For plant-loving friends, an indoor plant is the perfect present that can give months or even years of pleasure.
Indoor plants make great gifts because it is so easy to find a space for them, and most need very little care. Even so, when buying a gift plant think about the person receiving it. How much space do they have? What style, size, shape and colour of plant would they like? How safe are the plants for children and pets?
There are indoor plants for beginners as well as for more experienced indoor gardeners, even hobbyists. There are also novelty plants for kids who would be fascinated by an insect-eating Venus Flytrap, air plants that live on fresh air or the miniature beauty of succulents.
Gift plants don’t need to be elaborately wrapped. Tie a ribbon into a big bow around the pot or put it in a decorated box with tissue paper. Be careful of wrapping or putting the plant into a bag because it could damage the plant. It’s a good idea to include care tips with the plant.
Gift plants for beginners!
Phalaenopsis (Moth orchid) is one of the easiest plants to care for. Its requirements are absolutely minimal and yet it couldn’t be more classically beautiful or elegant.
Care tips: Phalaenopsis needs bright indirect light and a ¼ cup of water once a week. It can even go for longer without water. The flowers can last for six or eight weeks.
Anthurium, also known as Flamingo flower, produces glossy flowers in a range of vivid colours, shapes and sizes. The flowers are actually modified leaves and they glow against the dark green heart-shaped leaves. This is one of those indestructible house plants that can flower on and off all year.
Care tips: They need medium to bright light in order to flower well and the soil can dry out between watering. A liquid fertiliser boost once a month in summer will encourage new flowers.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is one of the most popular gift plants, because it is more than just a plant, it is a gift of peace.
Care tips: True to its nature it is a very forgiving plant. If the leaves droop from a lack of water, a good soak will revive it. It likes medium to bright light and will tolerate low light. Water once a week and feed with a liquid fertiliser every now and then.
Collectables for existing plantophiles
Calathea Roseopicta is one of many beautiful Calathea, each with distinct patterned and coloured leaves. They bring colour and texture into a room and they stay compact, just becoming more substantial plants that in time can be divided. Real attention getters.
Care tips: They need bright indirect light to bring out their brilliant colours. The soil should dry out slightly before watering. A dose of liquid fertiliser once a month brings out the best in them.
Alocasia ‘Red Secret’ is one for the collectors. Its heart shaped leaves take on a metallic sheen, ranging in colour from bronze to red.
Care tips: It is easy to grow and adapts to different light conditions, growing faster with bright light and slower with low light. Water when the topsoil feels dry. Feed with a liquid fertiliser in summer to promote new growth
Ficus Ginseng is a ‘bonsai ready’ indoor plant that can remain in its pot or be transplanted into a more traditional ceramic bonsai pot and displayed as a tabletop feature. Being ‘naturally’ bonsai, it has an interesting root system as well as aerial roots that hang down from the lower branches and can be trained over a rock.
Care tips: It needs bright indirect light for small leaves and compact growth. Keep plants out of draughts, water regularly and fertilise once a month. Plants don’t mind being trimmed to control their height and shape.
Plants for kids (or the inner child)
Venus Fly Trap is a carnivorous little plant that is quite practical and beautiful in a bizarre kind of way. The leaves act as fly traps, with the inner part of the leaf looking like a pink mouth surrounded by spiny, sharp teeth. Along comes a fly and the leaf snaps shut.
Care tips: When grown indoors the Venus Fly Trap needs at least six hours of sun. Place the plant in a 2 -4cm deep saucer filled with water. The saucer can dry out for a short period every week but never let the plant dry out completely as this will kill it.
Succulents, like Zebra plant (Haworthia) or Rock roses (Echeveria) are a good choice for youngsters because they don’t require much fuss or gardening skill.
Care tips: Succulents like bright light and even filtered sunlight, like a windowsill, and minimal water as their fleshy leaves retain water. Only water when the soil has almost dried out. They grow slowly and it takes quite a while before they need repotting.
For more details: www.lvgplant.co.za
Article and images by Alice Coetzee.
