Secret Santa Gardening Gifts That Beat the Novelty Mug

You unfold the little piece of paper. You read the name. You have absolutely no idea who that is. Dave from IT? The new starter in marketing? Someone who once borrowed your stapler and never gave it back?

If you’re hunting for Secret Santa gardening gifts that feel thoughtful even when you barely know the person, you’re in exactly the right place. 🎁

👉 In a hurry? Jump straight to our grow kits collection.

Why gardening gifts make brilliant Secret Santa presents

Most Secret Santa gifts are forgotten by Boxing Day. Scented candles, novelty mugs, socks with sloths on: lovely for about four minutes. Gardening gifts that grow are different, because the fun starts after the wrapping paper comes off.

A grow kit works for almost anyone. It doesn’t depend on clothing sizes, taste in music or knowing someone’s favourite gin. It gives them a small, satisfying project for the quiet days after Christmas, and it gets talked about. When a colleague proudly shows the office their first seedling in January, everyone will remember who gave it.

The best Secret Santa gardening gifts at a glance

•      Can’t read them at all? The Bonsai Starter Kit.

•      Office joker? The Venus Flytrap Starter Kit.

•      Always bringing in homemade cake? The Herbs Starter Kit.

•      Tiny desk, busy job? A Cactus or Succulent Starter Kit from our grow kits collection.

For the person you know nothing about: grow your own bonsai

Everybody has secretly wanted a bonsai tree at some point. Admit it. The Bonsai Starter Kit lets them grow their own bonsai from seed, with everything they need to start in one box and clear instructions to follow.

It’s the safest Secret Santa gardening gift going: intriguing, calming and impressive on the gift table. Nobody will guess it’s from you, and they’ll still be talking about it in spring.

For the office joker: a plant that catches its own dinner

Some people want a gift that gets a reaction. A plant with jaws, teeth and traps that snap shut does exactly that. The Venus Flytrap Starter Kit is pure fun to unwrap and grows into a genuinely fascinating long-term project.

Fair warning: they will name it. It will probably be called Kevin.

For the colleague who cooks: a windowsill herb garden

The person who bakes, swaps recipes and talks about their dinner plans at 10am deserves the Herbs Starter Kit. It grows eight kitchen favourites, including basil, mint, parsley, chives, coriander, thyme, sage and fennel. Everybody wins, especially if they start bringing in homemade pesto.

For the busy desk-dweller: a tiny cactus collection

Some people barely have time to drink their coffee while it’s hot. Cacti and succulents are forgiving plants that cope with the occasional forgotten watering. Growing a mini collection from seed is a calm, low-fuss Secret Santa gardening gift that brightens any desk.

How to make a Secret Santa gift feel personal

A grow kit becomes far more thoughtful with one tiny extra: a handwritten tag. Try one of these:

•      “Grow something brilliant in the new year.”

•      “From your Secret Santa. Please water me.”

•      “For the sunniest windowsill in the office.”

Thirty seconds of effort, and your gift is suddenly the one everyone remembers.

Secret Santa gardening gifts: frequently asked questions

What is a good Secret Santa gift for someone who likes gardening?

A grow kit is ideal, because it gives them something new to grow indoors during winter. Bonsai and Venus flytrap kits are especially popular with people who already garden outside.

What can I buy for Secret Santa if I don’t know the person?

A bonsai grow kit suits almost anyone. It’s unusual and thoughtful, and it doesn’t rely on knowing someone’s personal taste.

Are grow kits suitable for beginners?

Yes. Our kits include everything needed to get started, with easy instructions, so no gardening experience is required.

Are plant gifts good for the office?

Yes. Cactus, succulent and bonsai kits suit desks well, and colleagues often enjoy comparing progress after Christmas.

Looking for more ideas? Read our guide, This Year, Give a Gift That Grows [ADD LINK].

Win Secret Santa this year

Pick your winner from our grow kits collection and order early, before the office party sneaks up on you.