Five gifts that say "I dig you"

Mix it up this Valentine's Day with a gift oozing fun and personality. Potted plants make wonderful gifts and with a few special touches your Valentine won't be able to resist planting one on you!

1. Hello, petal!

Phalaenopsis orchids are sure to impress with their grace and stunning flowers.

We have a range of ready-made phalaenopsis orchids available instore in layered, terrarium style vessels. These potted gifts present well and can be personalised with a cute message on a plant tag.

Shopping list

1. 1. Potted phalaenopsis orchid from the Living Trends range. Click to shop Living Trends orchids.
   2. Plant label. This is optional but the message personalises your gift and adds a good dose of fun. We used a 127mm white plant label as they will last with watering but you could also use a pop stick. Click to shop plant labels. 

How to create your orchid gift

Simply write a message on your tag (some suggestions are: 'hello petal' or 'your love helps me grow') and pop it into the pot. Hello, gorgeous and easy gift!

2. My life would suc without you

Love for succulent plants just keeps growing and with amazing colours, a huge range to select from and uber low-care needs why wouldn't they!

Succulent bowls are a great gift idea when different varieties are arranged into a stylish pot - like a longer-term flower arrangement. You can select individual plants to create your own, or pick up one of our ready made succulent bowls.

Make your own option

Shopping list

1. Succulent plants. How many you need will depend on the pot, but because succulents are so hardy and have low water needs, you can plant them quite tightly together. Style tip - go with odd numbers. Smaller arrangements can be created with three plants and go up from there. We tend to find even numbers can look too symmetrical for this type of florist style arrangement. Click to shop all succulents.
2. Pot. Succulents don't need much room so don't go too big. Do pick a pot with a drainage hole, though, because succulents hate wet feet. Click to shop all pots.
3. Succulent or cactus potting mix. Click to shop.
4. Perlite. Click to shop.
5. Small pebbles. Click to shop. 
6. Plant label. Click to shop. 
7. Card. A greeting card is always a nice addition. Click to shop.
8. Raffia or ribbon - optional.

How to create your own succulent bowl gift

1. In a large tub, mix your succulent potting mix with perlite. Perlite helps keep the mix light and free-draining. The ratio should be about 50/50.
2. Spread a layer of your mix inside the base of the pot so that when you place the potted succulent plants on top, they sit with their bases just below the pot's rim.
3. Arrange your individual plants on top while still in their plastic pots while you perfect your design.
4. Once happy with your layout, take one plant at a time out of the plastic and place it into your gift pot, then fill in the gaps with more of your potting mix.
5. Give your bowl a light watering.
6. Place a layer of small pebbles on top of the potting mix.
7. Write your message on a plant label and position on the potting mix. Ta-da!

Ready-made option

Shopping list

1. Succulent garden from our Living Trends range. Click to shop.
2. Plant label. Click to shop. 
3. Card. Click to shop.
4. Raffia or ribbon - optional.

Add a personal touch to your ready-made gift

1. Write your message on a plant label and position on the potting mix.
2. You can also add a bow around the pot with ribbon or raffia if, like us, your Valentine loves an earthy look.

3. Aloe, Aloe!

Add a cheeky tag to a potted Aloe plant for the perfect gift for a first date or someone new on the scene. There are a range of Aloe varieties to choose from and pots to suit every style.

Shopping list

1. Aloe plant. We chose an Aloe mitriformis in a 110mm pot. Click to shop aloe plants.
2. Pot. Select a pot that suits the plant size. You want to pick one that the plant will comfortably slip into so it's not crowded but is small enough so that it still shows off the plant. We've used a classic White Tripoli Planter in Small. Click to shop all pots.
3. Plant label. Click to shop.

How to create your Aloe, Aloe gift

1. Gently remove the Aloe plant from its plastic pot by placing your fingers around its base for support and turning it upside down.
2. Remove the plastic pot and pop the Aloe plant into your gift pot. Top up with succulent and cactus potting mix if needed and give a light water.
3. Write up your message on the plant label, then position in the potting mix. Hey, presto - you've got your Valentine's Day gift sorted!

4. Looking sharp!

Cactus plants are on trend and quirky making them a fun gift choice for plant lovers. With a huge range to choose from you can go small and spiky-sweet or choose a statement cactus and pot for a gift that's really on-point!

Shopping list

1. Cactus plant. Click to shop.
2. Pot. The easiest, spike-free option is to select a pot that the plant slips into while it remains in its plastic pot so you don't need to repot. This also means you can remove the cactus when watering so it drains easily. We went with a quirky bright red pot for our 55mm cactus and a larger rustic-look pot for our 150mm cactus plant. Click to shop all pots.
3. Specialised potting mix. If you do select a pot that is slightly larger than the cactus size, you'll need to re-pot into your gift pot. Choose a cactus potting mix as it is coarse and free draining. Click to shop.
4. Plant label. Click to shop.
5. Card. Click to shop.
6. Raffia or ribbon - optional.

How to create your cactus gift

1. If you don't need to repot, slip the plastic cactus pot carefully into your gift pot. If you do need to repot, we suggest wearing gloves to protect your hands.
2. Write up your message on the plant label. then position in the potting mix.
3. Some pots look great with a bow, added so try ribbon or for a natural look use raffia.

5. Lettuce grow together

For serious gardening relationships, a gift pack ticks a lot of boxes. It's thoughtful, plus it encourages an activity you can share and enjoy together!

We chose a mix of summer lettuce seedlings as it made our tag extra fun - 'lettuce grow together'. If you want to give a different seedling you can go for the 'let's grow together' message or 'my love for you grows each day'.

Shopping list

1. Seedlings. We chose two different lettuce varieties to add colour.
2. Growing container. We used an Elho Basics Growing Tray and Saucer. You could also plant into a nice pot, bowl or wine barrel. Click to shop all pots.
3. Quality potting mix suitable for growing herbs and vegetables. Click to shop all potting mixes.
4. Gardening accessories. We chose a watering can and a fun pair of gloves.
5. Plant label. Click to shop.

How to create your garden gift

1. Fill your growing tray or pot with a layer of potting mix.
2. Remove the seedlings from their plastic pots and position on top of the mix so that the base of the seedlings sit just below the container rim.
3. Fill in the gaps with potting mix and water the seedlings.
4. Write up your message on the plant label then position in the potting mix.
5. Present your gift in a crate or gift box (available at home discount stores).