Class is back in session! Kick off the new school year with budget-friendly back-to-school gifts for our wonderful teachers and college-bound students. Small gifts and gestures can make a big impact and create a great culture. Miniature plants and adorable pottery are fantastic teacher appreciation gifts that show you care, and they bring an inspiring beauty to any typical dorm desk.
Creative Back-To-School Gifts for Teachers & Students
After shopping for school supplies, give your credit card a break with budget-friendly gifts. Miniature plants and ceramic pottery are creative ways to show your love and support and they can be enjoyed throughout the year. Choose low-maintenance plants for classrooms and college dorms and pair them with stylish mini ceramic pots.
At your local Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a collegiate collection of mini ceramic planters and 2-inch indoor plants, complete with unique varieties, styles, and colors. Make your gift extra special and personalize it with decorative stones and moss.
Need inspiration? Here are a few ideas and mini plant suggestions for your creative back-to-school gift!
SUCCULENTS
Succulents are one of the best plants for students and busy teachers. Ideal for beginner gardeners, Succulents are extremely low maintenance and easy to care for. They are hardy, drought-tolerant plants and require minimal watering. Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves and stems that store water to help them thrive.
Before you fill your container with Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil, place a few stones at the bottom of the container to ensure there is an adequate draining system and to avoid standing water.
A favorite to many plant parents, Succulents shine on their own. Adorn these petite plants with gorgeous Italian Terra Cotta pottery. Terra Cotta planters are ideal for any budget-friendly gift, and they bring a touch of warmth and style to any space. Complete the natural elegance with Exotic Décor Pebbles & Stones and cover the top of the soil for a finished look.
PONYTAIL PALM
Beaucarnea recurvata, or Ponytail Palm is a fun way to show Teacher appreciation and celebrate our students. This unique plant features a bulbous base with a small, trunk-like stem. It fills any space with volume and texture because of its sprawling palm-like leaves.
Ponytail Palms need bright, indirect light to thrive. Place them on a sunny windowsill or situate them in the brightest location in your space. During the growing season, water regularly into the fall when the top inch of the soil is dry, and water occasionally during the winter.
Ponytail Palm makes for a fun college dorm desk plant, especially when it is paired with mini head planters. Grow your own conversation starter by giving these mini ceramic pots a lush, green ponytail!
KALANCHOE
Flowers are a gardener’s best friend. Encourage creativity with the lasting blooms of Kalanchoes! These friendly miniature plants originate from the Succulent family. Their eye-catching flowers & easy-care nature bring a burst of joy to any space and this resilient plant will provide colorful blooms for months on end.
Kalanchoes are fantastic low-maintenance plants for classrooms. They perform best in bright, indirect sunlight and should be watered regularly. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Complement the graceful elegance of Kalanchoes with a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind planter. The handmade designs and patterns will brighten up any space. Let the Kalanchoe be the focal point and add decorative moss in an unexpected color for a clean and modern creation.
DESERT ROSE
Make gardening exciting with your back-to-school gift with a Desert Rose! This slow-growing plant has a thick succulent trunk with thin, delicate leaves. Enjoy the show as you watch it produce stunning and vibrant blooms. It prefers warm conditions with full sunlight throughout the day, making it a great choice for a fun window gardening project or to add a touch of beauty to a sunny area in your classroom or dorm.
Desert Rose is actually a perennial, going dormant in the winter and returning with more gorgeous foliage and blooms in the following spring and summer. The watering requirements follow the growing seasons and different rules apply for the warmer months versus the cooler months. During spring and summer, keep the soil moist, but not saturated. Allow it to dry out completely before watering. In the late fall and winter, watering can be minimal.
Did you know Desert Rose is often used as a bonsai plant? Keep the theme going and pair it with stunning blue and white porcelain pottery by Lotus. The traditional oriental design and diverse patterns create a timeless back-to-school gift! Add a finishing touch with bright green decorative moss, covering all the potting soil, for the full effect.
SANSEVIERIA
Low light? No problem! Try Sansevieria for your personalized gifts. This low-maintenance plant is very easy to care for and it is nearly indestructible. It can adapt to bright or low light conditions and requires minimal watering. Sansevieria is drought-tolerant and should only be watered when the soil feels completely dry.
Pair these miniature plants with brightly colored pottery to add a pop of style to any space. Try small ceramic pots with drainage holes or saucers to ensure water runs through the roots, and to avoid standing water. Add any type of decorative stones and wow your favorite teachers and students.
CACTUS
For back-to-school gifts that encourage students to be creative, try Cacti! Cactus plants are one of the best plants for students to grow because they are extremely low maintenance and some of the toughest options around. Choose a unique variety like Grafted Color Top Cactus which is a small, curious plant with unexpected coloration and odd arrangement on a green stalk.
Cacti need bright, filtered light to thrive. Place near a sunny window or in a brightly lit area of a classroom or dorm. Give your cactus plants the best and start with the proper potting soil. Use Black Gold® Cactus Mix to help provide the ideal soil structure and drainage with a unique blend of horticultural grade perlite, pumice, earthworm castings, compost, and bark.
Make your gift a statement piece with hand-painted ceramic planters by Sunshine Ceramica! These small ceramic pots for indoor plants come in a variety of colors and designs for a stylish accent. Take it to the next level and have some fun with your decorative moss and stones. Create a cool design and cover half of the soil with white stones and the other half with green moss.
MADAGASCAR PALM
Show your teacher appreciation with Madagascar Palms, also known as Pachypodium. These unique plants are sure to attract attention and they are easy to please. It is a semi-succulent plant that requires little watering. It is loved for its shiny silver trunk covered in attractive spikes. As it grows, the trunk may branch out which makes this plant even more visually interesting.
They prefer bright light and average room temperatures. Water thoroughly and allow the top half of the soil to dry out before watering again. In the winter, water only as needed to avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Plant in classic ceramic planters with drainage holes. Choose a bold color and simple design for the pottery so the Madagascar Palm can be the shining star. Enhance the look with dual-colored decorative moss for a creative touch.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need for the best back-to-school gifts! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of lush indoor plants, stylish pottery, seasonal blooms, and so much more! Shop one of our 28 neighborhood stores, serving our loyal customers for over 35 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
