Perfect Christmas Gifts for Green Thumbs

If you use your imagination, there's no shortage of Christmas gift ideas for green thumbs of all ages.

But, those struggling to think of the perfect gift, Samford Valley Garden Centre’s Della Holden has plenty of suggestions.

There's a great range to choose from including flowering plants, succulents, herbs and indoor plants to suit all tastes and budgets.

Della says a maidenhair fern is a great option as are breathe-easy plants such as the ribbon plant, aloe vera, peace lily, mother-in-law’s tongue, weeping fig and English Ivy.

“They clean the air, so you can breathe more easily,” Della says.

“A bamboo palm is a fantastic indoor plant that’s really hardy.”

If you’re not sure what type of plant to go for, you can buy mini gardens — a container filled with plants, rocks and ornaments. These are ready-made, or made-to-order.

“A lot of young people are coming in to buy indoor plants, people in their 20s and 30s. I think that’s great,” she says.

For beginner gardeners, succulents are also a good option because they’re hardy and easy to propagate. They are the gift that keeps on giving.

They’re also perfect for children to give to a teacher, because they’re compact and aren’t too expensive. Team this with a card that says, ‘thanks for helping me grow’ and you’ve got a winner.

There’s a huge selection of decorative pots available in time for Christmas to suit all tastes from quirky vans to Hamptons and everything in between.

You can also buy ceramics for the garden and even faces for trees. These come with the components of a tree face which can be attached for fun and to grab attention.

“It’s a great present for someone when you don’t know what to give,” Della says.

Samford Valley Garden Centre’s biggest gift line is its fairy store.

“There’s something for kids, but also for grown-ups with terrariums or miniature gardens,” she says.

The range includes everything from figurines to rocks, furniture, fairy houses and miniatures.

If your special garden lover has all the plants and ornaments they could use, you can buy or create a green thumb’s gift pack with hand spades and forks, gloves, twine, water spray bottle and plant food.

And if you’re still stuck, a gift voucher is always a great fallback option.

Samford Valley Garden Centre is at 27 Main St. Visit samfordvalleygardencentre.com