This season of thanksgiving and love, we ought to give gifts to people we found really amazing, all year round. But do not worry, because even after this season, we are all still allowed to give something to someone. And last year, the trends #plantito and #plantita have surrounded our social media accounts’ feeds. Many people had put time and effort in taking care of a variety of plants. And because of that, many would have thought that giving plants as a present could be a great tactic to make people who love plants, have a great smile on their faces. In addition, it does not just give joy to the receiver but it also helps the environment. More green plants, the better and the healthier. Now, any kind of plants could be given to someone. But this time, we will be talking about the cactus plant. What could be meaning if someone gave you a cactus plant? Or, if you were the one who gave it to whoever, what could you possibly mean by that? 

Flowers have lots of meaning, especially to roses. A red rose implies a romantic love while the yellow rose implies a love of a friend. So, before you give your crush or your partner a yellow rose, learn first its meaning so you might not be misunderstood. Aside from flowers, the cactus plant also has meanings. So, before giving it to someone find out first. Or, if you received a cactus as a present, try to understand what the sender is trying to say to you. 

What Could The Cactus Plant Mean?

You are strong and a resilient fighter 

Cacti always found a way to survive in a desert that only gets a little rain. Because of this, these plants are considered to be strong, tough and enduring. They can survive even if it seems so impossible to do so. So, if someone gave you this plant during the tough phases of your life, it may be a sweet cheer and a reminder that they see you as a strong person, and that you can do all things. Look at that green thing on your windowsill and fight your battles knowing that someone out there believes in what you can do. What a sweet way of telling that message! 

Someone is caring for you

When we talk about the Native Americans, part of their culture is that they associate cactus to motherly love, warmth, and protection. This is because the cactus has the ability to survive in the worst conditions. In addition, Native Americans believe in its medicinal qualities, a support to their claim that cactus plants are a symbol of maternal love and care. They are treating wounds and digestive ailments through its pulp and juice, so the cactus gift you received may mean that the sender is thinking and caring for you. 

The willingness to protect you

In Feng Shui, cactus plants can throw away the negative energy coming into your home by putting it on your windowsill. The person that gave this plant may actually want to protect the receiver, and let him be away from any kind of misfortune. The spikes of the cactus will be the one to push away the negativities. But once you place this plant in the entrance of your home, it can attract the negativities, so you must be careful where to put this plant as well. 

The person may be attracted to the other

Unlike the West that think of the cactus as a symbol for maternal love, in Japan, whenever someone gives a flowering cactus, it will definitely mean that the sender is attracted to the receiver. There is this called Hanakotoba in Japan, known as the art of assigning meaning to flowers. For them, giving flowers is not something you usually do, so there could really be something behind giving flowers to someone. Though the ancient art is not popular today, in this tradition, the cactus is also an equal to lust, and that giving this plant to someone is the same as giving them a love letter. 

But, stop right there. Before you think about if someone who gave you this plant has feelings for you, I have to remind you that this meaning about cactus is not popular, and so there are only few people who know that cactus can be associated with attraction. 

I deeply believe that we give gifts because we want people to be reminded of something. Sometimes, it is as if whenever they get to see this particular thing, they are able to remember how they mean to you, how you see them, and what you feel about them. And if somebody has given you a cactus plant once in your life, I believe one of the meanings stated above is the reason. And, if you have not decided what kind of gift you could give to someone even after this season, why not give a cactus plant. 

Personally, I gave a miniature cactus plant to my friend. The one that is the size of a thumb, and can be a pendant or a keychain. That time, I had not read about what it could mean, I just felt like giving it to that friend as soon as I saw that miniature cactus plant. And I remembered telling him that I gave him that because I want him to be reminded of our friendship anytime and anywhere, simply because I know how handy the miniature was, so for sure, he can keep it with him, wherever he goes. I imagine him looking at it on the bus, while stuck in heavy traffic. I imagine him looking at it when he is bored at work already. I imagine him calling me after he saw the miniature. 

What about you? Have you received a cactus plant from someone? Or, have you given a cactus plant to someone? What meanings above will best describe it? I’ll be happy to know your answers. Leave them in the comment section below! 

I guess, it is not too late for a greeting. Happy New Year to you all!