Christmas plant gifts are a lovely idea with a catch: some of the most popular choices are hard to keep alive, and a few are toxic to cats and dogs. Choosing well is the difference between a gift that lasts for years and one that quietly dies in January.
This guide covers the 10 best Christmas plant gifts, who each one suits and what to check before you buy, plus 5 popular holiday plants to avoid if the recipient has pets.
And if you would rather skip the plant-care gamble altogether, you can browse Christmas Tree Gifts: kits that grow a real tree at home while matching trees are planted in Tanzania.
Key Takeaways
- The best Christmas plant gifts are easy to care for, happy indoors, and non-toxic to pets and children.
- Several popular holiday plants, including poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe, are toxic to pets and best avoided.
- Live plants are fragile to ship and easy to kill, which is why a tree gift is a lower-risk alternative that keeps growing.
- For teams and clients, a branded tree gift scales without the wilting and delivery headaches of live plants.
If you want the meaning of a plant gift without the risk of it arriving wilted, you can create a Christmas tree gift with a personal message free at giftstory.ai. It is delivered instantly and planted as a real tree. ForestNation has helped 500+ companies plant nearly 2 million trees in Tanzania this way.
What makes a good Christmas plant gift?
Easy to Care
When selecting a Christmas plant gift, choosing one that is easy to care for is essential. Plants that require minimal maintenance are ideal, especially for recipients who may not have a green thumb. Look for plants that thrive with basic care routines, such as infrequent watering and low light conditions.
Ensuring the plant is easy to care for not only increases the chances it will thrive but also makes the gift more enjoyable for the recipient, as they can appreciate the beauty and benefits of the plant without the stress of high maintenance.
Can be Grown Indoors
Indoor plants not only enhance home aesthetics but also improve air quality and boost mood. Opt for plants that adapt well to indoor environments, where lighting and temperature conditions may vary. You can even buy small versions of fruit trees, like fig trees, from online speciality shops.
Indoor plants are generally easier to manage and monitor, ensuring that your gift remains healthy and beautiful throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Pet Friendly
When giving a Christmas plant gift, it’s essential to consider the safety of pets in the recipient’s home. Many common holiday plants can be toxic to cats and dogs, leading to serious health issues if ingested.
Therefore, selecting pet-friendly plants ensures that your gift is both beautiful and safe. By choosing a pet-friendly plant, you provide peace of mind to pet owners and contribute to a safer, happier home environment during the holiday season.
Not Prone to Pests and Diseases
Choosing a Christmas plant gift that is not prone to pests and diseases ensures that your thoughtful gesture remains a source of joy rather than stress.
Plants that are resilient to common pests and diseases require less intensive care and reduce the likelihood of spreading issues to other houseplants. This consideration makes your gift more enduring and hassle-free, allowing your loved ones to focus on the festive spirit rather than plant problems.
Top 10 Christmas Plant Gifts
Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is an excellent Christmas plant gift that captures the essence of the holiday season. Resembling a miniature Christmas tree, its symmetrical branches and soft, evergreen needles bring a festive touch to any indoor space.
This plant is easy to care for, thriving with moderate light and occasional watering, making it suitable for beginners. Additionally, the Norfolk Island Pine is non-toxic to pets. Its compact size allows it to fit comfortably in small spaces, making it a versatile addition to any home decor.
Best for: someone in a flat or small house who wants a living Christmas tree they can keep. Mid-priced as plant gifts go. Buy it potted and keep it out of cold draughts on the trip over; hand delivery beats a courier in freezing weather.
Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a versatile and fragrant herb that makes an excellent Christmas plant gift. Often associated with holiday cooking, rosemary brings both culinary utility and festive aroma to any home.
This hardy plant can be grown indoors in a sunny spot, thriving with minimal care, just occasional watering and adequate light. Rosemary is also pet-friendly, ensuring it is safe for households with cats and dogs.
Beyond its practical uses in the kitchen, rosemary symbolizes remembrance and fidelity, adding a layer of meaningfulness to your gift. Its evergreen, needle-like leaves resemble those of a miniature Christmas tree, enhancing its festive appeal.
Best for: the cook on your list. One of the cheapest picks here, easy to find at garden centres and even supermarkets in December. It travels well; pair it with a note that it wants the sunniest windowsill in the kitchen.
Christmas Cactus
Known for its vibrant, festive blooms that appear around the holiday season, this plant brings a splash of color and joy to any home. The Christmas Cactus is low-maintenance, requiring minimal care to keep it thriving.
It performs well in indirect light and needs watering only when the soil is dry, making it ideal for those who may not have a green thumb. Importantly, it is safe for pets, ensuring that it poses no risk to them. Its long-lasting flowers and ease of care make it a perfect gift for spreading holiday cheer.
Best for: the colleague or neighbour who forgets to water things. Inexpensive, sturdy in transit, and famously long-lived; cuttings get passed down through families, which makes it a story as well as a plant.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) is a charming and compact evergreen that makes an ideal Christmas plant gift. Symbolizing good fortune and the Christmas spirit, this plant brings a festive touch to any indoor space.
Its small size makes it perfect for tables, windowsills, or desk tops, adding a touch of nature without overwhelming the space. The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is low-maintenance and highly resilient, requiring only moderate light and occasional watering. It is also safe for pets.
The plant’s dense, conical shape is reminiscent of a miniature Christmas tree, which can be adorned with small ornaments for an extra festive feel.
Best for: someone with a bright porch, balcony, or garden, because it wants to live outdoors once the holidays end. Mid-priced. The pot makes it heavy, so deliver it by hand if you can.
Blue Spruce
The Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is an excellent Christmas plant gift, symbolizing hope, peace, and the winter season. Its striking blue-green needles and symmetrical shape make it a visually appealing addition to any home.
This plant can be grown indoors with proper care, requiring bright, indirect light and moderate watering to thrive. The Blue Spruce is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance option for those who may not have extensive gardening experience. Additionally, it is non-toxic to pets.
Best for: a gardener with real outdoor space. This is a landscape tree in waiting, not a permanent houseplant, and it is one of the pricier picks at larger sizes. Young potted specimens handle winter delivery well.
Moth Orchid
The Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) is a sophisticated and elegant Christmas plant gift that symbolizes beauty and refinement. Known for its stunning, long-lasting blooms, the Moth Orchid adds a touch of luxury to any indoor space.
This orchid is relatively low-maintenance, thriving in indirect light and requiring only occasional watering. Its exotic flowers can last for several months, providing a prolonged display of color and grace.
Importantly, the Moth Orchid is pet-friendly, making it a safe choice for homes with cats and dogs. The plant’s exquisite appearance and minimal care requirements make it a perfect gift for those who appreciate elegance without the hassle.
Best for: the person who seems to have everything. It reads premium without demanding premium care. The blooms are fragile in the cold, so buy from a local florist or a seller that ships orchids in insulated packaging.
Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is an excellent choice for a Christmas plant gift, symbolizing victory and success. Its graceful, feathery fronds add a touch of elegance and greenery to any indoor space, making it a popular houseplant.
The Parlor Palm is incredibly adaptable, thriving in low light and moderate humidity conditions, which makes it suitable for various indoor environments. It requires minimal care, needing only occasional watering to keep the soil moist. Parlor Palm is safe for pets.
Best for: dim offices and low-light flats, because it tolerates the light most rooms actually have. Inexpensive to mid-priced, compact, and forgiving if it spends a day boxed in transit.
Peperomia
Peperomia is a delightful choice for a Christmas plant gift, symbolizing good fortune and abundance. Known for its attractive foliage, which can range from glossy green to variegated patterns, Peperomia adds a vibrant touch to any indoor space.
This plant is compact and ideal for small spaces, making it perfect for desks, shelves, or windowsills. Peperomia is low-maintenance, thriving in moderate light and requiring only infrequent watering, making it an excellent option for beginners and busy individuals. Moreover, it isn’t harmful for pets.
Best for: a desk, a small shelf, or an office Secret Santa. One of the most affordable picks on this list, compact in transit, and safe around pets.
Air Plants
Air Plants (Tillandsia) are a unique and innovative choice for a Christmas plant gift, symbolizing freedom and creativity. These fascinating plants do not require soil to grow, making them exceptionally low-maintenance and versatile. Air Plants can be displayed in various creative ways, such as in glass terrariums, mounted on driftwood, or even hanging from decorative holders.
They thrive in bright, indirect light and need only occasional misting or soaking to stay hydrated. Air Plants are pet-friendly.
Best for: students, teenagers, and anyone short on space. Cheap, often sold in sets, and the easiest of all ten to post: no soil, no pot, almost no weight.
Lemon Cypress
The Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’) is a delightful Christmas plant gift known for its fresh, citrus-like fragrance and vibrant green foliage. This evergreen plant can be shaped into a small Christmas tree, adding a festive touch to any indoor space.
The Lemon Cypress thrives in bright light and requires moderate watering, making it a relatively easy plant to care for. Its pleasant aroma can fill a room with a refreshing scent, enhancing the holiday ambiance. Lemon Cypress is not toxic to pets.
Best for: someone who loves scent; the foliage releases a citrus note whenever they brush past it. Mid-priced. It hates drying out in transit, so unbox it the day it arrives and keep it somewhere cool and bright.
Popular But Toxic Christmas Plants To Avoid Gifting
Poinsettia
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are iconic holiday plants known for their vibrant red and green foliage, often used to decorate homes during Christmas. However, they are mildly toxic to pets, according to the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list. While not as dangerous as some other toxic plants, ingestion of poinsettia leaves can cause irritation in the mouth and stomach, leading to symptoms like drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The plant’s sap may also cause skin irritation. Given these potential risks, it’s best to avoid gifting poinsettias to households with pets.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a popular holiday plant known for its striking, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in vibrant colors. Despite its beauty, Amaryllis is highly toxic to pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant, particularly the bulbs, can cause severe symptoms such as abdominal pain and even tremors or seizures in extreme cases. The sap of the plant can also cause skin irritation.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe (Phoradendron) is a traditional holiday decoration often used for its festive and romantic connotations. Despite its popularity, mistletoe is highly toxic to both pets and humans. Ingestion of mistletoe berries or leaves can lead to severe symptoms, including difficulty in breathing and a drop in blood pressure.
Holly
Holly (Ilex) is a classic holiday plant often used in festive decorations for its glossy green leaves and bright red berries. However, it poses a significant risk to pets, making it a plant to avoid during the holiday season. Both the leaves and berries of the holly plant are toxic to cats and dogs. The spiky leaves can also cause irritation and injury to the mouth and digestive tract.
Lilies
Lilies (Lilium) are known for their strikingly beautiful and fragrant blooms, making them a popular choice for holiday gifts and decorations. However, they are highly toxic to cats, causing severe and often fatal health issues. Ingestion of any part of the lily plant, including the petals, leaves, pollen, or even water from the vase, can lead to acute kidney failure in cats.
Other Species to Avoid
Some other popular species to avoid are Cyclamen, Azalea, Kalanchoe, Daffodil and Dieffenbachia. These are all toxic to pets.
Challenges with Gifting Live Plants
Shipping and Packaging Issues
One of the main challenges of gifting live plants is ensuring they arrive in perfect condition. Shipping live plants can be difficult and expensive due to their delicate nature. Proper packaging is crucial to protect the plants from damage during transit. This includes using sturdy boxes, cushioning materials, and climate control to maintain appropriate temperature and humidity levels.
Plants are susceptible to bruising, breaking, and even freezing in cold weather, which can affect their health and appearance. Additionally, delays in shipping can result in plants being deprived of essential light and water, further compromising their condition.
As a result, it is vital to choose a reliable shipping service and invest in high-quality packaging to ensure the plant arrives healthy and intact. Addressing these logistical challenges keeps your thoughtful gift a pleasure to receive rather than a problem to solve.
Recipient’s Experience with Plant Care
Not everyone has a green thumb, and some may feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of keeping a plant alive. The recipient may lack the necessary knowledge about proper watering, lighting, and general maintenance needed to ensure the plant’s health. This can lead to stress and disappointment, particularly if the plant starts to wilt or die.
Additionally, individuals with busy lifestyles may find it challenging to dedicate time to plant care, resulting in neglect. To mitigate these concerns, it is essential to choose low-maintenance plants that require minimal care and provide clear, simple care instructions.
Emotional Impact of Plant Loss
The emotional impact of losing a plant can be significant, turning a thoughtful gesture into a source of distress. When a plant begins to wilt or die, the recipient may feel a sense of failure and disappointment.
This can be particularly disheartening if the plant held sentimental value or was given by a cherished friend or family member. The loss of a plant can also detract from the intended joy and positivity of the gift, leaving the recipient with feelings of guilt or inadequacy.
To minimize this risk, it’s crucial to select hardy, low-maintenance plants that are more likely to thrive with minimal care. Providing clear care instructions and offering support resources can also help the recipient feel more confident in their ability to care for the plant. Ensuring the plant’s longevity can turn the gift into a lasting source of happiness and a symbol of care and thoughtfulness.
Are plant gifts good for corporate Christmas gifting?
A plant gift works differently from a consumable corporate present. Because the recipient waters it and watches it grow, the gesture keeps reinforcing the relationship long after the holidays, something a bottle of wine or a branded mug cannot do. That small daily bit of care is exactly why a living gift gets remembered.
For a larger client list or a whole team, Tree Kits are the simplest way to do this at scale. They ship flat, cost less per unit in bulk, and can be branded for your company, so you get the lasting impression of a living gift without the fragility or shipping headaches of a potted plant. See how it works for groups at corporate Tree Gifts. You can also browse our Christmas Tree Kits to shop the full range.
Tree Kits: A Smarter Alternative to Live Plants
Environmental Impact and Benefits
Tree kits offer a unique and impactful alternative to live plants, especially when considering their environmental benefits. Each tree kit contributes to reforestation efforts, with a matching tree planted for every kit purchased. This double impact supports verified reforestation in Tanzania, restoring degraded land and supporting the local communities who grow the trees.
The process of growing a tree from seed can be profoundly rewarding, contributing to personal well-being and environmental awareness.
Engagement Features and Customization
Our Tree Kits come with unique engagement features and customization options that make them stand out as exceptional holiday plant gifts. Recipients can name their trees, post photos, and share updates, fostering a personal connection to their growing tree.
This interactive experience not only enhances engagement but also creates lasting memories associated with the gift. Additionally, we incentivize this engagement by planting an extra tree for every tree post.
Personalized greetings and messages can be included, turning the tree kit into a heartfelt holiday card that plants trees.
Ease of Shipping and Growing Tree Kits
Unlike live plants, tree kits are lightweight and compact, fitting easily into small boxes or mailers. This reduces shipping costs and minimizes the risk of damage during transit.
The kits come with all necessary components, including soil, seeds, and detailed instructions, so even a first-time grower can follow along. We also provide video instructions to further assist recipients in nurturing their trees. If the seeds fail to germinate, free replacements are offered, ensuring that the experience remains positive and encouraging.
This ease of use and reliability make tree kits an excellent choice for anyone who wants a meaningful gift without the logistical challenges of shipping live plants. A tree kit is simple to grow and enjoy, and every kit also funds a matching tree grown and planted by ForestNation’s community teams in Tanzania.
A Christmas Gift That Grows Better Than Any Plant
Live plants die. Toxic plants harm pets. Difficult-to-care-for plants create guilt. If you want a Christmas gift that grows, is appropriate for every recipient, and requires nothing of the person receiving it, a tree planted in their name in Tanzania is the answer.
Research and References
- ASPCA, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list (pet safety). ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list
- ForestNation impact methodology and field-measured tree data. ForestNation impact methodology
- Sending Christmas greetings with your gift: Christmas greetings for colleagues.
Over To You
Some of the most recommended and popular plants gifted for holidays are harmful for pets. If you know any more such species we should add, or any of your favorite plants that should feature in the recommended list, please let us know in the comments below.
A: Tree Kits let recipients grow their own tree, symbolizing growth and prosperity for the upcoming year, and every kit funds a matching tree planted in Tanzania. They also require less maintenance compared to live plants, making them a hassle-free gift choice.
A: Tree Kits offer a sustainable and festive touch to holiday decor in offices or corporate spaces. They can be placed on desks or as centerpieces during holiday events, bringing a sense of greenery and holiday cheer to the environment.
A: Popular live plant options for Christmas gifts include poinsettias, succulents, Christmas trees, amaryllis, and orchids. These plants are not only visually appealing but also symbolize various aspects of the holiday season.
A: Plant delivery services for corporate Christmas gifts typically involve selecting the desired seed, adding a personalized message or branding, and choosing a delivery date. The kits are then shipped directly to the recipient’s address, ensuring a seamless gifting experience.
A: When choosing between Tree Kits and live plants, consider factors such as the recipients’ preferences, maintenance capabilities, and the desired symbolism. Tree Kits offer a long-lasting gift option, while live plants provide immediate visual impact.
A: Yes, many plant delivery services offer customization options for corporate clients to create unique arrangements such as wreaths, centerpieces, or floral bouquets. This allows companies to tailor their gifts to match their branding or holiday theme.
A: While most delivery services offer a wide selection of Christmas plants and seeds, it’s important to check for any restrictions based on the recipient’s location or seasonal availability. Some plants may be more suitable for certain regions or climates.
