By Debra Heleba
Extension Community Horticulture Program director
University of Vermont
Live houseplants can make meaningful gifts during the holidays or any time of year for birthdays, housewarming, and other special occasions. Not only do houseplants improve air quality in the home but a growing body of research shows that the care of houseplants is associated with greater mental health and well-being.
With more than 10,000 species of houseplants available, you may wonder which plants are best for gift giving. Selecting holiday favorites like poinsettia, holiday cacti and cyclamen are good choices. But there are so many colorful houseplant choices that will last well beyond the holidays.
Here are some tips that may help you choose festive and fun plants for your gift giving during the holidays and any time of year.
Select easy-to-grow plants with a flair. The recipient of your houseplant gift may be an experienced green thumb or a beginner. You can play it safe and choose an indoor plant that is easy care and yet interesting and colorful.
Consider those that tolerate a number of light conditions from a sunny, south-facing window to a dimly lit room and thrive under a range of humidity levels. Examples include the African violet (Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia), Peperomia and Echeveria.
Choose pet-friendly houseplants. Many plants are toxic to cats and dogs, so if the gift recipient has pets, be sure to select a houseplant that won’t cause any harm if ingested. The ASPCA has comprehensive lists of toxic and nontoxic plants for cats, dogs, and horses. See . Some festive, pet-friendly indoor plants in addition to the above include Bromeliads, Hoya, and the nerve plant (Fittonia verschaffeltii).
Select unusual plants. Here’s where the fun comes in. You can spice up your houseplant gift-giving by selecting varieties with unusual growing habits, colorful foliage or brilliant blooms.
Many of the plant ideas mentioned above come in varieties with variegated or unusual leaves, or with a variety of bloom colors. Other examples that fit all three criteria include the unique living stones (Lithops naureeniae) the fun, pancake-shaped leaves of the Pilea peperomioides and the vibrant, non-toxic foliage of the Calathea.
Consider a cutting from your own collection. Some of my favorite houseplants were propagated and gifted by friends and family. Whether it is Aunt Dorothy’s classic red geranium or Judy’s coffee plant, my most treasured indoor plants came from someone else’s special collection. Most houseplants are easy to propagate at home which makes for a low-cost and meaningful gift.
Finally, be mindful of live plant transport during the winter months. Since most houseplants originated in tropical locations, they don’t tolerate cold temperatures. If you are gifting plants during the winter, be sure to limit the time they are exposed to the cold, including their time in the car and outdoors. A quick trip from the garden center to a warm car to home is fine, but prolonged temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can damage tropical plants so bundle up that gift.
If gifting a live plant is not possible or preferred, a great alternative is a gift card from a local nursery or garden center. Allowing the recipient to choose their own plant is a wonderful way to give the gift of plants.