Unique plants to gift a loved one

Shivani Devani, a plant specialist with a collection of unique plants at her shop in Karen, and Betty Kinya, who owns a nursery on James Gichuru Road, share their expertise with the BDLife on how to select extraordinary plants that transform ordinary moments into unforgettable gestures.

Plants that are easy to care for but have great impact

When gifting someone new to plant care, Betty outlines that snake plant stands out for its resilience and visual appeal.

"Nothing beats the snake plant," she says. This resilient beauty is so easy to maintain. You can neglect it, and it will still survive. What makes it even better is that snake plants can tolerate low or bright light, making them adaptable to various living situations.

"Anthuriums were once some of the hardest plants to find in Kenya, but they're now fairly popular and incredibly easy to take care of," adds Shivani.

According to Shivani, this plant makes a wonderful gift because it comes in a wide variety of colours, requires minimal care, and blooms for most of the year.

"This means the recipient enjoys vibrant, flowering beauty almost year-round. Anthuriums currently range from Sh3,500 to Sh5,000 depending on variety and size," she says.

Now, for recipients living in smaller spaces like windowsills or office desks, Betty notes that succulents make a perfect gift for them.

They are compact, colourful, and require minimal attention, making them the ideal low-maintenance companion. This category has the ficus varieties, which equally make excellent beginner plants, offering visual appeal without demanding constant care.

Plants with meaningful challenge

While some plants are forgiving, others demand more attention but carry deeper significance.

"Most definitely! Orchids would be at the top of that list," Shivani says. Compared to many plants, orchids require more attention, but they are deeply appreciated when given as gifts because they symbolise strength, love, and admiration. Their elegance conveys respect for the recipient's grace and resilience.

For flowering plants, Betty notes that most of them tend to be quite sensitive.

"Lilies, for instance, require careful watering and good lighting, and they attract insects if neglected." However, she adds, "when well cared for, these plants grow beautifully and make stunning gifts."

Rubber plants are another example. Once they start struggling, they take time to recover, but their bold presence makes them worth the effort for committed plant parents.

Plants that carry messages

Like all thoughtful gifts, certain plants speak specific languages. Shivani agrees that understanding symbolism enhances the gifting experience.

She says that lucky bamboo is extremely easy to care for and known to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy. "They make excellent gifts for both personal and professional occasions," she notes.

Monstera, on the other hand, represents milestones and growth. According to Betty, this plant, with its striking split leaves and climbing nature, is perfect for gifting graduands, those promoted, or those embarking on new beginnings.

String of hearts is "perfect for romantic occasions," trailing delicately in the language of love with its cascading heart-shaped leaves, while jade plant is "ideal for housewarmings," says Betty, because "they are hardy and easy to adapt to new spaces."

Cactus symbolises endurance and the willingness to keep a relationship strong—tough on the outside but capable of producing beautiful blooms. Meanwhile, ZZ plants are low-maintenance, calming, and ideal for condolences with their glossy, upright foliage that requires minimal fuss.

Read: Shaping time: Kenya's growing bonsai culture

"My personal favourite plant to gift is the ZZ Raven," says Shivani. "It's incredibly resilient and represents endurance, mystery, and sophistication. Its deep, dark foliage gives it a unique and elegant appearance, making it a meaningful gift with strong symbolic value."

Understanding the occasion

There's real importance in matching plants to specific moments and relationships.

Shivani's approach is conversational and intuitive.

"We start by asking a few questions to understand the occasion, the relationship, and the message the customer wants to communicate. Whether the plant is for a loved one, a colleague, or simply a gesture of gratitude, we interpret the intention and guide them toward plants that best represent their sentiment."

Meanwhile, Betty believes every plant carries meaning. "A plant is a message on its own," she says. "It must resonate with the person receiving it." She considers personality and lifestyle first. "Plants need time and attention—watering, pruning, wiping leaves, so the plant must match the person's lifestyle."

For those seeking something different, there's always something unique waiting to be discovered.

Bromeliads are Shivani's pick for adventurous gift-givers. "They are relatively low-maintenance and thrive both indoors and outdoors. They also 'give back' by producing pups that can be propagated, making them a gift that keeps growing, literally." Their colourful, architectural flowers are also stunning and make a bold, memorable statement.

Bonsais are gaining traction in Betty's nursery. "People are ordering a lot of bonsais, especially for corporate gifting. These are easy to maintain and make elegant, lasting gifts." These miniature trees, when carefully pruned and shaped, bring a sense of peace and sophistication to any space.

Miniature anthuriums, especially the purple, pink, and red varieties, are Betty's current bestsellers for those seeking something visually striking yet manageable. Their compact size and jewel-toned blooms pack a punch without taking up much room.

Festive season selections

With celebrations approaching, there are also alternatives to traditional holiday plants.

"Poinsettias are usually very popular. However, we do not stock them as we've had difficulty keeping them alive in the past," Shivani explains. "Instead, we focus on plants that still carry the festive spirit like the red anthuriums and red or white kalanchoes, which make beautiful, long-lasting gifts for the season." Kalanchoes are priced at Sh1,500, making them accessible festive options.

Betty adds recommendations based on space. "If you have a balcony with good lighting, lemon cypress, crotons, or anything with vibrant colour works well."

For those with hanging spots such as bathrooms, balconies, or stairways, ferns, with their delicate, feathery fronds, asparagus plants, and certain purple trailing plants are great choices that add life to vertical spaces.

First-time gift givers

When someone walks in unsure of what to choose, the experts ask strategic questions. "The first thing we ask is whether they know the recipient's level of experience with plants," Shivani explains.

"If the recipient is knowledgeable, we may recommend a medium- to high-maintenance plant. If the customer is unsure, we always guide them toward easy-care plants to ensure the gift remains a joy rather than a challenge.

It's always in the giver's best interest to match the plant to the recipient's skill level," she says.

Betty's advice is equally straightforward. "Understand the lifestyle of the person you're gifting. Plants are not like cut flowers that you just display. You grow with them. They require daily or weekly interaction. Choose something they can live with and enjoy over time."

Gender preferences

Betty has noticed distinct patterns in plant preferences over the years.

"Men prefer bold, structured, low-maintenance plants" like ZZ plants, with their thick, waxy stems and glossy leaves, snake plants with their upright, architectural form, and jade plants.

"Lately, men have also shown interest in fiddles, rubber plants, monstera, and umbrella trees," she notes.

On the other hand, women are more drawn to colour and variety, so they lean toward lilies, dandelions, colourful succulents in various hues and shapes, and anything visually expressive that brings a pop of personality to their space.

Plants to approach with caution

Some plants carry cultural considerations or practical challenges that are worth keeping in mind.

For someone grieving, Betty advises caution. "For grieving individuals, avoid plants that need too much maintenance. These people need something simple and comforting that won't add to their burden."

How to make these plants personal

Customisation can transform a plant from a gift into a gesture that truly resonates.

Shivani suggests several thoughtful approaches for gift-giving.

Start by choosing a decorative pot that matches the recipient's style or home décor. Include a handwritten note that explains the plant's meaning or the reason you selected it. Provide care instructions that are suited for beginners or busy lifestyles.

For an added touch, consider pairing the plant with an accessory like a plant stand, basket, or small gardening tool. It's also important to select a plant that has a symbolic meaning corresponding to the occasion, such as love, luck, growth, resilience, or new beginnings.

"We customise pots using different materials, like clay, fibreglass, ceramic, and concrete," Betty explains. "Terra-cotta, clay, and fibreglass can be painted in any colour. We also offer personalised art, scribbles, or messages on pots to make them more meaningful."

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