Personalised Plant Gifts in Ireland: How to Write the Message and Choose a Plant That Says Something
A personalised plant gift is a living plant chosen for its meaning plus a few words of your own. The best ones pair the two: an olive tree (the ancient symbol of peace and friendship) with a line about lasting friendship, a money tree (traditionally given for prosperity) with good wishes for a new job, or a peace lily with a message of sympathy. At PlantGift, a handwritten gift message is available on selected gift plants — you'll see the option on the product page. This guide shows how to write a message that lands for each occasion, and how to choose a plant that says something. For a broader overview, start with our indoor plant gifts guide.
The gift message is not available on every plant. Before you fall in love with a particular plant, look for the gift message option on its product page. If it is not there, you can still personalise the gift: see "What if the plant does not offer a gift message?" below.
How do personalised plant gifts work in Ireland?
A personalised plant gift from PlantGift works in four steps: choose a plant whose product page shows the gift message option, write your message there, enter the recipient's address, and the plant is delivered free, tracked, in 5–8 working days to Ireland or any of 24 more EU countries. Delivery times can vary, so order at least two weeks before the occasion.
- Choose the plant for the person: their light, their pets, how much time they have. The table further down helps.
- Check for the message option: a handwritten gift message is available on selected gift plants — you'll see the option on the product page.
- Write two or three lines: use the formula below.
- Send it to their door: plants that arrive damaged, diseased or in poor condition are replaced or refunded.
How do you write a good plant gift message?
A good plant gift message is short, specific and signed: the recipient's name, one sentence that could only be written to them, and your name as they know it. Two or three lines is plenty. Handwriting has a way of making a short message feel generous, and a long one feel crowded.
A simple formula that works for almost any occasion:
- Open with their name: "Dear Aoife," feels warmer than no greeting at all.
- Link the plant to the moment: say why you chose it. "An olive tree, for peace and long life" turns a houseplant into a message.
- Add one specific wish or memory: "May the new house be full of noise and friends."
- Sign off as they know you: "Love, Mam and Dad", "From all at No. 12", "The Kellys".
Which plants say something? Plant meanings for personalised gifts
The plants with the clearest meanings are the olive tree (peace, friendship and long life), the money tree (good fortune and prosperity) and the peace lily (sympathy and remembrance). Beyond those well-known traditions, many plants carry a natural message through their character: a snake plant that commonly lives for decades, a prayer plant whose leaves rise at night, a Kentia palm that is elegant, slow-growing and long-lived. Each profile below includes a message idea.
Olive tree (Olea europaea): peace, friendship and long life
Native to the Mediterranean basin, the olive has been the symbol of peace, friendship and long life since antiquity. It needs full sun: the brightest window indoors, or a sheltered sunny patio in the milder parts of Ireland. Allow it to dry slightly between waterings. A fitting gift for a wedding, a significant anniversary or a friendship that has lasted. Care tips are in our olive tree care guide.
Message idea: "An olive tree, for peace and a long life together. Congratulations, both of you."
Money tree (Pachira aquatica): good fortune and prosperity
The money tree comes from the wetlands of Central and South America and is traditionally given for good fortune and prosperity; its trunks are often braided. It likes bright indirect light and water when the top few centimetres are dry, is an easy, adaptable living-room plant, and is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Ideal for a new job, a new business or an exam result.
Message idea: "A money tree for luck in the new role. They are lucky to have you."
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): sympathy and remembrance
From the rainforest floors of tropical Central and South America, the peace lily flowers well even in the modest light of an Irish home, needs only to be kept lightly moist, and droops visibly when thirsty before recovering within hours. Its white spathes return each year, which is why it is the traditional sympathy plant. Keep it away from pets that chew leaves. Our sympathy and memorial plants guide has condolence wording in full.
Message idea: "Thinking of you all, and remembering [Name] with great fondness."
Anthurium: a long-lasting romantic gift
Anthuriums, from Colombia and Ecuador, have glossy heart-shaped blooms and flower for months in a bright, warm room. Water when the top layer dries, and keep away from pets that chew leaves. They make a long-lasting alternative to roses for Valentine's Day (Sunday 14 February 2027) or an anniversary; see our Valentine's plant gifts guide.
Message idea: "Roses fade. This one keeps flowering, like us."
Ginseng fig bonsai (Ficus microcarpa): a companion for a new chapter
The ginseng fig is the classic beginner bonsai. Ficus species come from South and Southeast Asia to Australia, like bright indirect light and water when the top layer is dry, and may drop a few leaves after a move before settling within weeks. Keep away from pets that chew leaves. A thoughtful retirement gift: a small daily ritual for someone with time on their hands at last.
Message idea: "For all the time you finally have. Happy retirement."
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria): here for decades
Native to tropical West Africa, the snake plant is upright, architectural and commonly lives for decades. It takes low to bright light and water every 2–4 weeks, less in winter, which makes it a safe pick when you don't know the recipient's light conditions. Keep away from pets that chew leaves. A good fit for a 40th, 50th or 60th birthday; more ideas are in our birthday plant gifts guide.
Message idea: "Happy 50th! This one should be around for your 80th, too."
White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai): the statement for a first home
From the coastal forests of eastern South Africa, Strelitzia nicolai has huge paddle-shaped leaves and is the ultimate statement plant. It needs bright light including some direct sun (a south- or west-facing room), evenly moist compost in summer and drier in winter. Keep away from pets that chew leaves. Perfect for a first home with big windows; see the housewarming plant gifts guide and our Strelitzia care guide.
Message idea: "For the new place. May it grow as tall as your plans."
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana): elegance that lasts
The Kentia palm comes from Lord Howe Island, off eastern Australia, and is the classic Victorian parlour palm: elegant, slow-growing and long-lived. It takes bright indirect to fairly low light, needs water when the top 3–4cm is dry, copes with cool rooms and short Irish winter days, and is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. A graceful choice for Mother's Day (Sunday 7 March 2027 in Ireland); see our Mother's Day plant gifts guide.
Message idea: "Happy Mother's Day, Mam. Something green that will last, like everything you taught us."
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) and Calathea: thinking of you
The prayer plant, from Brazil, lifts its leaves at night like hands in prayer, a gentle gesture for a get-well or thinking-of-you gift. Its cousin the Calathea (Calathea makoyana, from eastern Brazil) has painted, patterned leaves that fold up at night. Both like medium indirect light and evenly moist compost, love a humid bathroom or kitchen, and are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA; see our pet-safe houseplants guide.
Message idea: "Its leaves lift every evening. Hoping you are back on your feet soon."
Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) and ZZ plant: for the busy and the travelling
The ponytail palm, from eastern Mexico, is a quirky, sculptural plant whose swollen base stores water, so it needs watering only every 2–4 weeks and is almost impossible to kill by neglect; give it a sunny windowsill. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia, from eastern Africa) stores water in thick underground rhizomes, copes with dim rooms and missed waterings, and is the go-to plant for busy people and first-time owners; keep it away from pets that chew leaves.
Message idea: "Congratulations on the new job. This one won't mind if you forget it for a fortnight."
Which personalised plant gift suits which occasion?
Use this table to match the plant to the recipient and the moment, then write the message around the plant's meaning. Pet safety follows the ASPCA lists; where we have not verified a plant, we make no claim.
| Plant | Latin name | Light | Watering | Pet-safe? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olive tree | Olea europaea | Full sun | Let dry slightly between waterings | No claim made | Wedding, anniversary, "friends for life" |
| Money tree | Pachira aquatica | Bright indirect | When top few cm are dry | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | New job, new business, good luck |
| Peace lily | Spathiphyllum | Low to medium indirect | Keep lightly moist | No — keep away from pets that chew | Sympathy, remembrance |
| Anthurium | Anthurium | Bright indirect | When top layer dries | No — keep away from pets that chew | Valentine's, anniversary |
| Ginseng fig bonsai | Ficus microcarpa | Bright indirect | When top layer is dry | No — keep away from pets that chew | Retirement, a new hobby |
| Snake plant | Dracaena trifasciata (Sansevieria) | Low to bright | Every 2–4 weeks | No — keep away from pets that chew | Milestone birthday, "here for decades" |
| White bird of paradise | Strelitzia nicolai | Bright, some direct sun | Moist in summer, drier in winter | No — keep away from pets that chew | First home, big birthday |
| Kentia palm | Howea forsteriana | Bright indirect to fairly low | When top 3–4cm is dry | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Mother's Day, parents, pet owners |
| Calathea | Calathea makoyana | Medium indirect, no sun | Evenly moist | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Thank you, homes with pets |
| Prayer plant | Maranta leuconeura | Medium indirect | Evenly moist | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Get well, thinking of you |
| Ponytail palm | Beaucarnea recurvata | Bright, some direct sun | Every 2–4 weeks | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Someone who travels, students |
| ZZ plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Low to bright indirect | Every 2–3 weeks | No — keep away from pets that chew | New job, first-time plant owner |
What should I write for each occasion? Example gift messages
The right gift message depends on the occasion, but the pattern is the same: name, one specific line, sign-off. Borrow and adapt these.
Birthday
- "Happy birthday, Niamh! Something green for the windowsill, and many more years of you."
- "Thirty looks good on you. So will this plant."
Housewarming
- "Welcome home! May this be the first of many things that grow here."
- "For the new house, from the old neighbours. Come back and visit."
Thank you
- "Thank you for everything this year. You made it so much easier."
- "A small thank you for a very big favour."
Get well
- "Get well soon. Something to look after you while you look after yourself."
- "Thinking of you. Back on your feet soon, I hope."
New job or new business
- "A money tree, for luck and prosperity in the new venture."
- "Congratulations on the new role. Onwards and upwards."
Wedding or anniversary
- "An olive tree, for peace, friendship and a long life together."
- "Ten years! Here is to the next forty."
Sympathy
- "With deepest sympathy. Thinking of you and the family."
- "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam." (Use "a hanam" for a woman; the phrase means "May his or her soul be at God's right hand.")
Christmas
- "Happy Christmas! Something to keep growing long after the tree comes down."
For company gifts to clients and staff, see our corporate plant gifts guide.
What if the plant does not offer a gift message?
If the plant you want does not show the gift message option on its product page, you can still personalise the gift in one of three ways: pick a similar plant that does offer it, post a card so it arrives around the same time, or send a text or email telling the recipient a plant is on its way and why you chose it. The last option has an advantage: they know to expect the delivery and to be home for it.
Small gifts personalise well, too. A desk-size open terrarium with a bonsai and Fittonia or a compact aloe vera (a practical, near-indestructible succulent for a sunny kitchen windowsill; keep away from pets that chew leaves) suits a thank-you, and our terrariums and desk plants collections have more. If you like the idea of a plant in a moss ball, our kokedama guide explains how they work.
When should I order a personalised plant gift?
Order at least two weeks before the occasion. Delivery is free and tracked to Ireland and 24 more EU countries and takes 5–8 working days, but delivery times can vary, and a message written in a hurry is rarely your best. Upcoming dates to plan for:
- Valentine's Day: Sunday 14 February 2027.
- Mother's Day (Ireland): Sunday 7 March 2027.
- Easter Sunday: 28 March 2027.
- Christmas: order by 10 December for Christmas delivery.
Sending to family or friends elsewhere in the EU? Our guide to sending plants across Europe covers delivery to all 25 countries.
Frequently asked questions
Explore more plant gift guides
- Indoor plant gifts guide: how to choose a plant gift for anyone in Ireland.
- Sympathy and memorial plants: condolence plants and message wording.
- Birthday plant gifts: ideas by age and personality.
- Housewarming plant gifts: plants for a new home.
- Valentine's Day plant gifts: alternatives to cut flowers.
- Mother's Day plant gifts: for the Irish March date.
- Plant gifts and potted plant gifts ready to send: the full gift range.
- Pet-safe plants: for recipients with cats and dogs.
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