longer and bloom progressively indoors.
Pussy Willow (銀柳)
Why it’s popular
Pussy willow symbolizes growth, abundance, and rising fortune. The fluffy buds are believed to resemble silver ingots.
Look & feel
Soft, silvery catkins on tall, flexible branches. Naturally sculptural, even before blooming.
How it’s used
Very common in Hong Kong homes and offices. Often spray-painted gold, red, or pastel shades.
Buying tip
These branches last exceptionally well and require minimal care — ideal for busy households.
Flowering Quince (木瓜花)
Why it stands out
Associated with prosperity and success, flowering quince is bold and energetic, often chosen by businesses.
Look & feel
Vivid red, coral, or hot pink blossoms on strong, angular stems.
How it’s used
Statement arrangements for shopfronts, offices, and large homes.
Buying tip
Heavier stems need sturdy vases. Bud-rich branches give the best longevity.
Camellia (山茶花)
Why it’s refined
Camellias symbolize wealth, elegance, and admiration, making them a tasteful New Year choice.
Look & feel
Glossy green leaves with large, waxy blooms in red, pink, or white.
How it’s used
Best for medium-height arrangements or paired with minimal greenery.
Buying tip
Cut camellias prefer cool rooms and frequent water changes.
Magnolia (玉蘭)
Why it’s luxurious
Magnolia represents purity, dignity, and prosperity — a more premium, high-impact option.
Look & feel
Large, architectural blooms in white, cream, or soft pink.
How it’s used
High-ceiling spaces, hotels, and upscale residential interiors.
Buying tip
Magnolia branches are expensive but dramatic — fewer stems go a long way.
How to Make Cut Blossoms Last Through the New Year
Recut stems at an angle before placing in water
Change water every 1–2 days
Keep arrangements away from heaters and direct sun
Remove any buds submerged in water to prevent rot
In Hong Kong, Chinese New Year blossoms are more than decoration — they’re intentions made visible. Whether you choose the romance of peach, the resilience of plum, or the modern appeal of cherry blossom, the right cut branches bring beauty, symbolism, and seasonal rhythm into the home.
