Gifts for plant lovers

Tis the season of giving… and plants make the best gifts! They keep on growing and continue to perform well after the festivities are over. To make this holiday season easier for you, we’ve rounded up a wonderful mix of plants that will surprise and delight everyone on your list, from the beginner gardener to the expert green thumb. Here’s our pick of the best gifts for plant lovers.

For the balcony gardener

Hydrangea
(Hydrangea macrophylla)
These big, abundant blooms in white, shades of blue, lavender, pink or red are easy to grow in the ground or a pot. There’s a magical quality about them too – in acidic soils, hydrangeas exhibit more blue tones, while pink is expressed in alkaline soils, allowing you the ability to alter colours by changing the pH of the soil. Position in a semi-shaded spot, with protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Rock orchid
(Dendrobium speciosum)
This native orchid gives so much but demands so little. From late winter to early spring, large clusters of fragrant, creamy white or pale yellow blooms appear on thick, chunky stems (or pseudobulbs), delivering a magnificent floral display. It’s tough and adapts to most conditions, but prefers a spot in full sun that’s shaded from the afternoon sun. Pot up in coarse orchid bark and feed it regularly with an orchid-specific fertiliser.

Star Jasmine
(Trachelospermum jasminoides)
This evergreen climber looks particularly sweet when trained up a trellis, like a bamboo teepee, spiral obelisk or wooden lattice. Star jasmine flowers profusely in spring and early summer, filling the garden with its rich, floral perfume. When it’s not in bloom, its glossy green leaves are a feature. It thrives in full sun or semi-shade.

Lavender
(Lavandula spp.)
With aromatic leaves and spikes of fragrant violet-blue blooms, this flowering perennial is a delightful addition to the garden. It’s perfect as a feature plant on the balcony or patio, especially near a seated area where the perfume can be appreciated. New varieties are constantly available, with variations on flower forms and colours. ‘The Prince’ is a new release from the Lavinnova range and has blackberry-purple flowers with iridescent purple-blue bracts. Position in full sun and water regularly.

For the gourmand

Herb bowl
A selection of potted herbs is sure to win over the food lovers. Pot up a variety of popular herbs in a large bowl, or plant up a themed pot. Italian cuisines call for basil, oregano, sage, thyme and rosemary, while South-East Asian dishes use a mix of coriander, mint, lemongrass, Thai basil and garlic chives. Most herbs require full sun and should be snipped regularly to promote new growth.

Citrus selection
Lemon and lime trees make great gardening gifts, but if your foodie friends already have these, then try other citrus varieties. The leaves of the makrut lime are strongly aromatic and are used to flavour many South-East Asian soups and curries. Cumquat bears an abundance of bite-sized sweet and tart fruit that’s ideal either fresh or cooked into marmalade. Calamondin is a real treat for those who like it sharp. Native finger limes contain colourful, zesty caviar-like pulp that’s a favourite with chefs. All citrus grow best in full sun with well-drained soil.

For the complete novice

ZZ plant
(Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
This evergreen indoor plant, also known as Zanzibar gem, is virtually unkillable. It’s tolerant of low light and extended dry periods, so it’s an ideal plant for beginners. It’s attractive, too, with small glossy green leaves arranged along upright or lightly pendulous stems. ‘Jungle Warrior’ is a relatively new cultivar, with black leaves and stems. Keep it out of the reach of pets. It prefers a brightly lit spot out of direct sunlight. Water when the soil is near dry.

Indian Hawthorn
(Rhaphiolepis indica cultivars)
This is a handsome rounded evergreen shrub with dark green foliage and masses of white or pink flowers in spring and early summer. It thrives in a pot or garden and is drought tolerant once established. Position in full sun or semi-shade, and make sure it has well-drained soil. This low-maintenance shrub can be left to form a loose but neat bun, clipped to shape or pruned into a low border or hedge.

Kalanchoe
(Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
These succulents have a long flowering season with blooms in red, pink, purple, orange and yellow. The scallop-shaped fleshy foliage is attractive and a good indicator that these plants can survive long periods without watering, although they’ll appreciate a good drink every now and then, especially during hot, dry conditions. Give them a spot in full sun with a free-draining mix.

For the indoor enthusiast

Begonia

With foliage in a dazzling array of colours, textures, shapes and patterns, begonias are perfect for livening up an indoor plant display. Rex begonias are the showiest, often with vibrant coloured leaves in shades of red, pink, purple, green, silver and green. Begonia ‘Escargot’ has spiral, snail-like foliage, and B. ‘Iron Cross’ has bright green, roughly textured leaves with dark brown, cross-shaped centres. They need a spot with bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity.

Hoya
Once considered old fashioned, hoyas are now back in the spotlight. Their varied and intriguing leaf forms, ranging from heart-shaped to gnarly and twisted, mean there’s a hoya to suit all tastes. Plus, the waxy, fragrant flowers are a fabulous feature, appearing during the warmer months, as long as they have sufficient light. Hoyas prefer bright, indirect light. Water when the top 2.5–5cm of the mix is dry.

Rhipsalis
This is often referred to as jungle cactus due to its fleshy segmented stems, which may be thin, cylindrical or flattened, smooth or hairy. These epiphytes usually live on trees at high altitudes, where there are alternate periods of heavy rains and extended dry periods. As house plants, they grow best in a well-lit area, out of direct sunlight. While they tolerate extended dry periods, they grow better with regular watering.

Variegated monstera
For the plant aficionado, variegated monsteras are at the top of the wishlist. Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ has flecks and splashes of white on green leaves. While it can be found in nurseries, availability is usually limited. M. deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’ is even more elusive, sometimes available in boutique plant stores or through online plant groups. Due to their ‘unicorn’ status, variegated monsteras usually cost a few hundred dollars, so the receiver of this special plant will feel very loved!

Want more great gardening gift ideas? Check out this article, Gifts from the garden.

Header image by Sue Stubbs