Welcome to Plant Week: Our guide to all things indoor plants, including tips for beginners, advice on care, and tons of plant-spo.
Not everybody is born with a green thumb. Many people need to study up on plant care to be able to keep those green leaves alive and happy. And until they find the time and motivation to do so, their houseplants may suffer. If one of your friends falls into this brown-thumb (or let's be honest, black-thumb) category, it's a challenge to find resilient greenery impressive enough to serve as a beautiful present.
But such plants are out there. Here are five perfectly showy plants that thrive on neglect. So your friend can bask in the beauty of their new gift for more than 24 hrs.
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1. Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are definitely impressive. Their bright, grass-like leaves grab center stage when the pot is positioned in a bright window. These plants come in solid green or variegated cultivars, one as easy to care for as the next.
Spiders get their common name from their unique form of propagation. As the plant matures, it grows long stems. Each is tipped with a baby plant resembling an arachnid, and the "spiderettes" drape down on all sides of the "mother" plant. Each will develop roots and can be potted up as a separate plant.
Spider plants have a well-earned reputation for being adaptable and resilient, making them perfect gifts for gardening newbies. They are among the easy-peasy houseplants that survive in a wide range of circumstances.
Our pick: Plants.com Spider Plant, $64.99
2. Jade Plant
Jade plants (Crassula Ovata) make excellent housewarming gifts. Also known as the lucky plant or the money tree, they are thought to bring good fortune into a home.
And they are succulents, attractive, resilient, and virtually impossible to kill. That means you don't have to worry much about the plants' demise when offering jade plants as houseplants. They are real survivors and can live for a very long time with very little care. They only need infrequent watering, so neglect works in their favor. Fertilizing this plant isn't necessary, but it's nice, though not essential, to wipe dust off the leaves from time to time.
Our pick: Thorsens Greenhouse Jade Plant, $19.99
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is a gift that carries a lot of love. Even the genus name "philodendron" means "love tree" in Greek, and the leaves of this species are shaped like valentines. This vibrant, easy-care plant is a great gift for anyone, including those without houseplant experience.
The plant grows in almost any situation, from bright light to low light. The branches cascade beautifully from a hanging container but positioned differently, they can climb as a vine.
All a heartleaf requires to thrive is a little water when the top half-inch of soil is dry. This variety of philodendron lets you know if you are watering too much or too little: yellow leaves mean it's getting too much water, brown leaves mean it's getting too little.
Our pick: Bloomscape Heartleaf Philodendrom, $35
It's the contrast that makes this houseplant a spectacular and impressive gift: the cactus branches are flat, segmented and a dull green-gray, while the blooms are frilly and vibrant. When in bloom, holiday cacti light up a room in pinks, reds, or lilacs with just a minimum amount of care.
The scientific name for this plant is Schlumbergera truncata, but most people refer to them as holiday cacti. There are three main types available in commerce, each blooming at a different time of the year: the late-fall flowering Thanksgiving cacti; Christmas cacti, which blossoms in early winter; and Easter cacti, blooming in mid-spring.
These are not desert-dwelling cacti, but come from the Brazilian rainforests. So, they need more water than other succulents. But as long as the houseplant comes in appropriate soil in a container with drainage holes, it will survive long periods with only an occasional drink. Once the plant blooms, it needs more water, but is likely to get more attention from its new owners, given its magnificent display.
Our pick: Succulents Box Christmas Cactus, $8.85
5. Snake Plant
With slender variegated leaves that can grow as tall as you are, the snake plant (Sansevieria spp.) is virtually indestructible. Put it in the sun, it thrives. Ditto with partial sun or even partial shade. Also called mother-in-law's tongue, the snake plant only needs very occasional irrigation to keep on keeping on. It is happy left to its own devices for weeks at a time. In fact, as long as the plant isn't left soaking in water, it will survive and look lovely in any home.
The classic variety is Sansevieria trifasciata. It is elegant with forest-green leaves and light striping. For an even sunnier gift, buy 'Golden Hahnii.' It's just as resilient, but the leaf accent colors are a sunny yellow.
Our pick: The Sill Snake Plant, $40
6. Aloe Vera
If your friend loves functional gifts, they'll love their Aloe Vera plant. Known for its nutritional and cooling properties, this plant could help their health if they need it to. The best part about the Aloe Vera plant is how easy it is to care for.
They need infrequent water. In fact, they HATE being overwatered, so if your friend forgets for a couple of weeks (or a couple of months, oops) ... their Aloe will still be thriving in the dry soil. Just make sure they get enough sunlight.
And, if your gifting budget allows, get one with a terra cotta pot — these tend to allow excellent drainage and will look gorgeous with their new spiky friend.
Our pick: Plants.com Aloe Vera Plant, $31.99
7. Peace Lily
The self-sufficient Peace Lily is the most selfless plant you'll find. They purify the air and turn every room into a jungle paradise. Your friend will have delight all over their face when you hand them one of these leafy giants.
The biggest commitment your friend will have to make is repotting them if they outgrow their home, but on a daily basis, these plants are crazy easy to care for. They need consistent water (but not too much), high humidity, and bright, indirect sunlight. If you know your friend wants to see blooms, instruct them to put the Peace Lily in a sunnier area.
Our pick: From You Flowers Peace Lily, $44.99