For right this moment’s publish, I’ve put collectively a high ten of my favorite houseplants to offer as presents. Crops make wonderful presents for every kind of milestone moments, however additionally they cater for these on a regular basis gestures of gratitude too. Congratulatory needs sit alongside ‘thank yous’ or ‘pondering of you’ sentiments, wrapped up in a plant pot-sized providing of your alternative.
And that brings me on to the topic of the publish – and a query I’m often requested on-line and in actual life too. Listed here are some stuff you’ll wish to take into account when giving houseplants as presents, (together with ones to probably keep away from!), alongside my tried and examined high ten picks.
Let’s get into it…

Crops as Presents: Some issues to contemplate…
The three foremost features to consider concern the recipient, the placement and mild. Listed here are some questions to consider earlier than you make a purchase order…
The recipient
Have you learnt the particular person effectively, or is it an previous pal, a brand new acquaintance or a piece colleague? Have you ever any thought what crops they could have already got, if any? If that’s the case, do you discover a theme in any respect – maybe they’re into cacti or perhaps its leafy crops they love. Have they expressed an curiosity in any of your crops, or ones you’ve seen when at a store/restaurant/botanic backyard and so on.?
TIP: Maintaining a notes record in your telephone for issues like this may present inspiration for gifting concepts. That is notably helpful in case your thoughts tends to go clean if you enter a store like mine does generally!
The situation
Take into consideration the area. Is the plant for someones office or workplace? If that’s the case, have you learnt if there are home windows in that room? How about if it’s air conditioned? Is the place taken care of through the holidays, or will the plant have to fend for itself for intervals of time?
Gentle
Most of the time, I’ll purchase somebody a plant for his or her house. If that’s the case, take into consideration their lighting situations initially (if you already know them). An area with first rate mild ranges will make it simpler for any plant to thrive. If the room doesn’t get an excessive amount of mild, or if it’s a darker location, I’ve acquired a devoted blogpost with plant solutions right here.
If it’s a brand new house and also you haven’t seen it but, attempt to confirm what the sunshine ranges are like with some normal questions. Then again, you may realize it’s, say, West going through. In case you are selecting for a selected area, then I’ll hyperlink a couple of particular posts I’ve put collectively that it is best to discover useful right here as additional inspiration:
10 of My Favorite Houseplants To Give As Items
1. Crassula ovata / Jade plant
When enthusiastic about houseplants to offer as presents, alongside aesthetics, there are lots of cultural traditions that may affect the choice making course of. A Crassula ovata, or Jade plant actually falls into that class. You may know this plant as a cash plant, a fortunate plant or perhaps a friendship tree. From these nicknames alone, you get the concept why they’re a beautiful alternative as a plant current.
It is a plant that at all times makes me consider my Acupuncturist from after I lived in Wales. She skilled in Japan and at all times had a couple of Jade crops round her studio. The ovate (oval formed) leaves resemble jade cash or stones and in Feng Shui, these crops are deemed to be symbolic of wealth and prosperity and provides off the optimistic power ‘chi‘. As such, Jade crops are a superb alternative as a present for somebody who’s beginning a enterprise enterprise, or goes by means of a transitional interval. They’re thought of to encourage development and renewal and are an emblem of fine luck.
In sensible phrases, a Crassula ovata is an effective possibility for a succulent lover, or somebody who has a sunny windowsill. They’re sluggish rising crops that may be propagated and shared over time so are good for small area residing.


2. Pilea peperomioides
Maintaining on the theme of symbolic crops for a second, a Pilea peperomioides is a characterful alternative of houseplant to present. Generally referred to as a Chinese language cash plant or coin plant, these are believed to convey prosperity to house owners. They’re additionally nicknamed pancake crops and UFO crops – for purely aesthetic causes I would add! One in all their hottest names although is the friendship plant. Pilea crops are famend for producing offsets, or plantlets across the base of the plant because it matures. As you may think about, these pups make for excellent presents as a gesture of friendship.
I at all times name this one the plant that retains on giving and is one among my favourites to present! Whether or not you select to present somebody a bigger, extra established plant, or just a little Pilea you’ve propagated I believe it’ll be effectively acquired.

3. Philodendron brasil
Subsequent up is a trailing plant possibility and it’s a Philodendron brasil. It is a plant that’s attention-grabbing to have a look at, with a mixture of mid-green and chartreuse variegated foliage. It’s just a little completely different to the ubiquity of golden Pothos you come throughout – don’t get me flawed I love these. However I assumed I’d supply an alternate for this publish.
A Philodendron brasil is a splendid alternative for a guide lover, or somebody who has plenty of cabinets. It appears to be like stunning because it begins to tumble off in a beautiful leafy method! I at present have mine trailing off the facet of a bookshelf and it breaks up the expanse of paperbacks properly. The benefit of a leafy trailing plant akin to that is that it might develop with the recipient over time. If it will get too lengthy it may be chopped and propagated, or skilled round a door body à la instagram.


4. Aloe vera
In all probability probably the most well-liked plant I see folks choose up for presents come within the type of this juicy succulent. An Aloe vera is a considerate present for a eager prepare dinner, a gardener or somebody that works with their palms. Aloe vera is a therapeutic houseplant with anti bacterial properties which might help to appease burns, scrapes and scratches.
It’s an exquisite possibility for somebody with a sunny windowsill that appears prefer it may use a plant or two. As I write this, I’ve the urge to get one for my kitchen window within the new place! I gave my plant to a pal earlier than I moved home, however now I’m enthusiastic about it, I do miss rising an Aloe. As Aloes mature, they will look fairly sculptural and may develop into dynamic, mood-enhancing crops.

5. String of Hearts / Ceropegia woodii
String of Hearts, or Chain of Hearts are a type of houseplants which might be persistently well-liked. Granted, it’s onerous to not fall a little bit in love with these heart-shaped leaves. They’ve a fragile look and are diminutive in scale in comparison with different houseplants, which makes them a thoughtful alternative for somebody with a smaller area. When enthusiastic about houseplants to offer as presents, do take into account the particular person’s area (if you already know it) and choose accordingly. Ceropegia woodii additionally make a beautiful mixture present with just a little hanging planter in case your funds permits.
In my expertise, they’re cherished by all ages, however appear to be having a second with a youthful wave of latest plant lovers. So if you’re enthusiastic about a gift for a houseplant loving sibling, niece or nephew, it is a fascinating alternative. PS. I’ve acquired a giant publish on how I take care of my String of Hearts right here if you wish to level the recipient in direction of that if they’re a houseplant beginner!

6. Fishbone cactus / disocactus anguliger
For a cheerful wanting plant with a number of persona, you may’t go flawed with a Fishbone cactus for my part. These are blissful houseplants to offer as presents as a result of their distinctive type actually could make the recipient smile. I believe it’s one to offer to somebody that loves design because it’s a really sculptural plant with a graphic type. It’s additionally one for lovers of extra uncommon houseplants! They’re enjoyable to develop too – their ‘zig zags’ or ‘fishbones’ spring out from the pot everywhere!
Regardless of its title, Disocactus anguliger isn’t a real desert cactus however a kind of epiphytic jungle cactus. This implies it has a straightforward going development behavior that’s fairly sluggish so can stay fortunately in the identical pot for a few years. It’s an ideal housewarming present that might look nice on a sideboard or entryway. There’s a Fishbone cactus Care Information right here FYI.


7. Cereus forbesii spiralis / Spiral cacti
Cacti make for wonderful houseplants to offer as presents for the recipient who’s just a little forgetful at watering their crops! They’re extraordinarily forgiving and would make a sensible choice for somebody who travels often or doesn’t spend a number of time at house. Simply make sure that they’ve a sunny place as these won’t be blissful in shade.
While you may choose up a number of fairly generic wanting cacti, it is a fairly particular one. Plus, it at all times sells out at any time when I’ve inventory of those so I can attest to it’s recognition! It’s a Cereus forbesii spiralis, generally referred to as a spiral cactus and it appears to be like like a helter skelter. Resulting from its distinctive development behavior, this assertion cactus will captivate the one that receives it.


8. Asparagus fern: Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’
One thing for the romantic sorts subsequent, this explicit kind of Asparagus fern is a beautiful possibility to offer as a gift. Different kinds of Asparagus fern can shed just a little, however I’ve discovered this one is especially sturdy as compared (extra on that right here in case you’re ). The whimsical, feathery plumes add an actual softness to an area.
They’d make a considerate present for the individual that likes extra delicate crops like ferns, however with out the headache of one thing like a Maidenhair. Asparagus ferns aren’t really true ferns however are a part of the Lily household and are simpler going in consequence. Whereas larger-leaved crops can generally dominate, this one is so fairly for smaller areas. They’re adaptable and forgiving to develop too so an excellent alternative for a present.
9. Snake plant
Snake crops are resilient houseplants to offer as presents for the absent-minded plant waterer! They’re tremendous easy-going and actually can tolerate intervals of neglect with aplomb. In the present day you may get a great deal of completely different varieties to swimsuit most tastes too. Two explicit favourites of mine are Black Coral, which is a deeper inexperienced color and Moonshine, a lightweight, minty hue. Each are just a little completely different to the extra frequent sorts if you’re searching for a twist on a basic. There’s a photograph beneath of each of mine for reference and a care information right here.
Snake crops are good for windowsills or smaller areas as a result of their upright development behavior. They’re additionally sluggish rising and don’t require frequent repotting both. Even smaller pots might be impactful in an inside as a result of their attention-grabbing, sculptural type. A really fuss-free plant choose to offer as a gift.
TIP: Snake crops, which had been generally referred to as Sansevieria have been subsumed into the Dracaena genus in recent times. Plant labelling can take some time to mirror these botanical shifts so in case you see your labels altering when plant looking, that’s why!


10. Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana / Rabbits tracks Maranta
Lastly, we now have a choose for sample fanatics. Prayer crops or ‘Marantaceae‘ as a bunch embody the favored jazzy-looking leaves of the Stromanthe, Maranta, Ctenanthe and Calathea. The foliage of this plant gang are ever so fairly however they are often notoriously tough to maintain blissful in typical family situations. Not what you wish to give somebody as a gift!
Saying that, out of this vibrant group a Maranta is the best going of all, adopted by a Stromanthe, in my expertise. In consequence, I’d advocate the green-blue tones of the number of Maranta which is usually referred to as Rabbits Tracks. And sure, the botanical title within the subheading is kind of a mouthful isn’t it!
This cultivar is an actual eye-catcher and appears equally beautiful towards each darkish and light-weight partitions. The leaves are marked with brown splotches (therefore the nickname, rabbits tracks) which differ in depth relying on the sunshine situations. What’s extra, at evening the foliage lifts up and closes, as if in prayer! The underside of the leaves have a dusky purple hue too – a serendipitous shock to note in a night. It may additionally often bloom with delicate white flowers (see beneath). These make for really attention-grabbing houseplants to offer as presents I believe, and one thing just a little completely different.

Some crops to probably keep away from…
When gifting houseplants, there are a couple of that you just may take into account steering away from. As a disclaimer right here – I’m not saying to categorically dismiss these crops with out thought. However as type gestures to acquaintances, I’d probably keep away from the extra excessive upkeep diva crops. That is notably the case if it’s a gift for somebody you don’t know effectively, if they’re a more recent plant lover otherwise you don’t know their environmental situations and so on. There’s nothing worse than giving a plant to somebody to later uncover that it was a headache to take care of, or worse, that it died after a couple of weeks!
Sometimes, I’d say that diva crops are ones like: Calathea – fairly leaves however onerous to take care of, particularly those with a number of vibrant variegation. Issues can get actually crispy actually quick. Ferns – I’m speaking true ferns, with delicate fronds. Maidenhairs could be a handful except your recipient could be very attentive. Alocasia – one other houseplant with leaves which might be wild. Particularly those like Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon, Cuprea Crimson Secret and Zebrina. You really want first rate humidity for these. An Alocasia Amazonica Polly might be probably the most forgiving. However development might be sporadic and generally irritating. String of Pearls are stunning, however might be troublesome in the event that they don’t obtain sufficient mild!
Apart from extra troublesome crops, I wouldn’t recommend shopping for somebody a big plant except you’re assured they are going to adore it. I’m used to being surrounded by some sizeable crops, however that’s my private alternative. Not everybody likes huge crops. I’ve discovered that first hand! Fairly lots of people will choose a smaller scale providing that may develop with them over time.
Conclusion
As with all the most effective presents, plant gifting isn’t about what’s the costliest or flashy alternative – these implications appear irrelevant by some means, it’s rather more concerning the thought. That’s additionally why sharing one among your propagations is at all times a beautiful present – passing on a plant you’ve nurtured has an inherent kindness I believe. On a private degree, there may additionally be crops that share a significance with pals or households after all. It is perhaps a selected plant that has a narrative for you or a cherished one which can at all times make for a considerate current. I hope you appreciated seeing ten of my favorite houseplants to offer as presents right this moment and that it’s offered some inspiration or concepts for you. I’ve actually loved placing this one collectively. Listed here are some pins to avoid wasting or share :