The green thumb does not come naturally to everyone. The best way to keep those green leaves alive and healthy is to study up on plant care. Then, their houseplants will suffer until they have the time and motivation to do so. If your friend and loved ones has brown-thumb (or, let’s be honest, black-thumb) it’s hard to find greenery that will last long enough to serve as a present.
There are such plants out there, however. Take a look at these five perfectly showy plants that thrive on neglect. This way, your friend can bask in the beauty of their new gift for longer than 24 hours.
Spider Plant
There is no doubt that Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are impressive. They look like grass when positioned in a bright window because of their brightly colored leaves. They come in solid green or variegated cultivars, each as easy to take care of as the next.
A spider’s common name comes from its unique method of propagation. Long stems grow as the plant matures. Baby plants look like arachnids, and ‘spiderettes’ are attached to each side of the “mother” plant. Upon developing roots, each can be potted up as a separate plant.
As plants that are adaptable and resilient, spider plants make excellent gifts for new gardeners. There are many easy-to-grow houseplants that thrive in a wide variety of conditions.
Jade Plant
It is excellent to give jade plants (Crassula Ovata) as housewarming gifts. These plants are also known as the lucky plant or the money tree, which are believed to bring good fortune into a house.
In addition to their attractiveness, their resilience, and their invulnerability make them incredibly resistant to damage. Therefore, you won’t have to worry too much about plants’ demise when you offer them as houseplants. These animals are real survivors and can live for very long periods of time with very little care. Consequently, neglect will benefit them, since they need only sparingly watered. This plant doesn’t need fertilizer, but dusting off its leaves every so often is a nice, though not essential, precaution.
Heartleaf Philodendron
There is nothing better than giving the gift of heart-shaped leaves (Philodendron bipinnatifidum). Philodendron is a genus name in Greek meaning “love tree”, and the leaves of this species resemble hearts. You can give this easy-to-care-for plant as a gift to anyone, including people without experience with houseplants.
It grows in almost any light condition, including bright light and low light. A hanging container allows the branches to cascade beautifully, but if they are positioned differently, they can grow like vines.
Whenever the top half inch of soil is dry, a heartleaf only needs a little water to thrive. Philodendrons have yellow leaves when they are getting too much water and brown leaves when they are getting too little.
Holiday Cactus
It is the contrast between the cactus branches and the blooms that makes this houseplant a spectacular and impressive gift: the flat, segmented stems are a dull green-gray, while the blooms are colorful and frilly. During the holiday season, color-full holiday cacti brighten up a room in pink, red, or lilac with just a few care instructions.
Normally called holiday cacti, Schlumbergera truncata is scientifically known as Schlumbergera truncata. In commerce, there are three main types available: Thanksgiving cacti, which bloom in late fall; Christmas cacti, which bloom in early winter; and Easter cacti, which bloom in mid-spring.
Brazilian rainforests provide the habitat for these cacti, which are not desert-dwelling. Therefore, other succulents do not need as much water as these. When the soil is appropriate and the container has drainage holes, the houseplant will have no problem surviving without water for long periods of time. The plant will require more water once it blooms, but its beautiful display is likely to draw the attention of its new owners.
Snake Plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria spp.) have slender variegated leaves that reach the height of humans. If you put it in the sun, it thrives. It’s the same with partial sun or even partial shade. Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, require very little water to thrive. It is perfectly content to be left to its own devices for weeks at a time. If you don’t let the plant soak in water, the plant will survive and look beautiful in any home.
A classic variety is Sansevieria trifasciata, which is elegant with forest-green leaves and light stripes. If you want even more sunshine, buy “Golden Hahnii.” Its leaves are just as robust, but they have a yellow highlight.