The Best Gifts for Plant Lovers
You don’t need a green thumb to unearth the ultimate gift.
Plant parents should be easy to buy for. Just get them that adorable potted lemon tree and they’ll go wild, right?
Well, what’s the humidity like in their home? Is there vacant real estate in the coveted “indirect sunlight” sector? Have they already purchased and killed three of them? It’s okay that you don’t have the answers to these questions.
Having worked in a plant store, I can tell you first-hand that most plant-related needs — and the best gifts for plant lovers — aren’t what you’d think. Make sure to consult this guide before you buy that lemon tree. There’s a good chance they’d prefer a set of reliable terra cotta pots, or even a tiny cowboy hat for their favorite cactus (yes, they have a favorite cactus) instead.
If there’s one thing we can learn from the candy industry, it’s that humans are never done innovating. We’ve seen chocolate and bubblegum encased in lollipops, but what about the wasteful sticks each one leaves behind? Blooming Lollipops has the answer, and it goes beyond biodegradability. Each stick is embedded with seeds, so once this stocking stuffer loses its magic, throw it in some soil and watch nature do its thing.
No need to throw your back or blow your knees out while kneeling in the garden all day. This practical gift will make planting, harvesting and weeding so much more comfortable with its EVA foam and cushioning memory foam that is also waterproof too for when the grounds are damp. The circa-1810 watercolor illustration by Caroline Maria Applebee is a nice touch as well!
Fictional studies have found that the number one cause of friendship-breakups can be directly traced back to a failure to properly water plants while they’re out of town. Save yourself the drama by giving them one of these self-watering systems made of glass.
Plants do not belong on most furniture. Odds are that rustic coffee table your friend thrifted isn’t treated to withstand the gargantuan rings left on watering day. But every plant deserves to be seen. With a sturdy frame and seven tiers, plants can get the attention they deserve without shortening the lifespan of the kitchen table. And possibly the best benefit: Watering day just got a whole lot easier on the ol’ spinal cord.
It’s never too early to develop a passion for plants, and the wildflower onesie is a long-term investment sure to solidify that. Obviously they’ll look adorable, but 20 years from now when they’re looking back on baby pictures, recipients will feel a sense of pride knowing how amazing their taste in hobbies was at such a young age.
Picture your favorite sweatshirt. Are you wearing it right now? Me too. Sadly, the plant-lover in your life may not have a favorite sweatshirt. That’s no way to live. This sweatshirt by Etsy creator WarmWondersApparel has all the traits of a “favorite sweatshirt”: it’s straightforward, charming, and an excellent conversation starter.
Even though you might not be afraid to get your hands a little dirty — you actually don't need too with a pair of these colorfol gloves! Not only will they prevent you from getting diry, but they will also protect you from scratches, insect bits, and sun exposure.
A well-designed pot is a necessity for a plant’s development. To get an understanding of how much effort Fable has put into the structure of these planters, scroll to the bottom of the product page for a diagram of the airflow system methodically designed to help plants reach their full potential without leaving an exposed saucer of still water.
Succulents are famously easy to care for. They require little water and can survive some nasty falls. But this simplicity invites a challenge, as many plant-parents seek to maximize their succulents beyond what’s necessary. This 44-piece set includes everything needed for meticulous pruning, precise rock placement and safe transplanting. The potting mat alone can justify the modest price point.
That cactus hat I mentioned? It’s real (and adorable). For the homesick succulent, give them a taste of the desert with their motherland’s signature lid. But if your giftee starts hearing quiet “yee-haws” at odd hours of the night, they might need to stay at your place for a bit.
Just because you can use an old water bottle to feed your plants, doesn’t mean you should. The Haws watering is lightweight so it's super easy to carry around when watering your plant.
Contrary to many fun facts, moss does not grow on sloths, but this hanging sloth planter can support small plants with ease. The lack of drainage holes render it impractical for most plants, but succulents and air plants will love the comfort of living in a smiling sloth’s warm embrace.
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Don’t be fooled by the “starter kit” label: Maintaining a kitchen herb garden is a veteran task. For the advanced botanist who wants to start getting some practical use out of their vegetation, an indoor herb garden kit will present a new challenge with results sure to spice up every meal.
No plant can survive in the wrong pot. Yes, it’s essential to pick the right size, but the material and structure are equally important. The classic terra cotta style is the result of thousands of years of trial and error; built for ideal drainage and aeration. The plant-lover in your life will know this, and be eternally grateful that you didn’t give them one you found at a flea market where the moisture buildup in the corners will hinder the growth of their flowery-friend.
Gardening is very hands on and when you don't have enough to hold all your tools, this apron will come in handy. Features several pockets, one to even store your phone away!
This is one of those products that only plant parents will understand the importance of. What plant stands lack in glitz, they make up for in unparalleled practicality. Gifting this to someone will not only give them the freedom to show off their favorite plants, but will also create the illusion that you’re a plant expert.
Plants can’t survive in cars, but that doesn’t matter, because crocheted vent clips will have the dashboard looking overgrown regardless of exposure to sunlight.
For plants locked in a never-ending battle with gravity, wall clips are all they need to emerge victorious. The matte green finish blends in seamlessly with nature’s favorite color, and since they’re shaped like leaves, it would take Batman-level detective work to spot these.
This one’s more of a gift for the local birds than the owner of the tree they loiter in 24/7. Handcrafted from willow, jute hanger, wood insert this birdhouse will be prime real estate for the entire backyard biosphere.
Sap is a fantastic way to ruin a pair of quality scissors. When you gift someone a set of pruners, the lifespan of their kitchen scissors increases tenfold (probably). With four different bundles, you can pick the set that lends itself best to their taste in plants. If they skew towards vine-based ones, pick up the Oopsie 3 Tool Set. For those who personally tend to the nine-foot hedge in their backyard, the 6 Tool Set includes larger pruners in addition to a pair of soil scoops.
Hangers are one of the most versatile products carried by your local plant emporium. This crescent moon is a beautiful piece of decor in its own right. Best used as a home for low-maintenance air plants, they’re also eager to host succulents or even blasphemous artificial plants.
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Plants have a mind of their own. It’s too bad this independence often results in poor posture. With a set of brass plant sticks, top-heavy plants can get the support they need to stand tall. They can even be used to elevate succulent vines like a string of pearls. Gravity doesn’t stand a chance.
One of the simple joys of owning plants is watering. This makes over-watering a frequent issue. With the aid of moisture sensors, the plant-lover in your life will breathe a sigh of disappointment as they have to wait another day for their favorite fortnightly activity. A few months later, expect a big hug and a mountain of clippings.
Keep pesky bugs away with these incense sticks! Comes in a pack of 12, and you just light them up and the scents of citronella, rosemary, and thyme essential oils will help protect your garden and flowers.
I’m going to contradict myself here: bonsais make fantastic gifts! They’re low maintenance, take up less than a cubic foot of space, and embrace a level of personalization most plants aren’t capable of. So rather than guessing which one your giftee will like best, let them pick from the five different species they’ll grow from scratch with this DIY kit.
Like all plants, bonsais have their inconvenient quirks. Without a spray bottle, they’re far too easy to overwater. Pair this with the bonsai starter kit and watch them gradually descend into a state of Zen as the tree works its magic on their bedroom, living room, or home office.
The double-edged-sword of having a green thumb is the burden of overgrown plants. That’s why we propagate! For tougher plants, like tradescantias, cuttings can be placed directly in the soil and begin a new life. Most aren’t that straightforward. A little warning, whomever you give this book to will be leaving fresh propagations on your doorstep every few weeks for the rest of your life.
Propagation can get messy. For the plant-lover who can’t stand a spot of dirt on the counter, give them the chance to reproduce their favorite plants without the need for a kitchen deep-clean. It also lets the clipping grow up next to their childhood home.
LEDs aren’t just for dorms. For plants living without ideal lighting, they can be the difference between life and death. These flexible strips transform any room into the perfect home for plants that require a heavily catered living space.
“Rationality” is a word unknown to many plant owners. Growing a plant native to the Amazon in an apartment requires the abandonment of all scientific logic. But science is on our side, as can be seen by this small-scale plant humidifier. Tropical fauna not included.
If you don’t have a 30-pound bird of paradise, you might not understand the importance of a reliable plant caddy. Many plants benefit from frequent rotations to balance solar intake: but all too often their development comes at the expense of hardwood floors. These sold so fast at the store that my boss would sell the ones off the floor to make sure customers went home with everything they needed.