For immediately’s put up, I’ve put collectively a prime ten of my favorite houseplants to present 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 ‘considering of you’ sentiments, wrapped up in a plant pot-sized providing of your selection.
And that brings me on to the topic of the put up – and a query I’m incessantly requested on-line and in actual life too. Listed here are some stuff you’ll wish to contemplate when giving houseplants as presents, (together with ones to doubtlessly keep away from!), alongside my tried and examined prime ten picks.
Let’s get into it…
Crops as Presents: Some issues to contemplate…
The three fundamental points to consider concern the recipient, the placement and gentle. Listed here are some questions to consider earlier than you make a purchase order…
The recipient
Are you aware the particular person effectively, or is it an outdated buddy, a brand new acquaintance or a piece colleague? Have you ever any concept what vegetation 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 possibly its leafy vegetation they love. Have they expressed an curiosity in any of your vegetation, or ones you’ve seen when at a store/restaurant/botanic backyard and so on.?
TIP: Protecting a notes checklist 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 once you enter a store like mine does generally!
The situation
Take into consideration the house. 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 sorted in the course of the holidays, or will the plant have to fend for itself for intervals of time?
Mild
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 circumstances at the start (if you understand them). An area with respectable gentle ranges will make it simpler for any plant to thrive. If the room doesn’t get quite a lot of gentle, or if it’s a darker location, I’ve acquired a devoted blogpost with plant recommendations 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 common questions. However, you would possibly realize it’s, say, West going through. If you’re choosing for a specific house, then I’ll hyperlink a number of particular posts I’ve put collectively that it’s 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 present 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 would possibly 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 stunning selection as a plant current.
It is a plant that all the time makes me consider my Acupuncturist from once I lived in Wales. She educated in Japan and all the time had a number of Jade vegetation round her studio. The ovate (oval formed) leaves resemble jade cash or stones and in Feng Shui, these vegetation are deemed to be symbolic of wealth and prosperity and provides off the constructive vitality ‘chi‘. As such, Jade vegetation are a wonderful selection as a present for somebody who’s beginning a enterprise enterprise, or goes by way of a transitional interval. They’re thought-about to encourage development and renewal and are a logo of fine luck.
In sensible phrases, a Crassula ovata is an efficient choice for a succulent lover, or somebody who has a sunny windowsill. They’re gradual rising vegetation that may be propagated and shared over time so are good for small house residing.
2. Pilea peperomioides
Protecting on the theme of symbolic vegetation for a second, a Pilea peperomioides is a characterful selection of houseplant to reward. Generally generally known as a Chinese language cash plant or coin plant, these are believed to deliver prosperity to homeowners. They’re additionally nicknamed pancake vegetation and UFO vegetation – for purely aesthetic causes I would add! One in all their hottest names although is the friendship plant. Pilea vegetation 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 nice presents as a gesture of friendship.
I all the time name this one the plant that retains on giving and is one in every of my favourites to reward! Whether or not you select to reward somebody a bigger, extra established plant, or somewhat Pilea you’ve propagated I believe it’ll be effectively obtained.
3. Philodendron brasil
Subsequent up is a trailing plant choice and it’s a Philodendron brasil. It is a plant that’s fascinating to take a look at, with a mixture of mid-green and chartreuse variegated foliage. It’s somewhat completely different to the ubiquity of golden Pothos you come throughout – don’t get me incorrect I love these. However I assumed I’d supply another for this put up.
A Philodendron brasil is a splendid selection for a ebook lover, or somebody who has plenty of cabinets. It seems stunning because it begins to tumble off in a stunning leafy approach! I at the moment have mine trailing off the aspect of a bookshelf and it breaks up the expanse of paperbacks properly. The advantage of a leafy trailing plant similar to that is that it could develop with the recipient over time. If it will get too lengthy it may be chopped and propagated, or educated round a door body à la instagram.
4. Aloe vera
Most likely probably the most standard plant I see folks choose up for presents come within the type of this juicy succulent. An Aloe vera is a considerate reward for a eager cook dinner, a gardener or somebody that works with their fingers. Aloe vera is a therapeutic houseplant with anti bacterial properties which can assist to assuage burns, scrapes and scratches.
It’s a beautiful choice for somebody with a sunny windowsill that appears prefer it might 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 buddy earlier than I moved home, however now I’m enthusiastic about it, I do miss rising an Aloe. As Aloes mature, they’ll look fairly sculptural and may develop into dynamic, mood-enhancing vegetation.
5. String of Hearts / Ceropegia woodii
String of Hearts, or Chain of Hearts are a kind of houseplants which are constantly standard. Granted, it’s laborious 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 selection for somebody with a smaller house. When enthusiastic about houseplants to present as presents, do contemplate the particular person’s house (if you understand it) and choose accordingly. Ceropegia woodii additionally make a stunning mixture reward with somewhat hanging planter in case your price range permits.
In my expertise, they’re beloved 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 selection. PS. I’ve acquired a giant put up on how I look after my String of Hearts right here if you wish to level the recipient in the direction of that if they’re a houseplant beginner!
6. Fishbone cactus / disocactus anguliger
For a cheerful trying plant with a number of persona, you may’t go incorrect with a Fishbone cactus in my view. These are glad houseplants to present as presents as a result of their distinctive kind actually could make the recipient smile. I believe it’s a very good one to present to somebody that loves design because it’s a really sculptural plant with a graphic kind. 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 all over!
Regardless of its identify, Disocactus anguliger just isn’t a real desert cactus however a kind of epiphytic jungle cactus. This implies it has a simple going development behavior that’s fairly gradual so can dwell fortunately in the identical pot for a few years. It’s an ideal housewarming reward that will 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 present as presents for the recipient who’s somewhat forgetful at watering their vegetation! They’re extraordinarily forgiving and would make a good selection for somebody who travels incessantly or doesn’t spend a number of time at house. Simply be sure that they’ve a sunny place as these won’t be glad in shade.
While you may choose up a number of fairly generic trying cacti, it is a fairly particular one. Plus, it all the time sells out every time I’ve inventory of those so I can attest to it’s recognition! It’s a Cereus forbesii spiralis, generally generally known as a spiral cactus and it seems like a helter skelter. Attributable to its distinctive development behavior, this assertion cactus will captivate the one who receives it.
8. Asparagus fern: Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’
One thing for the romantic sorts subsequent, this explicit kind of Asparagus fern is a stunning choice to present as a gift. Different varieties of Asparagus fern can shed somewhat, however I’ve discovered this one is especially strong compared (extra on that right here when you’re ). The whimsical, feathery plumes add an actual softness to an area.
They might make a considerate reward for the individual that likes extra delicate vegetation 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 consequently. Whereas larger-leaved vegetation can generally dominate, this one is so fairly for smaller areas. They’re adaptable and forgiving to develop too so an excellent selection for a present.
9. Snake plant
Snake vegetation are resilient houseplants to present as presents for the absent-minded plant waterer! They’re tremendous easy-going and actually can tolerate intervals of neglect with aplomb. Immediately you will get a great deal of completely different varieties to go well with most tastes too. Two explicit favourites of mine are Black Coral, which is a deeper inexperienced color and Moonshine, a light-weight, minty hue. Each are somewhat completely different to the extra widespread sorts if you’re on the lookout for a twist on a basic. There’s a photograph under of each of mine for reference and a care information right here.
Snake vegetation are good for windowsills or smaller areas resulting from their upright development behavior. They’re additionally gradual rising and don’t require frequent repotting both. Even smaller pots will be impactful in an inside resulting from their fascinating, sculptural kind. A very fuss-free plant choose to present as a gift.
TIP: Snake vegetation, which have been generally known as Sansevieria have been subsumed into the Dracaena genus in recent times. Plant labelling can take some time to mirror these botanical shifts so when you see your labels altering when plant searching, that’s why!
10. Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana / Rabbits tracks Maranta
Lastly, now we have a choose for sample fans. Prayer vegetation 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 difficult to maintain glad in typical family circumstances. Not what you wish to give somebody as a gift!
Saying that, out of this vibrant group a Maranta is the simplest going of all, adopted by a Stromanthe, in my expertise. Consequently, I’d suggest the green-blue tones of the number of Maranta which is often generally known as Rabbits Tracks. And sure, the botanical identify within the subheading is kind of a mouthful isn’t it!
This cultivar is an actual eye-catcher and appears equally pretty towards each darkish and light-weight partitions. The leaves are marked with brown splotches (therefore the nickname, rabbits tracks) which range in depth relying on the sunshine circumstances. What’s extra, at night time 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 might probably additionally often bloom with delicate white flowers (see under). These make for actually fascinating houseplants to present as presents I believe, and one thing somewhat completely different.
Some vegetation to doubtlessly keep away from…
When gifting houseplants, there are a number of that you just would possibly contemplate steering away from. As a disclaimer right here – I’m not saying to categorically dismiss these vegetation with out thought. However as variety gestures to acquaintances, I’d doubtlessly keep away from the extra excessive upkeep diva vegetation. 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 circumstances 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 number of weeks!
Usually, I’d say that diva vegetation are ones like: Calathea – fairly leaves however laborious to look after, 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 are wild. Particularly those like Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon, Cuprea Crimson Secret and Zebrina. You really want respectable humidity for these. An Alocasia Amazonica Polly might be probably the most forgiving. However development will be sporadic and generally irritating. String of Pearls are stunning, however will be troublesome in the event that they don’t obtain sufficient gentle!
Apart from extra troublesome vegetation, I wouldn’t counsel shopping for somebody a big plant except you’re assured they’ll adore it. I’m used to being surrounded by some sizeable vegetation, however that’s my private selection. Not everybody likes large vegetation. I’ve realized 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 perfect presents, plant gifting just isn’t about what’s the most costly or flashy selection – these implications appear irrelevant by some means, it’s way more concerning the thought. That’s additionally why sharing one in every of your propagations is all the time a stunning reward – passing on a plant you’ve nurtured has an inherent kindness I believe. On a private stage, there may also be vegetation that share a significance with mates or households after all. It may be a particular plant that has a narrative for you or a beloved one which is able to all the time make for a considerate current. I hope you favored seeing ten of my favorite houseplants to present as presents immediately 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 :