Matching the right plant to each person makes holiday gifting feel thoughtful, personal, and surprisingly simple. From beginner-friendly houseplants like Pothos and Snake Plant to easy holiday bulbs like Paperwhites and Amaryllis, and from dwarf shrubs for balconies to full-sized landscaping shrubs and trees that arrive winter-dormant, every plant brings a little magic from Ma Nature.
Searches spike this season for low-maintenance plants, best indoor plants for beginners, easy outdoor shrubs, dwarf fruit bushes, and holiday bulbs that bloom right on the windowsill. This guide helps you choose confidently, whether you are gifting to a black thumb, a collector, or a seasoned gardener.
For folks without a yard, houseplants and compact container shrubs make green gifting totally doable. For gardeners with balconies or patios, dwarf Blueberry bushes, dwarf Raspberry bushes, compact Hydrangea bushes, and aromatic herbs bring big personality in small spaces. And outdoor gardeners with room to grow can enjoy dormant evergreens, fragrant shrubs, tough Ornamentals, and even fruiting plants that settle in over winter and burst to life in spring. This is plant gifting made easy, personal, and joyful.
- For the Beginner or Black Thumb
- For the Busy Professional
- For the Plant Parent Who Has Everything
- For the Small Space Dweller
- For the Pet Owner
- For the Aspiring Green Thumb
- For Children and Teens
- Holiday Bulbs That Impress
- For the Big Garden Grower: Ranked from Easiest to Hardest
- Growing Joy in Every Home
For the Beginner or Black Thumb
These nearly indestructible houseplants build confidence fast. Their hardy roots, firm stems, and forgiving growth habits handle low light, irregular watering, and general newbie mistakes with grace. They are the perfect bridge between wanting a plant and knowing how to care for one.
- Pothos - Trail them from shelves or train them up a pole. Their sturdy vines and glossy leaves tolerate missed waterings and dim corners.
- Snake Plant - Strong upright leaves, a slow growth habit, and excellent tolerance for low light and dry soil make this a true set it and forget it option.
- ZZ Plant - Waxy leaves, fat underground rhizomes, and impressive drought tolerance make it ideal for homes with inconsistent care.
- African Violet - Compact, cheerful, and rewarding. Fuzzy leaves and colorful blooms lift spirits while its shallow roots adapt easily to small decorative pots.
- Poinsettia - A holiday classic with bold bracts and a forgiving temperament. With bright indirect light and light watering, it holds color beautifully and helps new plant owners feel successful right from the start.
Include a simple care card with a tiny watering calendar to make the gift feel friendly instead of intimidating. Sharing a fun story about how these plants bounce back after months of accidental neglect encourages even the most hesitant beginners.
For the Busy Professional
Some folks barely have time to cook dinner, let alone fuss over plants. These choices thrive with light care, irregular schedules, and bright indoor conditions. Their steady growth, forgiving habits, and naturally drought-tolerant roots make them perfect companions for anyone constantly on the go.
- Amaryllis - A holiday favorite that practically grows itself. Its energy-packed bulb pushes up tall stems and huge trumpet blooms with minimal watering. Perfect for desks, entry tables, or bright office windows.
- Desk-Sized, Low-Light Houseplants like compact Pothos or small Snake Plant varieties - These small-scale heroes bring greenery to tight workspaces and survive occasional forgetfulness with ease. Thick leaves, firm stems, and adaptable roots make them incredibly reliable.
- Air Plants in Decorative Holders - Soil-free, sculptural, and unbelievably simple. A quick misting or occasional soak keeps them happy, and their artistic shapes elevate any office or home desk setup.
- Rosemary - A bright light herb with aromatic foliage that doubles as a stress reliever. Its woody stems and drought-tolerant nature make it a forgiving, low-maintenance choice for sunny windows.
- Woolly Thyme - Soft, aromatic, and perfectly sized for a small bowl or shallow dish. It thrives in sun, handles light watering, and adds cozy charm to any workspace.
- Air Plants - Light, airy, and paper simple to care for.
- String of Hearts - A charming draping plant with heart-shaped leaves and fast fast-trailing habit.
Add a self-watering pot or a decorative container with a water reservoir, and you have a gift that thrives even on a chaotic schedule.
For the Plant Parent Who Has Everything
This group loves rare textures, unusual colors, or simply something they do not already own. They also appreciate thoughtful extras that elevate their growing experience.
- Rare houseplants like Variegated Philodendron, unusual Peperomia forms, or intricately patterned Calathea.
- Propagation kits complete with snips, jars, and rooting substrate.
- Decorative ceramic pots that elevate any indoor display.
- Nature Hills Gift Card - Perfect when you want them to choose exactly what they are dreaming of. Shop gift cards.
For the Small Space Dweller
Apartment and condo living does not limit greenery. These compact choices fit beautifully into tight spaces and thrive in containers. Many also provide fragrance, texture, and color without requiring any ground to plant in. These outdoor balcony plants and patio-friendly shrubs
- Dwarf Butterfly Bush - Compact, fragrant, and loved by pollinators.
- Compact Lavender - Aromatic foliage and summer fragrance in container form.
- Hanging Boston Fern - Soft, lush fronds that adore humidity and filtered light.
- Dwarf Blueberry Bush - Patio-friendly, colorful stems, spring flowers, and summer berries.
- Dwarf Raspberry Bush - Compact fruiting power for balconies and patios.
- Dwarf Rose - Classic beauty in a pot with repeat blooms.
- Dwarf Hydrangea - Big flowers on a compact shrub suitable for containers.
- Dwarf Arborvitae - Evergreen structure for year-round interest.
For the Pet Owner
When gifting plants to homes with curious cats and dogs, sticking to non-toxic options brings safety and peace of mind without sacrificing color, fragrance, or garden charm. These choices offer soft textures, playful movement, and easy care, making them perfect for households where pets like to explore every nook of the home and garden.
- Spider Plant - Long, arching leaves and lively baby offshoots give pets something interesting to investigate. Tough, tidy roots and forgiving care needs make it one of the safest and easiest indoor plants.
- Prayer Plant - With patterned foliage that gently folds at night, this plant adds personality and motion while staying completely pet-friendly. Its flexible stems and smooth leaves hold up well to accidental bumps.
- Boston Fern - Soft, feathery fronds create lush texture without risk. Perfect for hanging baskets or high shelves where pets enjoy watching the fronds sway.
- American Arborvitae - A pet-safe evergreen with dense, fragrant foliage. Its soft, feathery texture and naturally columnar shape make it a great choice for small yards or low-maintenance screens. For maximum impact, choose a reliable variety like a Techny Arborvitae, prized for its sturdy branching and timeless green color.
- Blueberry Bush - Non-toxic and rewarding, with spring flowers, summer berries, and brilliant fall foliage. Smooth stems and shallow roots make it easy to grow in containers or garden beds.
- Forsythia - A cheerful, early blooming shrub that signals spring with bright yellow flowers. Its arching stems and soft leaves pose no risk to pets and offer an uplifting splash of color.
These choices let pet lovers enjoy vibrant, long-lasting plants without worry. Their sturdy roots, forgiving habits, and friendly foliage keep gardens beautiful and pet safe at the same time.
For the Aspiring Green Thumb
For someone ready to move from houseplants into real outdoor gardening, easy-to-grow perennials and dwarf shrubs make fantastic gifts. These plants are hardy, dependable, and rewarding, giving new gardeners a taste of success early on. Their roots settle quickly, their stems toughen well, and their seasonal color shifts spark excitement through the year.
- Dwarf Spirea - A compact flowering shrub with naturally tidy shape, soft leaves, and cheerful summertime blooms. Its adaptable roots and forgiving nature make it a stress-free starter shrub.
- Dwarf Hydrangea - Big flower power in a small footprint. With sturdy stems and a quick-establishing root system, this shrub offers long summer color without complicated care.
- Catmint - A hardy, aromatic perennial with clouds of soft purple flowers. Its drought-tolerant roots and easy bounce back after trimming make it one of the simplest pollinator plants for beginners.
- Lenten Rose - An evergreen perennial with leathery foliage and long-lasting late winter blooms. Its deep, sturdy roots tolerate shade and handle irregular care, making it beginner-friendly, low-growing, and visually stunning.
- Knock Out® Rose - A landscape classic that offers continuous blooms, strong disease-resistance, and easygoing maintenance. Perfect for beginners who want the joy of Roses without complicated pruning.
- Drift® Rose - A low-growing, groundcover-style Rose with reliable flowering, tough stems, and shallow, easy-to-manage roots. Ideal for containers, borders, or small garden beds.
These sturdy plants give new outdoor gardeners just enough challenge to stay interested while still being forgiving as they learn. They encourage good habits, offer quick visual rewards, and build confidence season after season.
For Children and Teens
Plants that react, grow visibly, or have unique features keep young gardeners engaged and curious. They make science feel hands-on and fun.
- Venus Flytrap - Hands down the most exciting plant for curious kids.
- Sensitive Plant - Leaves fold instantly when touched for a wow moment every time.
- Spider Plant - Easy, fast, and full of babies to share with friends.
- Paperwhites - Fast-growing holiday bulbs that bloom indoors with a sweet, soft fragrance.
Holiday Bulbs That Impress
These beginner-friendly bulbs grow entirely on stored energy. Anyone can enjoy blooms just weeks after receiving them, making them ideal holiday gifts.
- Paperwhites - Fast, fragrant, and elegant in clear glass vases or bowls of gravel.
- Amaryllis - Big trumpet flowers in bold colors that bring cheer to winter windows.
- Indoor Hyacinths - Compact, sweetly fragrant flower spikes that brighten short winter days.
For the Big Garden Grower: Ranked from Easiest to Hardest
For gardeners with space to grow, winter-dormant shrubs, trees, and perennials make remarkable, long-lasting gifts. These nursery-grown beauties rest quietly until spring planting time, then establish strong roots in their new home.
Easiest: Hydrangea bushes, Spirea Bush, Butterfly Bush, Rose bushes, Lavender, and Woolly Thyme
Moderate: Holly bushes, Japanese Maple, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Evergreen Arborvitae, Spruce, and Herb perennials like Rosemary and Sage
Most Challenging: Fruit Tree selections, including Apple Tree, Peach Tree, Pear Tree, Plum Trees, and small fruit tree choices that need pruning and seasonal care. Dormant Rubus plants like Heritage Raspberry or Blackberry bushes that prefer structured yearly pruning and training
Remember that many of these trees, shrubs, and perennials are dormant, outdoor-grown plants straight from the nursery. So, unless they are evergreens or houseplants, they will most likely have no leaves and will need to be kept dormant until spring if you live in a cold climate. Check out all the options in our Holiday Collection for a selection of plants that are shipping now through the Christmas season!
Growing Joy in Every Home
The right plant turns any living space into a spot of comfort, color, and connection. From houseplants for busy folks to dwarf shrubs for patios and full-sized trees for gardeners who adore the outdoors, there is a perfect fit for every person on your holiday list. And with thoughtful pairing, your gift becomes a living reminder of joy, growth, and a little help from Ma Nature.
Happy Planting!
