Gifting Houseplants
Giving houseplants as gifts is a bigger deal than most people realize. After all, it’s a living thing you’re handing over with the unspoken expectation: keep this alive.
I’ll admit—I’ve been guilty of gifting plants to people who didn’t ask for them and definitely never agreed to the responsibility. Nothing is more awkward than visiting a friend’s house, scanning for the plant you gave them, and eventually realizing it’s gone. You know what happened. Jane didn’t understand orchids. Jane overwatered. Now, while you’re eating dinner, you’re secretly mourning the orchid that’s probably decomposing in a compost bin. Is it Jane’s fault? No. It’s mine—for assuming Jane wanted to level up her plant-care skills when she really didn’t.
Pets + Plants = Complicated
Another thing to consider before gifting plants: pets. Cats and dogs are naturally curious. They want to sniff, chew, and occasionally karate-slap any greenery that enters their space. Some plants even release scents that mimic prey, making them irresistible [link]. But here’s the kicker—not all plants are safe. Pets, like humans, can have allergies or toxic reactions to plant compounds.
So, if you’re giving a plant to a pet parent, do a little research first. Choose something non-toxic so your thoughtful gift doesn’t turn into an emergency vet bill.
The Snake Plant Situation
A friend once gave me a Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata—for the die-hard Latin-name crowd). These plants are basically natural air purifiers. They can pull formaldehyde and other toxins from the air, shuttling them down into the soil where microbes break them down [link]. It’s witchcraft.
But here’s the problem: they’re toxic to cats and dogs. Snake plants contain saponins, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets [link]. The second I found that out, I re-homed it.
A Safe and Fun Option: Banana Plants
If you want a pet-safe houseplant, go for a banana plant.
They grow happily in pots as long as they get enough sunlight and water. If your home is a little dark, inexpensive grow lights work wonders—just make sure they’re positioned high enough so the leaves don’t get scorched.
Stick with dwarf varieties or a Cavendish banana for indoor spaces.
One thing to note: if you’ve got mulch or dirt in the pots, you will have mulch and dirt on the floor–pets may play in it for a while.
That novelty fades, but chewed-up leaves are inevitable.
Honestly, you can’t even blame them. Banana plants are packed with water, and for pets, they’re basically nature’s Capri Sun. (I’ve bitten into one myself.)
Just keep grow lights at a safe distance. Yes, you can sunburn a banana leaf.
As for whether banana plants remove toxins as efficiently as snake plants—that’s still up for debate. But what I can promise is that a banana plant won’t poison your cat.
The Takeaway
Before gifting a houseplant, ask yourself:
- Does this person want the responsibility?
- Do they have pets?
- Is the plant safe for their home?
The best plant gift isn’t just alive—it’s thoughtful, safe, and something the recipient will actually enjoy keeping around.
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