Choosing a gift that will stand the test of time is always a challenge, but giving plants is one way to try. Knowing your recipient is perhaps the most important part of choosing a houseplant as a gift. A water-sipping succulent might be most appropriate for a busy friend on the go, while a shade-tolerant fern could fit better in a shady apartment with an attentive owner. If the recipient is already a plant-lover, consider an unusual choice that will test their skills. In any case, including a ceramic pot and a bag of appropriate soil can be a helpful addition to your plant you choose.
Here are 7 houseplants sure to impress as a thoughtful gift.
Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are definitely impressive. Their bright, grass-like leaves grab center stage when the pot is positioned in a bright window. These plants come in solid green or variegated cultivars, one as easy to care for as the next.
Spiders get their common name from their unique form of propagation. As the plant matures, it grows long stems. Each is tipped with a baby plant resembling an arachnid, and the “spiderettes” drape down on all sides of the “mother” plant. Each will develop roots and can be potted up as a separate plant.
Spider plants have a well-earned reputation for being adaptable and resilient, making them perfect gifts for gardening newbies. They are among the easy-peasy houseplants that survive in a wide range of circumstances.
Jade Plant
Jade plants (Crassula Ovata) make excellent housewarming gifts. Also known as the lucky plant or the money tree, they are thought to bring good fortune into a home.
And they are succulents, attractive, resilient, and virtually impossible to kill. That means you don’t have to worry much about the plants’ demise when offering jade plants as houseplants. They are real survivors and can live for a very long time with very little care. They only need infrequent watering, so neglect works in their favor. Fertilizing this plant isn’t necessary, but it’s nice, though not essential, to wipe dust off the leaves from time to time.
Peace Lily
The self-sufficient Peace Lily is the most selfless plant you’ll find. They purify the air and turn every room into a jungle paradise. Your friend will have delight all over their face when you hand them one of these leafy giants.
The biggest commitment your friend will have to make is repotting them if they outgrow their home, but on a daily basis, these plants are crazy easy to care for. They need consistent water (but not too much), high humidity, and bright, indirect sunlight. If you know your friend wants to see blooms, instruct them to put the Peace Lily in a sunnier area.
Moth Orchid
For some reason, the orchid has become something of a poster child for fussy houseplants, which might be enough to scare you away from considering this beautiful flowering plant as a gift. But commercial varieties of orchids are hardy and easy to grow with only moderate attention. It’s most important to get the climate right—orchids prefer moist, temperate conditions and partial, indirect light. Getting orchids to rebloom can be something of a challenge, but decreasing light and temperatures are cues for them to begin the process. As long as temperatures don’t drop below 55 degrees, placing them outside overnight in fall can be a good way to create these conditions.
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
The corn plant is another excellent gift choice for someone living in an apartment or house with lots of shade. They are forgiving of variable light conditions and watering routines. It grows slowly, but can reach a height of four to six feet, and at maturity can make an impressive floor plant in a large pot. Their leaves are an indication of the amount of sun they receive—turning paler in direct sun to reflect the extra light, and darker green in shady conditions to maximize sunlight absorption.
Snake Plant
The snake plant is a striking houseplant that makes an especially good gift for new plant owners who you might not trust to keep a plant alive. It’s a hardy species that grows happily in just about any conditions. While it prefers bright light, it doesn’t mind shade or even artificial light. Plus, thanks to its thick, fleshy leaves, it stores water with remarkable efficiency, which makes it very drought tolerant. The snake plant would rather be neglected than overwatered, and is a great gift plant for anyone who might forget about it entirely on a regular basis.
Succulents
Having a succulent in your home is a great way to increase focus and creativity, so why not gift it to a friend to help make their days more productive. They are also small plants that do not take a lot to maintain. Most succulents grow with very little water, and they can tolerate a lot of direct sunlight.
