Gifting season is upon us, and if you have a friend or family member with a green thumb, you're in luck. Finding the perfect gift for a plant lover can be both delightful and challenging. This holiday season, consider these thoughtful and creative gifts that will make any plant enthusiast's heart bloom with joy. 

Plants Make the Best Gifts  

Plants have become increasingly popular as gifts, and for a good reason. They not only brighten up living spaces but also have a plethora of benefits, such as helping to reduce stress levels. The act of nurturing a plant can be therapeutic and fulfilling, making them ideal presents for any occasion. 

Select Succulents for a Living Legacy

Succulents are a great choice for plant lovers due to their low maintenance and unique appearance. Consider a variety of succulents in different shapes and sizes to add character to their collection. 

A small Elephant Bush or a Jade plant travels well and can live for many years with relatively little care. The Jade plant in my own collection is one I've had for over a decade and a half! These can become legacy plants that grow more lovely and beautiful with time.

Artistic and Personalized Planters  

Add a personal touch to your gift by selecting planters that reflect the recipient's personality. Whether they love minimalistic designs or quirky, colorful pots, a planter can make a plant feel even more special and memorable when it's a one-of-a-kind piece of art. 

I'm a big fan of the curated collection at Vase & Vessel, especially their collection by local Chicago artists and makers Ted Seymour, Vincenza LoBello, and Kate Williamson. These unique pieces are works of art on their own merit.

They're irresistibly gorgeous and make lovely gifts when paired with a plant.

Herb Garden Seed Starter Kit 

For those who enjoy cooking, an herb garden seed starter kit is a wonderful choice. It allows them to grow fresh herbs right in their kitchen or on a sunny windowsill, elevating the flavors of their dishes. 

Take this gift a step further and include a seed storage box that'll help your plant lover stay organized. And personalize it by filling it with organic heirloom seeds of their favorite herbs and vegetables. 

For a fun spin, try including unique varieties of classic favorites. Purple carrots? Pink corn? One of my favorite sources is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

Live Plant "Variety Pack" Bundles 

Gift a houseplant variety pack bundle that will help your plant lover instantly build their houseplant collection. These boxes often include two or three different varieties of plant within the same plant family, like a pair of complimentary ferns or a trio of pothos plants.

Supplies to Live their Best Plant Life 

Including a set of instructions or care tips with your gift shows that you care about the longevity of their plant. Consider adding a small guide on how to water, sunlight requirements, and the best practices for maintaining a healthy plant. Alternatively, consider gifting them the tools and supplies they might need to level up their houseplant care.

Stylish Watering Can 

A stylish watering can is not only functional but can also be an elegant or playful addition to their plant corner. It's nice to be able to have a watering can that is nice enough to leave out on a shelf or tabletop so that it is always handy for use.

Upgraded Scissors or Pruning Shears 

Whether the plant lover in your life has one plant or an indoor jungle, a nice pair of scissors or pruning shears are necessary for keeping their plants looking their best.

I prefer to keep two different types on hand: a small pair of pointed scissors for removing small leaves or flowers and a larger pair of shears for pruning of large or thick stems and branches.

Plant Care Books or Plant Inspired Books

For the avid plant lover who wants to expand their knowledge, a book on plant care can be an excellent resource. 

But, don't be afraid to step outside the box with a book that is plant care adjacent: books about plants, their natural history, social ecology, or their influence on people and human communities.

Some of those books on my shelf this year include:

For a list of old and new classics not on this list, check out the Pistils & Pollen online plant club community and join the conversation--we'd love to know what you're reading too!

Inspired Botanical Design 

Incorporating decorative elements that complement their plants can elevate the ambiance of their living space. These days there is a growing selection of botanically inspired apparel, totes, and accessories that the plant lover in your life can use to show off their plant parent pride.

Botanically inspired stationery, stickers, and phone cases make great stocking stuffers while apparel, framed prints, throw pillows, and bedding can make great gifts.

Botanical Prints 

Botanical prints and posters add a touch of nature to any room. Classic botanical prints can be framed and hung on the wall gallery style to create a conservatory vibe in your plant room or plant nook.

I found these Anthurium leaf identification prints in one of my favorite plant shops in Chicago at Plant Stand Collective. They come in a variety of plant families, or more properly plant genera, and it's fun to collect your favorite plant families especially when you might not have the room to collect each of the plants represented on the card.

We're also giving these away in the Pistils & Pollen online plant club community for folks who participate in challenges showing off their own plant collections.

Botanically inspired prints can also be fun and playful as well as inspiring. I love the print above that I found in my local stationery store at The Inkling Shop by Minnesota-based artist Katie Blanchard.

 And these prints are available in a variety of sizes in our online merch shop.

Terrariums 

Terrariums are enchanting, miniature ecosystems that are both visually appealing and easy to maintain. The terrarium above lives just below my fern wall in this plant corner of my garden room. It's from H Potter and I get asked about it all the time.

I've linked to this terrarium, below, but there are several shapes and sizes to fit your space and vibe with your aesthetic:

A luxury terrarium is a wonderful gift all on its own. But, it can be easily upgraded by including various terrarium care supplies or kits with the terrarium.

And a terrarium took kit can also make it a little easier to create and maintain your plant lover's new terrarium, especially if it's an unusual shape.

Bonus points if you include a few potted plants in 2" or 3" sized pots! Just remember to choose plants that have similar care needs so that they'll live together comfortably inside the close quarters of your terrarium.

Check out my terrarium story tutorial on IG from inspiration and how-to assembly tips!

Think Outside the Box 

If the plant lover in your life is serious about plants and you're still not sure whether any of these items would be a good fit for them or you might be worried they already have something like it, perhaps it's time to think outside the box.  

Gifts that are experiential or that allow the gift giver and the recipient to do an activity together in the future can be especially fun.

Gift Cards to a Local Plant Shop, Garden Center, or Nursery 

Plan a plant shopping day excursion with a gift card to a local plant shop, garden center, or nursery that gives them the freedom to choose their own green companions and gives you both some quality time together looking for plants.

If you’re not sure whether your plant lover has a plant nursery nearby, consider gifting them a certificate to a reputable online retailer that ships to their region. Pistils & Pollen ships across the continental U.S. 

Rare and Unique Plant DIY Kits

Consider gifting a rare or unique plant that's not commonly found or that requires a little extra effort to assemble. Mounted plants like this staghorn fern mounted on natural cork was a fun project for me to assemble from a DIY kit supplied by Pistils Nursery. 

Mounted plants have become some of the most cherished plants in my own houseplant collection, and a DIY kit helps make assembling them so much easier. 

Membership to a Botanical Garden 

One of my favorite gifts to receive if the gift of an experience. Gifting a membership to a local botanical garden, conservatory greenhouse, or arboretum can be a fantastic way to gift an experience while also helping to support those places, their programing, and conservation efforts.

Not sure where to start? Check out the interactive map from the American Horticultural Society, its membership program, and their reciprocal garden network for access to public gardens across North America.

Conclusion 

This holiday season, delight the plant lovers in your life with gifts that nurture their passion. Whether it's a collection of succulents, personalized planters, practical care items, or shared experiences, your thoughtful gesture will remind them of your love and consideration. 

FAQs 

1. Where can I find unique and rare plants for gifting? 
   • You can often find unique and rare plants at local specialty nurseries, neighborhood plant shop boutiques, or by searching online through plant retailers. Check out the Pistils & Pollen plant shop for live plants or our merch shop for botanically inspired stickers, notebooks, totes, apparel and accessories. 
2. What is the best way to care for succulents? 
   • Succulents thrive in well-draining soil and usually tend to require minimal watering. Ensure they receive bright sunlight. Join our online plant club community for inspiration or specific care tips on your beloved succulent.
3. Can I send a plant as a gift online? 
   • Yes, many online plant retailers offer the option to send plants as gifts. They usually come well-packaged to ensure safe delivery. If sending a plant through the mail during colder months, be sure to include a heat pack in your order to help keep your gift from freezing during delivery. 
4. How can I personalize a plant gift? 
   • You can personalize a plant gift by choosing a planter or pot that reflects the recipient's style and adding a handwritten note or a personalized plant care tag. If you know your plant lover has a favorite type of plant, it’s super fun to find them stickers, totes, or apparel depicting their favorite plant. 
5. What are some low-maintenance plants for beginners? 
   • Snake plants, pothos, and spider plants are great choices for beginners as they require minimal care and can thrive in various conditions. Check out my Top 5 Easy Care Plant for a Lush and Low-Maintenance Indoor Jungle.

If you cannot find these supplies from your local nursery or plant shop and use your purchase to support those small businesses, then I thank you for supporting content creators like myself when purchasing your plant supplies through links like these. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.