Table of Contents
Choosing a gift for someone who loves plants sounds easy. Buy something green in a pot, add a ribbon, and the job is done.
In reality, people who genuinely grow plants often already have too many pots. They usually know exactly what they like and are rarely dreaming of yet another decorative watering can labeled “Plant Mom.”
Therefore, the best gift is not necessarily the most impressive one. Instead, it may be something useful, something that solves a small problem, or something that supports the hobby without becoming one more object to store.
Rather than beginning with the question “What is trendy?”, I would first consider how the person actually cares for their plants.
If you are still choosing a suitable plant for the conditions in their home, see our general guide to houseplants by light level.
Sometimes the best gift for a plant lover is not another plant, but something that makes caring for all the others a little more enjoyable.
First: a plant or something for the plants?
This is the main decision.
Giving a plant may seem like the most obvious choice. However, it is not always the most practical one.
For example, someone who lives in a small apartment, has two cats, north-facing windows, and already owns forty pots may not need another large monstera. At that point, the gift may require more space than the person can realistically provide.
On the other hand, a plant can be an excellent choice when you know the recipient has been searching for a particular hoya, orchid, or unusual philodendron.
When you are unsure, something that supports the hobby is usually the safer option.
A beautiful pot is a good gift, but only if it is practical
Pots are one of the easiest gift ideas and one of the easiest to get wrong.
A decorative pot may look beautiful, but if it has no drainage and is the wrong size, it will probably remain only a cachepot.
That is not a problem if that is exactly what you are looking for.
For a gift, I would prefer:
- a good-quality ceramic cachepot;
- a pot with a drainage hole and saucer;
- a taller pot for a large plant;
- a set of small pots for propagation;
- a simple design that works with different interiors.
I would not choose a very specific color or pattern unless I knew the person’s home well. Plants are decorative enough on their own. For someone who prefers a substantial, practical container, this 10-inch ceramic planter with a drainage hole and saucer is a more useful gift than a sealed decorative pot.
A plant stand
This is one of those gifts that has more practical value than it first appears.
A plant stand can:
- bring a plant closer to the light;
- free up floor space;
- organize several pots;
- protect furniture and flooring;
- add height to an otherwise low arrangement.
For someone with many plants, I would choose a stable single stand or a simple shelving unit rather than a complicated structure with ten tiny shelves. A seven-tier wood plant stand can organize several pots at different heights without using an entire wall.
For ideas on organizing more pots, see how to arrange houseplants by light and space.
A grow light
A grow light is one of the few gifts that can genuinely change the way someone grows plants, especially in an apartment with limited natural light.
For instance, it can support light-loving houseplants during the darker months. It is also useful for succulents, herbs, seedlings, plants on shelves, and collections kept farther from a window.
However, the size of the light should match the collection. A huge professional panel makes little sense for someone with three pots on a windowsill.
For home use, a compact LED grow light with a stand or clip is often more practical. In addition, it is worth checking the actual coverage, the recommended distance from the leaves, and the area the lamp can illuminate rather than relying only on wattage and packaging claims.
Small tools for houseplants
This is a much better gift than it sounds, especially for someone with a large collection of pots.
Useful options include:
- small sharp scissors;
- precision pruning scissors;
- a mini trowel;
- a narrow repotting scoop;
- a small cleaning brush;
- gloves;
- a repotting mat.
I would not buy a huge twenty-seven-piece tool set. Three good tools are usually more useful than a box full of items nobody quite understands.
Plant scissors
If I had to choose only one tool, I would probably choose a good pair of small scissors.
They can be used for:
- removing dry leaves;
- shaping pothos and philodendron;
- taking cuttings;
- trimming herbs;
- working with finer stems.
The most important qualities are sharpness, comfort, and easy cleaning.
One good pair of scissors is far more useful than a decorative set that looks wonderful only while it remains in the box.
A watering can
A watering can is a classic.
It makes sense if it is small and comfortable for indoor plants.
A long narrow spout is useful because it directs water to the soil between the leaves instead of pouring it over the entire plant. A compact Haws indoor watering can is a thoughtful option for someone who keeps orchids, African violets, seedlings, or several small pots and prefers a controlled pour rather than carrying a large outdoor can through the house.
For a large collection, a tiny decorative watering can may become annoying. For five pots on a windowsill, however, it is perfectly adequate.
I would choose a simple shape and a material that is easy to clean.
Is a soil moisture meter useful?
A soil moisture meter can be an interesting gift, particularly for a beginner.
However, it should not be presented as a device that can determine the perfect watering time without fail.
Instead, it works best as one source of information alongside checking the potting mix, lifting the pot to feel its weight, and understanding the needs of the particular plant.
Therefore, it may help someone who regularly overwaters. An experienced plant grower, by contrast, may use it only occasionally or leave it in a drawer.
Useful gifts for everyday plant care
A repotting mat
This is one of those things people rarely buy for themselves and then discover is surprisingly convenient.
A foldable waterproof mat makes it possible to repot plants on a table or floor without spreading potting mix throughout the apartment.
Afterward, it folds up and can be stored away.
It is not a romantic gift. But it is a good one.
A propagation kit
For someone who enjoys taking cuttings, this can be a good choice.
It might include:
- a glass rooting vessel;
- several small glass containers;
- a test-tube stand;
- small pots;
- a set of plant labels.
I would avoid overly decorative structures that take up half a wall. A simple glass holder can be attractive enough on its own. This five-tube wood propagation station keeps several cuttings separate while their roots develop and still fits on a desk or windowsill.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A serious pair of pruning shears for someone who gardens regularly
For a person with a garden, roses, woody perennials, or a growing collection of shrubs, one well-made tool is usually a better gift than a large box of inexpensive accessories.
The Felco F2 is a Swiss-made bypass pruner with forged aluminum handles, hardened steel blades, a sap groove, and replaceable parts. It is designed for regular garden pruning and suits a medium to large right hand.
This is not the small pair of scissors used for houseplant leaves or delicate herb stems. It is a more substantial tool for roses, woody perennials, and light branch work, so it makes the most sense for someone who already gardens outdoors and will actually use it.
A rare or unusual plant
This is where knowing the recipient becomes especially important.
A demanding plant is rarely a sensible gift for a beginner simply because it looks impressive. For a more experienced plant lover, however, a specific variety can be an excellent and very personal choice.
Possible options include:
- an interesting hoya;
- an unusual philodendron;
- an orchid;
- a calathea;
- an anthurium;
- a rare succulent.
Before buying, check whether the person already owns the same plant. With serious collectors, duplication is a very real possibility.
A succulent for a beginner
For someone who likes plants but has little experience, a small succulent or aloe vera can be a good option.
However, this works only if they have a bright place for it.
Otherwise, you are giving them a plant that appears easy but begins to stretch and lose its shape after a few months.
It is better for the plant to suit the conditions in the home than simply to have a reputation for being easy.
ZZ plant or snake plant
These are safer options for someone who is not especially disciplined about watering.
Both the ZZ plant and snake plant tolerate occasional neglect and do not require daily attention.
They are also suitable for an office, although even easy plants still need natural light.
For more options, see houseplants for low light.
An orchid
An orchid is a beautiful gift, especially while it is in bloom.
Still, I would not buy one simply because it looks festive.
Phalaenopsis orchids can be grown successfully indoors, but they have different needs from plants grown in standard potting soil.
A simple cachepot and a short note with the basic care instructions can make a useful addition to the gift.
Not ten rules. Just the important ones.
A plant book
A plant book can be an excellent gift for someone who genuinely enjoys reading as well as growing plants.
Rather than choosing another broad houseplant encyclopedia, I would look for a book with good photography, a clear structure, useful information, and a specific point of view. Ideally, the author should also have practical experience with the subject.
For example, the book might focus on:
- houseplants;
- propagation;
- botany;
- garden design;
- vegetable gardening;
- herbs;
- flower gardens.
Besides being useful, a book has one major advantage over a living gift: it does not need watering.
A subscription or gift card
A gift card is one of the safest options for someone with very specific taste.
It may be used at a garden center, specialty plant shop, bookstore, seed supplier, pottery shop, course, or workshop.
Admittedly, a gift card may seem slightly less personal. Nevertheless, it allows the recipient to choose something they genuinely need, which greatly increases the chance that the gift will be used.
Seeds
For someone with a garden or balcony, seeds can make an excellent gift. A packet of mixed lantana seeds is one possible addition for a sunny outdoor space, especially when the recipient enjoys starting flowering plants from seed.
You can create a small themed collection.
For a fragrant garden
- basil;
- cilantro;
- dill;
- parsley;
- thyme.
For flowers
- zinnias;
- cosmos;
- nasturtiums;
- calendula;
- sweet peas.
For a vegetable garden
- unusual tomatoes;
- hot peppers;
- lettuce;
- radishes.
For the kitchen
- parsley;
- chives;
- mint;
- basil.
For growing them indoors, see how to grow herbs indoors.
A seed storage box
This is an idea I also really like for Biogardn itself.
Anyone who grows plants from seed eventually begins to accumulate packets everywhere.
A divided storage box for:
- flowers;
- vegetables;
- herbs;
- the current season;
- next year
can be both practical and attractive.
It is also a very good direction for a future Biogardn product.
Plant labels
A small gift, but a useful one.
They are especially practical for:
- seedlings;
- seeds;
- collections;
- propagation;
- several similar varieties.
Plant labels can be wooden, metal, or plastic.
For long-term use, I would choose a material that does not fall apart after the first watering. For someone who labels a large number of seedlings or propagation pots, a box of five-inch reusable plastic plant labels is practical, inexpensive, and unlikely to remain unused.
A plant journal or garden notebook
This is suitable for someone who likes to keep track of what they are doing.
They can record:
- planting dates;
- repotting;
- fertilizing;
- propagation;
- flowering;
- problems;
- varieties;
- seeds.
This is another product that could naturally become part of a future Biogardn collection.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A weekly garden journal for someone who likes to keep records
For a gardener who enjoys remembering what was planted, what flowered, what failed, and what should be done differently next season, a structured journal can be more useful than another decorative object.
My Gardening Journal combines a 52-week planner with space for notes, plant records, garden sketches, sunlight observations, and practical growing information. It works for both a small home garden and a more ambitious seasonal plan.
It is especially suitable for someone who already takes photographs, saves seed packets, compares varieties, or repeatedly says, “Next year I must remember when I planted this.”
For someone with a balcony
Suitable options include:
- a good-quality planter;
- herbs;
- a vertical plant stand;
- railing planters;
- small tools;
- seeds;
- a simple watering system.
However, I would not give someone a huge pot without knowing how much weight the balcony can support or where the pot will be placed.
For someone with a large garden
Very different gifts make sense here:
- good pruning shears;
- a garden saw;
- comfortable gloves;
- an apron;
- a harvest basket;
- plant labels;
- a grafting knife;
- a small weeding tool.
For more expensive tools, I would prefer to know what the person already uses.
After all, gardeners tend to have very strong opinions about their tools.
For the person who already has everything
This is the most difficult category, so another watering can is probably not the answer.
Instead, consider a rare plant, a beautiful book, a high-quality tool, a gift card, a botanical garden visit, a course, or something the person has specifically mentioned.
Consumable gifts can also work well because they do not create permanent clutter.
Ultimately, the best choice may be an experience or a useful supply rather than one more decorative object.
What I would not give
A huge plant without asking first
It is not a bouquet. It has to live somewhere and may eventually need repotting.
A demanding plant for a beginner
It may look beautiful in the store, but a gift should not become an exam.
A pot in a random size
Size matters with plants, and a pot that is too large may retain too much moisture.
A huge cheap tool set
One good tool is better than many items with no clear purpose.
Overly themed decor
A mug, sign, or pillow covered in monstera leaves only makes sense if you know the person would genuinely like it.
A plant that does not suit the conditions
Even an easy plant will struggle without enough light or space.
A small gift set
For me, this is one of the best options.
For example:
- small high-quality scissors + plant labels + an interesting packet of seeds;
- a beautiful pot + an easy plant;
- a repotting mat + mini tools;
- a book + a garden center gift card.
The gift does not need to be large. What matters more is that the items inside make sense together. For someone who starts many flowers or vegetables from seed, a set of 36-cell seed-starting inserts can be paired with labels and a packet of seeds to create a genuinely useful small kit.
A Christmas gift
Here, I would choose something that will last beyond the holidays.
Good ideas include:
- amaryllis;
- a Christmas cactus;
- a beautiful pot;
- seeds for the next growing season;
- a book;
- a tool;
- a garden calendar or notebook;
- a gift card.
If you give a living Christmas plant, I would include a very short care note.
For the differences between popular seasonal plants, see Christmas houseplants at home.
How I would choose a gift
- Begin with the amount of space the person has.
- Consider how many plants they already grow.
- Think about whether they have a garden, a balcony, or only an apartment.
- Check the available light and practical growing space.
- Finally, choose a gift that fits those conditions.
A good gift for a plant lover is not necessarily another plant.
Sometimes, the most thoughtful choice is simply something that makes caring for all the others a little more enjoyable.