Best 15 houseplants to give as gifts

Are you searching for the best houseplants to give as gifts? We have you covered!

Houseplants have become more popular than ever, and for good reason. They bring life, beauty, and health benefits to any home, making them perfect gifts for various occasions. Whether it’s a birthday, housewarming, holiday, or just to show someone you care, houseplants make thoughtful and meaningful gifts that can brighten someone’s day and last for years to come. In this blog, we’ll explore the best houseplants to give as gifts, from air-purifying plants to low-maintenance varieties, unique and rare finds to trendy favorites. We’ll share insights on their care requirements, pet-friendly options, and why they make excellent gift choices. So, if you’re looking for a green and eco-friendly gift that brings joy and nature into someone’s home, keep reading to discover the top houseplants to give as thoughtful presents.

Why are houseplants great gifts?

Houseplants have gained popularity as gifts due to their versatility, aesthetics, and health benefits. They are suitable for a wide range of occasions, making them a perfect choice for gift-giving.

Here are some reasons why houseplants make excellent gifts:

1. Beauty and Aesthetics: Houseplants are living works of art that can instantly enhance the visual appeal of any indoor space. From lush foliage to vibrant flowers, houseplants come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them beautiful gifts that can brighten up someone’s home or office.
2. Health and Well-being: Houseplants are not only visually pleasing but also provide numerous health benefits. They purify the air, release oxygen, and remove toxins, making them natural air purifiers that can improve indoor air quality and promote a healthier living environment. Houseplants have also been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, and increase productivity, making them gifts that promote well-being and wellness.
3. Longevity and Sentiment: Houseplants can last for years with proper care and attention, making them enduring gifts that can serve as a lasting reminder of the occasion or the person who gifted them. They can become cherished companions, offering a sense of companionship and connection with nature. Houseplants also carry sentimental value and can hold special memories, making them meaningful gifts that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions.
4. Personalization and Customization: Houseplants come in various types, sizes, and care requirements, allowing you to choose a plant that matches the recipient’s preferences, lifestyle, and home environment. You can personalize and customize your gift by selecting a plant that fits the recipient’s style, interests, or hobbies, making it a thoughtful and unique gift that shows you care and have put thought into it.

Now that we’ve explored the reasons why houseplants make excellent gifts, let’s dive into some of the best houseplants to give as gifts.

Best air-purifying houseplants for gifts

Air-purifying houseplants are not only visually appealing but also help improve indoor air quality by removing toxins and releasing oxygen. They are perfect for homes or offices with poor air circulation or high levels of indoor pollutants.

Here are some popular air-purifying houseplants to consider as gifts:

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Snake plants are known for their tall, sword-like leaves with variegated patterns that add a modern touch to any space. They are extremely low-maintenance and can thrive in various lighting conditions, making them ideal for beginners or busy individuals. Snake plants are also known for their ability to filter out toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Peace lilies are known for their elegant white flowers and glossy, dark green leaves. They are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in low to moderate light conditions, making them perfect for indoor spaces with limited natural light. Peace lilies are known for their ability to filter out common indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia, making them excellent air purifiers.
3. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Boston ferns are known for their lush, feathery fronds that add a touch of elegance to any space. They thrive in bright, indirect light and require high humidity, making them ideal for bathrooms or kitchens. Boston ferns are natural air humidifiers and can help improve indoor air quality by adding moisture and filtering out toxins.

Best low-maintenance houseplants for gifts

Not everyone has a green thumb or the time to care for high-maintenance plants. That’s where low-maintenance houseplants come in handy. They require minimal care, making them perfect for busy individuals or beginners in plant care.

Here are some low-maintenance houseplants that make great gifts:

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): ZZ plants are known for their glossy, dark green leaves and ability to thrive in low light conditions. They can go for long periods without water, making them perfect for forgetful or busy plant owners. ZZ plants are also known for their air-purifying properties, removing toxins from the air and promoting better indoor air quality.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a popular trailing vine plant known for its heart-shaped leaves and low-maintenance nature. It can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright indirect light, and can go for extended periods without water. Pothos is known for its ability to purify the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Spider plants are known for their long, arching leaves adorned with tiny “baby” spiderettes, giving them a unique and decorative appearance. They are hardy plants that can tolerate various lighting conditions, and they thrive in well-draining soil. Spider plants are also known for their air-purifying properties, removing toxins like formaldehyde and xylene from the air.

Best pet-friendly houseplants for gifts

For pet owners, it’s important to choose houseplants that are safe for their furry friends.

Here are some pet-friendly houseplants that make great gifts:

1. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica): Money trees, also known as Pachira aquatica, are known for their braided trunks and shiny, palm-like leaves. They are pet-friendly and non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a safe choice for pet owners. Money trees prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering, making them relatively easy to care for.
2. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): Bamboo palms are known for their slender, graceful fronds and pet-friendly nature. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them safe for pet owners. Bamboo palms prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering, making them a great addition to any indoor space.
3. Calathea (Calathea spp.): Calathea plants are known for their stunning, patterned leaves and come in various species with different patterns and colors. Many Calathea species are pet-friendly, making them safe for pet owners. Calathea plants prefer bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. They also require higher humidity levels, making them ideal for placement in bathrooms or kitchens or using a humidifier nearby.

Unique and eye catching houseplants

If you’re looking for houseplants that stand out and make a statement, here are some unique and eye-catching options that make great gifts:

1. Monstera Deliciosa: Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is known for its large, fenestrated leaves that have distinctive perforations. It’s a tropical plant that can add a bold and exotic touch to any space. Monstera deliciosa prefers bright, indirect light and moderate watering, making it a stunning and manageable option for plant enthusiasts.
2. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): String of Pearls is a trailing succulent with round, bead-like leaves that resemble a string of pearls. It’s a unique and eye-catching plant that can be displayed in hanging baskets or as a trailing plant on shelves or bookcases. String of Pearls prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, and it requires minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance option for those looking for something different.
3. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant known for its striking, bird-like flowers and large, banana-shaped leaves. It’s a unique and dramatic plant that can add a touch of the tropics to any interior space. Bird of Paradise prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, and it requires moderate watering. It’s a bit more challenging to care for compared to some other houseplants, but it can be a rewarding option for experienced plant owners or as a statement piece in a room.

Best edible houseplants for gifts

For those who enjoy the benefits of growing their own food or herbs, here are some edible houseplants that are the best houseplants to give as gifts

1. Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Basil is a popular culinary herb known for its aromatic leaves and fresh flavor. It can be grown indoors as a houseplant, and it’s relatively easy to care for. Basil prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, and it requires regular watering. It can be harvested and used in various culinary applications, making it a practical and rewarding option for food lovers.
2. Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): Cherry tomatoes are a delicious and popular choice for home gardening, and they can also be grown indoors as houseplants. They require bright, direct light and well-draining soil, and they need regular watering. With proper care, cherry tomato plants can produce a bountiful harvest of fresh, juicy tomatoes that can be enjoyed in salads, salsas, or eaten straight off the vine.
3. Microgreens: Microgreens are young, tender greens that are harvested when they are just a few inches tall and are packed with flavor and nutrition. They can be grown indoors as houseplants using special microgreen trays or containers. Microgreens can include a variety of vegetables and herbs, such as broccoli, kale, radish, and cilantro, and they can be harvested and used in salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish. Growing microgreens indoors can be a fun and rewarding project for those who enjoy fresh, homegrown produce.

Conclusion

In conclusion, houseplants are not only beautiful and decorative, but they also offer numerous health benefits and can be meaningful and thoughtful gifts for various occasions. From air-purifying plants to low-maintenance options, pet-friendly choices to unique and eye-catching plants, and even edible options, there is a houseplant to suit every preference and lifestyle. Consider gifting a houseplant to your loved ones, or even treating yourself to one of the options on our list of the best houseplants to give as gifts!