Hostess Gift Ideas: Plants for Every Personality

We all know that plants reduce stress. But did you know? “Being around plants helps people concentrate better in the home and workplace. Studies show that tasks performed while under the calming influence of nature are performed better and with greater accuracy. This yields a higher quality result,” explains Floriculture experts. That said, here are some plants which are great hostess gift ideas.

There are four categories that people typically fall into when it comes to plants:

1. People that only want plants that are super easy to care for like Succulents
2. The plant lover that has an entire room in their house dedicated to plants like the Bat Flower
3. Folks that prefer airplants over ALL other plants (that’s me!)
4. Many of our homes are light-starved, so there are plant lovers that need low light plants

At Fang , we have something for everyone on your list this year and we highly recommend these plants as hostess gift ideas! Given the typical hostess is really stressed these are the MOST thoughtful gifts. Their animals certainly help reduce stress but this should get them through the winter months a little easier! We also sell pruners – combined with the plant is a great gift too!

Be prepared. Pick up several plants for hostess gifts and be ready for your upcoming parties!

Put Plants Away From Pets:

Remember to put a note on your gift to suggest that your hostess gift is put somewhere safe in the house.

So safety first when it comes to our animals! It is worth noting that all plants are toxic depending on how much of that plant is consumed by your cat or dog. If you’re interested in learning more about the plants you have and which should be moved to a place out of the way of your beloved animals, visit: the ASPCA.

Remember: Our staff at Fang can help answer other questions about any of these plants. Swing by on your way to the next party to pick up one of these plants as a hostess gift idea!

Now let’s look at some of the plants we carry that are great hostess gift ideas.

There are four categories:

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EASY TO CARE FOR:

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Succulents

These are plants that have some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. These hostess gift ideas are easy to maintain.

Cacti!

Super low maintenance and easy to care for! The Echinopsis cactus flower blooms overnight—and lasts only a  day. So cool!

Euphorbia

This is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Note that many cultivars are often misidentified as cacti. Important to note that they secrete a  milky latex when broken or cut and that all varieties will produce specialized leaves. What we carry is different from the common euphorbia found in landscaping in the Portland area.

Philodendron

Philodendron is a large genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family. Even inexperienced houseplant owners will have no trouble growing philodendron plants because they adapt readily to the conditions inside the home.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Philodendron Houseplants: How To Care For A Philodendron Plant

Pothos

Arguably the easiest houseplant to grow. It’s a long-growing, leafy vine that can reach 40 feet or more in tropical jungles. It usually confines itself to about 6-10 feet in containers, but may just keep on growing.

ZZ (Zamioculcas Zamifolia) Zanzibar Gem

Zamioculcas is a genus of flowering plant in the family Araceae, containing the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It is a tropical perennial plant native to eastern Africa, from Kenya south to northeastern South Africa.

Sansevieria (all varieties) or Snake Plant

Most people know it by this name or as Mother in Law’s Tongue.

Sansevieria is always at the top of any list as being one of the most tolerant of all decorative plants to survive the most unsuitable growing conditions.

Hoya

Easy to care for but exotic in appearance, hoya plants are the ideal houseplant for those who crave tropical blooms.

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PLANT LOVER OR COLLECTOR:

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Euphorbia

Euphorbia is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). There are various types you can explore these euphorbias’ at the store which are also wonderful hostess gift ideas.Euphorbia:

• Trigona^
• Pachypodium^
• Ammak
• Lactae
• Flanganii (Medusa Head proxy).

Large Crassula Jade

The LARGE Crassula Jade^ (Crassula is in the Succulent designation, we have a large sculpted specimen which makes it a collectible, otherwise it is very very common).

Crassula (KRAS-ew-la) & Jade Plants: The Crassula family presents an incredible range of forms, from large tree-like shrubs to plants with trailing stems ideal for hanging baskets. Most have waxy surfaces with beautiful markings and brilliant color.

Cylindropuntia Subulata (more cacti!)

Austrocylindropuntia subulata is a species of cactus native to the Peruvian Andes. The name subulata comes from the Latin subulate, for awl-like, referring to the shape of the rudimentary leaves.

Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron)^

The Split Leaf Philodendron or Monstera deliciosa is a large popular easy-care houseplant that is not really a Philodendron at all. There is a great deal of confusion about what to call this plant because the variable names have become interchangeable.

Monstera Adonsonii (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera Friedrichsthalii (synonymous with Adansonii) is a glossy, evergreen, tropical vine native to regions of Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. It is also called “Swiss Cheese Plant” or “Swiss Cheese Vine” because of the ever-present holes in its leaves.

Phiodendron Bipinnatifidum

Philodendron bipinnatifidum is a plant that belongs to the family Araceae and subgenus Meconostigma, one of three subgenera within the genus Philodendron. This plant is native to South America, namely to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Sansevieria Gracilis

This plant is a caulescent, herbaceous species slightly ascending to spreading or trailing in cultivation. It forms rosettes of up to twelve conical, in-rolled, light green leaves arranged spirally.

Sansevieria Moonlight

A member of the Sansevieria Family and also known as the Mother in Law Tongue. It has thick silvery green blades. The blades then slowly mature to a soft green. Very attractive and excellent for indoors.

Ginseng Ficus^ (do you know a bonsai lover?)

Native to Malaysia, Taiwan, and other Southeast and East Asian countries, the Ginseng Ficus is an excellent choice for bonsai tree growers. Sometimes known as the Taiwan Ficus, Banyan Fig or Indian Laurel Fig, the Ginseng Ficus is characterized by the shape of its strong roots and stems.

Bat Flower

Growing Tacca bat flowers is a great way to have an unusual flower or novelty plant, both indoors and out. Bat flower info indicates the plant is actually an orchid!

Staghorn Fern^

They are Old World tropics native to Africa, northern Australia, and Southeast Asia. This large gorgeous fern looks great in a hanging basket but can also be hung against a wall because all the leaves are on one side.

^Often Available 

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AIRPLANTS (TILLANDSIA):

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We carry a lot of the popular varieties. We have some in bloom, others just budding, the rest are un-bloomed. These plants are very low maintenance and are also great hostess gift ideas.

Xerographica

Known as the king of air plants! A beautiful silvery green with some pink highlights. Their bloom can grow to 4 times the height of the plant. They make a beautiful centerpiece.

Caput Medusae

Added to the unusual plant section for its obvious bizarre look is the Tillandsia Caput Medusae. An air-plant also known as the Medusa’s Head Plant (different from the Euphorbia Medusa’s Head) for its similarities with the Greek mythological character Medusa.

Bradeana

Tillandsia brachycaulos is a species in the genus Tillandsia. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela

Oaxacana

Tillandsia oaxacana is a species in the genus Tillandsia. This species is endemic to Mexico.

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LOW LIGHT LOVERS:

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ZZ (Zamioculcas Zamifolia) Zanzibar Gem*

Zamioculcas is a genus of flowering plant in the family Araceae, containing the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It is a tropical perennial plant native to eastern Africa, from Kenya south to northeastern South Africa.

Jewel Orchid

Jewel Orchids do well as house plants. The Jewel Orchid or Ludisia discolor is a terrestrial orchid unlike other Orchids. Known for its foliage rather than its flowers, it is simple and easy to care for and produces lovely little white flowers.

Philodendron Cordatum*

The most common indoor philodendron is the Philodendron Cordatum, sometimes called Sweetheart Vine or Heart Leaf Philodendron. This Philodendron has heart-shaped, green leaves that are typically about 2-3 inches across and can grow much larger.

Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron)*+

The Split Leaf Philodendron or Monstera deliciosa is a large popular upright growing easy-care houseplant that is not really a Philodendron at all!

Japonica Farfugium (Giant Leopard Plant)

Farfugium japonicum Giganteum aka Giant Leopard Plant. Grows in Sun to Part Sun ( It thrives in Full to Mostly Shaded conditions, does not like full sun.) Flower Color is Yellow/Gold and blooms in Fall.

Bat Flower

Growing Tacca bat flowers is a great way to have an unusual flower or novelty plant, both indoors and out. The Bat flower is actually an orchid.

Sansevieria all varieties* (see above for two)

African Mask*

The African mask plant (some think the plant looks like one) or Kris plant have veins with contrasting colors.

Ferns: (except Asparagus Fern, Bird’s Nest, and Staghorn)

A fern is a member of a group of vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. (Ferns require more vigilance in terms of watering habits, place a tray of water under a fern to help minimize how often you need to water, daily misting is recommended to keep it looking full and happy).

Xerographica can do well in a North facing window

Xerographica (zero-grafika) are also great low light plants.

Tips:

*easy to care for

*+ easy and more attention needed

General Rule:

Dark foliage tolerates less light due to the higher levels of chlorophyll present in the leaves and variegated varieties cannot photosynthesize as readily as dark leaf varieties and thus need a little more light.