Giving plants as a gift doesn’t seem like one of the best ideas, considering it’s a simple present. However, a plant is a long-term investment and can add a special element to one’s home. Indoor plants also have numerous benefits, such as reducing stress, increasing productivity and improving indoor air quality. Of course, more plants mean more advantages and a lot of time spent caring for them.
Depending on the person you’re gifting the plant or the flower, try to look for something that’ll fit their personality and lifestyle so they can make the most out of the gift and cherish the present. So, whether it’s someone’s birthday soon or you just want to make a person smile, here’s how to gift a plant with class and choose the best one.
What to consider when looking for a plant
Start with simple statements. If the person you want to gift a plant is a greenskeeper, things are quite simple because you can offer them almost any plant, and they’ll be happy. But when it comes to people who aren’t into plants or are too busy to take care of them, it’s more complicated to find something fit for their needs.
However, you must know if that person is allergic to flowers, for example, you’ll have to choose succulents as an alternative. At the same time, if pets are in the house or neighbours have cats or dogs, maybe it would be best to choose something else as a gift since pets might kick them off when playing.
Still, you can take some things as an advantage. If the person has a terrace, you can get them some balcony pots to put their plants outside. You can find many interesting designs and colours to match the likings of whoever you want to offer the present.
If your friend or relative doesn’t have the time to maintain the plant, it would be best to choose one that is low maintenance, requires little to no light or water, and looks decent to be kept around the house, so here are our recommendations.
What plants are best for giving a present
If you’re sure you want to gift a plant, you must do thorough research and make sure to purchase the right plant because they’re so many and diverse that you may find yourself lost between the marketplace products. But some plants are simply built differently, such as the following.
Calathea
Calathea is made for a caretaker or a plant parent who knows how to handle any plant. Its biggest plus is its visual impact upon entering a room, especially if it’s bigger, so it might need a bigger and sturdier pot, such as the ones from elho. Calathea lives just fine in moderate light and needs to be watered around once a week. The plant is also nontoxic and pet safe, so it’s a great option for pet owners. The beauty of Calathea comes from the leaves that open and close through the day, depending on how much light it receives, offering a special show.
Pothos
Pothos, on the other hand, is a great plant for beginners. It only needs water when the leaves seem to sag a little, but it gets right back on track when they’re given a little bit of moisture. Plus, the plant is easy to spot when it grows compared to other plants, so it indicates if it’s healthy or not, pretty obviously. It also doesn’t need much light so it can be placed in offices and dorm rooms.
Unfortunately, Pothos is toxic to dogs and plants, so it’s not a good choice for pet owners. And, although it’s usually pest-free, the plant can get infested with mealybugs.
Pilea Peperomioides
If you’re gifting Pilea Peperomioides to a plant enthusiast, you’ll surely impress them. This rare gem, also known as the Chinese money plant, is a great present option as it constantly multiplies, so the recipient can grow many more from just one plant.
The beautiful Pilea Peperomioides need medium to bright indirect light to thrive, while direct sunlight will burn the leaves. It also needs fertiliser and more watering than regular plants, so it surely needs to be in the care of someone responsible.
Thai Constellation Variegated Monstera
If you can afford expensive gifts and the recipient is a funky person who likes special presents, the Thai Constellation Variegated Monstera is a perfect choice. However, this plant is not that easy to find at any store, and you might need to look for a while until you get it.
This plant is known to have become the result of genetic modifications, so it’s a pretty demanding one to care for since it tends to be less resistant to many factors. It needs indirect sunlight but is placed in such a manner that it’s near a window with curtains. Watering must be done once or twice a week, but the soil should be checked if dry before. Most importantly, the plant needs to stay in a room with more than 80% humidity.
How can you properly wrap a plant to give as a gift?
Packaging a plant can be tricky to tackle, and you can’t just pull up with the plant in a pot. There are many ways to make the plant good-looking to give as a gift, such as the following tips:
- Put some colourful ribbons around the leaves;
- Get some tissue paper for the package, especially if the plant is short;
- Washi tape always helps wrap up the present properly;
- Foil wrapping paper for plants is available, and florists can help you find some;
- A gift bag can be sturdy enough for medium plants;
Final thoughts
Giving a plant as a gift shows that you care about the recipient, be it a friend, a relative or a teacher. Although you can play it safe and gift a bouquet of beautiful flowers, a plant lasts longer and has numerous benefits for being included in someone’s house, from purifying the air to contributing to less stress.