Why plants make the perfect gifts

Plants really do make great gifts. Not only do they have the power to reduce stress and create a sense of calm, but the act of nurturing a plant is a meditative routine that helps us focus and relax – plus, nothing beats the joy of seeing your treasured houseplant grow. Great for any occasion – from new homes to birthdays, graduations to Christmas – plants are personal, versatile and can work for any style and experience level. Need convincing? Read on...

They might be a homebody or an avid nomad. They could love bright colours or prefer a minimalist palette. Perhaps they have a sprawling garden or a cosy balcony. The beauty of plants is there really is something for every personality, lifestyle and home. 

For those with less space to play with, choose a hanging plant, like Rapunzel the golden pothos or Emma the tradescantia nanouk, both of which bring leafy greens without taking up too much room. If they have a busy schedule, or prefer to take a hands-off approach to plant care, opt for an easy care or (almost) unkillable plant like Susie the snake plant, or Sharon the parlour palm. For those with young children or pets, a non-toxic option is a thoughtful way to consider everyone in their household. 

Celebrating a birthday, attending a housewarming or congratulating their success? From life milestones to every day moments, plants happily work as gifts for almost any occasion. For birthdays, go for something bold to celebrate another year of life in style – like Zabrina the elephant ear, or Rob the rubber plant. To add a bit of zest to a new home, Vivi the lemon tree makes for a memorable (and delicious) gift. If you’re welcoming a newborn or a new pet, there are lots of pet-and-baby-friendly plants that can grow up alongside them – like Howard the cast iron plant or Bertie the Boston fern.

Plants are steeped in symbolism. If you're struggling to put your thoughts into words, let a leafy friend say them for you. For those in need of a little serenity, a Peace lily is the perfect choice. If they're embarking on a new adventure or starting a job, Chinese money plants and Pachira aquatica are perfect for wishing someone good fortune and success, while Lemon trees symbolise prosperity and wealth. Calatheas symbolise gratitude and new beginnings, great options for saying thank you or to celebrate a new home. And if it's time to repair relations, extend an Olive branch – literally. 

Giving someone a living thing that they can nurture and look after encourages mindfulness, eases anxiety and helps focus. Many scientific studies support the idea that plants can improve our mental health and help to lift our spirits. This makes your present not just something nice to look at – it actually has fantastic therapeutic benefits too.

Gifting plants is really easy and fun. And because they last longer than flowers, it’s a gift that can be enjoyed for a long time. Just pick the plant or gift set you’d like to send and it’ll be with that lucky person in no time. Make it extra special with a care accessory, a candle or some chocolate and add a greetings card to include your own personal message. Not sure where to begin? We've paired our bestselling plants and pots together to create easy, ready-to-grow bundles. It's gifting, made easy.