Potted Plant Gifts

The next time you're not sure what to get someone as a gift, consider getting a potted plant. Potted plants are suitable for any holiday or occasion, and make a cheerful decorative addition to any home or office. More practical than cut flowers, they retain their beauty and last much longer so they can be enjoyed for months or years. When choosing potted plants, take the occasion and the recipient into consideration to make the right choice.

Classic Flowers

Flowers are bright and lively so they make a strong impact when given as gifts. Some popular potted flowers plants that are suitable for sunny windows or porches are chrysanthemums, petunias, zinnias, birds of paradise, lantana, pansies, tulips and marigolds.

Classic Foliage

Leafy plants always make a lovely display in hanging planters, or for table tops. With attractive leafy plants, you don't have to worry about missing that narrow window of time when blooming is at it's peak. Some popular choices are coleus, caladium, English ivy, ferns, kangaroo vine, aloe and potted palms. Try miniature evergreen shrubs, such as Chinese evergreen or Japanese pagoda holly.

Useful Herbs

If your friend likes to cook, a gift of a favorite culinary herb won't go to waste. Some popular potted herbs are parsley, basil, thyme, cilantro, sage, rosemary, mint and oregano. You can give one herb in a small pot, or for a bigger gift, fill a small window box with a variety of herbs.

Holiday Plants

Many plants are associated with specific holidays: Christmas means poinsettias while lilies make a beautiful gift at Easter. Miniature roses make a lovely presentation for Mother's Day or Valentine's Day. A Muslim friend would appreciate a pretty flower, such as orchids, for Eid, or buy a myrtle to give to Jewish friends for Sukkot.

Office Friendly Plants

If you're giving a gift to a business associate or a professional in an office, choose low maintenance plants that grow well in low or indirect light, such as dracaena, philodendron, African violet, ficus or a rubber plant.

Unexpected Choices

For an exciting and unusual gift, consider giving a bonsai tree. These miniature trees require a lot of attention, but taking care of them can be a fun hobby. Carnivorous plants, such as Venus flytraps, pitcher plants or sundew, can make an interesting educational gift for a child. A small potted cacti garden looks like a miniature desert.