Christmas time is the perfect opportunity to show your family and friends how much you care about them. But finding the perfect gift can be a challenge. If you’re looking for something thoughtful that will last beyond the holiday season, houseplants make excellent gifts! Not only do they beautify a home, but some also provide an array of health benefits like improved air quality and stress relief.
Here are 11 houseplants that make the perfect Christmas gift to get you started!
Spider Plant
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A classic choice for any home is the spider plant. This plant is known to be good at filtering out pollutants from the air, such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene, making it a superb choice for people who are sensitive to allergens.
Caring for a spider plant doesn't have to be hard! Water your spider plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. Depending on how hot and dry your home is, this could mean watering up to once a week. Also, place your spider plant in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
ZZ Plant
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Another sturdy, low-maintenance plant is the ZZ plant. This hardy houseplant can tolerate many conditions, from low-light to lack of water.
Caring for ZZ plants is fairly straightforward. Water your ZZ plant only when the soil has dried out completely. This could be anywhere from two weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly it dries out. Just check the top layer of soil with your finger first before deciding whether or not to douse your plant. Make sure you don't overwater your ZZ plant; this can cause root rot and kill the plant. When in doubt, underwater rather than overwater as their very drought tolerant!
Provide bright, indirect light for your beautiful green friend. These plants do well in a range of lighting conditions, but thrive when placed near a brightly lit window or next to other light sources. Avoid direct sunlight as this can cause the leaves to scorch.
Christmas Cactus
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This Christmas, why not make your loved one’s day extra special with a beautiful gift of the iconic Christmas cactus? This charming plant is perfect for adding some festive cheer to any home. With its bright blooms of red, purple, pink, or white, it will bring a bit of joy into each room during the holiday season.
To keep this plant healthy and happy, it's important to give it the right environment. The best spot for your Christmas cactus is in bright, indirect light—an east-facing window or a bright bathroom would do just fine. Too much direct sunlight can harm leaves.
Be aware, to get your Christmas cactus to bloom it needs a period of darkness. Sixteen hours of darkness to every six to eight hours of light ideal.
When it comes to watering, Christmas cacti thrive best when they are watered every two to three weeks. But before you do, make sure the top 1/3 of soil is dry to the touch before you water your plant again!
Peace Lily
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Bring some tranquility into someone’s home this Christmas with a peace lily. These plants feature vibrant green foliage and delicate white flowers that will brighten up any room they’re placed in. Plus, they’re great at filtering out household toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, toluene, trichloroethylene, and xylene, so they can even improve air quality in the home.
Place the peace lily in bright indirect light and away from direct sun as the heat can scorch the foliage. Hot or cold drafts should also be avoided, as these exposures will damage the plant. Water your peace lily regularly but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Don't let it get too dry - this will cause wilting and yellow leaves. Always use room temperature water when watering your peace lily for best results!
Poinsettias
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These festive plants are native to Mexico and are an iconic symbol of the Christmas season and make a lovely addition to any home. Not only will they enjoy their gift for weeks or even months after the holidays have ended, but they’ll also be reminded of your thoughtfulness every time they see it!
The first step in caring for a poinsettia is finding the right spot. Look for an area with lots of bright light from either south, east or west facing windows. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the poinsettia doesn’t get too cold, as freezing temperatures can be deadly.
Water it only when necessary. The best way to tell if a poinsettia needs watered is by feeling the soil surface or lifting the pot. If either of those feel dry or light, it’s time for a drink! If it goes too long without watering, the plant may start to wilt and could potentially die. An indication of this is when the leaves start dropping.
Finally, don’t forget to take your poinsettia out of its decorative foil or outer pot before you water it. You also have the options to poke holes in it but it's crucial not to forget this step.
African Violet
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African violets make a beautiful and thoughtful gift for the holiday season. With their vibrant colors and delicate blooms, they’ll give your loved one’s home an extra touch of cheer! So, if you’re looking for an interesting and unique Christmas gift, an African violet will leave a lasting impression!
African violets prefer bright and indirect rays. A south-, east-, or west-facing window is ideal, although during midwinter they should only be placed in a south-facing window. Turning the plants a quarter-turn on a weekly basis helps maintain their symmetrical rosette form as well.
When it comes to watering, tepid water is best. Water plants from the top until it runs out the bottom of the pot. Remember to clear the tray under your plant so it doesn't sit in water.
Cast Iron Plant
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The cast iron plant is a brilliant choice for someone looking for a unique Christmas gift. Not only are they gorgeous, but they are also incredibly low-maintenance, lasting for years with minimal care.
To ensure that the cast iron plant thrives, give it partial to full shade as direct sunlight can be too intense for the plant and cause damage. Although it prefers well-drained soil with high nutrients, it can also tolerate dry and nutrient-poor soils. During the spring through autumn months, regular watering is recommended whereas during winter droughts, water sparingly.
Aloe Vera
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This Christmas, why not give the gift of nature’s healing and soothing power? Aloe vera is a great present that keeps on giving all year round. Not only can you use it topically to help soothe burns, cuts, and skin irritations, but, when prepared properly, you can also ingest it to aid digestion.
Aloe vera is an incredible plant with many benefits and makes a perfect gift or stocking stuffer for anyone looking for natural remedies or just wanting to add some green to their lives.
Place the aloe vera plant in bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light. If it is kept in low light, the plant can grow leggy. Water aloe deeply but infrequently. The soil should feel damp after watering and be allowed to dry out before you water again. Aloe plants should be watered roughly every two to three weeks during spring and summer and even more sparingly during fall and winter.
Remember, aloe vera is a succulent, holding water in their fleshy leaves, so it's best to underwater then overwater.
Azaleas
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Whether you’re giving to a loved one or treating yourself, these elegant plants make an ideal present that will continue to bring joy throughout the holiday season. When it comes to azaleas, there’s no shortage of varieties. With so many types to choose from, you’re sure to find something special for your recipient.
For azaleas, it is important to keep their soil moist but not soggy or wet. Check the soil every few days and if it is dry, give your plant a thorough watering until the water starts coming out from the bottom of the pot. Be sure not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot in your plant. Also, avoid getting the foliage wet to reduce the risk of disease.
Another key factor in taking care of azaleas is providing them with plenty of light. Place the azalea near a south-facing window so that it gets bright indirect sunlight throughout the day.
Orchid
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For something truly unique, orchids make a perfect present. These exotic plants come in many beautiful colors and shapes, making them an eye-catching addition to any home. While they require slightly more care than other houseplants on this list, the effort is certainly worth it for the stunning blooms!
Orchids need bright light but not direct sunlight. Place them in an area with indirect light such as near a window. If you’re unsure if your orchid is getting enough light, look at its color--if it appears yellow-green, then it has likely received sufficient light. Ten to 12 hours of sun should be sufficient.
Water orchids just as they start to dry out. This will ensure they get an optimal amount of moisture. To check if your orchids need water, feel their pots. If they feel light and dry to the touch, then it's time to give them a drink.
Pothos
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Finally, pothos plants are the perfect gift for any home or office! With their long trailing vines, pothos plants make a great addition to shelves, desks, and hanging baskets. And with proper care, a pothos plant is a Christmas gift that will last beyond the holiday season.
Pothos prefer bright, filtered light but will tolerate some shade if needed. If the plant isn't getting enough light, you may start to see the leaf variegation fade as the plant slowly declines in health. On the other hand if it receives too much light, the leaves can turn yellow.
Also, water moderately. The potting mixture should be kept moist but not soggy.
It's Better To Give Than Receive!
Houseplants make a wonderful Christmas gift because they last much longer than traditional presents and are easy to look after. From low-maintenance plants like the ZZ plant and spider plant to showstoppers like orchids and African violets, there’s a plant out there for everyone!
Give the gift of greenery this festive season and watch your friends or family enjoy their new addition all year long. What houseplant are you gifting this year? Leave a comment below and let everyone know!
Also, share this article with your family and friends. Who knows, maybe Santa will gift you a stunning indoor plant this year!