By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT–Did you forget about that holiday open house on your street or have that one aunt who you still need a gift for? If you need a last-minute holiday present that is sure to bring joy, you might want to pick out a plant.

Houseplants can be a great idea for holiday giving, according to Cathy Gilbertie, who does communications for Gilbertie’s Garden Center on Sylvan Road. And with so many plants to choose from, you can tailor your selection perfectly for that person on your list.

Cathy knows what she is talking about when it comes to houseplants. She has nearly 50 of them in her own home. Those plants are beneficial in so many ways: improving air quality, teaching children about how natural things grow, and bringing cheer during dreary winter days.

Cathy said to keep some things in mind when deciding whether a plant is the ideal gift. She recommends taking note of how many plants the person currently owns. If the person has no houseplants, that could be an indication that they would prefer not to have one. On the other hand, if they have a large collection of plants, they might not need yet another one. That leaves many people still in the mix who enjoy plants and might love to have one more.

Another thing to think about is whether the recipient has pets or small children. In either case, the gift giver should not select a plant that is toxic if eaten. While poinsettias are beautiful and popular this time of year, they are toxic if ingested and thus not always a good choice.

One of Cathy’s favorite houseplants, Peperomia, is nontoxic and an easy one to grow, making it an ideal choice. She also recommends herbs, which are almost all non-toxic, and cactus or succulents as good choices.

One piece of advice from Cathy is to take the plant out of the plastic pot from the garden center and to ask them to re-pot it into a pottery or terra cotta container. These pots not only look nicer for giving, but the plants will thrive for their recipients.

For the avid gardener on your list, a plant, or even packets of seeds, can be a good reminder that spring is on the way. You could even purchase them an herb or other plant that they can transplant into their garden come spring. 

When purchasing herbs, be sure that the recipient has a sunny windowsill, Cathy said. She added that not all herbs are ideal for growing indoors. The only basil plant suitable for growing as a houseplant is called Aussie Sweetie, which has small leaves and does not flower. On the other hand, parsley and rosemary make good choices for indoor plants and can be used in culinary dishes all winter long. I also enjoy growing scented geraniums as houseplants, as they have such interesting foliage and lovely scents like nutmeg, apple or rose.

One type of plant I have both given and received through the years is a bulb that can be forced to bloom during the winter months. While paperwhites are pretty and dainty, my favorite is the amaryllis bulb, which blooms into a gorgeous flower and comes in many colors, including variegated blossoms.

When giving the bulb, don’t forget to include a pot and directions for its care. A friend and former Connecticut neighbor, Kim, often gives hers already planted in a pot or in a glass vase with small stones in the bottom for a pretty presentation. Just be careful that the bulb does not get wet, as it will rot. The bulb sits on top of the stones and will send down roots into the water.

My brother has given an amaryllis bulb to my mother for Christmas for many years. One great thing about them is that they are easy to grow and bloom with spectacular flowers. Recipients can monitor their bulb’s growth and take pictures of the blooms to share with family and friends.

So, if you have a last-minute holiday party or event, don’t forget that plants can make a classy gift that will still bring joy well after the holidays are over.