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An illustration in light brown, yellow and mustard tones is filled with abstract symbols connected to the holidays, like stars and triangles and string and bows. In the middle is a plant in a pot suspended by a macrame planter.
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Olivia Hughes for LAist
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Explore LA
Gifts for gardeners (and those who like plants more than most people!)
For friends and loved ones who savor seasonal blooms, delight in every shade of green and tend to gardens big and small.
By  Bonnie McCarthy
Published Nov 19, 2024 2:00 PM

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It’s been said that the Earth laughs in flowers and this rings especially true for plant people — our friends who really do take time to stop and smell the roses, and the jasmine, orange blossoms, and sage.

Below, we have curated a short list of gift ideas aimed at inspiring joy for the nature lovers in your life. As the legendary Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to dream of tomorrow.” We quite agree. Dream on.

VIP access to Descanso Gardens

Two people, one wearing blue and one wearing pink, are walking away from camera in a beautiful garden, with a vibrant green lawn and red and pink roses surrounding it
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Courtesy Descanso Gardens
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Membership has its privileges. Gift a garden lover with a year of unlimited access to the serenity and inspiration that abounds at the world class botanical gardens and arboretums that are right in our backyard. Membership to Descanso Gardens, (La Cañada Flintridge, pictured), Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden (Arcadia), or The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens (San Marino) offers a variety of donor levels with perks to match. Think: discounts for events and food, special member only activities, guest passes and more.

Seed catalogues

A book with the title The Whole Seed Catalog; the front cover has a blue background with various squashes and gourds with orange, grey and yellow colors.
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Courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
)

Plant lovers dream via seed catalogs. Let someone know you "get" them with a collection of seed catalogs tied up with ribbon. Many catalogs are free for the asking, some require a small fee — and sell out fast like the annual Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Catalog, $12.95. Additional seed catalogs include: Annie’s Heirloom Seed Catalog (free); Prairie Moon (free); Johnny’s Selected Seeds (free); R.H.Shumway’s (free). Sweeten the gift with “seed money” tucked into a card or a gift certificate.
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Deck of plant cards

An array of colorful cards with different flower and plant motifs are laid out in piles on a grey surface.
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Courtesy Terrain
)

Like recipe cards, but for plants. The Happy Houseplant Deck, $19.99 at luxe gardening destination Terrain at Westfield Century City, outlines the care and feeding of specific houseplants as well as tips for primo placement and troubleshooting challenges.

DIY terrarium

Small green plants are laid out inside a large green bottle. Under the plants is a layer of earth and small rocks. The terrarium is sitting on a wooden table.
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Courtesy Terrain
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Bigger isn’t always better. The Bottle Garden Terrarium Kit, starting at $58, allows gardeners to create a self-contained world of greenery within a hand-blown glass bottle. The kit includes a telescopic tool set and cork stopper. Starter plants sold separately.

Romance with plants

A plant pot full of flowing ivy sits inside a candelabra which has four lit mustand color candles. It's sitting on a table covered with a beige table cloth.
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Courtesy Terrain
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Bring on the drama. Allow leafy lovelies and seasonal showstoppers to take center stage for special dinners and parties with the Candelabra Plant Stand, $118, also from Terrain at Westfield Century City.
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Thirst trap

A plant with green leaves in a white pot has an IV bag attached to it by wires
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Courtesy Potted
)

The plant doctor will see you now. Hook up your plants to a life-giving IV with a cheeky Plant Life Support Self Watering Bag, $20 at L.A.-based Potted. Perfect for frequent travelers and our favorite forgetful friends.

Plant propagation tubes

Three test tubes hold plants with green leaves; the tubes sit in a dark brown wooden frame, on top of a table
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Potted
)

When it comes to plants, more is more. Propagating plants — using clippings of favored greenery to grow and establish new specimens — is a rewarding and cost saving experience. Although using repurposed jars can also work, the Plant Propagation Tubes, $80, also at Potted level up the process with style.

A classic beauty

A green plant sits inside a cement head of a woman with closed eyes, like an antique statue
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Courtesy Potted
)

In the tradition of classic sculpture and garden statuary, the cement Lady Head Planter, $34, goes head and shoulders above the average container.

For the wildflower lover

A cell phone has the words Wallet at the top; below it is an app with the words Theodore Payne and a QR code
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Courtesy Theodore Payne Foundation
)

Nestled in the rolling hills of Sun Valley, the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants is a non-profit organization passionately devoted to the understanding, preservation and use of native Californian plants. Gift a like-minded loved one with an online gift card (no wrapping or shipping cost required!) to be used toward a TPF membership, workshop, gift store purchase, new plant, garden tour, special event and more.

Ginkgo leaf plates

A white piece of stoneware in the shape of a gingko leaf
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Courtesy The Huntington Store
)

The Ginkgo tree and its leaves are a symbol of resilience, healing and longevity. White stoneware Ginkgo appetizer plates in the shape of these leaves, $15 at The Huntington Store, are a thoughtful way to infuse any gathering with a serving of hope and peace.

The happiest roses on Earth

An array of gorgeous roses in different shades of orange and pink
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Courtesy Roger's Gardens
)

Named 2021 Rose of the Year at Roger’s Gardens in Orange County, Disneyland Roses were chosen to bear the name of the world famous theme park by Mickey’s famously particular horticultural team in 2001.

After researching thousands of floribunda specimens, horticulturist Karen Hedges chose the plant for its large blooms (of which no two are alike!), light fragrance and ombre sunset coloration. Mickey’s favorite rose is also a vigorous, healthy bloomer and naturally resistant to mildew and rust. An integral part of the park’s magical gardens, the five-gallon Disneyland Roses, $79.99, are also the best selling plant at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar.

On the house

A round silver metal shape is fixed onto a wall; the bottom half contains various succulents in different shapes and colors, and the metal has been hammered
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Courtesy Roger’s Gardens
)

Adorn an interior space or outdoor patio with color, texture and contemporary design. Artistically arranged drought-tolerant succulents spill from a sleekly designed galvanized Metal Wall Planter, $79.99, also at Roger’s Gardens.

Editor's note: Descanso Gardens is a sponsor of LAist's gift guide but had no influence on editorial choices for the guides.

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