For at this time’s put up, I’ve put collectively a high ten of my favorite houseplants to present as items. 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 continuously requested on-line and in actual life too. Listed below are some stuff you’ll wish to contemplate when giving houseplants as items, (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 predominant features to consider concern the recipient, the situation and mild. Listed below are some questions to consider earlier than you make a purchase order…
The recipient
Are you aware the individual effectively, or is it an outdated buddy, a brand new acquaintance or a piece colleague?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 perhaps 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 many others.?
TIP: Retaining a notes listing in your telephone for issues like this may present inspiration for gifting concepts. That is significantly helpful in case your thoughts tends to go clean once you enter a store like mine does typically!
The situation
Take into consideration the area. Is the plant for someones office or workplace? If that’s the case, are you aware 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 circumstances in the beginning (if you already know them). An area with respectable mild ranges will make it simpler for any plant to thrive. If the room doesn’t get a substantial amount of mild, or if it’s a darker location, I’ve obtained a devoted blogpost with plant strategies 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 basic questions. Alternatively, you may realize it’s, say, West dealing with. If you’re choosing 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 Presents
1. Crassula ovata / Jade plant
When eager about houseplants to present as items, 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 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 couple 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 optimistic power ‘chi‘. As such, Jade vegetation are a wonderful selection as a present for somebody who’s beginning a enterprise enterprise, or goes via a transitional interval. They’re thought-about to encourage progress and renewal and are an emblem 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 sluggish rising vegetation that may be propagated and shared over time so are good for small area dwelling.
2. Pilea peperomioides
Retaining on the theme of symbolic vegetation for a second, a Pilea peperomioides is a characterful selection of houseplant to reward. Generally referred to as a Chinese language cash plant or coin plant, these are believed to carry prosperity to house owners. They’re additionally nicknamed pancake vegetation and UFO vegetation – for purely aesthetic causes I would add! Certainly one of 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 possibly can think about, these pups make for excellent items as a gesture of friendship.
I all the time name this one the plant that retains on giving and is one among my favourites to reward! Whether or not you select to reward somebody a bigger, extra established plant, or a little bit Pilea you’ve propagated I feel 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 a little bit completely different to the ubiquity of golden Pothos you come throughout – don’t get me incorrect I love these. However I believed I’d provide an alternate for this put up.
A Philodendron brasil is a splendid selection for a ebook lover, or somebody who has a whole lot of cabinets. It appears lovely because it begins to tumble off in a beautiful leafy means! I presently 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 resembling that is that it may 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 essentially the most widespread 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 palms. Aloe vera is a therapeutic houseplant with anti bacterial properties which may also help to appease 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 eager about it, I do miss rising an Aloe. As Aloes mature, they will look fairly sculptural and might develop into dynamic, mood-enhancing vegetation.
5. String of Hearts / Ceropegia woodii
String of Hearts, or Chain of Hearts are a type of houseplants which can be persistently widespread. 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 selection for somebody with a smaller area. When eager about houseplants to present as items, do contemplate the individual’s area (if you already know it) and choose accordingly. Ceropegia woodii additionally make a beautiful mixture reward with a little bit 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 in case you are eager about a gift for a houseplant loving sibling, niece or nephew, it is a fascinating selection. PS. I’ve obtained an enormous put up on how I look after 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 trying plant with a lot of character, you possibly can’t go incorrect with a Fishbone cactus in my view. These are glad houseplants to present as items as a result of their distinctive type actually could make the recipient smile. I feel it’s an excellent one to present 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 in all places!
Regardless of its identify, Disocactus anguliger will not be a real desert cactus however a kind of epiphytic jungle cactus. This implies it has a straightforward going progress behavior that’s fairly sluggish so can stay fortunately in the identical pot for a few years. It’s an ideal housewarming reward that may 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 items for the recipient who’s a little bit forgetful at watering their vegetation! They’re extraordinarily forgiving and would make a good selection for somebody who travels continuously or doesn’t spend a lot of time at house. Simply make certain they’ve a sunny place as these is not going to be glad in shade.
While you possibly can choose up a lot of fairly generic trying cacti, it is a fairly particular one. Plus, it all the time 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 like a helter skelter. As a result of its distinctive progress 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 sort of Asparagus fern is a beautiful choice to present as a gift. Different varieties of Asparagus fern can shed a little bit, however I’ve discovered this one is especially strong as compared (extra on that right here in the event 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 because of this. Whereas larger-leaved vegetation can typically 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 items 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 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 lightweight, minty hue. Each are a little bit completely different to the extra widespread sorts in case you are searching for a twist on a traditional. There’s a photograph beneath 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 progress behavior. They’re additionally sluggish rising and don’t require frequent repotting both. Even smaller pots might be impactful in an inside resulting from their fascinating, sculptural type. A really fuss-free plant choose to present as a gift.
TIP: Snake vegetation, which had 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 in the event 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 gaggle embrace 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 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 referred to as Rabbits Tracks. And sure, the botanical identify within the subheading is sort of a mouthful isn’t it!
This cultivar is an actual eye-catcher and appears equally pretty towards each darkish and lightweight partitions. The leaves are marked with brown splotches (therefore the nickname, rabbits tracks) which fluctuate in depth relying on the sunshine circumstances. 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 might probably additionally often bloom with delicate white flowers (see beneath). These make for actually fascinating houseplants to present as items I feel, and one thing a little bit completely different.
Some vegetation to probably keep away from…
When gifting houseplants, there are a couple of that you just may contemplate steering away from. As a disclaimer right here – I’m not saying to categorically dismiss these vegetation with out thought. However as sort gestures to acquaintances, I’d probably keep away from the extra excessive upkeep diva vegetation. That is significantly the case if it’s a gift for somebody you don’t know effectively, if they’re a more moderen plant lover otherwise you don’t know their environmental circumstances and many others. 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 vegetation are ones like: Calathea – fairly leaves however onerous to look after, particularly those with a lot 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 can be wild. Particularly those like Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon, Cuprea Pink Secret and Zebrina. You really want respectable humidity for these. An Alocasia Amazonica Polly might be essentially the most forgiving. However progress might be sporadic and typically irritating. String of Pearls are lovely, however might be troublesome in the event that they don’t obtain sufficient mild!
Apart from extra troublesome vegetation, I wouldn’t counsel shopping for somebody a big plant except you’re assured they are going to like it. I’m used to being surrounded by some sizeable vegetation, however that’s my private selection. Not everybody likes massive vegetation. I’ve realized that first hand! Fairly lots of people will want a smaller scale providing that may develop with them over time.
Conclusion
As with all the perfect presents, plant gifting will not be about what’s the most costly or flashy selection – these implications appear irrelevant someway, it’s way more concerning the thought. That’s additionally why sharing one among your propagations is all the time a beautiful reward – passing on a plant you’ve nurtured has an inherent kindness I feel. On a private stage, there may also be vegetation that share a significance with mates or households in fact. 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 items at this time and that it’s offered some inspiration or concepts for you. I’ve actually loved placing this one collectively. Listed below are some pins to avoid wasting or share :
