It’s that time of the year again when people start looking for a gift for their loved ones and sometimes even their bosses. This is especially so in a world becoming sensitive to sustainability and the environment. Plants are a beautiful, purposeful, and environmentally friendly gift idea. If you are shopping for an experienced plant lover or a beginner in indoor plants, plants are gifts that will continue to give. Unlike most gifts that may wear out in a few months or get thrown away, they can last for years and actually improve your looks, and overall health and also give you a constant physical reminder of the giver’s generosity.

Everyone at Eureka Farms is a firm believer in the positive impact that plants have on the world and that is why we have put together a list of the best plant gifts for the 2024 holiday season. This year, we are featuring tropical beauties and easy-to-grow varieties that can be enjoyed indoors; we have gifts for anyone. Here are six great plant options you should consider this holiday season.

Why Gift Plants?

Flowers are not just mere ornaments; they symbolize life, new growth, and even strength. They can clean the air, enhance indoor climate, and lower stress levels. It gives people a connection to nature in the colder winter months when things are less green outside the home. Giving plants during the holiday is a good way of presenting items that will last much longer than the actual festivities. 

Unlike most other gifts that are likely to wither and die soon, a plant chosen carefully can be nurtured to bloom as desired. The environmentally sensitive are also drawn to plant gifts; this also follows the trend of environmentally friendly gifts. Now that we know what to look for in plant gifts, let’s move on to our favorite picks for the best plant gifts this holiday season: Calathea Makoyana, Prayer Plants, Chinese Fan Palm, Fountain Palm, Bamboo Plants, and the elegant Lady Palm.

1. Calathea Makoyana (Peacock Plant)

The Calathea Makoyana also known as the Peacock Plant is one of the most striking houseplants to add to your collection. It has large, oval leaves with green borders, grey-green middles and sprinkled with dark green lines and spots that resemble the feathers of a peacock. The undersurface of the leaves is a bright deep purple which is another plus to this magnificent plant. Calathea Makoyana is a perfect gift for anyone who loves plants and enjoys the beauty of complex patterns and bright-colored leaves. It is well suited for bathrooms, kitchens, or brightly lit living rooms, as it requires bright but indirect light and likes humidity. This plant is not only an ornament but an active one, which closes its leaves at night and bows to the light. A Calathea does need a little care when it comes to humidity and watering, but other than that, it is a great gift for those who like to watch their plants grow. If you have a busy life and can’t take care of your plants then buy plants that are impossible to kill where you won’t have to worry about their care for days.

2. Prayer Plants (Maranta and Calathea Freddie)

Prayer Plants are known for their unique ability to act like they’re praying by moving their leaves to adjust to the direction of light at night. These plants, and others like the Calathea Freddie and the Maranta leuconeura, are prized for their beautiful, colorful leaves. The Calathea Freddie has lanceolate soft green leaves with dark green striations while the Maranta has deep green leaves with bright red venation. Prayer Plants are generally not very demanding and they are perfect when given to anyone who loves indoor plants. They can only grow well in conditions of moderate light and they require frequent watering to be healthy. These plants add a calming spirit to any room and are best suited for bedrooms, offices, or any room where one can admire the beautiful movement of the leaves.

3. Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona Chinensis)

For those who appreciate contrasts and exotic styles, Chinese Fan Palm is the best gift. This palm has fan-shaped, glossy green leaves and gives a touch of the exotic to any room. The Chinese Fan Palm or the Fountain Palm as it is also known, is a slow-growing palm that can be best grown as an indoor plant to be savored for years. This palm is perfect for any individual who wants to make quite an impression with indoor plants. 

Its giant and broad leaves are spread outwards in the form of a fan. It can be placed in the living room, office, or sunroom. Over time, it provides sculptural foliage that instantly conveys the opulent image of a tropic and turns any place into an oasis. The Chinese Fan Palm is not a very demanding plant, it needs bright indirect light and infrequent watering which makes it perfect as a gift for anyone from an experienced plantsman to a beginner. It is a low-maintenance outdoor plant.

4. Fountain Palm

Fountain Palm is one of the best choices if you are looking for a plant that has a free, elegant look. Like the Chinese Fan Palm, this plant has beautiful shiny green cascading fronds that lend it a graceful fairy-tale-like look. The Fountain Palm is a perfect gift for those people who like the idea of having a palm tree at home, but do not have enough space for it.

Fountain Palm prefers bright, indirect light and may become very large over the years, so it is best placed in large, open areas where it can be allowed to grow unchecked. Its friendly appearance and elegant design make it a great gift for anyone who enjoys tropical themes but may not have the yard for a palm tree. It is one of our top picks for indoor palms.

5. Bamboo Plants

Bamboo Plants are one of the traditional gifts that symbolize good fortune, wealth, and vigor. Bamboo has always been associated with good luck in many Asian countries therefore, it is a perfect idea to give friends, relatives, or co-workers bamboo during the holidays. Bamboo is one of the most useful plants and is very easy to cultivate it grows both in water and on the ground. 

Its quick growth and flexibility in different growing conditions make it suitable for a beginner who may not know how to take care of a plant or one who may not have time to take care of a plant. Bamboo plants are often tall and thin, which will provide height in your indoor arrangements or give your space a more calming, simple feel. Bamboo can be presented in several poses, from plain tall glass vases to more elaborate ones including stones or figurines.

6. Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa)

The Lady Palm is a popular, sophisticated plant that has thin, arching fronds and fresh green foliage. Its subtle design makes it a very appropriate gift for a person with a good sense of style. The Lady Palm is a clustering palm and has a bushy appearance that makes it ideal for use in large indoor spaces. Indoor palm, the Lady Palm can grow best in low to medium light conditions and would not require much attention. It is also one of the most effective plants for purifying indoor air, thus it is a healthy gift option. This plant is truly a clever choice for those who are looking for a stylish addition to the home or office: while the beautiful leaves add a touch of greenery to the interior, the plant will help to purify the air.

How to Buy Plants From Eureka Farms?

Now licensed for a full-scale nursery with an extensive inventory of landscaping trees, fruit trees, palm trees, and the largest houseplant collection. If you want to enhance your curb appeal or turn your porch into a class act, Eureka Farms can guide you on how to do it all, from topiary trees and hedges to everything in between. You can rest assured that we will handle the shipment with the utmost care across the country so that when your plants reach you, they will be as fresh as new. These indoor plants require less upkeep, improve home air cleanliness, brighten moods, and provide essential touches of the natural world to the work-from-home office. Happy Planting!