Mother’s Day is Sunday. My first without my mom. (2021) I didn’t see her on Mother’s Day last year because….. you know why. Was anyone able to see their mom?

Choosing a gift for Mom is sometimes difficult. But, you can never go wrong with a flowering houseplant as a gift.

So many choices

When you walk into a garden center, big box, or grocery store, you will see tons of plants this week. Mom is special to everyone and all the stops come out when choosing a gift for her. Let’s talk about a few of the most available choices. I’ve seen all these this week as I’ve been out and about. Of course, cut flowers are always a choice. I’d rather have a plant that will give Mom flowers for years to come with little care

Choosing a Mother’s Day plant

There are so many plants to choose from so how do you pick a good one? First I find the color flower I want and then find a plant that looks good with more buds than flowers.

When I say a plant that looks good, don’t buy a ratty plant that may have nice flowers. You want a healthy plant so it will look good after flowering.

A very important factor is to check that your plant isn’t standing in water. Often, gift plants are in some sort of decorative container whether it be a sleeve or cachepot. Make sure the plant isn’t waterlogged.

Check for any signs of disease or insects and steer clear if you see any signs of them. On to the plants.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

The phalaenopsis orchid is one of my favorites. I have quite a few and think they are easy to get to rebloom each year. These flowers last for months so this is a great pick for Mom as he will be able to enjoy the flowers for a long time.

After blooming, cut the flower stalk off to allow the plant to store energy for next year’s flowers. Keep the plant in bright light, such as an east window, and water the medium weekly, allowing it to drain well.

Usually, orchids come in a cachepot of some sort. It is best to remove the plant, water the plant, let it drain, and return it to the pot.

With good care and the right light, it will bloom again next year. Every couple of years repot with fresh orchid mix.

Mother’s Day African violets

African violets are another of my favorite plants. There are many out there to choose from and I’ve seen them in a myriad of interesting pots.

I grow mine under lights but also have them in an east window as they love the morning sun. Keep them moist, not potting them in too large pots. They have shallow root systems so overpotting them can cause problems.

Though it implied you can’t get the leaves wet, that is an old wives’ tale. I rinse the leaves off to get the dust off but don’t allow the water to sit in the middle of the plant. These plants will bloom almost constantly with good care.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoes are available to buy almost any time of year. These are succulent plants so don’t allow the plants to stand in water.

Often gift plants come in decorative sleeves and that is fine. Make sure your plant isn’t standing in water.

Give them good bright light, as they are succulents. When the flowers fade, cut them off. With the right light, they should send out sporadic flowers throughout the year.

Mother’s Day Bromeliads

The bromeliad family is so diverse and the most well-known family member is the pineapple. Did you know that?

The two below are vase bromeliads water should be in the vase their leaves form at all times.

In their natural rainforest habitat, these bromeliads are epiphytes on the trunks of trees. The colorful parts of the plant are actually bracts that the flowers emerge from. They are brightly colored to attract pollinators.

These plants do die after flowering but the process is slow and they send out babies or pups to take their place.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are very eye-catching with their colorful bracts. The most common colors include red and pink but there are other colors as well.

The shiny patent leather-looking “flowers” are actually called spathes, or modified leaves. The actual flower is the white part, called a spadix.

Keep them evenly moist and give them bright light. With good care, they should have blooms all year long.

Calla lily

I did see Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) to buy in many places this week. I have not had one, so I am giving you instructions from what I’ve researched about them.

These South African plants grow from rhizomes and come in gorgeous colors.

The flowers consist of a spathe that curves around and hugs the spadix or flowers.

Calla lilies are hardy in zones 8-10 so if you live in zone 7 or lower, these will be houseplants or annuals outside.

The good news is they will die down and then you can store the rhizomes and replant them again. Keep them moist with bright light, but not full sun.

All these plants are perfect gifts. The best part is they can be kept to flower another year. They can also be treated like a bouquet of flowers and composted after the flowers fade. Let mom know she won’t be judged if after the flowers are gone, she doesn’t keep the plant.

I hope you all enjoy Mother’s day with your moms and find a gift she will love. Really, moms love anything they get from their children, so it’s all good. If you are missing your mom, like me, hugs to you.

Have a great Mother’s Day!

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