• Zimbabwe swaps flowers for cash on Valentine’s Day
• Cash bouquets draw shoppers and reflect a new way to show affection

In Zimbabwe, expressions of love are taking on creative and unusual forms, as bouquets made of dollar bills replace traditional flowers as a sought-after Valentine’s gift.

Money now represents a token of affection, while sustainability gains new social value in a cash-driven economy.

Tongai Mufandaidza, a florist at the traditional flower market in the capital Harare, patiently arranges one of these “cash bouquets.”

He uses glue and bamboo sticks, folds fifty-dollar bills into decorative cones, and mixes them with white flower stems in preparation for Valentine’s Day, a season that usually sees a sharp rise in demand.

Mufandaidza, who has worked in the country’s largest flower market for three decades, said: “The market has improved thanks to cash bouquets. On Valentine’s Day, we expect far more customers because this has become a trend. Everyone wants to make a lasting impression.”

Social media users on platforms like TikTok are sharing videos of these bouquets, showcasing the creative new way to express love.