Gifting plants to someone just beginning their journey into gardening can be a thoughtful way to encourage their newfound interest. However, the key is choosing plants that are not only beautiful but also resilient and easy to care for. Here, we’ll explore ten perfect plant gifts that are ideal for green thumb novices, ensuring they have a positive and encouraging start to their gardening endeavors.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

When it comes to plant gifts, the Snake Plant, with its striking, upright leaves and resilient nature, is a fantastic choice for beginners. It thrives on neglect, requiring minimal water and surviving well in low-light conditions, making it perfect for those who might not yet have a routine for plant care. Its air-purifying qualities also add a healthy bonus, improving indoor air quality by removing toxins.

2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider Plants are known for their adaptability and ease of care, making them an excellent gift for novices. They can grow in a variety of lighting conditions and require only moderate watering. Their ability to produce numerous “pups” offers a rewarding experience for a beginner, as they can witness the growth and propagation of their plant first-hand.

3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos – appreciated for its standout heart-shaped leaves and intriguing, trailing vines – is not only visually appealing but also incredibly forgiving. It can thrive in low light and needs only occasional watering, making it hard to kill. Its rapid growth gives a rewarding sense of achievement, perfect for boosting the confidence of a novice gardener.

4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that blooms stunning white flowers, bringing elegance to any space. It’s tolerant of low light, and its watering needs are simple – it visibly droops when thirsty, taking the guesswork out of watering. This responsiveness makes it an interactive plant for a beginner.

5. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ Plant is known for its drought tolerance and ability to survive in low-light conditions, making it nearly indestructible. Its glossy, oval-shaped leaves add a touch of sophistication to any room. It’s one of the ideal plant gifts for beginners who might not have a consistent watering schedule yet.

6. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Aloe Vera is not just simple to care for but also offers practical benefits. It requires minimal watering and thrives in indirect light as long as it’s suitably bright. The gel from aloe vera leaves can be used to soothe minor burns and skin irritations, making it a plant that’s both decorative and useful for novice gardeners.

7. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

The Jade Plant is a succulent that’s ideal for those new to plant care, thanks to its low water requirements and preference for bright light. Its thick, glossy leaves store water, allowing it to withstand periods of neglect. The Jade Plant can also live for many years, growing alongside its caretaker.

8. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The Rubber Plant is a robust plant that can add a touch of the tropics to any interior. It has large, attractive leaves and is relatively easy to care for, needing only moderate light and occasional watering. Its ability to grow tall makes it an excellent statement plant for beginners looking to make an impact.

9. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy is a versatile plant that can thrive indoors with moderate exposure to sunlight and regular watering. Its trailing vines can add a beautiful, cascading element to shelves or hanging baskets, providing instant gratification to a novice gardener. It’s also known for its air-purifying properties, making it a healthy addition to the home.

10. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Boston Fern is a lush, evergreen plant that adds a vibrant touch of greenery to any space. It prefers humid conditions and indirect light, making it perfect for a bathroom or kitchen. Regular misting and watering will keep it thriving, introducing novices to a simple plant care routine.

Why These Are the Perfect Plant Gifts for Green Thumb Novices

Gifting plants to someone new to gardening is a fantastic way to support their interest in a healthy, nurturing hobby. By choosing plants that are forgiving and easy to care for, you help ensure their experience is positive and fulfilling. Each of these ten plant gifts offers something unique, from air purification to medicinal benefits, making them perfect for green thumb novices eager to embark on their gardening journey.

For over a year now, many people have spent more time indoors than usual. The bonus? More time to admire your indoor plants? The downside? Well, truthfully, there are a lot. But plant-wise, it’s probably realizing that most of your pretty plants don’t do much to refresh the stale air in your home. So add these indoor plants that produce soothing aromas to your space to freshen up your living quarters.

Set Realistic Expectations

A lot of people have unrealistic expectations about what their houseplants can do. No, adorning your home with plants won’t remove every single airborne toxin. And while these indoor plants that produce soothing aromas can help deliver a dollop of fragrance, they won’t envelop your home in a floral perfume. Tamper your expectations. Because these plants won’t replace your trusty air freshener, placement is key. Save these plants for walk-by areas so you can enjoy a pleasant whiff as you pass by.

Most Herbs

Most herbs are easy to grow indoors and have a strong scent. The type of herb you choose obviously depends on your scent preferences. Keep in mind that herbs require a bit more maintenance than many popular houseplants. You’ll have to water them more often and harvest the leaves to prevent flowering.

Keep herbs near the kitchen, so they’re easy to grab when you’re cooking or plating.

Eucalyptus

You can grow eucalyptus indoors, but dried eucalyptus branches are even easier to deal with. You can style them in a large vase or hang them in the bathroom. Then, when you take a shower, the humid space will fill with a burst of freshness.

Scented Geranium

Not all scented geraniums are made equal. Some give off more pungent smells that are better for outdoor growing and keeping away mosquitoes. But there are also plenty of geraniums that give off pleasant aromas like lemon and chocolate.

These plants need lots of light and some pruning to keep their shape. They also like consistent moisture levels.

Citrus

A little trickier to care for than most houseplants, citrus plants like lemon, lime, and grapefruit, produce fragrant blossoms with a heavenly scent. You’ll need to give these plants plenty of light and adequate humidity levels. Keeping them away from drafty parts of your house is also key to preventing stress-related problems.

Hoya

I’ve currently got a little hoya plant on my office bookshelf, but it’s not even close to big enough to produce flowers. When it eventually blooms, though, the blossoms will give off a subtle, sweet scent. To bloom, hoya needs a lot of light, so keep it in a bright area. Water only once the soil has dried up between waterings.

A Word of Caution

Many scented plants are bad news for pets, and some can even be harmful to humans. So if you have cats, dogs, or other domesticated animals wandering about, be sure to check whether a plant is toxic before putting it within reach of curious noses and mouths. Want to find out if a plant is poisonous? Check out the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Read More:

• Where to Buy Seeds for Microgreens
• How to Get Plant Spacing Right
• A Frugal Gardener Is a Patient Gardener

Let’s get one thing straight. You probably won’t improve your home’s air quality by filling it with indoor plants that can purify the air. According to a National Geographic piece from 2019, houseplants won’t do much to clean your home’s air. 

Most of the advice about air-purifying houseplants comes from an old NASA study. In a 2019 article in the Atlantic, Robinson Meyer reports that the study was indeed on the up and up, but it doesn’t quite translate to the real world. Plants do have cleaning abilities, but they just can’t handle cleaning an entire room, let alone a whole house of pollutants. Cleaning the air in your entire house would necessitate becoming a plant hoarder–which, come to think of it, isn’t a terribly unappealing idea. 

It’s no surprise that this myth about indoor plants that can purify air has proliferated online. I believed it at one point! NASA did a study? It must be true! Unfortunately, that study results have taken on a life of their own. People love to talk about the air purifying qualities of plants. 

But unless you’re filling your home from floor to ceiling with plants—eliminating a clear path to walk—your pretty house plants aren’t doing much to clean the air. You’re better off investing in an air purifier if you’re worried about air quality. 

Houseplants still have a variety of benefits, though! They’re attractive and are an inexpensive way to spruce up a room. They make great gifts, and research even shows that having houseplants can help boost your mental health.  

A Brief Word About Air Quality

In-home air quality is a complicated thing. Gardeners love to spend time outdoors but did you know that keeping your windows open can contribute to poor indoor air quality? If there’s a lot of traffic nearby or the air is particularly bad outside, letting it in will only serve to tank the air quality in your home.

Other things that can contribute to poor air quality include:

• Cooking
• Faulty appliances
• Fuel-burning appliances, like a gas stove or furnace
• New construction
• Household products like cleaning supplies and candles
• Mold

Don’t let their lack of air-purifying abilities dissuade you from acquiring houseplants. They certainly won’t make your air worse. Here’s a video that goes through some of the easiest houseplants to take care of. Bonus: they’re also some of the easiest to find for cheap!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy3oE5xAivY

Ever since the pandemic began, I slowly started buying houseplants. I’d scour my favorite online nurseries and pounce when they had a sale or coupon code up for grabs. Of course, I already had some plants before the COVID situation, but adding more made my home feel cozier, livelier.

When buying plants, I always opt for the smallest size because smaller plants are cheaper. I don’t mind starting with tiny nursery plants. I feel accomplished when they start to outgrow their small pots. Still, it’s a huge bummer when houseplants you’ve spent money on wilt and die.

I’ve been caring for a host of new plants this past year, and I can tell you which are worth your time and money. Here are 5 houseplants that won’t waste your money.

Snake Plant

When buying houseplants, I always look for ones that will fit my interior environment and my lifestyle. I have three types of lighting situations: two very sunny rooms, one partially shaded room, and another with very little light. When it comes to watering, I’m forgetful (but I have a handy app that reminds me when to care for my plants!) and prefer to fill my home with low-maintenance plants. Snake plants are the ultimate low-maintenance plants. They’re also supremely attractive and give off a tropical vibe without needing specialized care.

Prayer Plant

Prayer plants provide a huge visual impact. Their showy leaves come in a variety of colors. The plants are also pretty easy to maintain. They like a lot of moisture, so they need frequent watering. If you tend to overwater your plants, prayer plants are a great option because it’s tough to overwater them. They also don’t mind partial shade conditions.

Zebra Plant

Buying manageable houseplants doesn’t mean you’re stuck with visually boring specimens. I love the attractive stripey leaves on this plant. Zebra plants also require a lot of moisture, but the great thing about them is that they’ll tell you when they’re thirsty. The leaves immediately droop when it’s time for watering—a handy signal for the forgetful gardener.

Calathea

These come in a slew of varieties, and they’re all gorgeous. Calatheas can handle low light and have moderate watering needs. In my experience, they’re pretty tough to kill!

Sword fern

A lot of people have trouble with ferns. I’ve heard past wisdom that they’re fairly difficult to care for. I’ve had the opposite experience. As long as you provide them with plenty of water and keep the soil moist, they’re happy. They also don’t mind shade and actually prefer to be out of direct sunlight.

Quick plant care tips

I use an app that reminds me when it’s time to water each of my plants. Previously, I’d water them all on the same schedule, which is a no-no. It’s tough to remember each plant’s individual needs, though. I suggest creating a spreadsheet with a watering schedule to help you get used to each plant’s needs. Add reminders to your calendar, planner, or phone, so you don’t forget.

Always have a watering can—any cheap one will do!—on hand, so you can water at a moment’s notice.

I have two watering cans at the ready at all times. One is for watering, and the other contains liquid fertilizer. Having them both prepped and ready to go means I never skip out on plant care tasks.

Whether you’re away on business a lot, or you frequently visit family throughout the year, it can be hard to keep fussy plants alive when you’re away from home. Thankfully, there are plenty of suitable houseplants for frequent travelers.

My house is starting to resemble a jungle these days. I’ve been adding greenery during the pandemic because it feels comforting to bring the outdoors in, for some reason. While I’m not heading off on vacation anytime soon, I’m well aware of the challenge involved in keeping plants alive while away.

What to look for

When picking low-maintenance houseplants, there are a few things to consider, including:

• Light requirements. Chances are that if you’re traveling often, you’re not leaving your curtains open. You should choose plants that are tolerant of low-light conditions.
• Water requirements. Don’t pick plants that need daily watering if you’re someone who is away from home a lot. Choose species that don’t mind (and even prefer!) if the soil dries out.
• Disease-resistant. If you’re away often, you might not spot problems like pests and diseases early enough. Avoid these issues right off the bat by opting for disease and pest-resistant varieties.
• Toxicity. If you have pets, always check whether a plant is toxic before bringing it into your home. Someone who stays in your home with your dog may not realize the plants are poisonous. Likewise, if you ask someone to feed your cat every day, your kitty, when left alone, might enjoy a harmful nibble.

Best plants for frequent travelers

Here are my picks for top houseplants for frequent travelers.

Cacti and Succulents

This is a grouping of plants that require very little TLC. In fact, being away might actually a plus for these oft-spiky and plump plants. Neither needs much water, and overwatering can even cause deadly root rot. Your time away is likely to be beneficial to your relationship.

Spider Plant

This is a notoriously easy plant to care for. It grows quickly, looks great in a tabletop or hanging container, and doesn’t mind a bit of shade. The plants also produce “babies,” which you can re-pot for more spider plants!

Philodendrons

I have had a heart leaf philodendron in my kitchen for five years now. I often forget to water it for weeks on end, and it never seems bothered by my neglect. It’s a lovely low-maintenance plant that looks gorgeous in a hanging planter.

Snake Plants

This is one of my favorite plant varieties. Snake plants are such a visual marvel. They don’t mind low light conditions, and they’re very tough to kill. Don’t worry about not watering for a few days or weeks, these sturdy plants can handle it.

Peperomia

These cute lil’ plants are easy to maintain and come in a variety of textures and colors. They don’t mind low light spaces, and they prefer for their soil to dry out between waterings. In fact, I killed my first peperomia because I overwatered it! Most of the houseplants I’ve murdered have met their end because I was overzealous with watering. Oops!