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A plant lover and stylist, Shayla Owodunni started sharing her love for plants through 

 in May 2020 — right as the rise in houseplant popularity took off. 

Owodunni put together a gift guide for every different “plant persona.” She joined host Cathy Wurzer for a crash course on what you should keep in mind when purchasing a plant as a gift and offered up some suggestions on her favorite places to shop for plants and plant-focused gifts in the Twin Cities.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

“While plant parenting is never one-size-fits-all, there is one universal parenting manifesto: Our work is never done. Help the plant parents in your life get to work in comfort and joy with a few handy tools! From watering cans and rolling plant caddies to trowels, forks, and gloves, you’ll be sure to equip your loved ones with the best tools in the shed. You can find them at local shops like Tonkadale, Carousel + Folk, Sunnyside Gardens, Ergo Floral and Tangletown Gardens!”

“Plant cuttings are a fun and personal (not to mention affordable!) way to gift your favorite plants. A tip? To give the cutting the best chance of gifted survival, I recommend cutting your plant below the node. Propagations Stations come in all shapes and sizes – ranging from beakers to bookends. I’ve snagged plenty at HomeGoods, with many great styles available perusing around town.”

“In a recent article by AARP, puzzle makers say sales are up 300 to 370 percent over what they were in 2019! They are great for memory and meditation. Some ideas? Jigsaw puzzles, memory games — for example, a ‘Woodcut Memory Game’ matching unique wood textures, and ‘Plantfulness Cards’ for mindful lessons on changing your life with plants.”

I did a live Airbnb online experience called ‘Propagating Plants with Hilton Carter’ and it opened my eyes to how fun and worthwhile online classes and workshops can be to help enthusiasts on the plant parenting journey. 

Plantiful books I have in my collection? ‘Wild at Home’ and ‘Wild Interiors’ by Hilton Carter, ‘The New Plant Parent’ by Darryl Cheng and ‘Plant Parenting’ by Leslie F. Halleck.”

“As a hostess gift, plants like the Christmas cactus or a vibrant poinsettia make for eye-catching contributions to holiday décor. They come in a variety of colors to meet all of your seasonal styling, or gifting needs. Tabletop plants are another great option — check out The Greenery or PlantyQueens! You can also give your ‘planty’ gifts a warm home for the holidays with stylish pottery (try Foxwell Shoppe or Mother Co)! Trust me when I say there is an option for every plant parent palate, so here’s your opportunity to embrace some personality. 

With a few caveats: If you are not sure of the skill-level or home environment (lighting, etc.) of your plant parent, I recommend opting for:

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A plant lover and stylist, Shayla Owodunni  joined host Cathy Wurzer for a crash course on what you should keep in mind when purchasing a plant as a gift and offered up some suggestions on her favorite places to shop for plants and plant-focused gifts in the Twin Cities.

Looking to buy the perfect gift for the plant lover in your life? Shayla Owodunni of The Plant Penthouse explains what you should keep in mind when it comes to holiday shopping, plus a collection of gift ideas based on their plant persona. 

A gift guide for all of the plant parents in your life

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