Plants

How to Give Plants as Gifts

1. A plant is the gift that keeps on giving. If cut flowers aren't the recipient's thing, why not give a gorgeous potted plant that he or she can enjoy for a long time to come?

2. There are thousands of varieties of plants that make for great gifts. Choose the recipient's favorite if you know what it is; otherwise, choose a plant that has a traditional meaning to express your message.

3. Bonsai plants, for example, are unique Japanese plants that express good luck. If you give a bonsai plant as a gift, it's a good idea to include an informational pamphlet or instructional sheet on how to care for it, as bonsai plants require some special attention.

4. Roses are always in style! Express love, friendship, and devotion with the gift of a rose bush. Choose a miniature bush for indoors, or choose a regular rose bush that can be re-planted outdoors if the recipient has garden space.

5. Flowering plants in general make great gifts and can express all types of sentiments. Marigolds, chrysanthemums, impatiens, and zinnias are all brilliantly colored flowering plants that make great gifts.

6. If flowers don't seem right, don't worry - a lush green plant works well for any occasion. Green plants come in all sizes and types, from flowing philodendrons to unique compact cacti.

7. The key to giving a plant as a gift is to choose carefully. Make sure the recipient has room for the plant, either at home or in the office, and find out how large the plant is going to get. Some plants are only appropriate for outdoor settings, so they should be given only in the right season to recipients who have the appropriate space to do so.

8. Don't forget that the pot is important, too! Giving a plant as a gift lets you express yourself in more than one way. Choose an appropriate, reusable pot in the recipient's favorite color, or hand-paint the pot with a message of congratulations, thanks, or well wishes.

9. Not all plants are ideal for all types of recipients. Those who don't know much about growing things won't do well with a high-maintenance plant. Luckily, there are plants available that span all skill levels. Just choose carefully.

10. Aside from the meaning of the gift itself, a growing plant has its own special message. It's a symbol of renewal and life, and it gives the recipient something to enjoy far after the gift-giving occasion is over. Give a plant as a gift today!