Shop by need
Buy Plants That Make Good Gifts Online
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
Easy, good-looking plants that survive a new home.
The best gift plants are forgiving, look good on day one and come with clear care. Check the recipient's pets before you choose.
How to choose
- Start with your light, then pick from the plants below that match it.
- Compare by pot size, not plant name, when comparing prices.
- Order in mild weather or from a shop that heat-packs in winter.
- Pets: check the pet column; not every plant here is pet-safe.
Photo: Vinayaraj / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsPeace LilySpathiphyllumMedium lightNot pet-safeEasy
Philodendron BirkinPhilodendron 'Birkin'Bright indirect lightNot pet-safeModerate
Photo: Flickr user Forest and Kim Starr / CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsString of PearlsCurio rowleyanusBright indirect lightNot pet-safeModerate
Photo: Abu Shawka / Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsJade PlantCrassula ovataBright + some sun lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: Wildfeuer / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsMoth OrchidPhalaenopsisMedium lightPet-safeModerate
Photo: Sang83 / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsHoya (Wax Plant)Hoya carnosaBright indirect lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: James St. John / CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsPeperomiaPeperomia obtusifolia and othersMedium lightPet-safeEasy
Money TreePachira aquaticaMedium lightPet-safeEasy
Ponytail PalmBeaucarnea recurvataBright + some sun lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: Pepe-MS / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsChinese Money PlantPilea peperomioidesBright indirect lightPets: checkEasy
Photo: Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsBegoniaBegonia spp.Bright indirect lightNot pet-safeModerate
Photo: ANNE LOTTE / CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsAfrican VioletSaintpaulia spp.Bright indirect lightPet-safeModerate
Photo: Mojmir Churavy / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsIndoor Bonsai TreeUsually FicusBright + some sun lightNot pet-safeModerate
AlocasiaAlocasia spp.Bright indirect lightNot pet-safeChallenging
Photo: Sciencia58 / CC0, Wikimedia CommonsAnthuriumAnthurium andraeanumBright indirect lightNot pet-safeModerate
Photo: Daderot / CC0, Wikimedia CommonsAir PlantTillandsia spp.Bright indirect lightPets: checkEasy
Photo: Andrey Butko / CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsChristmas CactusSchlumbergera spp.Medium lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: Alfredo SÁNCHEZ GARZÓN / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsLavenderLavandula angustifoliaBright + some sun lightNot pet-safeChallenging
Photo: Nathaly 1106 / CC0, Wikimedia CommonsBromeliadGuzmania and other bromeliadsBright indirect lightPet-safeEasy
Photo: Carol VanHook / CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsKalanchoeKalanchoe blossfeldianaBright + some sun lightNot pet-safeEasy
Photo: bertknot from scarborough, australia / CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsNorfolk Island PineAraucaria heterophyllaBright indirect lightPet-safeModerate
Photo: James St. John / CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsPolka Dot PlantHypoestes phyllostachyaBright indirect lightPet-safeModerate
Photo: Sangianense / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsStaghorn FernPlatycerium bifurcatumBright indirect lightPet-safeModerate
Photo: Tanvir Anjum Adib / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsGardeniaGardenia jasminoidesBright + some sun lightNot pet-safeChallengingAt a glance
| Plant | Light | Water | Pet-safe | Difficulty | Shops confirmed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace Lily | Medium | Keep lightly moist | No | Easy | 4 |
| Philodendron Birkin | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | No | Moderate | 2 |
| String of Pearls | Bright indirect | When soil is dry | No | Moderate | 1 |
| Jade Plant | Bright + some sun | When soil is dry | No | Easy | 3 |
| Moth Orchid | Medium | About weekly | Yes | Moderate | 3 |
| Hoya (Wax Plant) | Bright indirect | When soil is mostly dry | Yes | Easy | 3 |
| Peperomia | Medium | When the top half of soil is dry | Yes | Easy | 2 |
| Money Tree | Medium | When the top 2 in is dry | Yes | Easy | 4 |
| Ponytail Palm | Bright + some sun | When soil is dry | Yes | Easy | 4 |
| Chinese Money Plant | Bright indirect | When the top half of the soil is dry | Not listed | Easy | 1 |
| Begonia | Bright indirect | When the top 1 in of soil is dry | No | Moderate | 1 |
| African Violet | Bright indirect | When the top 1/2 in is dry | Yes | Moderate | 1 |
| Indoor Bonsai Tree | Bright + some sun | When the top 1/2 in of soil is just dry | No | Moderate | 2 |
| Alocasia | Bright indirect | When the top 1-2 in is dry | No | Challenging | 4 |
| Anthurium | Bright indirect | When the top 1-2 in of soil is dry | No | Moderate | 4 |
| Air Plant | Bright indirect | Soak in water for 20-30 minutes every 1-2 weeks, then dry upside down | Not listed | Easy | 2 |
| Christmas Cactus | Medium | When the top 1 in of soil is dry | Yes | Easy | 3 |
| Lavender | Bright + some sun | When the soil is dry 1-2 in down | No | Challenging | 0 |
| Bromeliad | Bright indirect | Keep the soil lightly moist | Yes | Easy | 3 |
| Kalanchoe | Bright + some sun | When the soil is dry | No | Easy | 0 |
| Norfolk Island Pine | Bright indirect | When the top 1 in is dry | Yes | Moderate | 2 |
| Polka Dot Plant | Bright indirect | Keep lightly moist | Yes | Moderate | 2 |
| Staghorn Fern | Bright indirect | Soak the mount every 1-2 weeks | Yes | Moderate | 2 |
| Gardenia | Bright + some sun | Keep evenly moist with room-temperature water | No | Challenging | 4 |
Where to buy plants that make good gifts
Each plant's buying guide lists the shops we have confirmed currently stock it, with what each shop is best for. For shipping and guarantee terms side by side, see Online plant shop policies compared.