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Best Plants to Give as Gifts (A List)

If you’re thinking of giving a plant as a gift, you’re made a great choice. There are many styles, types, and benefits of plants to ensure that there’s something for everyone. Plants are excellent options for almost all occasions, including housewarmings, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and other celebrations.

Some plants are believed to attract positive energy, while others are scientifically proven to purify the air that you breathe. Some are easy to take care of while others can be extremely sensitive. Additionally, these living things often have hidden meanings, which you can use to express your true feelings. For these reasons, plants can be fantastic presents for various occasions.

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With all that said, what are the best plants to give as gifts? Let’s find out.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo

The lucky bamboo is one of the most popular Feng Shui gifts around the world due to numerous reasons. For one, this plant is easy to care for, and it can thrive in all kinds of light. In Feng Shui, the lucky bamboo is considered a good luck plant because it’s said to be able to attract positive energy, bringing harmony and good fortune into the house. Because of these reasons, this plant is an excellent gift for new homeowners. 

When giving lucky bamboo, always consider the number of stalks. In Feng Shui, two stalks represent love. Three stalks, on the other hand, signify a long life filled with happiness. Five is for wealth, six is for good luck, and seven is for health. Lastly, if you find a pot with 21 stalks, it is said to provide powerful blessings.

Lavender

Lavender fields mixed flower bouquet
Lavender fields mixed flower bouquet. Check the price on FTD.

Lavender has a soothing scent that can provide comfort and relaxation. In fact, this plant is a symbol of serenity, silence, and calmness, making it a perfect gift for someone who is constantly stressed.

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Aside from that, lavender is also an excellent gift for someone having difficulties in life. The reason is not only due to the plant’s relaxing smell. Remember, the plant also symbolizes comfort. As such, it can remind the receiver that you’ll always be there for them, and you’ll comfort them during their dark moments.

Bonsai

Bonsai as gift

A bonsai is a miniature tree, cultivated creatively, making it a great addition to any home. In general, this plant is a symbol of harmony and balance. It also has several meanings, depending on its type. The Chinese Elm, for example, symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and inner strength.

As such, you can give this type of bonsai to your dad on Father’s Day or during his birthday to let him know that he is your source of wisdom and strength.

In Japan, bonsai is known to bring harmony, peace, and luck, especially if it is received and not bought. Because of this belief, this miniature tree is considered one of the best plants to give as gifts.

Succulents

succulent bouquet unique

Succulents are popular for their vibrant colors, making them great decor for modern homes. Additionally, these types of plants require little care because they can store water in their leaves. Because of this ability, they are considered a symbol of enduring and timeless love. As such, you can give this plant to your loved ones to let them know that your love for them is eternal or long-lasting. 

In Feng Shui, succulents are believed to attract positive energy, which means that they can bring abundance and good luck into the house. For this reason, you can also give this plant a housewarming gift.

Money Tree

Braided money trees
Braided money trees. Check the price on From You Flowers.

If you’re searching for a plant that you can give to a co-worker or business partner, a money tree is an excellent choice. It is a plant with a braided trunk or stalk, and it is believed to bring prosperity and good luck.

This plant symbolizes wealth and good fortune. This makes the money tree an ideal gift to give someone who is starting a new venture. You can also give it to someone who is career-driven or passionate about their work.

Potted Orchids

Fly orchid

Orchids are easy-to-care-for plants that can add beauty and sophistication to any home. In fact, it is a symbol of luxury, beauty, strength, and love. For this reason, you can give orchids to your loved ones to let them know that you love them.

Additionally, orchids have other meanings, depending on their color. For example, purple orchids symbolize admiration and royalty. You can give a potted purple orchid to a mentor as a sign of respect and to tell them that they have inspired you to be a better person. 

Azalea

Azalea

Generally, the azalea plant symbolizes delicacy and femininity, making it a fantastic gift for your mother, wife, or daughter. Aside from that, it also means taking care of someone. As such, you can give it as a gift to tell someone that you care for them. Lastly, this plant with charming blossoms, also represents beauty and strength, so it can be an excellent gift to remind someone of their inner strength and beauty.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera plant
Aloe vera plant. Check the price on From You Flowers.

As a succulent plant, the aloe vera plant requires little care. They also have healing capabilities, especially for skin problems like sunburn. Because of these reasons, this plant can be an excellent gift for people who are fascinated with holistic health.

Additionally, aloe vera is also believed to bring good luck. In fact, this plant is commonly placed at the entrance of homes in Africa. The reason is that they consider aloe vera as a symbol of spiritual upliftment, good luck, and protection. Because of this belief, you can also give aloe vera as a housewarming present.

Cactus

Cactus

Many people give a cactus as a gift because they are easy to care for plants. But did you know that this plant also has a deep meaning? In symbolism, this plant represents endurance because it is known to withstand hardships. As such, you can give this plant to someone who is facing difficulties to remind them that they have the strength to overcome all the challenges in life.

For the Aztecs, a flowering cactus is believed to bring good luck. Additionally, this plant is also considered auspicious in Feng Shui because it has protective energy that can drive away negative energy. For these reasons, you can also give this plant to someone who is moving into a new place or house.

Carnation

Carnation pot

Although carnation requires little care, it can produce charming flowers that can add beauty to any home. This flowering plant is the symbol of love and affection, so you can give it to your special someone to tell them that you love them. Additionally, the plant, specifically the white variety, is associated with luck. As such, you can also give it as a housewarming present.

Jade Plant

Jade succulent plant
Jade succulent plant. Check the price on Proflowers.

In Asia, the jade plant is a famous good luck charm. In fact, it is a traditional gift given to new business owners. The reason is due to a common belief that the plant can activate financial energies. Aside from that, the plant has round leaves, which symbolize prosperity and wealth.

Aside from being a good luck plant, the jade plant also represents friendship. As such, you can give this plant to a friend to signify a long-lasting friendship.

Rosemary

Rosemary plant gift

As an herb with a lot of culinary uses, a rosemary plant is an ideal gift for those who love to cook. Additionally, this plant is known as the herb of remembrance, and it is associated with love and fidelity. For this reason, rosemary is also a great gift you can give your wife or special someone to tell them that you love them and that they are always in your thoughts.

Final Words

All in all, plants are great gifts because they offer a ton of benefits. For one, they can make homes more appealing. Plus, some plants can help purify the air, which is good for your health. Best of all, plants have powerful meanings, and they can help express your heartfelt emotions. However, it’s best to be aware when considering symbolism because some plants may have multiple meanings. As such, you have to choose a plant that is not only appropriate for the occasion but will clearly express your feelings as well.  

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Dani Rhys
Dani Rhys

Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. She works as the chief editor of Symbol Sage but also takes the time to write on topics that interest her.