20 Plant Gift Ideas to Delight Green-Thumbed Friends
Looking for something more meaningful than another scented candle or coffee mug? Plant gifts deliver color, life, and a daily reminder of your thoughtfulness—and they suit every budget from a single succulent to a fully loaded delivery of blooms. We’ve hand-picked a collection of living plants and plant-inspired goodies that work for birthdays, house-warmings, thank-yous, sympathy gestures, corporate perks, and everything in between. Better yet, many of them quietly clean the air and lift the mood long after the wrapping paper is gone.
Up next you’ll find 20 fresh ideas, starting with an Ottawa-based same-day plant delivery option and branching into easy-care favorites, specialty specimens, and smart accessories and budget-friendly surprises even veteran gardeners will appreciate. For each suggestion we’ve tucked in presentation tips, quick care notes, and clever pairings—so you can hit “add to cart” or DIY with confidence. Ready to pick a gift that keeps growing? Let’s get to the list right away.
1. Personalized Plant Delivery From Ottawa Flowers
Need a last-minute, foolproof gift? Ottawa Flowers will deliver a thriving plant right on schedule while you stay stress-free.
Why It Stands Out
Same-day or exact-time drop-offs and temperature-controlled vans protect the foliage; add balloons, chocolates, or a MyRoses® bouquet.
Best Plant Picks to Send
Low-maintenance pothos, bright kalanchoe, or a Designer’s Choice seasonal beauty—all with free delivery inside 30 km on $75+.
Presentation & Care Tips
Ask for the printed care card and have the team pot it in a woven basket or ceramic planter for instant display.
2. Low-Maintenance Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The hardy snake plant is a fool-proof gift—it stays alive where most plants surrender.
What Makes It a Great Gift
Virtually indestructible; thrives in low light, needs watering only every few weeks, and filters indoor toxins—ideal for busy professionals or new plant parents.
Varieties to Consider
- ‘Laurentii’ with bold yellow edges
- Silvery ‘Moonshine’ leaves
- Compact ‘Hahnii’ perfect for desks or shelves
How to Wrap It
Slip the nursery pot into a kraft paper sleeve, cinch with jute twine, and add a handwritten care tag noting “low light—water monthly.”
3. Lucky Bamboo for Prosperity
Lucky bamboo (actually a dracaena) is a feng-shui staple for prosperity and good vibes—simple, stylish, and almost impossible to kill.
Symbolic Meaning
Symbolizes luck, wealth, and harmony—an ideal house-warming or new-job token.
Arrangement Ideas
- 3 stalks = happiness
- 5 stalks = health
- 8 stalks = abundance; display twists in a pebble-filled glass vase
Care Essentials
- Roots in filtered water; change weekly
- Bright, indirect light
- Fertilize monthly at half strength
4. Mini Succulent Garden in a Shallow Dish
4. Mini Succulent Garden in a Shallow Dish
Gift Appeal
A pint-size desert landscape that fits on any windowsill, this dish garden is low-mess, low-maintenance, and 100 % Instagram-ready—perfect for apartment dwellers or office mates.
DIY Assembly Guide
- Add 1 cm drainage pebbles.
- Spoon in cactus mix.
- Nestle contrasting rosette succulents.
- Top with colored sand or preserved moss for pop.
Add-On Suggestions
Pair with a makeup-brush–style duster and a squeeze-bottle waterer to prevent overwatering and keep leaves pristine.
5. Air-Purifying ZZ Plant
Glossy Zamioculcas zamiifolia—aka the ZZ plant—survives on neglect and filters indoor toxins, making it a foolproof, air-boosting present.
Health Benefits
NASA’s Clean Air Study found ZZ plants reduce xylene, toluene, and benzene levels indoors.
Best Situations
Pick it for forgetful friends, dimly lit offices, or pet-free homes (the leaves are mildly toxic).
Styling Tips
Slip a six-inch specimen into a matte-black cylinder pot for instant Scandinavian chic.
6. Flowering Orchid in Decorative Pot
A flowering orchid feels like instant luxury yet slips easily onto any windowsill—perfect when you need a gift that looks high-end without taking up space.
Why Orchids Wow Recipients
- 6–10-week bloom time beats any bouquet
- Symbol of elegance and achievement
Choosing the Right Variety
- Phalaenopsis: easiest for beginners
- Oncidium or Dendrobium: for hobbyists seeking a challenge
Care Cheat-Sheet
- Water: 3 ice cubes weekly; never leave roots soggy
- Light: bright, indirect sun
- Humidity: around 40 %—mist lightly or place on a pebble tray
7. Kitchen Windowsill Herb Starter Kit
Culinary & Aromatic Perks
A sunny sill sprouting basil, mint, and parsley gives the cook in your life instant flavor boosts and that “just picked” scent—no grocery trip required.
What to Include
Pack biodegradable pots, compressed organic soil pellets, labeled seed packets or young starts, and a drip tray to protect the sill.
Gifting Angle
Tuck in a pesto recipe or mojito card, and wrap the box with twine for a rustic, farmers-market feel.
8. Closed-Top Terrarium DIY Kit
A closed-top terrarium is a tiny rainforest in glass—fun to build and virtually maintenance-free once sealed.
Mini Ecosystem Magic
Condensation recycles moisture, letting roots, moss, and tiny ferns flourish with nearly zero upkeep.
Kit Components Checklist
- Lidded glass jar
- Activated charcoal
- Drainage gravel
- Sphagnum moss
- Potting mix
- Mini fern or fittonia
- Tiny figurine
Assembly Instructions
Layer gravel, charcoal, moss, soil, then plants; mist lightly, snap on the lid, and set in bright indirect light.
9. Bonsai Tree for Desk Décor
A miniature bonsai brings zen vibes and conversation value to any desk without hogging space.
Symbolism & Serenity
Embodies patience and harmony—daily mindfulness for fast-paced offices.
Beginner Species
- Ficus microcarpa ‘Ginseng’ tolerates missed waterings.
- Juniper procumbens thrives in bright windows.
Maintenance Pointers
- Prune new shoots monthly to keep form.
- Water when topsoil feels dry, never soggy.
- Provide 6–8 hours of indirect light.
10. Cascading Pothos Hanging Basket
10. Cascading Pothos Hanging Basket
Instant Greenery Impact
Nothing greens up a space faster than a pothos basket; vines tumble down, softening shelves and brightening blank corners within weeks.
Varietal Choices
- Golden with chartreuse splashes
- Marble Queen’s white variegation
- Neon lime for bold color
Display & Care
Hang from a sturdy ceiling hook near an east window, water when the top inch dries, and rotate monthly for balanced, full vines.
11. Self-Watering Planter Set
A self-watering planter removes watering guesswork—perfect for newbies or frequent travelers who want to gift a worry-free green companion.
Problem It Solves
No more soggy roots or crispy leaves; the hidden reservoir feeds roots only when the soil dries.
Key Features to Highlight
- Wicking cord draws moisture
- Clear window shows water level
- BPA-free ceramic or plastic
Ideal Plant Pairings
Slip in thirsty African violets, begonias, or countertop basil for foolproof growth that practically waters itself.
12. Designer Watering Can or Brass Mister
Swap plastic jugs for a sculptural watering can or brass mister—practical yet giftable.
Functional Art
Its clean lines mean it stays on the shelf like décor.
Materials & Sizes
Choose a 1-liter stainless steel long-spout model for precision, or a 300 ml glass mister for humidity lovers.
Bundle Idea
Slip in a mini fern and microfiber leaf cloth for an instant care combo.
13. Monthly Plant Subscription Box
Know someone who squeals at every new leaf? Gift them a plant-of-the-month surprise.
Ongoing Excitement
Each box delivers a new species or tool monthly, turning gift-day excitement into year-round anticipation.
What to Look For in a Service
Check plant size, care level, sustainable packaging, pause options, and regional winter shipping policies.
Presentation Tip
Print the e-voucher, tuck it inside a monstera card, add confetti.
14. LED Grow Light Bar for Low-Light Homes
Why It’s Useful
Apartment windows face brick walls? A slim, plug-in grow bar floods shelves with full-spectrum photons so tropicals stay lush even through Canadian winters.
Specs to Mention
- 400–700 nm PAR range
- Built-in 3-, 6-, 12-hour timer
- 20 W consumption; adjustable gooseneck arms
- Clip or adhesive mount for cabinets
Recommended Companion Plants
Basil, peperomia, rubber-tree starts, or a fledgling fiddle-leaf fig all thrive under supplemental rays.
15. Soil Moisture Meter
Unsure whether to water yet? A handheld moisture meter answers in seconds, saving foliage—and your nerves.
Gift Benefit
Prevents root rot and wilting—ideal for gadget lovers and anxious beginners who crave concrete data.
How It Works
Metal probe senses moisture; the analog dial shows a spectrum from ‘1-dry’ to ‘10-wet’ at a glance.
Add-On
Pair with compact pH and light meters to create a complete, pocket-size plant health kit.
16. Vintage Botanical Print Wall Art
Among plant gift ideas, flat art brings greenery when surfaces are already packed.
For the Plant Lover With No Space
A framed print offers year-round nature, zero maintenance.
Selection Ideas
- Victorian fern lithographs, lush and detailed
- Antique cactus studies with Latin labels
- Minimalist single-line monstera sketches
Display Suggestions
Use reclaimed-wood frames or float glass, grouping three for a gallery wall.
17. Leaf-Inspired Jewelry Pieces
Wearable leaves turn affection into everyday style—ideal when shelf space is already maxed out.
Sentimental Touch
A necklace that echoes a favorite monstera leaf feels personal and always close.
Material & Style Tips
Choose 14-k gold-plated pieces for elegance or resin-cast real foliage for boho authenticity.
Packaging
Tuck it into a kraft box lined with dried petals and a care card.
18. Seed-Embedded Greeting Cards
If you want a greeting that keeps blooming, send a plantable card. Seed-infused recycled paper turns your message into herbs or wildflowers instead of trash.
Zero-Waste Bonus
Zero packaging waste and a built-in bouquet come in one thoughtful envelope.
How to Use
- Soak card overnight.
- Cover with 1/8" soil; keep moist.
- Sprouts in 7–10 days.
Occasions
- Birthdays
- Baby showers
- Eco weddings
19. Gardener’s Hand Cream & Spa Gift Set
19. Gardener’s Hand Cream & Spa Gift Set
Why Plant People Love It
Hours in soil leave hands parched; a rich cream restores moisture and feels like instant self-care.
What to Include
Scrub, shea or calendula balm, cuticle oil, cotton gloves, and a soothing eucalyptus candle.
Personalization
Add a tag: “For the hands that help things grow,” plus a packet of wildflower seeds.
20. Gift Card to a Local Plant Nursery or Garden Center
When you’re stumped, a nursery gift card guarantees the recipient picks the perfect plant.
Flexibility Advantage
They can shop when seasonal stock is lush, quiz staff for advice, and pick pots or soil too.
Suggested Amounts
Gift $25 for accessories, $50 for mid-size greenery, $100+ for statement trees.
Creative Delivery
Tuck the card into a mini terra-cotta pot with soil.
A Gift That Grows On Them
From hardy snake plants for serial forget-waterers to spa sets for soil-stained hands, these 20 plant gift ideas cover every personality, price point, and square foot of living space. You now have options that bloom for months, clean the air, flavor dinner, or simply make a desk feel calmer—each one lasting long after candles burn out or chocolates disappear. Ready to turn inspiration into action? Browse the full collection of live plants, accessories, and same-day delivery bundles at Ottawa Flowers and let your next gift keep on growing. 🌿