Gift-giving is not always an easy task, especially for recipients who don’t give you a single clue about what they want. Whether it’s birthdays, the festive season, or even just a special occasion, it can be hard to pin down the perfect gifts for plant lovers that won’t get forgotten a few hours after they are unwrapped.
Luckily, if you have someone in your life who loves plants – gardener or not – the options for gifting are almost endless. Look at these suggestions for inspiration on what to look out for this year. Many are available online or in stores, but you can also make your own for a much more special gift.
1. Shiny new tool sets
A solid set of tools is a must for any gardener. Soil, water, and exposure to the elements all have an impact on the life span of garden tools. Used frequently, they need to be high-quality to stop them from degrading quickly.
If you notice a friend or family member struggling with buckled plastic trowels or rusted shears, consider getting them a shiny new metal matching set. There are many decorative options with different patterns to suit the layout of any potting shed.
Not only will this make the gardening process easier, but it will also improve the health of their plants too by preventing the spread of harmful bacteria and diseases.
2. Cute planter pot covers
Avid houseplant collectors likely have masses of plastic pots in their homes from the plants they bring home. While we all want to replant them into a more decorative pot with better materials, that isn’t always possible with budget constraints and plenty of plants to consider.
If you know someone plagued by this issue, consider gifting them a few decorative pot covers (decorative planters). Placed over plastic containers, they add more visual flair to a plant without having to replant it completely. The pot covers can also be swapped between different houseplants when you get bored with the current configuration.
3. Wall planters
Once you’ve used up all the available space in your container garden, look vertically for more space to pack with plants. Wall planters come in a range of interesting colors and shapes, from geometric and classical to abstract and colorful. Filled with hanging plants, they make a great visual addition to indoor or outdoor spaces.
Consider planting the container up with a low-maintenance plant like pothos or philodendron before gifting. All there is left to do is pick the perfect place and hang it up. This takes the extra admin and decision-making out of the planting process, stopping your gift from being forgotten in the shed.
4. A decorative watering can
Frequent gardeners usually have at least one watering can at home, likely a few more. But far from the pretty, well-designed watering cans on the market today, these are usually purely for practical purposes. Treat someone with a watering can that combines looks and function, ideal for displaying in your home or shed.
These watering cans are often so stunning that they can become a collector’s item, forming part of the décor and the plants themselves. Choose the right color and shape for the recipient’s interior or garden design for an extra touch of thoughtfulness.
5. Gardening books make wonderful gifts for plant lovers
This gift is great for lovers of reading and gardening. Books are always a go-to gift recommendation, especially if they are tailored to the receivers’ interests at the time.
Know someone interested in starting a cut flower garden? Look for the acclaimed Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein. For houseplant owners, try the incredibly helpful book The New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng. Newbies to gardening will benefit from The Complete Gardener’s Guide by DK, a total guide covering design, planting and care.
There are endless options from experienced writers that make wonderful holiday reads, combining expert info with stunning images. Here are some great gardening books.
6. Self-watering pots
For forgetful plant parents with a graveyard of underwatered plants, this is the perfect gift. There are a wide variety of self-watering planters available that may work in slightly different ways but all serve the same function – taking the task of watering off the table. No more worries about when to water or test the soil, these will take care of it for you.
This is also the perfect gift for a gardener who travels often and doesn’t want to sacrifice their plants every time they leave the house.
7. A propagation station
Propagating is one of the greatest skills a gardener can learn. Who doesn’t want to grow more of their favorite plants almost endlessly without spending a cent? One of the best ways to make the process simpler (and more visually appealing) is with a propagating station.
Again, there are so many options to choose from, allowing you to find the right one in color, shape, and overall design. Size is also a factor, ranging from small desktop propagators to large features ideal for hanging on walls or from your ceiling.
8. Seeds & bulbs
There is nothing more a plant lover enjoys than plants themselves. But buying fresh plants or seedlings can be tricky in gift-giving. You’ll have to take care of them until the right time, and then your recipient has the responsibility of finding the perfect place for the plants almost immediately if they need to be planted in the ground.
Instead, add an element of control and excitement by gifting seeds or bulbs. These can be stored for longer periods, ready to bring out at the perfect moment. Just make sure the chosen plants are suitable for the receiver’s garden in space and climate.
9. Botanical candles
Candles are my favorite go-to gift for any occasion. We don’t often think of buying it for ourselves but really enjoy it when the time is right. When it comes to plant lovers, there are thousands of botanical candles with floral or earthy scents to bring the garden indoors at any time of day or year.
If you enjoy DIY projects, you can also make your own botanical candles decorated with herbs straight from your own garden for a more personal touch.
10. Decorative floral vases
Cut flower gardeners can never have too many vases to display their hard-earned harvests each year. Decorative glass vases are perfect gifts for anyone who enjoys fresh blooms in their home, and, depending on the design chosen, they go with any interior design.
Pair the vase with a few stems of dried flowers and grasses in a long-lasting bouquet to make it extra special. Dried bouquets are incredibly trendy at the moment and don’t require the same level of maintenance as fresh blooms.
11. Seed kits are perfect for plant people
Many of these gifts are suitable for existing gardeners. But there are also several options for those just starting out or even children who you’d like to introduce to the world of plants. Seed-growing kits are becoming increasingly popular, containing everything you need to sow your own seeds.
This gift allows newbies to enjoy the wonders of growing a plant from seed without worrying about tools or experience. Simply follow the instructions, use the items in the complete kit provided, and watch your favorite seeds bloom!
12. Indoor growing planters
Considering the houseplant boom in recent years, it’s not an exaggeration to say millions of households worldwide now contain at least one houseplant. Unfortunately, not all of these homes are suitable for indoor growing. Many don’t have the right lighting conditions or humidity levels, especially when you’re looking to grow non-traditional indoor plants that require more than indirect sunlight.
That’s what indoor growing sets are designed for. These planters come with built-in grow lights and often self-watering systems that largely take care of the plants for you. They can be a little pricey, so make sure you reserve this gift for a very special someone.
13. Themed stationery
Something about stationery is surprisingly exciting, especially when given as a gift. Maybe it’s my love of planning and organization (as well as pretty things), but any useful stationery is certainly high on my list of favorite gifts to receive.
Pair that with a plant theme, and I’m even more excited. Notepads, pens, diaries, and calendars are often available with plant-related patterns and motifs, perfect for floral or foliage lovers in your life.
14. Terrarium tool set
Terrariums are one of the most rewarding DIYs for any gardener, turning a small collection of plants into a thriving ecosystem that looks captivating anywhere it is placed. But, if you’ve tried putting your own terrarium together, you may have noticed it can be quite tricky.
Whether it’s squeezing your hand through a small jar or trying to shake the soil around to get it in place, making it look perfect is not easy. However, with a terrarium toolset, you’ll have no worries building as many terrariums as you’d like.
These sets consist of several tools that are basically miniature versions of large garden tools. From tiny trowels to forks and more, they allow you to perform the meticulous work required to place plants and décor perfectly.
15. Plant themed décor for plant parents
Finally, if you’re stuck on what to get, any plant-themed décor will likely be a winner. On trend at the moment, botanical décor is easy to find and fits well into most spaces. Images of nature also bring a sense of calm to a space, even if they are just on a cushion or a throw.
For indoor spaces, look for soft furnishings that bring in a leafy or floral element, depending on the recipient’s preference. Botanical art is also a winner, made even more special when you put it together. I love those vintage botanical illustration posters that dissect weird and wonderful plants from around the world, but you’ll find almost anything you’re looking for online.
Outdoors, choose furnishings that are weather-proof. Outdoor rugs with leafy patterns or hardy umbrellas that can withstand the elements are all great options. Combine that with some seasonal cutlery or crockery featuring plants, too – an ideal gift for frequent entertainers.
