It's gifting season and we're here to help! If you're anything like us, we love the gift of experiences. With our countertop garden, you'll be gifting more fun, more connection, and more nutrition — truly the gift of growing happy. It's the gift that keeps giving all year long. While the possibilities are endless, we wanted to inspire you to gift more of what your friends and family love this holiday season.
What Kinds of Gardens Can You Gift This Year?
Gift a Tea Garden
These herbs are the perfect base for any tea garden:
Gift a Smoothie Garden
The avid smoothie drinker will want these delicious herbs, greens and veggies. According to the USDA, leafy greens like kale and dandelion are among the most nutrient-dense foods available, and hydroponically grown varieties can contain up to 50% more vitamins than their store-bought counterparts:
- Parsley
- Dandelion Greens
- Microgreens Variety Pack
- Peppermint
- Kale
- Chioggia Beets
- Touchstone Gold Beets
- Basil
Gift a Cocktail Garden
Our Holiday Cocktail Garden Variety Pack is the perfect starter but also consider adding these fresh seed pod collection favorites:
Gift a Pizza Garden
Growing your own pizza ingredients is a fun family experience. Indoor basil typically reaches harvest maturity in just 21–28 days, so you won't be waiting long before your first homemade pizza night! Add your own touch but start with these base plants:
Gift a Salad Garden
Grow a variety of different salad greens and microgreens to help consume a variety of nutrients, textures, and flavors. Research from Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture program shows that hydroponic lettuce can yield up to 11 harvests per year compared to just 2–3 in traditional soil gardening — meaning the gift truly keeps on giving. Here's a few of our suggestions:
- Parris Island Cos (it's Romaine!)
- Alfresco Mix Lettuce
- Red Veined Sorrel
- Arugula
- Dandelion Greens
- Antonet Lettuce
- Golden Frills Mustard
STEM Garden
Hands-on learning makes education fun and memorable. Plus, connecting kids with healthy food by growing it will increase their vegetable consumption well into adulthood — a finding well supported by nutrition educators and echoed in research from Purdue University's horticulture program. Hydroponic systems also use up to 95% less water than traditional soil gardening, making this a great conversation starter about sustainability and science. Your little growers can explore the Rise Garden and discover how plants thrive with the right light, water, and care. Try a few of these fun varieties:
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Basil
- Chioggia Beets
- Microgreens Variety Pack <-- They grow super quick!
- Chamomile
- Red-Veined Sorrel
- Lime Basil
- Marigolds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Rise Garden a good holiday gift?
Rise Garden is one of the most unique and meaningful gifts you can give — it provides fresh, healthy food year-round and delivers a continuous experience long after the holiday season ends. Unlike traditional gifts that are used once or forgotten, a Rise Garden grows more rewarding over time as the recipient develops their green thumb and explores new plants. It is especially well-suited for food lovers, wellness-minded individuals, parents wanting to engage kids in healthy eating, and anyone who loves cooking with fresh herbs.
What Rise Garden model is best to give as a holiday gift?
The Personal Rise Garden is an excellent entry-level gift for individuals or couples, offering a compact, stylish footprint and everything needed to start growing immediately. The Family Rise Garden is ideal for households who cook frequently or have children — it provides enough capacity to grow a meaningful variety of greens, herbs, and vegetables at once. Rise Garden also offers gift cards, which are a great option if you want to let the recipient choose the model that fits their space.
What comes with a Rise Garden when given as a gift?
Every Rise Garden comes with the growing system, nutrients, starter seed pods, and access to the Rise App for guided plant care and personalized growing schedules. This means recipients do not need to buy anything additional to get started — they can plant their first seeds the same day the garden arrives. Subscription plans for ongoing seed pods and nutrients are also available, making it easy to give the gift of growing all year long.
How do I get a Rise Garden delivered in time for the holidays?
Rise Gardens typically ships within a few business days, but during peak holiday periods, ordering at least two to three weeks before your desired date is strongly recommended to account for increased shipping volume. Rise Gardens' website provides current shipping timelines and cut-off dates for holiday delivery guarantees. Gift cards are a great backup option if you miss the shipping window, as they are delivered digitally and instantly.
