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.

Every year around this time as I walk around the neighborhood with my dogs or pass by homes on my morning runs, I see the insane amount of people who throw away potted plants. In the summer, when the weather is hot and toasty, people calmer to buy all the beautiful plants at the nursery. In the spring, baskets of flowers are popular. In the middle of the summer, people buy tropical palms and glorious ferns to hang around their backyard patios. Now, during the fall, its chrysanthemums are all the rage. Pumpkins start to appear on front porches, too.

I love seeing all this plant life around town. And I’m just as susceptible to plant sales and attractive displays of greenery. This summer, I brought a gorgeous banana plant home and found it a home on my back deck among a pretty display of string lights. With a single plant, I created a tropical atmosphere and made the space the perfect place to relax, unwind, and entertain.

Almost as soon as September rolled around, though, the nighttime temperatures dipped considerably. Afraid that my plants (I also bought two pink-stemmed plants to adorn my patio table) would succumb to the cold, I promptly brought them inside.

I urge all plant lovers and frugal gardeners to do the same! Those beautiful heat-loving tropicals can’t hack frosty temps, and while some are more tender than others, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Bring in your potted plants and enjoy their blooms and foliage for an extended period of time.

I placed my banana tree in my living room, and it’s my new favorite place to hang out. I feel like I’m in a cozy indoor oasis. Don’t leave your plants out to die! Don’t let them wither away! What a waste of money! Take care of your precious plants by sheltering them from the cold, and you’ll be rewarded with a continued display of beauty. If you manage to adequately care for your plants during the winter, you’ll be able to set them out again once the weather warms. You’ll escape the need to spend money next spring.

Many potted plants don’t need as much attention in the winter anyhow, so bringing them in won’t leave you with extra work on your hands. Watering needs typically diminish during the cold months. Tropical plants, however, may require higher levels of humidity than are possible in your winter home. Place a humidifier nearby or spritz your plants with a spray bottle every so often. The spring is the best time to re-home your plant into a slightly larger vessel.

Don’t have any tropical plants or potted flowers to bring inside? If you have a potted vegetable plant, it may be a good idea to bring that in, as well. Shelter potted peppers indoors and you’ll have an extended harvest. Give them plenty of warmth and sunlight, and you’ll be able to pick peppers throughout the off-season.

Do you bring your potted plants indoors? Have you been able to keep a plant alive for more than a season this way? Share your story in the comments!