The Asian New Year or Lunar New Year is almost here and with it we will usher in a new sign of the Chinese Zodiac: the Year of the Dragon. Learn about the symbolic significance of this powerful symbol and year, and don’t forget to check out our limited edition Year of the Dragon Braided Money Tree, the perfect gift to wish someone prosperity for the year ahead!

The Asian New Year Unveiled

Unlike the conventional January 1st celebration, the Asian New Year is a moveable feast, dictated by the lunar calendar. As a result, this auspicious event falls somewhere between January 21 and February 20, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. In 2024, the first day of the new year is February 10.

This time-honored tradition is steeped in rich symbolism, with families coming together to sweep away the old and embrace the new. The air is filled with the intoxicating aroma of incense, the sound of firecrackers, and the vibrant hues of traditional red and gold decorations that symbolize luck and prosperity. Family members gather around a large table to enjoy a New Year's Eve dinner, traditionally known as Nian Ye Fan (年夜饭). During this celebration, families pay homage to their ancestors by burning incense. During this time of year, it is typical for elder members give younger family members good luck pocket money, referred to as Ya Sui Qian (压岁钱), enclosed in a red envelope.

The Year of the Dragon

In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of twelve animals, each carrying its unique traits and symbolism. And guess who's headlining 2024? It's none other than the awe-inspiring, mythical creature—the dragon. The dragon holds a special place in Chinese culture, embodying power, strength, and good fortune. Far from the fire-breathing menace of Western lore, the Eastern dragon is a benevolent force, a symbol of wisdom, protection, and imperial authority. Its celestial status makes it a harbinger of prosperity, and it is believed to bring good luck.

Dragon Energy in 2024

As we dive headfirst into the Year of the Dragon, let's harness its energy to fuel our personal growth and aspirations. Whether you're chasing career goals, seeking love, or simply striving for a better version of yourself, the dragon's influence encourages us to dream big and soar to new heights.

Career Ascendance: In the professional realm, the dragon's energy inspires us to be bold, ambitious, and unafraid to take calculated risks. It's the perfect time to embark on that entrepreneurial journey or pursue that promotion you've been eyeing.

Love and Relationships: The dragon is a symbol of passion and charisma. If you're on the quest for love, embrace your inner dragon and let your magnetic personality shine. For those already in relationships, let the dragon infuse your bond with renewed vitality and excitement.

Personal Development: On a personal level, channel the dragon's wisdom to explore self-discovery and personal growth. Adopt a mindset of resilience and adaptability, as the dragon encourages us to embrace change and transform challenges into opportunities.

Don’t forget to enhance your good juju with plants that bring good luck to your home or office!

Wishing you all a fiery and fabulous Year of the Dragon! May it be filled with joy, prosperity, and the unwavering courage to chase your dreams. Let the dragon within you roar loud and proud! 🐉🔥

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Year of the Dragon Braided Money Tree

A limited edition plant and pot set, to bring good luck and prosperity for the year to come. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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The Braided Money Tree, a token of good luck and prosperity.

Known to bear luck and prosperity, the Braided Money Tree could be the perfect addition to your home (or a friend’s!) this Lunar New Year. Its unique leaf shape, elaborately braided trunk, and fast-growing canopy make it one of the most popular plants this time of year. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to care for and perfect for any green thumb out there.

What is Lunar New Year?

Not familiar with Lunar New Year? Let’s shed some light on the basics:

• This holiday is based on the lunar calendar (the cycles of the moon).

• The moon is very powerful - it controls ocean tides, plant growth, and even human behavior, so Lunar New Year celebrations are meant to acknowledge these relationships.

• Festivities begin when the first new moon occurs (anywhere from end of January to mid-February) and they come to a close with the first full moon (15 days later).

• A new moon signifies new beginnings/the opportunity to move forward with a clean slate - the full moon that follows (15 days later) signifies the completion of one complete moon cycle.

• During this time, feasts, fireworks, and a variety of special ceremonies/festivals are enjoyed.

• It's highly celebrated in Asia and many other parts of the world. It is seen as an opportunity to spend time with family and honor your ancestors.

• For 2023, the first new moon that will kick off the Lunar New Year occurs on Sunday, January 22.

Depending on location and culture, celebrations can look vastly different as various traditions and beliefs are honored. What we do know for sure is that the lunar calendar is also often referred to as the agricultural calendar, yet another reference to how plants play such an integral role in society and culture.

Increasing your juju

We all chase positive vibes, good karma, and success in our lives. Can all of this be achieved by acquiring a plant? Who knows! But, the Money Tree is the most popular plant used as a Feng Shui cure. If put in the money area of your home, it is said to increase good fortune and attract wealth energy!

We’ve learned by now that money doesn’t grow on trees, but if something this luscious and lovely could help you prosper even a little bit, why not give it a go? With fast-growing, canopy-like foliage, the Braided Money Tree comes in various different sizes and will liven up any home or office in an instant.

How to care for the Money Tree

Light:

• The Money Tree likes bright light, but it’s best to keep it out of the direct sun

• It can happily tolerate medium-brightness areas if needed, but may not grow as fast in this environment

Water

• The Money Tree is a tropical plant that loves humidity

• Water once a week (or once the top two inches of the soil feels dry to the touch)

Read our full guide on how to care for the Money Tree here.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, consider adding a Money Tree to your life, or gifting one to a friend, co-worker, or family member as a symbol of luck and prosperity!

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered.

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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Looking for the perfect plant stand?

Give your greenery a lift with premium wood plant stands— handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces that provide a beautiful and functional way to display your plants. Heirloom quality and designed to complement any style and space, wood plant stands are the ideal accessory to give houseplants an elevated look, both literally and figuratively.

Good For You, Good for the Planet

Made with mahogany or teak wood, each stand starts with sustainably sourced plantation-grown or reclaimed lumber and is finished with non-VOC oil. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are harmful chemicals that can be released into the air and contribute to air pollution, and are all too common in the manufacturing of household items and furniture. While living greenery does much to clean the air of such toxins, let’s not make them work harder than they already do!

It’s All In the details

Our premium wood plant stands come in various sizes to accommodate different plants and planters. These stands are designed to be paired with our mid-century ceramic planters, giving your plants an elevated look and helping them stand out as a focal point in any room. Whether you have a tabletop accent plant or a large Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, there is a plant stand size that will suit your needs.

Stylish and functional, sustainable and eco-friendly, these stands are the perfect addition to any home and, paired with your favorite plant, will add a touch of natural beauty to any space.

Regifting? Not a chance.

We at Léon & George believe that quality is paramount, and that the best gifts are those that will stand the test of time. A truly exceptional gift is like magic: it happens when premium materials are united with beautiful design and a sense of joy.

We took a deep dive into the world of luxury home goods for this list, which has been carefully curated to offer the best of the best- and nothing else. Every item is luxe, inspiring, and built to last. So read on, and gift generously! Extraordinary experiences await.

For the one that values experiences above all

The ambiance of a warm cabin at the base of the Matterhorn inspired Maison Louis Marie’s first-ever holiday candle, Le Refuge d’Ernest. Suffused with base notes of amber, white birch and cedarwood. 

Le Refuge d’Ernest Candle

The scent of Maison Louis Marie’s No.4, Bois de Balincourt, is the stuff of legend: immediately rich and exciting, it leads with notes of sandalwood and vetiver, and stays with a lingering wave of warm and luxurious amberwood. Simply unforgettable. 

No.4 Bois de Balincourt Diffuser

Left to right: Dedtergent #1: “Taunt”, Dracaena Compacta, & No.4 Bois de Balincourt Diffuser

For the one with green dreams and a busy schedule

For any recipient with fantastic taste, but little time, the small Dracaena Compacta is a perfect fit. With a flourish of gorgeous, sculptural foliage, air-purifying power and a low-maintenance disposition, this easy-going Dracaena variety is a shoo-in for any recipient that will benefit from a thriving indoor plant that requires little care, but has style to spare.

Dracaena Compacta

For the one that takes care of their things

With their bespoke Dedtergent line, fragrance line Dedcool answered all our prayers! For the recipient that loves to take good care of their things, Dedtergent #1: Taunt is the gift of the season. Taunt’s scent profile is classic Dedcool luxury: natural, deep and always fresh, with notes of bergamot, vanilla and amber.

Dedtergent #1: “Taunt”

Left to right: LaDoubleJ Champage Coupe, Scandinavian Watering Can, & Murano Carafe in Green Glass

For the luxurious homeware lover

We’ve scoured the internet and simply can’t find a single champagne coupe that holds a candle to this exceptional set from LaDoubleJ. Hand-blown in gorgeous green Murano glass, they’re perfect for toasting a new year of peace and joy.

Champage Coupe Set of 2 in Giallo

LaDoubleJ’s luxurious Murano carafe is handcrafted and blown by the Venetian glass masters, Salviati. Featuring a punchy ochre rim and jewel-tone base, we’d want no other carafe by our bedside!

Murano Carafe in Green Glass

For the savvy minimalist

For any lover of minimalism or the Mid-Century style, you can’t go wrong with this luxe watering can. Sleekly constructed of stainless steel and designed by Stine Aas, this premium Norwegian watering can is a truly exceptional functional object.

Scandinavian Watering Can

Left to right: L’Alchimie Botanique Plant Care Essentials, Ruby Puff Dog Bed in Ivory, & Le Refuge d’Ernest Candle

For the one that loves to nurture

Ideal for new plant owners and experienced green thumbs alike, the L’Alchimie Botanique Plant Care Essentials features a trio of indispensable plant care products. Formulated in-house by Leon and George from naturally derived ingredients, these elixirs provide a luxurious, spa-inspired sensory experience for both plant owner and plant.

L’Alchimie Botanique Plant Care Essentials

For the one that adores their dog!

No need to sacrifice aesthetics when it comes to pampering your pet! There is no detail too small for Animals Matter’s Ruby Puff Dog Bed: with a velvet bottom and hypoallergenic memory foam, this California-crafted bed is the stuff of doggie dreams.

Ruby Puff Dog Bed in Ivory

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The Holiday Gift Collection

When it comes to those we love, it’s what is inside that counts. That’s why we’ve curated our holiday gift collection to reflect the very best: premium greenery to adorn beloved spaces, essential care products comprised of the highest quality of ingredients, and accessories that are a pleasure to use every day.

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You probably know me by now, but if you’ve just swooped in, I’m George: feathered co-founder of Léon & George, and resident Green-Cheeked Conure, often found tweeting! I’m always amped to celebrate Father’s Day (shoutout to my human Dad, Nico!) and this year it falls on June 20, so I’m not a moment too soon in sharing my gifting insights for this extra-special Springtime celebration. 

Without further ado, check out my shortlist of the very best Father’s Day Gifts. And shop with confidence, because all of the products listed here are sustainably crafted, friendly to Mother Earth (of course!) and sure to thrill Dad!

Incense of the West Teepee Burner 

Is there anything more nostalgic than a classic, Incense of the West terracotta incense burner? I think not. And Incense of the West’s incest is handcrafted and all-natural, so you can be sure that there’s no adverse effect on the air quality of Dad’s house (which, if it’s full of Léon and George plants, should be very clean and purified indeed!).

Druthers Organic Cotton Gradient Crew Sock

It is a truth universally acknowledged that all Dads love socks. And if you have a stylin’ Dad (or a Dad you’d love to style) you can’t go wrong with the groovy gradient of these organic cotton, vibrantly purple crew socks from NYC-based Druthers.

Left to right: House of Botanicals watering can, Incense of the West teepee burner, Léon & George Braided Money Tree

Léon & George Tiger Evergreen

We can’t get over our brand-new Tiger Evergreen. It’s so lush, so vibrant, and just so cool. Add some jungle vibrations to Dad’s man-cave with the ultimate low-maintenance, verdant Evergreen!

Juniper Ridge Coastal Pine Candle

We love Juniper Ridge. They’re Bay Area based (where our company began!) and their products are made through a painstaking process of hiking, distilling and wildcrafting. A Juniper Ridge product is always something you can feel good about buying, and their scents are bar-none exquisite: directly reminiscent and redolent of the environments in which the ingredients were hand-harvested! I recommend their Coastal Pine Candle above all, to bring to memory camping trips and walks spent with Dad.

Mollusk Scallop Trunks

Are you hitting the beach with Dad this Father’s Day? If so, don’t skimp on the trunks! These classic-cut trunks are the perfect indigo shade and trust me, they’re comfy. We love CA-based Mollusk for their nostalgic style- think Gidget, Endless Summer, etc!

Left to right: Druther’s gradient crew socks, Léon & George Tiger Evergreen, Juniper Ridge Coastal Pine candle

Léon & George Braided Money Tree  

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the best gift of all- bestower of good fortune, friend of feng shui, and, some say, a mystical catalyst for increased cash flow! It’s the large Braided Money Tree, and it’s an easy-care, low-maintenance plant that’s the perfect fit for Dad’s home or office. 

House of Botanicals Watering Can & Mister and Moisture Meter Five Pack

Like peanut butter and jelly, these gifts are best enjoyed together! The House of Botanicals Watering Can & Mister is a handy two-for-one, with a long spout for watering as well as a spray nozzle, so Dad can mist his plants to his heart’s content! Our Moisture Meter Five Packs are available in small, medium and large sizes to correspond with the size of Dad’s Léon & George plants, and they take the mystery out of any watering routine! Oh, and if Dad has run out, our Core Refill Pack includes five refills, so we’ve got him covered! 

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George is the co-founder of Léon & George. Along with his feline business partner, Léon, he helps reconnect people with nature by offering stylish indoor greenery that fits busy lifestyles and enhances indoor spaces. George resides in Los Angeles, California, and you can find him on Twitter.

Love your neighbors? So do we. We started in our San Francisco backyard and as our local restaurants find ways to welcome us all back, we're excited to show our support and continue our mission to bring our customers closer to nature each and every day.

That’s why this spring, we’re thrilled to launch a series of promotions in our home state of California to bring nature indoors, get you out, and support our wonderful local restaurants while we do it!

How does it work? Book your delivery on a specified date and get a gift card to dine al fresco in a beautiful outdoor setting this spring.

First up, the beloved Foreign Cinema! Find your perfect plant, select white glove delivery for Wednesday, March 31 and score a $50 gift card to treat yourself to Foreign Cinema’s beautiful courtyard patio.

Keep in mind that delivery slots are limited so hurry to grab your spot. Find more details below, and happy spring!

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Offer applies to local, white glove delivery only with minimum purchase of $300 before tax. Order must be placed between 3/20-3/27 for plant delivery on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gift cards will be included with your delivery. Limited availability promotion and will be gifted on a first come first serve basis. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Seattle, we’re coming for you!

One week before Thanksgiving and just a few weeks before holiday madness, we’re making a quick stop in one of our favorite cities to say hello. We’re very excited to see you, Seattle.

Stop by our pop-up in Capitol Hill to meet our plant and pot sets in real life and chat all things indoor greenery with our plant stylists. We’ll be hosting plant matchmaking, offering special pop-up promotions, and of course, answering all your burning plant questions.

We’ve heard it can get a bit dreary this time of year in Seattle — come get your dose of nature and find the perfect plant that will get you through winter!

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Photo courtesy of The Cloud Room.

Save the date!

Thursday, November 21, 1-7pm

The Cloud Mezz (1424 11th Street, 1M)

Didn’t get around to spring cleaning? It’s not too late! With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to give your home a little refresh, add some lush greenery to the scene, and prep for any summer hosting you have planned.

And for just this reason, we’ll be setting up shop at West Elm for the weekend, making your home decor needs a total breeze. Our plant stylists will be onsite and ready to help you put the finishing touches on your new style and create the plant goals of your dreams.

In the meantime, take advantage of these gorgeous plant moments straight out of West Elm’s spring and summer catalogues as inspiration. Make yourself a refreshing cocktail, have a seat in your living room, and imagine the possibilities!

A Bird of Paradise that pulls together the room’s color story. Photo: West Elm.

A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree creating visual interest against white walls and windowpanes. Photo: West Elm.

An Elephant’s Ear and a staked Cascading Pothos (right) adds personality and jungle vibes to a dining room. Photo: West Elm.

A large statement plant like the Bird of Paradise instantly creates a feeling of lush oasis in the bedroom. Photo: West Elm.

Sculptural Dragon Tree and Desert Cactus… does it get anymore summer than that? Photo: West Elm.

The finishing touch to your newly styled space — living greenery.

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Come see us at West Elm!

For one weekend only, Léon & George will be popping up in both Northern and Southern California at West Elm Pasadena and West Elm Palo Alto! Add the finishing touch to your new style with fresh live greenery, paired with the perfect ceramic pot and comfortably delivered to your home (perhaps right next to that new West Elm chair you’ve been eyeing!). Hope to see you there!

See our best-selling Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree on display at West Elm.

On the brink of Halloween, a group of wild and curious plant lovers gathered at our urban greenhouse for an evening of storytelling and science. At part two of our new discussion series, we dove into the world of supernatural plant powers, how they communicate with each other, animals, and us.

Thank you to the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory for lending plants for our learning, and to Standard Wines for keeping our night classy.

A new educational series setting out to demystify the most illusive secrets of how plants live and love. Plants are living beings, just like us—and there's nothing secretive about them! They actually make their needs known in very overt ways. Spend an interactive evening in our urban greenhouse and we guarantee you'll learn something new. Space is limited so reserve your spot early!

PART I: PLANTS ARE JUST LIKE US - RSVP
Thursday, September 27, 7pm-8:15pm 
You might think your houseplant is just an inanimate object sitting in the corner… but it's truly living and breathing! At this series premiere, we’ll explore how plant behavior and survival mimics our own, and how we're not so different after all. Participate in a mini-propagation activity and take home a new plant baby of your own!

PART II: SUPERNATURAL PLANT STORIES - RSVP
Thursday, October 25, 7pm-8:15pm 
Plants communicate with the world around them to accomplish some supernatural, superpowered stuff. Come hear the most outlandish plant stories—the good, the bad, and the spooky!

PART III: PLANTS & PEOPLE BELONG TOGETHER - RSVP
Thursday, November 15, 7pm-8:15pm 
Take care of your houseplants, and they'll return the favor. Your plants can help you breathe better, feel better, and live better. We'll explore the many reasons we're thankful for the way plants enrich our lives (and spruce up our style).

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About our professor

A native of New York City, Emily Bick is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Davis. She received her bachelor's degree in entomology from Cornell University and her master's degree in entomology from UC Davis. She is a Board-Certified Entomologist, specializing in medical and plant entomology. Her work has focused on leveraging entomological knowledge to best benefit people, and developing practical solutions for invasion biology of urban forests. Emily holds a national Linnaean Games championship title and is delighted to list “published theater critic” to her resume.

More about Emily:

https://entomologytoday.org/2018/05/21/entomologist-review-an-entomologists-love-story/
http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=28047

These plants had a blast partying this past weekend! We enjoyed meeting so many new plant lovers and the dance party Salt-N-Pepa threw right in front of our tent! Can't wait till next year!