The best plants to give as a gift are easy, forgiving and attractive: a Phalaenopsis orchid for elegance, a ZZ plant or snake plant for someone who forgets to water, a calathea or spider plant for pet owners, and herbs or a lemon tree for food lovers. A plant is a lovely alternative to a bouquet when you want a gift that lasts months or years, for a new home, an office, a retirement or a gardener.
Below you will find which plant to choose for each recipient, basic care tips to pass on, the plants to avoid, and when a bouquet is still the better choice.
Plant or bouquet?
| Choose a plant when… | Choose a bouquet when… |
|---|---|
| The recipient is moving into a new home or office | It’s a romantic gesture or Valentine’s Day |
| You want a gift that lasts | It’s for a funeral or condolences |
| The recipient loves gardening | It’s a party, a dinner or a one-day celebration |
| You’re thanking a team (plant for the office) | The recipient travels often or has no space |
| It’s a retirement or a new job | You want maximum “wow” on the day |
The easiest plants to give
| Plant | Light | Watering | Why it makes a good gift | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phalaenopsis orchid | Bright, indirect | Every 1–2 weeks, let drain | Flowers for weeks, often months | Generally considered non-toxic |
| ZZ plant (Zamioculcas) | Low to bright | Every 2–3 weeks | Almost indestructible | Toxic if eaten |
| Snake plant (Sansevieria) | Low to bright | Every 2–4 weeks | Sculptural, very tolerant | Toxic if eaten |
| Pothos (Epipremnum) | Low to bright | When the top soil is dry | Fast-growing trailing plant | Toxic if eaten |
| Spider plant (Chlorophytum) | Bright, indirect | Weekly | Easy, produces “babies” to share | Generally considered non-toxic |
| Calathea | Medium, indirect | Keep slightly moist | Decorative patterned leaves | Generally considered non-toxic |
| Monstera | Bright, indirect | When top soil is dry | Statement plant for a living room | Toxic if eaten |
| Kentia palm | Low to medium | When top soil is dry | Elegant, tolerant of indoor conditions | Generally considered non-toxic |
| Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) | Low to medium | Droops when thirsty, easy to read | White flowers, forgiving | Toxic to cats and dogs |
| Succulents and cacti | Bright, direct | Very little | Small, ideal for a desk | Varies by species |
Pets: if the recipient has a cat or dog, check our list of flowers and plants toxic to cats and dogs before choosing.
Flowering plants by season
A flowering plant combines the festive look of a bouquet with a longer life:
- Spring: potted tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, primroses, miniature roses.
- Summer: hydrangeas, lavender, geraniums for a balcony, herbs.
- Autumn: heathers, ornamental peppers, cyclamen (avoid chrysanthemums as a gift in Switzerland: they are associated with graves and All Saints’ Day).
- Winter: amaryllis, poinsettia, Christmas cactus, hellebores, paperwhite narcissus.
Our guide to seasonal flowers in Switzerland gives more detail on what is available when.
Which plant for which recipient?
For someone who “kills every plant”
A ZZ plant, snake plant or cactus. All three tolerate low light and forgotten watering. Add a note: “Water once a month. Really, that’s it.”
For a new home
A monstera, kentia palm or fiddle-leaf fig makes an instant statement in a new living room. If you don’t know the light conditions, a pothos adapts to almost anything.
For a colleague or an office
An orchid, a ZZ plant or a snake plant: clean, professional and tolerant of office lighting. For a whole team, a larger plant for the shared space works well. For corporate gifting, see our corporate flowers guide.
For a food lover
Herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme, mint), a potted lemon or olive tree for a balcony, or a chilli plant.
For a gardener
Something special: a rare variety, a potted hydrangea to plant out, bulbs for next spring, or a bonsai for a patient enthusiast.
For an older person
A flowering plant that is easy to see and enjoy (orchid, cyclamen, African violet), in a stable pot that is not too heavy to move.
For a child
A cactus or a spider plant whose babies can be potted on, or seeds to grow sunflowers or cress.
Care tips to pass on with the plant
A short care card makes all the difference:
- Light: say where the plant is happiest (window sill, away from direct sun…).
- Water: how often, and how much. Overwatering kills more houseplants than drought.
- Pot: most gift plants come in a plastic grow pot inside a decorative pot. Remind the recipient to empty any water that collects at the bottom.
- Winter: keep plants away from radiators and cold draughts.
- Repotting: usually not needed in the first year.
Plants to think twice about
- Chrysanthemums: cemetery association in Switzerland.
- Highly toxic plants for families with young children or pets (dieffenbachia, oleander, lilies).
- Large plants for someone with a small flat.
- Plants in hospitals: many wards discourage soil. Our get well soon guide has better ideas.
- Very scented plants (jasmine, hyacinth) for allergy sufferers; see our guide to hypoallergenic flowers.
The meaning of gift plants
Plants carry symbolism too. Traditionally, orchids represent elegance and admiration, jade plants are associated with prosperity (a popular gift for a new business), bamboo with good luck, and olive trees with peace. Our language of flowers dictionary covers the flowers you’re most likely to find in a pot.
How to deliver a plant as a gift
Plants are more fragile in transit than you might think. A few practical points:
- Winter deliveries: tropical houseplants (orchids, calatheas, monsteras) suffer below about 10°C. In cold weather, choose a delivery when the recipient is home, so the plant doesn’t wait in a cold stairwell.
- Summer heat: avoid leaving a plant in a hot car or behind a sunny window for hours.
- Size and weight: large plants in ceramic pots are heavy. For an older recipient or a flat without a lift, a smaller plant is more considerate.
- Packaging: a decorative pot cover looks lovely, but check that it doesn’t hold standing water after watering.
- Timing: for a housewarming, wait until the boxes are unpacked; a plant arriving on moving day is likely to be forgotten.
Plants for special occasions
| Occasion | Plant idea | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Housewarming | Monstera, kentia palm, olive tree | Fills a new space, lasts for years |
| New job or promotion | Orchid, jade plant | Elegant; jade traditionally means prosperity |
| Retirement | Bonsai, potted hydrangea for the garden | Time to enjoy a hobby |
| Birth | Small flowering plant for the parents | Easy, no vase to find (but not on a maternity ward) |
| Thank you | Orchid, herbs in a pretty pot | Practical and lasting |
| Christmas | Amaryllis, poinsettia, Christmas cactus | Seasonal and festive |
| Mother’s Day | Potted roses, hydrangea | Can be planted out afterwards |
| Sympathy | Peace lily, white orchid | A lasting sign of remembrance for the family home |
A plant for a grieving family is a gentle alternative to a bouquet: it continues to grow when the cut flowers have faded. For the ceremony itself, wreaths and sprays remain the norm; see our funeral flowers guide.
Plant or bouquet: why not both?
Some florists offer bouquets alongside plants and accessories. If the occasion is festive, a bouquet still has the most impact on the day, and you can make it last with our tips on how to make flowers last longer. If you want the gift to last, a plant is a lovely, sustainable alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best plant to give as a gift?
For most people, an easy-care plant such as a Phalaenopsis orchid, a ZZ plant, a snake plant or a pothos is ideal: attractive, forgiving and long-lasting.
Is it better to give a plant or flowers?
A plant lasts months or years and suits a new home, an office or a gardener; a bouquet is more festive and better for romantic, sympathy or one-off occasions. Choose according to the recipient and the occasion.
Which plants are safe for cats and dogs?
Calatheas, Boston ferns, spider plants, Christmas cacti and areca palms are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Lilies, peace lilies, pothos, cyclamen and many others are not.
What plant should I give someone who kills plants?
Choose a ZZ plant, a snake plant or a cactus. They tolerate low light, irregular watering and neglect better than almost any other houseplant.
Can I give a plant to someone in hospital?
It is often discouraged, as some wards do not accept soil for hygiene reasons. A small bouquet or a card is usually a safer choice; check with the ward first.