The 10 Most Expensive Flowers in the World (How Much Do You Love Your Valentine?)

How much do you really love your Valentine? Enough to buy one of the most expensive flowers in the world?

Some flowers are pricey because they're found only in one specific locale. Others require high-maintenance growing practices that make them difficult to farm and ship en masse.

Here are the 10 most expensive flowers in the world this Valentine's Day. They might win your VValentine's heart, but they won't do much to help you get ahead financially.

The charming bell-like white blooms of the lily of the valley don’t seem like they would be hard to come by. However, these dainty flowers are actually one of the most expensive for florists to use.

The flower itself is fragile, doesn’t travel well, and only lives for a short time. That means florists have to act quickly to get it in its prime.

Often, they’ll have to order significant extras to account for damage, and these flowers already have to be ordered in large quantities because of their demure size.

One online retailer charges nearly $200 for 25 lily of the valley stems.

The stunning phalaenopsis orchid — or the moth orchid, as it’s commonly known thanks to its winglike blooms — is one of the priciest flowers on the market.

These dramatic flowers typically only bloom once a year and can be challenging to grow, even in the best conditions. That means a single stem of this orchid can run up to $100.

Orchids are often thought of as some of the most expensive flowers because of their careful growing requirements and eye-catching look. But the gold of kinabalu orchid takes pricey to another level.

Due to its rarity — it is only grown in Malaysia’s Kinabalu National Park — this orchid can cost up to $6,000 for a single plant.

Another exclusive orchid, the Shenzhen nongke orchid, is a vibrant flower developed by expert scientists, and it’s beloved for its vivid chartreuse color.

Because it is still one of the rarest blooms in the world, it is extraordinarily expensive — you might pay well over $200,000 for the plant. Buyers rarely get to see its floral show. The orchid only blooms every four to five years.

People love peonies: They're one of the most popular wedding flowers, and their lush, layered blooms are instantly recognizable.

Peonies are also expensive — it's possible to pay close to $100 for a bouquet. Part of the high price is due to the demand, but it's also because they can be fickle plants that are incredibly hard to move from place to place. Luckily, just a few make a large impact.

Saffron crocus itself looks like any other lovely crocus, but it’s hiding a pricey secret in plain view.

The stigma of the flower contains saffron, a desirable and expensive spice. It can take 75,000 saffron flowers to make one pound of saffron spice, leading to its high price.

For example, online, you might pay around $130 or more for 28 grams of Persian saffron.

If you want to add one dramatic bloom to a Valentine’s Day bouquet and have money to burn, the sculptural king protea is among the most royal and stately flowers you can find.

These large, spiky blooms add an artful touch. While they’re expensive, you only need one to make a statement. However, it can run upward of $65 per stem.

The cheerful purple and white blooms of lisianthus don’t necessarily look pricey, and their size is petite. But these detailed, fragile flowers have a short lifespan that adds to their allure.

Paper thin and with a chiffon-like appearance, they add an ethereal quality to bouquets. But use them sparingly since you could spend up to $35 for a bundle.

Floral lovers who have a cool $15.8 million burning a hole in their pocket can make the David Austin Juliet rose theirs.

The plant took over a decade to grow and is now estimated to carry that lofty value. This variety of English rose is now beloved for its stunning pale peach shade.

Unfortunately, no amount of cash will earn you a chance to gift the world's most expensive flower — it's actually priceless.

The bloom that grows on a cactus survives just one evening, blooming after midnight and dropping by dawn. It can't be harvested, but the sweet scent and stunning look make it a perennial favorite of flower enthusiasts.

Remember, love isn't measured in rose petals or dollar bills. So, ditch the floral frenzy and express your affection in a genuine and meaningful way.

You'll keep more money in your wallet, and your Valentine might even appreciate the savings.