Thanksgiving Plants

Thanksgiving plants give a host or a family something that outlasts the leftovers: phalaenopsis orchids, a classic dish garden and potted fall mums, each hand-picked and delivered by a local florist near the recipient.

A plant keeps blooming well after the holiday weekend. The guide below sorts the plants into indoor and outdoor picks and covers the basics of care.

Choosing Thanksgiving plants

Indoor plants for the host or the office

Three of the six plants here are phalaenopsis orchids. The Purple Phalaenopsis Orchid comes in a sleek glass cube, with options for white blooms or an added candle. The White Phalaenopsis Orchid opens crisp white with a fuchsia blush in a satin-finish ceramic pot, and the Double White Orchid Plant sends up two tall stems of white blooms, potted in bark instead of soil. All three like bright, indirect light. The Classic Dish Garden mixes green plants with a few pink or white blooming plants in a wicker container with a burlap ribbon, in three sizes, and suits a housewarming or an everyday gift.

Mums for the porch

The Autumn Outdoor Mum and the Fall Mum Plant 6 are outdoor plants that arrive already in bloom, the first in a rustic bushel basket and the second a smaller mum in a ceramic pot or basket. Set them by the front door to greet guests, give them full sun, and water whenever the soil feels dry. For year-round choices, browse all our plants.

Thanksgiving plant questions

How do I care for Thanksgiving plants?

Water an orchid lightly about once a week and let the extra drain so the roots never sit in water. Keep a dish garden's soil lightly moist, not soggy. Mums are the thirsty ones and want sun outdoors, so check them every day while the weather stays mild.

Are these plants safe for cats and dogs?

Phalaenopsis orchids are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Mums are different: chrysanthemums can upset a pet's stomach or cause drooling if chewed, so keep them out of reach. A dish garden's plants vary with the season, so for a home with curious pets, an orchid is the safer pick.

What is the longest-lasting Thanksgiving plant gift?

An orchid or a dish garden. A phalaenopsis can stay in bloom for weeks and often reblooms on the same spike after a rest, and a dish garden keeps growing for months with basic care. Mums give their best color through the fall. For more choices, see our orchids.

Can I send a plant instead of flowers for Thanksgiving?

Yes. Plants go out just like bouquets, prepared and delivered by a local florist near the recipient, and they make an easy host gift because there's no vase to find on a busy day. For cut arrangements, browse our Thanksgiving flowers.