Christmas gifts for gardeners can be especially meaningful when they involve something living, beautiful, and long-lasting, like a tree. Trees symbolize care, intention, and a belief in the future, making them thoughtful presents for gardening enthusiasts who appreciate growth and nature. From fragrant tabletop evergreens to outdoor trees ready for planting, this guide will help you choose the perfect tree for every gardener on your list.
Christmas Gifts for Gardeners: Tabletop Trees
Giving indoor holiday trees is a great way to keep someone’s holiday spirit up. The aroma of the trees and the look of the spruces and pines are a great mood booster to enjoy all season long. Most of these trees can be purchased online and in box stores.
Rosemary Tree Topiaries
Many grocery stores and nurseries sell rosemary plants trimmed in a conical Christmas tree form. This is a great choice for the chef in your life to keep in their kitchen and use for culinary purposes.
Lavender Holiday Trees
Lavender is another great tabletop option to be used in the kitchen throughout the season. The plant has culinary, medicinal and fragrance benefits for anyone who loves essential oils and herbs.
Norfolk Island Pine Gifts
The Norfolk Island pine tree has all the beauty of an indoor live Christmas tree in a houseplant size. It is well-suited to decorate around Christmas but can also live as an indoor tree year-round. The tree does not like cold, though, so this is the perfect tree to bring the outdoors inside during the winter. This is a great Christmas gift for gardeners who love traditional Christmas trees all year round.
Lemon Cypress Tree Gifts
The lemon cypress tree brings energy and freshness to any home. You can easily find it this time of year in a Christmassy cone shape, but with a zesty twist of lemon aroma. It’s perfect for a high-energy acquaintance with an appreciation for tradition. An added benefit: This tree can be repotted outdoors when it is warmer and continues to grow.
Outdoor Trees to Gift
Any time the soil is workable, you can plant a tree. Christmas is still planting time for several zones, so don’t hesitate to find the right tree for the future in a size ready for the ground. These evergreens are wonderful to give at Christmastime because they maintain a Christmas tree look throughout the year.
Here are a few varieties of trees that make perfect Christmas gifts for gardeners.
Carolina Sapphire Cypress
The Carolina Sapphire Cypress tree is a great choice for gardeners of all levels. It is beautiful and unique looking, with gray, silvery, lacey foliage that maintains an evergreen look—so the recipient can always remember which tree you picked for them. They are low-maintenance and adaptable to many soils, with very few pest issues. The tree can be planted almost any time of the year. Best for Zones 6 through 9, this tree brings Christmas-looking trees to the landscape in warmer areas.
Colorado Blue Spruce Tree
Easy to find this time of year, the Colorado blue spruce is a beautiful blue blue-green Christmas tree you can enjoy year-round. Best in Zones 2 through 7, this tree thrives in colder climates. The Colorado blue spruce is instantly recognizable and easy to identify, and it’s a safe Christmas gift for gardeners who are traditional people in your life.
Canadian Hemlock Tree Gifts
For the artist and advanced topiary pros, the Canadian hemlock is a great choice. It can be trimmed to any height and shape, and left untouched will reach a height of 40 to 70 feet, with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. It creates a fun Christmas gift for gardeners who like to work with their trees. (Zones 3 through 7)
Always do your research on growing zones and soil requirements before gifting someone with a tree to plant outdoors.
Gifting Trees Through Conservation Programs
Another thoughtful way to give a tree to someone without strapping them with the responsibility of taking care of the tree is to purchase any number of trees to be planted in National Forests. This is a thoughtful gesture that shows respect for our planet. Several services sell the option to plant trees in someone’s honor, which is a truly special and unique gift to give.
Christmas Gifts for Gardeners: Tree Questions
What makes a tree a good Christmas gift for gardeners?
Trees offer long-lasting beauty and purpose, making them a thoughtful choice. Gardeners particularly appreciate gifts that grow, evolve, and enhance their home or landscape over time.
Are tabletop trees easy to care for?
Yes. Most tabletop trees—such as rosemary, lavender, lemon cypress, and Norfolk Island pine—require basic watering, bright light, and occasional pruning. They’re beginner-friendly and ideal for indoor enjoyment.
Can I give an outdoor tree as a gift in winter?
Absolutely. As long as the soil is workable and the tree is appropriate for the recipient’s growing zone, winter planting is common for many evergreens. Just include care instructions or a planting guide.
What if the recipient doesn’t have room for a tree?
You can still give the gift of a tree by purchasing one to be planted in a National Forest or conservation area in their honor. This option carries symbolic meaning without the need for at-home care.
Which trees make the best long-term gifts?
Evergreens like Colorado blue spruce, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, and Canadian hemlock offer year-round structure, color, and beauty. They’re adaptable and grow into lasting landscape features.
Giving a tree is one of the most meaningful Christmas gifts for gardeners. Whether it’s a cheerful tabletop evergreen to brighten their home or a future landscape centerpiece to plant outdoors, trees offer beauty, longevity, and a sense of connection to the natural world. With a little research into zones and growing needs, you can choose a tree that reflects your thoughtfulness and brings joy long after the holiday season has passed.
This article about giving trees as Christmas gifts for gardeners was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
