The “Taylor Swift plant” refers to a cultural interpretation of plants and flowers that appear in her music, visual aesthetics, and personal brand. Many fans explore this connection, seeking to understand the symbolism behind the flora she references and to engage more deeply with her storytelling and the emotional landscapes she creates.
Plants Woven Into Her Lyrics
Taylor Swift frequently uses plant imagery in her lyrics, imbuing them with symbolic meaning. In “Lavender Haze” from her Midnights album, the term refers to an all-encompassing love glow, a phrase popular in the 1950s for being in a blissful state, shielded from external pressures. The song uses lavender’s calming qualities to evoke protective affection.
The Evermore album features plant references with “Willow” and “Ivy.” In “Willow,” Swift compares life to a willow tree, symbolizing strength, resilience, and adaptability. “Ivy” describes a clandestine affair, with the plant’s clinging nature representing a love that grows tenacious and resilient, even in forbidden circumstances. Ivy’s evergreen quality also symbolizes eternal life or fidelity, creating a duality within the song’s themes of infidelity and enduring connection.
Other songs feature botanical mentions. In “The Lakes,” Swift references daffodils, a flower associated with William Wordsworth and the Lake Poets, connecting her longing for a poetic existence with literary history. “Tolerate It” includes a line about wisteria, a plant symbolizing long life and wisdom, which underscores the theme of enduring an unfulfilling relationship. “The Great War” uses floral references like violets, crimson clover, poppies, and morning glory to convey themes of conflict and remembrance. Poppies are a historical symbol of remembrance from World War I.
Floral Symbolism of Her Eras
Beyond lyrical mentions, floral aesthetics contribute to the visual identity and emotional tone of Taylor Swift’s album eras. The Lover era features bright, pastel florals, symbolizing romance, joy, and new beginnings. This aesthetic includes vibrant pinks, blues, and yellows, reflecting optimistic love.
The Folklore and Evermore eras embrace a cottagecore aesthetic, featuring lush greenery, forests, and wild plants. This imagery evokes introspection, storytelling, and a connection to nature, aligning with the albums’ themes of escapism, nostalgia, and fictional narratives. The visuals highlight untouched landscapes, symbolizing a retreat into imagination and simpler times.
The Midnights era adopts darker, nocturnal plant symbolism, reflecting themes of introspection, late-night thoughts, and mystery. This can include flowers that bloom at night, like moonflowers, or plants with deep colors that evoke quiet contemplation. The mood is often moody and atmospheric.
The Red era is associated with autumnal leaves and the symbolic color red. This color represents intense emotions like passion, heartbreak, and anger, which are central to the album’s themes. Falling leaves can symbolize change, the end of a relationship, or the transition from one emotional state to another.
Cultivating a Taylor Swift Inspired Garden
Creating a garden inspired by Taylor Swift’s music involves selecting plants that resonate with the themes and aesthetics of her eras. For a Lover-themed corner, incorporate pastel-colored flowers such as hydrangeas and peonies. Hydrangeas, a stated favorite, offer large, colorful blooms in shades of pink, blue, and purple, thriving with at least four hours of bright sun daily and well-drained loamy soils.
To design a Folklore or Evermore nook, focus on woodland plants that evoke a sense of natural, untamed beauty. Ferns and various types of ivy can create a lush, ethereal feel, reminiscent of enchanted forests. These plants prefer indirect light and consistent moisture, mirroring the introspective nature of these albums.
For touches inspired by the Midnights era, select dark-leaved plants or night-blooming flowers like moonflowers or calathea. Calatheas, known for their captivating patterns, thrive in medium, indirect light and require consistently moist soil, adding a mysterious element to your space. Incorporating plants with purple hues, such as lavender or poppies, can also reflect the album’s nocturnal and introspective mood.
General tips for a Swift-inspired garden include incorporating elements that symbolize her storytelling, such as different color palettes for various sections. Roses, a recurring motif in her lyrics, can be chosen in shades from deep red for passion to softer pinks for romance. Orchids, another favorite, add elegance, generally requiring filtered sunlight.