Plants for Presents

Plants for presents: the quick pick list

If you've landed here you've already decided on a plant and just want to know which one. This is the short list: plants that travel well, look like a present rather than a garden centre leftover, and don't need a degree to keep alive.

Each pick says who it suits, roughly what it costs in the UK in 2026, and how easily it dies. Deeper detail - meanings, occasions, pet safety, aftercare - is in the guides at the bottom.

We make the cards, not the plants. Ours are designed in house and printed in the UK, so the message arrives properly even if the plant comes from the supermarket.

The card that goes with the plant

Cards designed in house and printed in the UK - the plant does the rest.

Shop cards

Nearly impossible to kill

  • ZZ plant, £15 to £30. Tolerates dark corners and a month without water. The safest present on this list.
  • Snake plant, £12 to £25. Upright, architectural, thrives on being ignored.
  • Cactus or succulent, £4 to £12. The cheap, cheerful option - and a good joke card pairing.
  • Aspidistra, £20 to £35. Known as the cast iron plant for good reason.

Looks like a proper present

  • Monstera, £20 to £45. The one people photograph. Needs light and occasional wiping.
  • Olive tree, £35 to £70. Milestone birthdays, retirements and new homes.
  • Peace lily, £15 to £30. Flowers indoors and tells you when it's thirsty by drooping.
  • Orchid, £12 to £25. Elegant, cheap for how it looks, and forgiving if left alone.

Useful rather than decorative

  • Herb trio - basil, mint, rosemary - £8 to £15. Best gift for anyone who cooks.
  • Chilli plant, £10 to £18. Fun, productive, and a talking point on a windowsill.
  • Lemon tree, £30 to £60. Hard work, but a real statement for a keen gardener.
  • A grow-your-own kit, £10 to £20, for children or anyone who'd rather start from seed.

Check before you buy

  • Pets: lilies, monstera, pothos and aloe are all toxic to cats or dogs. Spider plants, calathea and parlour palms are safe.
  • Light: a dark north-facing flat rules out most flowering plants.
  • Space: measure the windowsill before buying anything sold as a floor plant.
  • Travel: if they're moving house or going away, give it after, not before.

Pin badges for plant people

Enamel pin badges - a small extra alongside the pot.

Star Trek Lapel Pin Badges (Set of 3) Star Trek Lapel Pin Badges (Set of 3) £7.49 Pointless Meeting Survivor Pin Badge Pointless Meeting Survivor Pin Badge £4.00 Funny Thinking Of You Voodoo Doll Pin Badge Funny Thinking Of You Voodoo Doll Pin Badge £4.00 ChatGPT Is My Therapist Pin Badge ChatGPT Is My Therapist Pin Badge £4.00 Slow Down Nature Inspired Pin Badge Slow Down Nature Inspired Pin Badge £4.00 Yellow Employee Of The Month Rosette Pin Badge Yellow Employee Of The Month Rosette Pin Badge £4.00 World's Best Boss Pin Badge World's Best Boss Pin Badge £4.00 Toe Beans Cat Lovers Pin Badge Toe Beans Cat Lovers Pin Badge £4.00

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

What is the best plant to give as a present?

A ZZ plant or snake plant if you want it to survive, a monstera or olive tree if you want it to look impressive, and a herb trio if the person cooks. All three cover most UK gifting situations.

What is a good cheap plant present?

A succulent or cactus at £4 to £12, or a herb pot at around £8. Both look like a present once they are in a decent pot with a card.

Which plants are safe for cats and dogs?

Spider plants, calathea, parlour palms, Boston ferns and most herbs are safe. Lilies, monstera, pothos and aloe are not - the pet safe plants guide lists the full set.

Should you give a plant to someone who is bad with plants?

Yes, as long as you pick a ZZ plant, snake plant or cactus and write the care instructions in the card. The two things that kill gifted plants are overwatering and dark corners, and both are avoidable.