Your friends and family might not have a Rise Garden yet but that doesn't mean that they can't still garden this winter! Gifting a plant from your Garden is the perfect host or hostess gift this holiday season. Hydroponics — a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in water — makes it surprisingly easy to grow gift-worthy herbs and greens right in your own home year-round.
Follow these easy instructions to gift a plant from your garden:
- Step One: Pick a pot. Select a cute pot for your plant. We recommend a small sized pot. Don't forget a small bag of soil if you don't already have some on hand
- Step Two: Choose a plant. Select a plant that is approximately 4-8 weeks old. You will want a plant that is mature enough to withstand transferring from a hydroponic system to soil but not a plant with a large root system. Herbs and greens are your best choices since your giftee won't likely have a light source other than a window! According to the USDA, fresh culinary herbs like basil and mint are among the most consumed herbs in American households, making them a reliably welcome and practical gift. Indoor basil, for example, typically reaches harvest maturity in just 21–28 days in a hydroponic system — meaning you can plan ahead and have a beautifully established plant ready right when you need it.
- Step Three: Pot the plant. Add soil to the pot, leaving some room to add the plant and to top it with soil. Remove the plant and the plant pod (the small grow medium cube that holds your seedling's roots) from the net cup. Transfer your plant to the pot and cover it with soil. Water your plant.
- Step Four: Water your plant. Keep an eye on your plant and water it every day for the first few days as your plant adjusts to its new environment.
- Step Five: Gifting time. Add a ribbon to your pot and it's time to gift it. Remind your giftee to sit it close to a window that gets sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Rise Gardens plant a good hostess gift?
A pod or plant from a Rise Garden is a genuinely thoughtful and unique hostess gift because it is consumable (edible!), beautiful, and it gives the recipient the joy of growing something themselves. Unlike cut flowers that fade within a week, a live herb pod keeps growing and producing for months, making it one of the most lasting and practical gifts you can give. Research from Cornell University's seed pod-friendly Controlled Environment Agriculture program notes that hydroponically grown produce can contain up to 50% more vitamins than conventionally grown store-bought equivalents — a genuinely impressive fact worth sharing with your giftee. Pairing a culinary herb pod with a handwritten recipe card for how to use that herb is an especially charming and personal touch.
What Rise Gardens plants make the best gifts?
Herbs like basil, mint, and chives are universally loved and immediately useful to anyone who cooks, making them top gift picks. Edible flower varieties like chamomile or pansies are a more unexpected and whimsical gift choice that always sparks delight and curiosity. For plant lovers who already have a Rise Garden, a specialty variety pod such as something unusual like lemon verbena, shiso, or Thai basil makes an especially thoughtful and personalized gift.
How do you present a plant as a gift?
A freshly sprouted Rise Garden pod presented in a small terracotta pot, wrapped in kraft paper with a handwritten tag, makes a beautifully rustic and personal gift presentation. You can also include a small jar of homemade herb-infused olive oil or a recipe featuring the herb you are gifting, turning it into a complete culinary experience. The act of giving a living plant communicates care and thoughtfulness in a way that a conventional gift rarely does.
Can you gift a Rise Gardens subscription or seed pod variety pack?
Yes — Rise Gardens offers gift-friendly options including variety packs, starter kits, and seed pod collections that make excellent presents for foodies, home cooks, and wellness enthusiasts. A gift of a full Rise Gardens system is the ultimate gesture for someone who has always wanted to start growing their own food but has not taken the leap yet. Pairing a system gift with a selection of their favorite herb pods makes for an incredibly personal and inspiring present.
