Dear Plant Stylist: "Help me pick out a hostess gift!" — Plant Care Tips and More

In our Dear Plant Stylist series, we share styling and lighting inquiries received by our in-house stylists with our audience. So read on-- you just might find that your plant styling questions are answered below!

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Dear Plant Stylist,

One of my dearest friends has invited me to come along to her vacation house this summer. What would be a good plant to give as a Thank You gift for the host?

Something easy, please,

L.R.

Dear L.,

First things first: congratulations on the getaway! We all need one more than ever after the year we’ve had.

Living plants make such fantastic gifts for hosts. They’re truly thoughtful and emblematic of your appreciation and care. They can also be a little bit tricky to choose, because you don’t want to saddle your friend with a daunting new responsibility. But there are so many genuinely low-maintenance houseplants that this doesn’t have to be an issue.

Let’s start with the biggest considerations, and then we can work our way down to styling preferences.

Does your friend have kids or animals that might chew plants? We promise we’re not conflating beloved children with unruly pets, but toxic houseplants are a bad idea for both! If this is a concern, you’ll want to choose a non-toxic plant from this collection.

Lighting also plays a part in choosing plants. Many plants are flexible, but if your friend’s space receives particularly low light, you’ll want to let this collection be your guide.

The Lucky Plant Set Duo is a great gift for hosts who can appreciate good feng shui.

Now, onto the fun stuff. If your friend and gracious host is holistically minded, (really, who isn’t?) you could consider giving her the gift of wellness and bountiful fresh air, by picking out an air-purifying plant for her. Many gorgeous houseplants have air-purifying qualities, and these have been verified by scientific institutions like NASA, so we’re not just pulling your leg.

Rubber Plants are naturally air purifying, and they’re popular for their deep coloration and high-gloss foliage. They are a great fit for spaces with richly colored decor. Snake Plants, alias Sansevierias, are likewise air-purifying, and they’re possibly the most foolproof plant for gifting there is. They’re gorgeous, they have impressive height and lush fullness, and they’re virtually indestructible. They fit seamlessly into any style, and are a stunning addition when placed in the corners of rooms, or as a pair to flank an entryway.

Our Lucky Plant Set Duo is a great choice for gifting because it has wonderful contrast and variety. A verdant, jewel-tone Zanzibar Gem is paired with a graceful and airy Braided Money Tree in this feng shui-friendly set of plants renowned for bestowing good luck (and even monetary windfalls!) on its owner.

Houseplants have the wonderful quality of being aesthetically flexible. At their core, they are all case studies in natural beauty, and they can blend into and enhance any style of interior decor that a given space might have, which frees you up as the gift-giver to hone in on more specific details, like light requirements, non-toxic options, and care needs.

Every plant I’ve mentioned above is low-maintenance and easy to care for, but don’t be afraid of go off-roading as you shop! We always list this designation on the product page for our plants. Find it by clicking “Is This Plant Right for Me?”

Happy Hunting, L., and have a great trip. Viva rest and relaxation!