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32 Expert-Approved Gardening Gifts I'd Love to Receive as a Long-Time Gardener

The gardener in your life will love them too

Gifts for Gardeners Gifts for Gardeners

The Spruce / Kevin Liang

I’ve been gardening and testing gardening products for years, and my birthday and holiday wish lists are always overflowing with gardening-themed gifts. 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 gardening socks. 

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. I’ve included options we’ve tested and love as well as unique ideas for more experienced gardeners.

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Gifts Under $25

SycamoreHill Hand Stamped Garden Markers SycamoreHill Hand Stamped Garden Markers

Etsy

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 Famoy Claw Gardening Gloves are one of my go-to pairs and often come in handy when planting bulbs in the fall and spring. 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 hoping I get a new one this year to help me keep track.

Another way to remember what you've planted is the SycamoreHill Hand Stamped Garden Stakes—vintage hand-stamped silver markers that used to be spoons. You can pick the quantity and specify which herb or vegetable name you’d like on the marker.

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 lets gardeners choose their favorite seeds to add to their garden and shop for tools and garden accessories.

Gardening Accessories

The Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves outdoors on top of a tree trunk The Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves outdoors on top of a tree trunk

The Spruce / Eric Brockob

Accessories, like gardening shoes, aprons, or socks, 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! After testing in our garden, the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves earned the top spot in our best gardening gloves list. We found them extremely comfortable, even during hours out in the garden.

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

AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden on a counter AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden on a counter
The AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Garden was larger than others we tested but fit easily on our countertop.

The Spruce / Joy Kim

Your favorite gardener doesn't need outdoor space or good weather to enjoy their favorite activity—indoor garden kits are small enough for any indoor space. Our favorites are self-watering, with adjustable lighting and built-in timers, requiring little maintenance. But a simple herb gardening kit, like the Spade to Fork Indoor Herb Garden, is the perfect gift for those with a sunny window or a grow light.

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. We also loved the Aerogarden Bounty Elite for its convenient smart features.

Gardening Tools and Equipment

Edward Tools Garden Trowel Edward Tools Garden Trowel

The Spruce / Eric Brockob

Garden tools always come in handy whether it's one single high-quality tool or a set of essentials. Perfect for beginner gardeners, this gift bundle from Ferry-Morse has everything you need to get started, all nestled in a functional garden tote. The bundle includes a trowel, scissors, a plant tie, plant markers, and two at-home soil testing kits.

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 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

Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose displayed on a hose rack Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose displayed on a hose rack

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

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.

We've tested over 30 hose nozzles over the last few years and the Dramm Fan Nozzle Sprayer stood out for its unique shape and color options—I use it to water the raised garden beds in my backyard. The nozzle's thumb control feature lets you control the pressure of your hose and provides an even water output, so you can ensure your plants are watered and happy.

Garden hoses can be heavy and even cumbersome to carry. If you've noticed your favorite gardener struggling with theirs, it might be time for an upgrade. The Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose is lightweight so you can water different parts of your yard without too much hassle. Our favorite option we tested, the 100-inch long hose connects easily to spigots and proves very easy to coil and uncoil.

Adding a hose timer to my watering routine this year was a game-changer. One of my favorites we tested, the Melnor HydroLogic 2-Zone Digital Water Timer is especially impressive, largely for its clear digital display and two zones that allow you to water different areas of your garden or yard.

Gardening Containers

Holton Metal Pot Planter Holton Metal Pot Planter

Wayfair

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 or those who prefer to garden without bending down to the ground. This convenient raised box makes it easy to start new plants each season and is durable enough to withstand years of increment weather. There’s also a rack underneath to hold supplies—who doesn't love extra storage space?

Garden Lights

Uncommon Goods Solar Tealights Uncommon Goods Solar Tealights

Uncommon Goods

I love adding different types of lighting to my garden and outdoor space—it always adds a magical element to an already beautiful garden. The Uncommon Good Solar Tealights are high on my wish list this year. 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 hoping to receive the Tonulax Solar Garden Lights this year, which are 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 Perky-Pet Pinchwaist Hummingbird Feeder suctioned to a window. The Perky-Pet Pinchwaist Hummingbird Feeder suctioned to a window.

The Spruce / Eric Brockob

A garden isn't a garden without birds, which is why I love to add plenty of options to attract the local birds in my area. Bird baths, hummingbird feeders, and regular bird feeders are all excellent options. Our top-rated bird feeder is the Brome Squirrel Solution200. It comes with six feeding ports and is squirrel-proof—an absolute must when you live in an area, like mine, that has so many squirrels around.

I also love to attract hummingbirds in my garden; they're such a treat whenever they grace my garden with their presence. The Perky-Pet Pinchwaist Hummingbird Feeder is not only affordable, it also has a built-in moat to prevent ants from taking over.

Bird baths remind me of old English cottage gardens, especially this ceramic Alpine Corporation 25" Tall Pedestal Bird Bath. I love that it comes in three different color options to suit your style.

And because the standing water in bird baths might attract some unwanted visitors to your garden—like mosquitoes—you might want to stock up on a citronella candle or two as well. I like this set of three from La Jolie Muse.

Other Great Gift Options

There are endless ways you can make your gardening friends and family members feel special, no matter your budget. A free way to make their day is offering to help them in the garden for a day, 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.

Another option we love is gifting 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. You can also visit a botanical garden in your area for inspiration. Many of these large garden centers, including the New York Botanical Gardens, also offer in-person events and classes.

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. Apartment gardeners will appreciate a smart garden system with a small footprint, like the Click & Grow Indoor Herb Kit. An outdoor raised garden bed, like the Giantex Raised Garden Bed on Wheels, is great for anyone with outdoor space, even if it's just a small patio or balcony.

Functional gifts are always welcome to gardeners, especially to new gardeners building out their tool kits. Give them all of the essentials they need to get started with the Ferry Morse Garden Starter Tools & Tote Bag Kit. Or for avid gardeners, gift them with a new lightweight hose to replace the heavy one they've had for years, like the Zero-G 4001-100 Garden Hose.

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 loves finding new and unique gifts for fellow gardeners.