With the return of Christmas comes the eternal question, which also arises on birthdays, Mother's Day and Father's Day, for host or hostess gifts, etc.: what do you give to someone who has everything? Of course, we want to please, but we also want to stand out and offer a gift that will have an impact. We must not neglect our little eco-friendly side that would like the present to be useful and sustainable. So, apart from the traditional bottle of wine or 10-year-old scotch, what are our options? A plant, of course!
Plants have many benefits for health and the environment. Even indoors, they help improve air quality and absorb certain pollutants that escape without us noticing. Plus, they increase the happiness index: isn't that fantastic! It's not every day you treat yourself to a plant. It's therefore the ideal gift to offer. However, you need to make wise choices if you want your gift to be successful. Not everyone has a green thumb, nor the ideal location for a somewhat finicky plant to survive and thrive. Before giving a plant as a gift, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Does the person have children or pets?
If the answer is yes, don't stop yourself from buying a plant, but make sure to choose one that won't be toxic for them. Find out more from your Passion Jardins® garden center advisor.
Does the person live in a dark basement with only two small north-facing windows?
If that's the case, opt for a variety that tolerates shaded environments, there are many. The right plant in the right place.
Is the person a great traveler who leaves the nest several times a year for long periods?
Again, don't hold back, but choose the right variety of plant, one that can tolerate a few weeks without watering. Some plants are even at their best when forgotten from time to time.
Now, what to choose?
In garden centers, there is a wide choice of tropical indoor plants. Opt for versatile, durable, even indestructible varieties. Here are a few examples:
- Anthurium, with its beautiful glossy leaves and flowers
- Spathiphyllum, well known as Peace Lily
- Ficus, which can reach the size of a tree
- Spider plant with its babies at the end of branches
- Sansevieria or mother-in-law's tongue, slender and structural
- String of hearts, magnificent when hanging or elevated
Cacti and succulents: winning choices!
In addition to being popular, cacti and succulents offer you hundreds of presentation opportunities to give gifts tailored to each person you love. Choose a special container: a mug, pottery, a tin can, an old wooden chest... anything is possible! You can also opt for terrariums of all kinds, in pots, tubs, or glass balls, which you can customize as you wish. Succulents are quite easy to grow, so they make great gifts. We have a complete article on the subject that will give you plenty of ideas to personalize your gift.
[Read our article on: What to do with cacti and succulents]
Themed plants according to the seasons
Of course, you can also follow the seasons and offer themed plants. Think of poinsettias and cacti for Christmas, Easter lilies, etc. The same goes for outdoor plants. Don't hesitate to offer a beautiful planter of annual flowers in season, a perennial that will survive the years to mark a significant event. Why not opt for a young fruit tree plant for a birth or an herb arrangement as a hostess gift at a garden party?
Be imaginative, plants bring joy to everyone and at any time. Think of the person you are giving the gift to make an informed choice... it's quite possible that a ficus that will reach 8 feet in height is not ideal for your friend Yannick who lives in a tiny loft in the heart of the city and that a rare orchid won't have a very happy life at Aunt Sophie’s who shares her house with 3 adventurous cats. Consult your Passion Jardins® advisor who will help you find the perfect plant for a gift that will surely make an impact.
Tips and advice
