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35 Plants, Tools & Books For The Plant Lover In Your Life

Emma Loewe
Author:
Updated on June 28, 2021
Emma Loewe
mbg Sustainability + Health Director
By Emma Loewe
mbg Sustainability + Health Director
Emma Loewe is the Senior Sustainability Editor at mindbodygreen and the author of "Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us."
Last updated on June 28, 2021
Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.

Looking for a great green gift? We've got you covered with everything the plant lover in your life could need. From plant kits and subscriptions to guidebooks and pocket snippers, these are the goods that plant experts have their sights on right now.

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Books:

Books for plant lovers: The New Plant Parent, Wild At Home, How To Make Plants Love You
Image by mbg Creative
1.

"Wild at Home" by Hilton Carter

This guide to plant care and styling has stayed a bestseller since its spring 2019 release. Penned by plant authority Hilton Carter, it's filled with fun ideas for bringing more greenery into your space. Next stop: Indoor jungle.

Wild at Home: How To Style and Care for Beautiful Plants ($14.53)

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2.

"How To Make a Plant Love You" by Summer Rayne Oakes

Summer Rayne Oakes is the ultimate plant mom. In this practical book, the environmental scientist and host of Plant on Me shares her secrets to keeping plants not just alive but thriving.

How To Make a Plant Love You: Cultivate Green Space in Your Home and Heart ($22.50)

3.

"New Plant Parent" by Darryl Cheng

An engineer by training, Darryl Cheng brings a methodical, scientific eye to plant care. His first book tells you literally everything you need to know about the mechanics of your houseplant and what they need to stay happy.

New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care for Your Houseplant Family ($22.20)

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4.

"Root, Nurture, Grow" by Caro Langton and Rose Ray

Gift this one, and you might just get a houseplant in return a few weeks down the line. It's all about mastering the art of propagation, the growing of new plants from cuttings.

Root, Nurture, Grow: The Essential Guide to Propagating and Sharing Houseplants ($24.99)

5.

"The Little Book of Cacti and Other Succulents" by Emma Sibley

This compact guidebook rolls through 60 varieties of succulents and how to care for them. Give it to the one who keeps complaining that they overwater their cactuses.

The Little Book of Cacti and Other Succulents ($14.99)

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6.

"Plant Tribe" by Igor Josifovic and Judith De Graaff

The ideal coffee-table book for the green devotee, Plant Tribe is packed with gorgeous images of houseplant-filled homes around the world.

Plant Tribe: Living Happily Ever After With Plants ($28.93)

7.

"The Gardener's Companion to Medicinal Plants" by Jason Irving

For anyone interested in growing plants for more practical purposes, this reference guide is a must. It walks readers through 200 plants with healing properties and outlines how to use them to make homegrown teas, tonics, balms, and more.

The Gardener's Companion to Medicinal Plants: An A-Z of Healing Plants and Home Remedies ($15.99)

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Plants:

an arrangement of houseplants to gifta
Image by mbg Creative
8.

Tierra Sol mini heart cactuses

Your giftee will be feeling the love with this top pick from nature-centered life coach Britanny Gowan. "I love gifting and getting a plant gift that is somewhat unexpected," Gowan says. "Once I received a mini cactus from Tierra Sol Studio, and it was such a thoughtful little piece of planty love."

Tierra Sol Better Together Mini Cactus and Mini Heart Planter ($27)

9.

Wally Plant Kits

Maria Failla of Bloom & Grow Radio digs that these package kits include everything a starter gardener could need: planters, plants, soil, and fertilizer. "It's like a one-stop-shop for gifting someone a plant and letting them be a part of the experience by planting it up," she says.

Wally Eco White Plant Kits ($69.99)

10.

Smallhold oyster grow kit

Know someone who has mastered the art of herb gardening? Cultivating mushrooms can be their next conquest, and it's surprisingly easy to do with this grow kit. Simply place your block in a dark spot, mist daily, and twist off for a homegrown dinner star.

Smallhold Blue Oyster Grow Kit ($34)

11.

Row 7 Seeds

Acclaimed chef Dan Barber started his seed company, Row 7, to re-imagine the way we grow food. His seeds are bred for flavor first and make for a delicious gift. "The plants are selected for chefs and are a great addition to any urban garden or houseplant person who wants to try their hand at growing food for the first time," says plant coach Nick Cutsumpas. According to him, you can't go wrong with their mini butternut squash or tetra squash.

Row 7 Tetra Squash ($4.95)

12.

Bloomscape outdoor plant kit

For the one looking to carry their indoor plant obsession onto the porch or patio, popular houseplant shop Bloomscape now offers outdoor kits. Each kit contains six young plants (enough to fill two 10-inch planters with colorful blooms), care instructions, and some fertilizer to get you started.

Bloomscape Red Geranium, Purple Calibrachoa, and Yellow Bidens Combination Kit ($45)

13.

A Monstera Deliciosa

According to Maryah Greene, the founder of Greene Piece, the monstera is the plant that "makes people feel like plant parents." You can't go wrong gifting this fan-favorite, which is widely beloved for its unique leaf shape.

The Sill Monstera Deliciosa ($57)

14.

A ZZ Plant

The ZZ is an incredibly low-maintenance variety that's well-suited for beginner planters (just not the ones who have pets!). "I love how wild a ZZ plant will get with its growth," Hilton Carter previously told mbg"Plus, the dark green waxy foliage is durable, making it a good plant to have in high-traffic areas of your home."

Plantvine ZZ Plant ($21.60)

15.

Living Arrangement terrarium building kit

Building your own terrarium is a superfun craft—and you get a plant centerpiece at the end of it! This kit comes with succulents, a container, soil, moss, drainage rocks, and fun trinkets to customize your planty scene.

Living Arrangement Terrarium Building Kit Complete for Succulents ($46.99)

16.

Succulent Studios succulent subscription

What's better than gifting someone a succulent? Gifting them two succulents, every month. Succulent Studio offers a subscription service that delivers the little lookers right to their door monthly. Choose from 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month plans.

Succulent Studios Gift Subscription ($16.50/ month)

Pots:

Houseplant pot arrangement: hanging pot, alpaca pot
Image by mbg Creative
17.

CB2 hanging planter

For those looking to take their plant obsession airborne, this hanging planter is sturdy, stylish, and affordable.

CB2 Zola Medium Hanging Planter ($24.95)

18.

West Elm llama planter

Every houseplant deserves its own ceramic llama, no? These planters offer up a whimsical display for all types of greenery and look extra festive when filled with trailing plants.

West Elm Ceramic Llama Planters ($45)

19.

Alfie & Gem basket and plant stand

This adjustable bamboo stand can grow with your plant, and its cotton basket is durable enough to be placed outdoors or indoors throughout the year.

Alfie & Gem Acacia Adjustable Plant Stand + Black & White Pot Basket ($67)

20.

Terrain glass terrarium

Encourage their creative side by gifting this flat-bottomed droplet terrarium display. It's a blank canvas to fill with the green scene of their dreams.

Terrain Polished Drop Terrarium ($38)

21.

Justina Blakeney ceramic cups

Trust Justina Blakeney of Jungalow fame to create only the chicest of plant displays—including these ceramics in burnt orange, speckled cream, lavender, and blue shades. They're the perfect size for individual blooms or small floral displays, and they can double as pen or makeup holders.

Justina Blakeney Kaya Solid Ceramic Cups ($20)

Grow Lights:

an arrangement of plant grow lights
Image by mbg creative
22.

Vita grow bulb

Summer Rayne Oakes of Plant One On Me says that this VITA bulb, which can screw into most floor and desk lamps, is perfect for keeping indoor plants happy during lower-light months. "[It] has a nice color temperature, so it doesn't feel as if you're sitting under a fluorescent light!" she says. "There is also a dimmable feature, in case you want to have it 'turned down' at night."

Vita Grow Light ($74.99)

23.

Aspect hanging grow light

This one costs a pretty penny, but Maria Failla of Bloom & Grow Radio says that its sleek, simple design, 15-year warranty, and customizable lighting make it worth the splurge. "It's a luxury grow light that blends in with your home effortlessly," she says.

Aspect LED Growlight ($149.99)

24.

Bamboo LED grow light garden

Oakes says this bamboo display makes a great gift for chefs who want to grow their own herbs but need a little help in the lighting department.

Gardener's Supply Bamboo Mini LED Grow Light Garden ($159)

25.

Modern Sprout portrait grow frame

This "grow frame" will finally give them the opportunity to treat their most prized plant like the piece of artwork that it is.

Modern Sprout Portrait Growframe ($140)

26.

GE grow bulb

For those who are new to grow lights, this classic from GE is a tried-and-true. The LED bulb has a balanced light spectrum that's ideal for growing indoor plants as well as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, leafy greens, and herbs.

GE Full Spectrum, 9-Watt Grow Light Bulb ($10.88)

Gardening tools:

an arrangement of gardening tools: watering can, mister, and scissors
Image by mbg Creative
27.

Pocket snips

There's nothing like a pair of pocket snips to make you feel like a real gardener, even if all you're snipping are a few yellow leaves from your potted pothos. Oakes prefers these for their size; small enough to fit in any pocket.

Gardener's Supply Company Pocket Snips ($14.95)

28.

BLK + GRN ceramic watering can

Take a semi-annoying chore and make it high fashion with this ceramic watering can that's pretty enough to display once the last drop has been drunk.

BLK + GRN Handcrafted Ceramic Watering Cans ($80)

29.

Horti mister

There's something so satisfying about misting your houseplant's leaves (the ones that appreciate the humidity, anyways), and it becomes even more enjoyable with this stylish vessel.

Horti The Dapper Mister ($25)

30.

Plant propagation station

Finally, an excuse to own your own vial set outside of chemistry class. This five-vial propagation station can sit on a table or be hung on a wall. Combine it with the Root, Nurture, Grow book and pocket snips shared earlier for a complete set for the starter propagator.

CoeurDuSaule Five Tube Plant Propagation Station ($35)

31.

Greendigs watering can

Beautifully designed with a slender spout and handle, this one is as pretty as it is functional.

Greendigs Oasis Watering Can in Gold ($29.99)

Miscellaneous:

an arrangement of plant-themed gifts including a hat, handle, and puzzle
Image by mbg Creative
32.

JIGGY flower puzzle

All their plant fantasies, distilled in an 800-piece puzzle. This artist-designed jigsaw also comes with glue so they can hang it on the wall for dreamy days to come.

JIGGY Bathing With Flowers ($49)

33.

The Sill plants beanie

With this machine-washable beanie on one's head, no one will ever question where loyalties lie.

The Sill Plants Beanie ($20)

34.

Boy Smells gardener candle

With hints of petitgrain, white tea, honeysuckle, and tomato (!), this clean-burning candle bundles up all the scents of the veggie garden.

Boy Smells Gardener Candle ($32)

35.

Gardening Gnomes decomposition book

This fantastical notebook begs to be filled with cactus care notes, lavender love letters, and pothos-inspired poetry. Bonus: It's made of recycled paper and printed with soy ink.

Decomposition Gardening Gnomes Decomposition Book ($10)

Emma Loewe author page.
Emma Loewe
mbg Sustainability + Health Director

Emma Loewe is the Sustainability and Health Director at mindbodygreen and the author of Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us. She is also the co-author of The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care, which she wrote alongside Lindsay Kellner.

Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She's spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.