by Evin Morrison, Extension Master Gardener
Photos © Evin Morrison unless otherwise noted
If your friends and loved ones are into houseplants, you don’t have to look far for good gifts this holiday season! Gardening is a hobby that comes with a lot of needed stuff, and with so many great things on the market, you can check off your shopping list in no time.
Pottery
Every indoor gardener needs pots and planters to show off their favorite plants. As plants grow, they outgrow their homes, and the spring is a great time to give plants a bigger pot to grow into. So, gift them some new planters now that they can use in a few months.
Pottery is a great gift because you can find something that fits all styles and budgets. There are a few things to keep an eye out for when picking the perfect pot. Firstly, check for a drainage hole and, if there is one, see if you can find a corresponding drip tray as a bonus gift. If there’s not a drainage hole, don’t dismay; the planter can be used as a cachepot. Secondly, look to see if the inside of the planter is glazed. For instance, standard terracotta pots aren’t glazed on the inside, which allows the clay to breathe, but it also means that water and minerals can leach through. If you’ve ever seen a terracotta pot with white residue on it, that’s why. Pots with glazed interiors will have a shiny look, and they don’t allow the same kind of air flow, but they do protect the decorative outside of the planter from residue and watermarks.
Of course, you can pick up a planter just about anywhere. However, there are some ways to acquire unique gifts for your loved ones. Instead of shopping at a big box store, check out local potters and ceramicists. You can support local artists, small businesses, and find a one-of-a-kind gift for the plant lover on your list.
If you have someone who loves vintage items on your list, you can almost always find planters at thrift or antique stores. Thinking outside the box opens up even more options. Teacups make cute succulent planters, ceramic vases can be used to add height to your houseplant displays, and even baskets can make unique cover pots for existing planters.
Lastly, for the creative gift-giver, hand painting terracotta pots is a great way to make custom gifts for your loved ones. Using a good acrylic paint and sealer will ensure your artwork stays in place after waterings for years to come. This is a great option because not only are terracotta pots usually very affordable, but now you’ll have a heartfelt, handmade gift.
Planters and pots can be a little hard to wrap, so save the paper and make your planter the gift bag by adding some miniature tools, some seeds, and maybe some gardening gloves. Tie a large bow around the top and you have an all-in-one gift.
Plant Books
Coffee table books, non-fiction guidebooks, or even plant journals are great gifts for your houseplant enthusiast. Most plant-y people love learning more about their plants and what else is out there for them to collect and grow, so a new book of information and beautiful images will definitely delight them this holiday season.
Coffee table books are the perfect choice for the houseplant friend who uses their plants as décor. A book with large photos showing plants in the wild or plants in other people’s home serves as great inspiration on how to plant and place their houseplants. Most of these larger books are also chocked full of information and helpful growing tips so, while they are usually bought for their aesthetic imagery, there’s still a lot to learn from them. And don’t forget that houseplants have had cycles of popularity so there are quite a few older copies of books available showcasing design aesthetics over the decades and how plants were incorporated.
For a smaller more packable option look no further than a guidebook. Usually, these books are about a more specified subject like cacti, houseplants for beginners, or even how to build terrariums. These books usually are a little more information heavy, so they are a great option for the voracious reader in your life. Some of these books even have a DIY element that you can use to your advantage and include some additional gifts to get them started. For instance, you’ve picked a book all about cacti and succulents, maybe include a small potted succulent for them or even a cute cactus shaped ornament if they decorate a tree. A plant-themed bookmark is also always a great addition.
by Gynelle Leon
For additional ideas on specific gardening books, check out the The Master Gardener’s Book Shelf.
Lastly, a houseplant journal is a popular item for your notetaking friend, the journaler, and the schedule keeper. These “books” help a houseplant collector track their collections. With spaces for names (scientific and common), watering needs, soil preferences, and observation boxes to fill in with additional information, they can keep track of each and every plant in their home. With the weather keeping us all from doing any outdoor gardening, it’s the perfect time of year to stay inside, be cozy, and catalog that extensive houseplant collection.
A Plant-y Experience
Maybe this year rather than give a physical gift, you try giving an experience for you and your friend. There’s nothing houseplant lovers love more than going to see new plants. So, plan a little outing together to your local botanic garden or greenhouse to see how tropical plants are growing in those environments. While most botanic gardens are planted to look like a natural jungle, if you look closely at the tags of many of the specimens growing, they are the same plants that we bring home as houseplants. It’s always interesting to see how these plants grow in a larger space, to see their growth structure, what their mature leaves look like, and how they can look in the most ideal conditions.
Photos taken at the United States Botanic Garden on the mall and at their production facility in Maryland.
After a jaunt through the greenhouse, you can always surprise them with a trip to your favorite local houseplant store to keep the plant-y fun going or for a meal to talk all about the incredible variety of plants you just got to see.
Giving an experience as a gift not only means you get to spend more time with your loved one than just one day this holiday season, but it also shows that you’re supportive and interested in their hobby. As mentioned in the intro, a houseplant hobby comes with a lot of “stuff” – from pots and soil containers to moss poles, Velcro, and gloves; the accoutrements tend to add up. So don’t add to their piles of clutter; take them out on an adventure instead.
So whether you want to treat the houseplant enthusiasts on your list to a new planter, a book, or a plant-y day out, there’s one guarantee: leaning into their plant obsession is always a great idea. And if you’re still not sure what to wrap up . . . a big bow on a new houseplant will surely delight!