15 Houseplants People Love Getting As Gifts
Houseplants are excellent, long-lasting gifts. With the proper care, they can stay alive for years, reminding your loved ones how much you care every time they glance at them. Although, finding a way to package a plant like a present is tricky. The easiest way to do this is with a decorative gift bag. The open top allows the foliage to have space to breathe without being damaged. You should make sure the bag is sturdy enough to support the weight of the plant and the pot. It'd be terrible for the handles to break and a pretty ceramic or terracotta pot to shatter.
Another way to wrap houseplants is with tissue paper and decorative twine. Get Busy Gardening recommends using foil wrapping paper if you just watered the plant and are worried about it dripping out any drainage holes. First, cut a large piece of paper and lay it down in a diamond shape, so one corner is facing you. Then place the plant in the center. Gather the paper over the pot and wrap the twine to secure it in place. You can tie the twine in a bow for a decorative touch and layer more sheets of wrapping paper if you want it to look fuller.
With all this in mind, here are 15 houseplants we feel people will love to receive as a gift.
1. Heartleaf philodendron
Heartleaf philodendrons (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) are perfect gifts for your loved ones. Every time they look at the heart-shaped leaves, it reminds them how much you care about them. The ideal environment for this type of philodendron is a place with bright shade and high humidity, explains Epic Gardening. The soil should always be moist but not waterlogged. In the winter, it's OK for the top layer of soil to dry out before you water again.
2. Swiss cheese plant
Swiss cheese plants (aka Monstera deliciosa) are known for their large leaves that develop holes when they're thriving. Gifting these plants means you really like the recipient because they range from $30 to $1,000, depending on how mature the plant is and if it's variegated (via Rural Sprout). They need a warm, humid environment. Plant Care for Beginners explains how the soil should always be moist, and to prevent root rot, use well-draining soil. Monsteras can live with low light, but to grow to their full potential, they need bright, indirect sunlight.
3. String of pearls
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) are a delicate trailing plant. Their thin stems can grow up to 3 feet long. They need bright, indirect light and should be watered about every two weeks. Succulents Box explains that string of pearls are susceptible to overwatering, so well-draining soil and a terracotta or unglazed ceramic pot will also help to keep the roots dry. Be careful not to place this plant near any drafts or open windows because cold air will make its pearls drop.
4. Snake plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria) are easy to care for, making them a perfect gift for the beginner plant owner. They'll add color and life to any space, even rooms with north-facing windows. Since snake plants can live in low light, you can put them almost anywhere in your home. However, they prefer bright, indirect sun, according to Garedners' World. Putting one in a room with no windows will cause it to lose its variegation and grow slowly. Watering them every other week is best, so they aren't sitting in water.
5. Marimo moss ball
Marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei) are a gift to give if you know your recipient also has a fish tank. While these moss balls look beautiful in their decorated glass jars, they can also live amongst fish. Any light will keep these alive, sunlight from windows or artificial lightbulbs, per Moss Ball Pets. These moss balls only need a water change every week or two. While doing this, they should be gently squeezed and rolled in the palm of the hand to maintain their shape.
6. Chinese money plant
A Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is another low-maintenance houseplant. They're a good gift for someone who loves the look of live plants without worrying about taking care of them. The best place for this money plant is in a bright spot without direct sunlight, according to Greenery Unlimited. They should get water about once a week and will benefit from occasionally aerating the soil, which you can do with a pencil or any type of stick. Doing this will improve drainage and allow the roots to breathe.
7. Bird's nest fern
Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is an easy gift to give the plant lovers in your life. They're relatively cheap and available at most garden centers. This fern is perfect for the spaces in a house where other plants can't survive, as they prefer the low light of a north-facing window and a colder environment, according to OurHouseplants.com. However, they do require some humidity. They also need their soil to always be moist.
8. ZZ plant
A zz plant (Amioculcas zamiffolia) is the epitome of a low-maintenance plant. They're the perfect gift for someone who's always busy or never home. This plant thrives on neglect because of the rhizomes in its root system that can store a large amount of water (via Greenery Unlimited). They prefer dry soil and indirect light. ZZ plants can live with low light, although it causes them to grow very slowly and makes them more susceptible to overwatering. Depending on how much sunlight you give your plant, you may only need to water them once a month or less.
9. Marble queen pothos
The marble queen pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is another easy-to-care-for trailing plant. It's similar to the heart-leaf philodendron and is a good gift if the recipient already has one. This species of pothos has gorgeous green and yellow variegation on its leaves, and anything but direct sunlight is OK for this plant. Although, they prefer bright, indirect sunlight, according to Ansel & Ivy, they'll live in low light. Providing an environment with high humidity will help the pothos thrive and continue to grow variegated leaves. This plant only needs water every week or two.
10. Prayer plant
Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) have unique leaf patterns that long-time plant owners will appreciate. This is a finicky plant that has specific needs, including bright indirect light. If the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it'll start losing its colorful leaves, explains Garden Betty. The soil should be well-draining, slightly acidic, and rich in nutrients. It needs frequent watering to prevent the potting mix from drying, but be careful not to overwater it.
11. Hoya
Hoyas (Hoya carnosa) are another versatile plant suitable for anyone. What makes them different is if they're well-cared for and mature enough, they'll bloom clusters of flowers similar to milkweed. They can handle any level of sunlight but prefer medium, indirect light. Neglecting this plant is OK because it does better when the soil can completely dry out before it's watered again. Platt Hill Nursery explains that some people even let the leaves wrinkle before thinking about watering them. To experience the plant's sweet blooms, fertilize them once a month during the growing season.
12. Peacock fern
Peacock ferns (Selaginella willdenowii) are different from other houseplants because of the blue tint of their foliage. If you're looking for something different than an average houseplant, this is the gift you should give. This fern loves humidity and needs soil that's always moist. To achieve this, you should add coco coir to the potting mix, per Chicago Plants. A sign that the plant isn't getting enough water is if the leaves turn yellow. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight but can live in full shade.
13. Jade plant
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are a type of succulent that you can purchase in various sizes depending on what you think the recipient will like best. A small one can sit on the windowsill of an apartment, while a mature jade can grow up to 5 feet tall. This plant is also a symbol of good luck, fortune, and prosperity, according to MasterClass. They require at least four hours of indirect sunlight, and since they're succulents, they need well-draining soil mixed with sand or perlite. Depending on the environment, they can wait up to a month between waterings.
14. Aloe vera
Aloe (Aloe vera) is an excellent gift if your recipient needs a functional plant. While aloe is a pretty houseplant, they can harvest the juice in its leaves for many different uses. A popular way to use it is on the skin to treat sunburns, but it also relieves itchy bug bites, moisturizes the skin, and removes makeup (via Prevention). Aloe is a succulent, so it needs a lot of sunlight. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends watering it every two to three weeks.
15. Rubber fig
The rubber fig (Ficus elastica) is a houseplant that can grow to 10 feet tall. Gifting it to an experienced plant owner will ensure it can grow to its potential. This plant prefers bright, indirect light. Note that rubber figs are sensitive to hot sunlight, so consider putting a sheer curtain over your window if you notice sun damage on its leaves. It's a tropical plant, so it needs humidity and constantly moist soil, according to ProFlowers.