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And we have expert care tips you can share with the recipient.

There’s no more suitable gift than one that keeps on giving, like living plants. There are lots of classic holiday plants you can gift this month, but unique potted plants to gift for Christmas feel far more exciting and thoughtful. These ideas fit perfectly with today’s Christmas houseplant gifts, festive greenery and blooms, and even the latest houseplant gift trends.

Of course, traditional favorites will always be a joy to receive, but the best potted Christmas plants often include more unexpected choices. From indoor citrus tree gifts to fragrant holiday plants, winter flowering houseplants, bonsai gift ideas, and flowering succulent gifts, there are so many festive plant gift ideas to explore.

To help you pick the right one for every gardener on your list, here are my top six potted plants to gift for Christmas, along with simple care tips you can share. Each option is easy to look after and fits beautifully with holiday plant decor ideas and ornamental plants for gifting.

6 Potted Plants to Gift for Christmas

The best potted plants to gift for Christmas don’t just include classic holiday houseplants — they also include unique additions perfect for container gardens. These ideas fit beautifully with Christmas houseplant gifts, festive greenery and blooms, winter flowering houseplants, and even today’s houseplant gift trends.

Here are six lovely options I promise anyone will be happy to receive:

Calamondin Tree

A Calamondin tree is a wonderful choice if you want an indoor fruit plant that actually produces. It grows small, bright oranges that are both beautiful and tasty.

To fruit well indoors, it simply needs 6 to 8 hours of direct daylight each day and regular citrus feedings during spring and summer (you can use any orange-tree fertilizer from Amazon). If you prefer growing it outdoors, this citrus variety thrives in hardiness zones 8–11 in the US.

Madagascar Jasmine

Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) makes a lovely indoor gift if you want to add a gentle, natural fragrance to the home. These plants are often trained into a wreath shape, which makes them especially attractive as decorative indoor displays.

While Madagascar jasmine can be grown outdoors in US hardiness zones 10–12, it also performs well as a houseplant in all zones. For the best flowering results, place it in sunny, indirect light and keep it out of direct sunlight, as strong sunlight can scorch the leaves.

Florist Azalea

Florist azalea is another beautiful flowering shrub that can be grown indoors. The ‘Autumn Fire’ variety offers a rich burgundy tone, making it especially fitting for festive displays. According to plant expert Marina Prokaten, florist azaleas thrive best in cool conditions and acidic soil.

While they make excellent indoor plants, these azaleas are not suitable for planting outdoors. Since they are cultivated specifically for controlled indoor environments, moving them into garden soil can cause shock and may kill the plant.

Hinoki Cypress Bonsai Tree

A bonsai tree makes a charming and thoughtful potted gift, and the hinoki cypress is a great option thanks to its easy-care nature. Bonsai growing also offers a calming, mindful experience, as pruning and regular care become part of the enjoyment.

To keep the tree healthy, it’s important to avoid common bonsai mistakes, such as allowing the soil to dry out or over-pruning, as both can leave the bonsai looking sparse.

Flowering Kalanchoe

Flowering kalanchoe is a popular choice at Christmas, especially for its vibrant red blooms, though it’s also available in shades of white, yellow, and pink.

These plants are commonly sold in supermarkets during the festive season, as they naturally bloom at this time of year and can continue flowering into spring. Since kalanchoe is a succulent and only hardy in zone 10 and above, it’s best grown indoors as a houseplant.

For healthy growth and colorful flowers, place it in a warm place with plenty of sunlight. Cooler indoor temperatures can lead to leaf discoloration and may cause root rot.

Oak Tree Growing Kit

This oak tree-growing kit offers a meaningful, hands-on gifting experience. Rather than a fully grown potted plant, it allows the recipient to grow an oak tree from an acorn. The clear vase lets you watch the roots form as the acorn develops, before transferring the young tree into a pot or planting it outdoors in the yard.

For best results, place the vase on a bright, sunny windowsill to encourage root growth, and follow proper water-propagation care to avoid common mistakes.

Beautiful Gardening Accessories to Accompany a Plant Gift

Florist Scissors

These elegant florist scissors are perfect for everyday plant care. They make light work of trimming houseplants, maintaining potted plants, and snipping clean stem cuttings for indoor floral arrangements, helping plants stay neat and healthy.

Garden Apron

This gorgeous garden apron features multiple pockets to keep garden and florist tools close at hand. Designed with a pretty floral detail and an adjustable waist tie, it’s both practical and comfortable for everyday plant care.

Watering Can and Mister Gift Set

This elegant gift set includes a stylish amber watering can paired with a gold plant mister. It’s ideal for watering and misting indoor and outdoor plants, adding a decorative touch to any plant care routine.

Pruning Snips

These compact pruning snips are perfect for trimming houseplants, shaping bonsai trees, and removing spent flowers from potted plants. Their sharp blades make clean cuts, helping keep plants healthy and well-maintained with minimal effort—an ideal everyday tool to pair with a Christmas plant gift.

Plant Pot with Drainage Tray

A decorative pot with drainage holes helps prevent root rot and makes a thoughtful upgrade for gifted plants.

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