Gifting Plants? How to Wrap and Package Your Most Delicate Gift Ideas

Gifting plants is one of the best ways to show your love to friends and family. They're great for home decor and also contribute to your overall wellness. Different plants also serve different purposes as some are natural air purifiers, like the English Ivy, which is also excellent for absorbing mold. Others like Gerbera daisies, produce oxygen at night and help us sleep better. This variation is one reason why a houseplant can make the perfect gift for loved ones.

That being said, care must be taken when gifting these indoor plants. You'll need to ensure they're packaged well to prevent damages when in transit. So, irrespective of how far, or near, your chosen recipient may be, you can package up and send them a plant safely by following the three packaging steps below.

1. Choose the right plant.

Choose your plants wisely as different plants have their own unique care levels and needs. The first step to choosing the right plant is understanding the receiver. Is the area they live in humid and sunny? Or is it arid and cold? This may seem simple, but it can help you pick up on the best plant gift to package and send it to your loved one.

If you're unsure which plant to opt for, plants like the split leaf philodendron and the popular houseplant of the swiss cheese plant (monstera deliciosa) are great for new and young plant owners. They're easy to care for and can be bought from sites such as Lively Roots. All the plants on their site are home-grown by horticultural experts who are willing, and able, to spark that green thumb of yours.

Lively Roots also offers all kinds of plants, including trees, flowering shrubs, small plants, indoor and outdoor plants. So you can rest assured that you'll always find something that fits your needs and serves as the perfect plant gift. It's also worth mentioning that the company's site provides tons of information and inspiration about all of their available plants. This includes tips on how to care for them and a comprehensive plant bio.

2. Choose the right shipping service.

You don't want the receiver to open a package after pickup, and find a damaged product inside, right? This is a dilemma faced by many courier users, as not all U.S. postal services offer a refund for such damage claims. That is why you need to choose the best shipping carrier.

The good news is that companies like U.S. Packaging and Wrapping can help. They offer detailed information on which shipping carrier is most likely to damage your packages and will inform you of the best packaging options available. Whether you opt for FedEx, UPS, or USPS, they're packaging service does not discriminate. This way, you can carry out your research on what shipping service is best for your plant, safe in the knowledge that the package will remain unharmed. Once done, you can then make an educated choice.

3. Prepare, pack, and label the plant.

The first step to preparing a plant for the shipping process is uprooting it and shaking off the excess. But refrain from washing the roots as some residual soil provides the plant with friendly microbes and aids the easy transition. The next step is to wrap the roots in moist paper towels and put them in a plastic bag.

If the final destination is far, you can also add a few teaspoons of polymer moisture crystals to water and apply it to the root. The top should also be rolled in a newspaper for protection. Also, when choosing a box for your plant, remember to pick a spacious one, so it withstands rough treatment.

A bubble wrap can be used to protect the roots and give it extra cushioning. Finally, don't forget to add a shipping label and recipient's phone number to your plant. Specific stickers like "This End Up," "Live Plant," or "Perishable" will help ensure that your plant is treated with care during shipment.

A freelance writer with a BA in English from Sarah Lawrence College.