10 of the best plant gifts

You simply can’t go wrong giving a plant as a Christmas gift. We’ve put together our collection of the most wanted – and sexiest – plants to hit the spot. Not only for your friends, family and loved ones, but for you too!

1. Money plant

Pilea peperomioides is a quirky houseplant with slender stems bearing round, glossy leaves that resemble coins – and is commonly called the Chinese money plant, or more mundanely the pancake plant. It is endangered in its native habitat (China) and has had quite a checkered past, being spread around by fleeing missionaries and plant hunters and later passed along via offshoots and cuttings by amateur gardeners.

The Western world only met this plant in the late 20th century, when in 2019 it became popular through social media trends which raised the price of a small, barely rooted plant sky high. The RHS crowned it with an Award of Garden Merit. Fortunately, today the plant is readily available at a realistic price.

It is great for the home office in bright to medium light. Do not overwater.

2. Medusa’s Head

Some of Jan van Riebeeck’s Dutch mates must have pilfered a few Euphorbia caput-medusae from the Western Cape where it is endemic, as it was one of the earliest South African plants to be taken up in European collections and the first to be planted in the botanical garden of Amsterdam in the 1700’s. In 1753 Swedish botanist Linnaeus described the plant as resembling the head of the Greek mythological monster Medusa (whom had poisonous snakes on her head instead of hair), with many serpent-like stems sprouting from a short and thick upside-down conical stem. It is a very long-living plant if treated correctly.

Keep it indoors on a sunny windowsill or plant in a container in full sun. Water every six to eight weeks in winter to spring, and keep fairly dry in summer.

3. Watch Chain or Zipper plant

Another indigenous succulent which has become a popular houseplant grown worldwide, is Crassula muscosa. Thin stems are packed with very small overlapping, light green succulent leaves resembling scales. This gives the stems an almost square shape. Small yellowish-green flowers with a musky scent might appear between the leaves if grown outdoors, but it is not likely to happen indoors.

It needs strong light indoors so let the sun shine on it through a window. Water frequently in summer and less frequently in winter.

4. Fibonacci style Aloe

Aloe polyphylla (Spiral Aloe) is a prized collector’s item which unfortunately has become rare and endangered in its natural habitat. It grows at high altitude in the mist and cloud belt of the Maluti Mountains in Lesotho where the summers are cool and rain is plentiful. The many leaves are arranged clockwise or anti-clockwise in a striking spiral on this stemless aloe which only generate from seed. A little hunt on the internet will put you in contact with growers selling this plant legally. It is a criminal offence to buy plants and seeds from roadside vendors.

This plant costs a fortune. Do not kill it by planting in constantly water-logged soil!

5. Architectural curiosity

Euphorbia trigona (African Milk Tree) – hailing from Central Africa – is a fast-growing and sought after succulent with triangular stems with thorny ridges. Spoon-shaped leaves crown the stem tips and will appear between the thorns, but have the tendency to drop off. The stems are light green with a mottled pattern. One can also buy a red form with flushes of almost burgundy red on the leaves and stems.

Keep it warm in bright light (morning sun only outdoors) and water regularly when the soil feels dry.

6. Pickle Plant

Senecio stapeliiformis is a beautiful succulent with clumps of cylindrical stems of about 25cm long with a felt-like grey background embellished with purple-green patterns and soft spines. From afar it looks like striped pyjamas. Mature stems produce lovely bright red or dark orange thistle-like flowers on their tips in summer. This plant is endemic to the Eastern Cape.

It needs a sunny spot or bright light indoors. Water only when the soil is completely dry.

7. Black ZZ plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a tropical plant hailing from Eastern Africa. Its main claim to fame is a tolerance for very low light indoors, which will slow growth down on this already slow grower – a little more light (not baking sunlight) will hasten it along. ‘Raven’ is a very trendy cultivar due to its nearly black foliage. It is mesmerising to watch the transition of new growth: emerging as lime-green, then maturing to a rich, purple-black shade. Thick rhizomes store moisture which allows it to survive several weeks without water.

This is a worry-free houseplant if not overwatered. Keep the leaves with their high shine free of dust.

8. String of pearls

The indigenous Curio rowleyanus can produce 50cm long wiry stems packed with pea-shaped, fleshy leaves with a translucent stripe along their entire length. Brush-like, cinnamon-scented flowers appear in spring.

String of pearls needs semi-shade outdoors, and bright light indoors. Water regularly.

9. Blushing plant

Philodendron erubescens ‘Imperial Red’ is a magnificent hybrid developed in the 1980’s with very imposing large leaves which emerge bright red and mature to deep purple and dark green.

Display in bright, indirect light and water only when the soil feels dry.

10. String of Dolphins

Curio x peregrinus is a cross between C. rowleyanus and C. articulatus which became very trendy in 2017 causing an uproar on the internet in the ever-popular succulent market. The fleshy leaves are curved with two extruding ‘fins’ resembling playful dolphins.

It needs semi-shade outdoors, and bright light indoors. Water regularly.

READ MORE: If you are looking for more gift ideas, try these gifts from the veggie garden.