I’ve gardened and tested gardening products for years now (and believe me, my birthday and Mother’s Day wishlists are always overflowing with gardening must-haves). The best gardening gifts are not only practical for gardeners, but also introduce them to new tools or gadgets they never knew they needed.
While I love receiving new gardening tools that make tasks easier and more comfortable, I also love receiving products I can use year-round, like indoor gardens, grow lights, and indoor planters. Whether you are looking for a housewarming gift or a gift for a mom or dad, I’ve found options for any gardener (or aspiring gardener) on your list.
Included are options that The Spruce tested and loves, as well as unique ideas for more experienced gardeners, coming from one herself.
Gifts Under $25
Target
Some of my favorite gardening gifts I’ve received or given are under $25, since gardening tools, decor, and seeds are often not too pricey. For example, these ban.do Gardening Gloves are one of my go-to pairs and often come in handy when planting bulbs in the spring and fall. I think they are as fun to use as they are practical.
I also think a gardening journal, like the Gardener’s Logbook makes a great gift for gardeners of all levels. I’ve often forgotten what I’ve planted from year to year, and what worked and what didn’t, so I’m getting one this spring to help me keep track.
For my birthday this year, I’ve added the Rifle Paper Co. x Target Indoor Planter to my wish list. I love all of Rifle Paper Co.’s fun patterns in this collection (my favorite is the hydrangea) and can’t wait to repot a favorite plant in this ceramic indoor planter.
Gift cards are great last-minute gifts, and are perfect if you don’t know exactly what the gardener in your life already has (or needs). Available from $25 and up, this Burpee e-gift card allows gardeners to choose their favorite seeds to plant in their garden (or start indoors) as they prepare for the upcoming gardening season.
Gardening Accessories
Credit:
The Spruce
Accessories, like gardening shoes, aprons, and sun hats, are a welcome gift for any gardener, whether they are new to the hobby or have been gardening for years. I also think that you can never have enough gardening gloves (I can’t resist buying at least one fresh pair each spring).
One of our favorite pairs we tested, the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves earned the top spot in our best gardening gloves list. I put them to the test in my garden, too, and found them extremely versatile and comfortable.
While I sometimes garden in flip-flops (not recommended!), I usually wear my Bogs Patch Ankle Garden Boots to keep my toes dry and protected. They are not the most breathable gardening shoes, but I love that they are waterproof and durable, so I’ve had them for multiple gardening seasons. They also come in handy as rain boots.
Indoor Gardens
The Spruce
Your favorite gardener doesn’t need outdoor space or good weather to enjoy their favorite activity—indoor garden kits are effective and small enough for any indoor space. Our favorites are self-watering, with adjustable lighting and built-in timers, requiring little maintenance.
The Click & Grow 3 is one of the best indoor garden systems we tested. It’s easy to set up and maintain and takes up very little counter space. The Aerogarden Bounty Basic is similar to the Click & Grow, but offers even more scheduling features and can fit up to nine plants.
But a simple kit, like the Birth Month Flower Grow Kit, is a great gift for those with a sunny window or a grow light.
Gardening Tools and Equipment
The Spruce
Garden tools always come in handy whether it’s one single high-quality tool or a set of essentials. Perfect for beginner gardeners, the Grenebo 9-Piece Gardening Tools Set includes all the tools they need to get started, plus a durable tool bag to keep them all together.
I also love a good two-in-one product, like the Canvas Carry-All Garden Stool from Anthropologie. It features a carrying tote that snaps onto the bottom of the foldable garden stool. When you are not using the seat, just remove the bag, and it’s the perfect carrying solution for any tools, thanks to the deep interior space and accessible exterior pockets.
If there is a tool that every gardener can use, it’s a sturdy trowel or a solid pair of pruning shears (I have three!). These high-quality Felco F-2 pruning shears, our favorite pruners we tested, are made with sharp, durable steel blades and lightweight, ergonomic handles coated with rubber covers for comfort. They come with a lifetime warranty and are made to last: every part is replaceable.
Watering Tools
The Spruce
I admit it, I don’t always love watering my plants and garden, especially in the hot summer when they need it the most. But I love tools that make the dreaded chore easier. The latest addition to my garden, the Winston Porter Lukats Frog Rain Gauge, lets me know if we’ve had enough rain, so I don’t need to water. This rain gauge also doubles as adorable decor.
We’ve tested over 30 hose nozzles over the last few years, and the Vego Garden Hose Nozzle is one of my new favorites. It’s available in several colors, and I love that it has nine spray patterns that are perfect for watering raised garden beds, potted plants, and more. The nozzle’s thumb control feature is also comfortable and super easy to use.
I know that garden hoses can be cumbersome, so if you’ve noticed your favorite gardener struggling with theirs, it might be time for an upgrade. Our favorite option we tested, the Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose is lightweight and lets you water your yard without hassle.
Adding a hose timer to my watering routine has been a game-changer. One of my favorites we tested, the Melnor AquaTimer, is especially impressive, largely for its easy installation and setup.
Gardening Containers
Magnolia
Every plant needs a home, so a raised garden bed or planter is always a practical gift. My favorite indoor planter is the Bergs Palace Pot and Saucer Set from Anthropologie. I’ve had this pretty scalloped pot on my windowsill for over a year and recently used it to repot a Christmas cactus. I also think it’s great for herbs or any small houseplant suitable for a clay pot.
Ideal for anyone on your list who loves reusable or multipurpose gifts, the Glow & Grow Kit starts as a candle, and once it burns down, the vessel can be used as a gorgeous planter. Just properly clean the ceramic pot and use the included non-GMO seeds, soil, and plant food.
The Giantex Raised Garden Bed on Wheels is the ideal gift for the gardener who may not have space in their yard. This convenient raised box makes it easy to start new plants each season and is durable enough to withstand years of inclement weather. There’s also a rack underneath to hold supplies—who doesn’t love extra storage space?
Garden Lights
Uncommon Goods
I love adding different types of lighting to my outdoor space—it always adds a magical element to an already beautiful garden. The Uncommon Good Solar Tealights are high on my wish list. Made of glass, these solar-powered lights are available in three different colors, and automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn. Each one is sold separately, but I can’t decide which one I love best!
I’m also eyeing the Tonulax Solar Garden Lights, known for their whimsical appearance and movement (if there’s a bit of a breeze). Also solar-powered, these lights would be perfect in a larger potted plant or right in the ground, as a way to add sparkle to an otherwise dark corner of my outdoor space.
Outdoor string lights can be left up year-round to add functional lighting and ambiance to your patio or garden. One of my favorites we’ve tested is the Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights. The Edison-style bulbs are shatter-proof and solar-powered, making them a practical addition to any patio or garden.
Bird Feeders
The Spruce
Bird feeders are an excellent gift for gardeners who love to enjoy their outdoor space and want visitors to share it with (and it’s always nice to feed local birds).
One of my favorite bird feeders I’ve tested is the Brome Squirrel Buster Mini. I installed this squirrel-proof bird feeder on one of my trees almost a year ago—it’s held up well to wind, rain, and snow—and my family has had fun watching small birds stop for a treat. I also love the stylish and easy-to-maintain Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder, which has withstood the elements for over a year as well.
I’m very intrigued (and amused) by smart bird feeders like the Netvue Birdfy Lite Smart Bird Feeder. The feeder has a built-in camera that takes up-close (and often adorable) videos of birds while they feast. While it’s a bit of a splurge, I think this would be a great gift for the birders in your life so they can enjoy their favorite hobby at home.
I always plant flowers known for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies so a hummingbird feeder is a must. We’ve tested many over the past few years, and one of my favorites is the Aspects HummZinger HighView Hummingbird Feeder. I have it in my backyard flower garden and finally saw hummingbirds visit last summer!
Other Great Gift Options
There are endless ways you can make your gardening friends and family members feel special, no matter your budget. I think a great (and totally) free way to make someone’s day is offering to help them in the garden, whether you’re pulling weeds, planting bulbs, or harvesting vegetables.
We also love the idea of using the gardener’s bounty to cook a delicious dinner, so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Or, visit a botanical garden in your area for inspiration. I love visiting my local botanical gardens in New York, including the New York Botanical Gardens, on special occasions.
You could also gift a gardening class, whether online or in-person locally. This way, you and a loved one can spend quality time together while learning something new.
Credit:
The Spruce
Tips on Choosing a Gardening Gift
Before finding the perfect gift, determine where your recipient lives and the type of gardening they do most often.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Jenica Currie, an avid gardener and editor for The Spruce who has been testing gardening and outdoor products for the past four years. Currie has been gardening since she was a little girl and has great memories of planting marigolds with her grandmother.
She has a flower garden and raised garden beds in her backyard, as well as a growing collection of houseplants. Currie always has a long wish list filled with garden decor and gardening tools (and lucky for her, a spring birthday!) and loves finding new and unique gifts for fellow gardeners.
To curate this gift guide, she considered a variety of options for different types of gardeners and gardening spaces, from small balconies to raised outdoor beds.