DIY terrarium kit
This engaging kit allows for the creation of a miniature self-sustaining ecosystem, perfect for a unique decorative piece.
Garden & DIY
Indoor & outdoor plants
4 kinds worth knowing, 7 picks, and what to check before you buy.
Plant gifts tend to go to friends who already keep a few pots on the windowsill, or to someone who says they'd like to start. What gets used is usually small and forgiving: a plant that suits the light in their home and doesn't need daily attention. A DIY terrarium kit works well because putting it together is part of the gift, and it fits on a desk or shelf. If your friend likes a finished look better, a simple succulent arrangement is ready to set out the day it arrives. Before you choose, think about their space, how much light they get and how often they're home.
Kind 1 of 4
Terrarium kits they build themselves
A DIY terrarium kit usually comes with a glass container, layers of drainage material, soil, decorative stones and sometimes plants or seeds. It suits a friend who enjoys a quiet hands-on project and likes having something small and green at home. Before you buy, check whether the plants are included or need to be bought separately. Look at whether the container is open or closed, since that changes which plants will do well. Also check the size of the glass against the desk or shelf it's likely to sit on. A herb garden kit is a practical cousin for someone who cooks.
Culinary herb garden kit
Perfect for the home chef or aspiring gardener, this kit provides fresh herbs for cooking right from the kitchen windowsill.
Kind 2 of 4
Kits built around living plants
Some terrarium kits come with living plants chosen to grow well in a small glass space, like ferns, mosses or small leafy tropicals. They suit someone who wants the finished look without hunting for plants that fit. A miniature bonsai or a sturdy leafy houseplant fills a similar role for a friend who likes tidy, low-key greenery. Check how the plants are packed for winter delivery, since cold can damage them in transit. Find out what light they need and whether your friend has a spot that matches. Closed kits need very little watering, which helps busy people.
Natural air purifying plant
This beneficial plant helps improve indoor air quality by filtering common toxins, creating a healthier living environment.
Elegant miniature bonsai tree
A living art form, a bonsai tree offers a calming presence and a unique horticultural hobby for dedicated plant enthusiasts.
Kind 3 of 4
Succulent arrangements and potted plants
A succulent arrangement groups a few small plants in one shallow dish or planter, so it looks finished right away. It suits a friend with a bright windowsill who likes low-maintenance plants and doesn't want a project. A flowering potted plant brings the same ready-made appeal with more colour for the holidays. Check that the container has drainage, because succulents sitting in wet soil rot quickly. Think about how much sun the room gets in winter. A dark apartment or a north-facing room is a poor match for most succulents.
Decorative succulent arrangement
This low-maintenance collection of unique succulents offers a modern and resilient addition to any desk or shelf.
Cheerful flowering potted plant
A beautiful flowering plant adds a burst of color and a pleasant aroma, brightening any room or patio.
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Succulent terrarium kits for bright spaces
A succulent terrarium kit pairs a desert-style soil mix and gravel with an open glass container and small succulents or cacti. It suits someone with a sunny window who likes a clean, sculptural look and forgets to water. Check that the container is open, because succulents in closed glass trap too much moisture. Make sure the soil is a gritty, fast-draining mix rather than regular potting soil. Also check whether the plants are included. Some kits only supply the container and materials.
How to choose indoor & outdoor plants as a gift
- Ask yourself how much natural light your friend's home gets in winter, then pick plants that suit it.
- For someone new to plants, choose a kit with clear instructions and forgiving plants over something rare or fussy.
- In cold months, check how living plants are packed so they don't freeze on the way.
- Look for containers with drainage, or closed terrariums designed to hold moisture, so the plant lasts past January.
- Hardy outdoor shrubs make better gifts in spring, so consider giving a note and planting it together later.
Usually safe to skip
- Large floor plants are awkward to wrap and move, and they often don't fit a small apartment.
- Fussy tropical plants that need high humidity tend to struggle in dry, heated Canadian homes over winter.
- Closed glass containers sold for succulents usually trap moisture and lead to rot within a few weeks.
Questions people ask about indoor & outdoor plants
- What comes in a DIY terrarium kit?
- Most kits include a glass container, drainage stones, soil and decorative pieces like moss or pebbles. Some include live plants or seeds, while others expect you to add your own, so read the contents list before buying.
- Are succulents a good gift for someone who travels a lot?
- Usually, yes. Succulents store water in their leaves and can go a week or two without watering if they have bright light. They're a sensible pick for someone who's often away.
- Should I pick an open or closed terrarium?
- Closed terrariums hold moisture and suit ferns, mosses and small tropical plants that like humidity. Open terrariums let air move and suit succulents and cacti, which need dry soil between waterings.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All indoor & outdoor plants picks
Showing 1–7 of 7
Hardy outdoor ornamental shrub
An attractive shrub enhances garden landscapes with year-round foliage, seasonal blooms, or interesting textures.
