Renee has been writing and editing for home and garden magazines for 25 years. She served as an American Society of Magazine Editors intern in 1996 at House Beautiful and has been specializing in home remodeling, decorating, organizing, and gardening content ever since. She is currently a Master Gardener intern in Iowa. She enjoys doing research and is committed to continually learning more about the latest home and garden trends.
Renee Freemon Mulvihill began her career in New York City, working on the staff of Country Living Gardener, Rebecca's Garden, and the House Beautiful Special Interest Publications. After moving to Des Moines, she worked on the staff of several Better Homes & Gardens publications, including Remodeling Ideas, Beautiful New Homes, and Before & After. Since 2005 she has been a freelance writer and editor, contributing to many of the Better Homes & Gardens publications and serving as the contributing editor for Secrets of Getting Organized, Dream Kitchens & Baths, and Living the Country Life. She has also contributed to several Real Simple titles, including Real Simple Clutter-Free Home and Real Simple Secrets to a Clean Home, The Home Edit, and Reveal. In recent years, Renee has specialized in storage and organizing content and has interviewed many professional organizers across the country in order to share their tips with readers. Renee earned a Bachelor of Arts in Magazine Journalism with an Area of Concentration in Graphic Design from Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Are you shopping for a gardener (or two) this holiday season? You will need one of the best gifts for gardeners in 2022. Fortunately, we found 28 gift ideas suitable for all levels. Keep in mind: You want to invest in an item relevant to your recipient's current level of expertise.
"Consider if they’re a beginner and you’re introducing them to the hobby or if they’re an expert and you want to give them something as unique as their hobby,” says Katie Dubow, QVC plant expert and trendspotter.
A beginning gardener may appreciate a gardening how-to book, a garden journal, or a good starter kit of tools. We like the Garden starter tools and tote bag bundle because it combines a basic set of garden tools and a tote you can continue using in the garden. Experienced gardeners probably already have their favorite tools, so choose something that complements their specific gardening passions (such as houseplants or birdwatching). They might also enjoy a garden-inspired decorative item to share their hobby with others. Or consider giving them a unique gift like the Tertill weeding robot (since they likely already know how much they hate weeding!).
For ideas of your own, continue reading to see the 28 best gifts for gardeners in 2022 below.
Why You Should Get It:
If you know someone new to gardening, this tote bag with garden tools might be the perfect gift to guide them into digging into their first project. The sturdy garden tool bag features a handful of items beginning gardeners will love, including a trowel, garden-snipping scissors, twistable plant ties, reusable plant markers, and an at-home soil test kit. The bag features eight deep outer pockets (with elastic to keep items in place) that can hold additional gardening gear later. Reinforced stitching will help it last through multiple gardening seasons.
Price at time of publication: $60
Why You Should Get It:
Got someone on your list who loves gardening and cooking? This hydroponic indoor smart garden helps anyone grow fresh produce at home, any time of year. Measuring in at just 18 inches long, it can even sit right on the kitchen countertop. Additionally, the LED lights mimic sunlight, so you can use this even in locations where natural light is scarce. An app will help you take care of the plants and give you step-by-step care instructions. And the self-watering feature means you can leave home for a few days without worrying about your plants. The starter kit comes with eight starter seed pods (an herb mix and a salad mix) and six weeks of hydroponic growing system nutrients.
Price at time of publication: $349
Why You Should Get It:
If you have a loved one far away, you can send them this wind chime personalized with the names of special people in their lives. They’ll think of you when the wind blows. Plus, it's a fun twist on the family tree concept.
Designed by artist Gina DeSantis, these wind chimes showcase hand-cut stamps paired with ceramic leaves (which can be personalized upon request). Add anywhere from 1-10 names, or leave them blank. Handmade in Ohio, these wind chimes are suitable inside or outside; but best to bring them inside on those cold, chilly winter days.
Price at time of publish: $95
Why You Should Get It:
These pretty floral-printed gloves promise to brighten any gardener’s day—even those days spent pulling endless weeds. The polyester gloves are machine washable and will let your hands breathe on hot days. They have a waterproof nitrile coating on the palms to help keep hands dry when working in damp soil. The gloves come in three sizes for the best fit. Take this best gift for gardeners in 2022 further and pair these gloves with a matching floral-wrapped bar of hand soap so gardeners can get their hands clean (and moisturized) when their garden chores are complete. Bonus: reviewers have noted that the soap smells good, too.
Price at time of publish: $24
Why You Should Get It:
If you’re looking for a special piece for the gardener who seems to have everything, this decorative vase is a great choice. Not only is it a vessel for fresh flowers, but it’s also a piece of art. Created from terracotta clay, these vases were thrown by a European artisan on a potter’s wheel. Since each vase is unique, the color will vary from smoky gray to black, and imperfections may exist. With only 300 vases available, this limited-edition gift has the artist's initials and the number it is carved on the bottom.
Price at time of publish: $25
Why You Should Get It:
Who can resist a cute garden gnome (or two)? You can help your gardener friend add a whimsical touch to their garden and a pop of color with Plow & Hearth's Beneficial Bugs Garden Gnomes. You can choose the gnome with the red hat with ladybug-style polka dots or the one with the yellow hat that features stripes of the bumblebee. You won't go wrong with either one; they are made of weather-resistant polyresin, meaning they can stand up to the element. Plus, since these gnomes are 24 ¼-inches tall, their hats are sure to peek out among the flowers.
Price at time of publish: $60
Why You Should Get It:
These self-watering planters help make container gardens easy and fun. A water reservoir at the base of the pot helps keep plants hydrated and sponge-like wicks help deliver that water to the plant’s roots. Now even people too busy to remember to water their plants can find success with gardening. The polypropylene planters are available in multiple sizes and a handful of colors, so you can stick with a neutral palette or opt for a more colorful style. Bonus: these planters are cheap enough that you could mix and match a few different colors to jump-start someone’s patio garden.
Price at time of publish: From $17
Why You Should Get It:
They’ve pretty much thought of everything with this sun hat. Designed for women, this sunhat is perfect for protecting you for long periods on extremely sunny days. It’s UPF 50+ and blocks more than 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays. The brim in the front is four inches, and the neck protector at the back is six inches, offering maximum sun protection. It’s one-size-fits-all, but a drawstring at the back adjusts sizing to fit your head. A removable chin strap attaches with clips on the side, and the back has an opening for a ponytail. The hat is lightweight and foldable, so you easily pack it and take it with you on trips to the beach too.
Price at time of publish: $45
Why You Should Get It:
Ansel & Ivy's watering can is a stylish and practical option for anyone who tends to houseplants. At 15 x 4 x 7.5 inches, it fits nicely on shelves and holds up to 1 liter of water. For those with a larger collection, there is a second choice; that holds up to 1.5 liters. Both versions are made from stainless steel and can clean easily. If you’re looking for one of the best gardener gifts of 2022 that's both practical and stylish, you've found it here.
Price at time of publish: $24
Why You Should Get It:
One of the best gifts for gardeners in 2022 is anything tool that can streamline weeding. The Tertill weeding robot is the gift that does just that. It sits out in the garden (using the sun to recharge itself) and does the weeding for you! When you want it to start weeding, you press a button to wake it up and then press it again to make it move. Tertill, from the makers of the Roomba vacuum, uses height to discern garden plants from weeds; if a plant is tall enough to touch its front sensor, the Tertill weeder will consider it a plant rather than a weed. This weeding robot can maintain areas up to 200 square feet, but it won’t work in every garden—you need a border that’s 4 inches or taller, a foot between plants or rows of plants, and a relatively flat and smooth surface.
Price at time of publish: $349
Why You Should Get It:
Make gardening easier for someone on your list by buying them an automatic shovel to help them dig holes for new plants. The Rotoshovel digs hole up to 10x3 inches in diameter (perfect for planting bulbs) and automatically stops if it hits a rock or root. It can be used for planting, edging, trenching, and tiling—or you can even use it to set up a tent when camping or an umbrella at the beach. At only 5lbs, it’s easy to hold and use; it can run for 2 hours on each battery charge and works in various soil types.
Price at time of publish: $160
Why You Should Get It:
Many gardeners like to compost food scraps, but it can be hard to find a kitchen scrap collector that you want to sit out on your kitchen countertop. This bamboo compost bin has a streamlined, modern look that will complement any style of kitchen. It holds an impressive 1.6 gallons of materials, but at 13x7.75x6 inches, it doesn’t take up too much counter space. A stainless steel bin can be easily removed to take scraps to an outdoor compost pile and washed out by hand or in the dishwasher. The stainless steel lid keeps out fruit flies and ants and blocks odors.
Price at time of publish: $37
Why You Should Get It:
Sometimes it’s hard to find a comfortable spot to sit while gardening. If you give this foldable canvas garden stool to your favorite gardener, they’ll always have a convenient place to rest. The stool is lightweight and easy to carry throughout your garden. It can be quickly set up wherever you need it and it comes with a removable bag with side compartments that can hold hand-held garden tools, seed packets, and more. When you’re finished working, you can wipe the stool clean with a damp cloth and fold it up for easy storage in a garage or shed.
Price at time of publish: $48
Why You Should Get It:
This gardening apron for women is both cute and practical! A floral jacquard strip along the bottom ups the style quotient, but it fits a lot of function into a half apron too. It includes eight pockets and six fabric hangers/loops for garden tools and gloves. The pockets are arranged in two rows and range in size so they can accommodate a variety of items, including pencils, plant tags, garden tools, cell phones, and gloves. For a few extra dollars, you can choose to add a set of garden tools (which includes a trowel, cultivator, transplanter, and hand rake) in various fun colors to round out the gift.
Price at time of publish: $31
Why You Should Get It:
It might not be the first gift that pops into your mind when shopping, but one of the best gifts for gardeners might be a wheelbarrow. After all, what gardener doesn’t need one? This version is tough and durable, with a rust-proof body and 10-inch tires to help you maneuver over any terrain. It can pull up to 600 pounds and has a padded handle to make pulling more comfortable. As good as those features are, we think the best feature is the quick-release technology that makes it easy to empty each load. This is one of the best gifts for gardeners in 2022 that will get a lot of use in the garden.
Price at time of publish: $140
Why You Should Get It:
Are you shopping for someone who loves birds? Unite them by adding this birdbath to your shopping carts. This easy-to-install bird bath clamps onto the deck railing so birdwatchers can easily see visiting birds from their house. (It fits deck railings up to 2-inches thick.) Thanks to the adjustable clamp, this bird bath is easy to install and remove. Furthermore, the durable plastic bowl detaches from the steel ring, so it can easily be removed and cleaned (or emptied at night when temperatures dip). It’s made from weather-resistant materials to ensure it will stand up to the elements wherever you live. With one gift, you can make a gardener and the birds happy!
Price at time of publish: $19
Why You Should Get It:
With this bird feeder, you can watch the visiting birds during the day and enjoy a decorative light at night. Waterproof and weather-resistant, the bird feeder is made of bronze metal and mosaic glass pieces that reflect sunlight during the day. An extra-large solar cell panel will illuminate for 8–12 hours at night. An inclined roof on the feeder helps shade the birds from sun and rain, and three metal perches accommodate good-sized birds. A metal hook makes it easy to hang from a tree, porch, or a larger shepherd’s hook. When the feeder is full, the bird seed will block the solar light, so I guess you have a great excuse to forget to fill the feeder.
Price at time of publish: $50
Why You Should Get It:
Do you have a gardener on your list who also keeps chickens? They might adore this set of garden stakes shaped like chickens who will gladly hang out in their garden without eating any plants! Made out of powder-coated metal, these garden stakes can stand up to the elements during all sorts of weather and will last a long time. They’ve affectionately been dubbed Bubbles, Stripey, and Doodles after their playful designs—but we’re sure your recipient can rename them if they’d like. Each is 17 ¾-inch tall (including the 4-inch stake). These stakes are sold individually, but we think the set makes a great gift.
Price at time of publish: $65
Why You Should Get It:
This potting bench packs a lot of storage and function into a limited amount of space. It includes a food-grade dry sink for mixing soils and potting plants. A sliding tabletop extends the workspace on either side of the sink or slides shut to hide any mess in the sink if needed—or when you’ve cleaned up. A two-tier upper shelf can hold plants, while a bottom shelf is tall enough for bags of potting mix. Hooks on the front of the potting bench’s legs can keep favorite garden tools within reach. The potting bench is 39.5 x 18 x 55.25 inches tall; reviewers have said it’s easy to assemble.
Price at time of publish: $130
Why You Should Get It:
One of the best gifts for gardeners in 2022 is giving inspiration. A good read for beginning gardeners and beyond, Julia Watkins’ book Gardening for Everyone: Growing Vegetables, Herbs, and More at Home is full of tips about gardening in a sustainable and nourishing way. It offers extensive advice on every stage of gardening: planning, planting, tending, and harvesting. It also includes plant profiles on common plants you might want to grow in your garden and explains the difference between annuals and perennials and warm and cool season vegetables. In addition, the book features some fun hands-on activities that both kids and adults can enjoy. Beautiful color photos make it a great coffee table book as well.
Price at time of publish: From $10
Why You Should Get It:
This updated version of a traditional harvest basket lets you gather, wash, and store fresh produce in one container. Made of polypropylene, it’s lightweight and easy to carry throughout the garden. When you’ve gathered your harvest, you can unfold the legs and wash the produce outside. (Holes in the basket let the water drain directly out of it and allows your produce to drip dry outside mess-free.) Once inside, you can stack up to three baskets to store produce in minimal space. At 17 inches long and 10½ inches wide, these baskets offer plenty of room for fresh produce—or you can use them for other items like hats and mittens. We recommend filling the Mod Hod with a few other garden items to make a better gift for vegetable gardeners.
Price at time of publish: $30
Why You Should Get It:
Give a beginning gardener a garden journal to help them track the plants they selected and how well they did in their garden. This 144-page journal has a cute, floral-inspired cover that helps make it a fun gift. Plant log pages let you keep track of each plant you chose, where you got it, where you planted it, and how well it did throughout the season. The journal also includes some planting tips and information about hardiness zones that might be helpful for new gardeners. There are also dot-matrix grid pages so you can draw out your garden designs before you start planting. A pocket at the back can hold inspiration photos, seed packets, or receipts.
Price at time of publish: $10
Why You Should Get It:
If you’re new to seed starting—or a seasoned pro—the Bio Dome makes the process easier. This kit includes a tray, humidity dome, planting block, 60 bio sponges (a growing medium for your seeds), and seedling food. Just place the soil plug into the planting block and add your seeds. The bio sponges offer an ideal blend of aeration and moisture and encourage the roots to grow down and out. You can transplant your seedlings right from your Bio Dome into your chosen garden container or bed rather than worrying about transplanting it into a bigger pot first. Adjustable vents at the top of the dome ensure good air circulation and help maintain an ideal moisture level.
Price at time of publish: $93
Why You Should Get It:
If you know someone struggling with where to put all their houseplants, this plant stand might be just the solution they need. Crafted from eco-friendly bamboo, the plant stand includes six levels of display space for plants and family photos or other decorative items. At only 15.7 x 8.3 inches wide, it fits a lot of display space into a small amount of floor space. The plant stand is 48.6 inches tall, and each shelf is big enough for a four-to-six-inch pot. A wide base, which holds two plants, helps ensure it is sturdy.
Price at time of publish: $30
Why You Should Get It:
These handy self-watering globes are both decorative and functional and are handy items for both indoor and outdoor gardeners. You fill the watering globes with water, flip them over and insert them into the soil of one of your potted plants. As the soil dries, the globes release water into the soil to keep the plant hydrated—even while you’re on vacation. They can provide water for up to 2 weeks. Each hand-blown glass orb is unique, and colors may vary slightly, but the colors in the set include translucent navy, green, turquoise, and red. At 12-inches tall, these globes are taller than some other brands and will add a pop of color to plantings.
Price at time of publish: $35
Why You Should Get It:
This organic mushroom grow kit is a unique gift for the hard-to-buy-for gardener. This two-pack kit lets you grow both pink and pearl oyster mushrooms. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert gardener to see success. You open the package, spray daily with the mister included in the kit, and in 10 days, you can harvest your mushrooms out of the box. The kit also includes a booklet with growing and harvesting instructions and recipes. Additionally, there is a free downloadable curriculum for kids to learn about the science behind growing mushrooms—so it’s a good choice for gardeners with kids (or kid gardeners).
Price at time of publish: $19
Why You Should Get It:
Sometimes the best gifts for gardeners aren’t products, but experiences. If you’re unsure what to buy for the gardener who seems to have everything, we suggest an online floral-arranging class by Alice’s Table. You can choose from a handful of classes that include seasonal floral arrangements, wreaths, and tablescapes. A day or two before the live-streamed event, you’ll receive a kit with all the materials you’ll need to create the featured project. During the workshop, a host will provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete the project and wow all your friends with the finished masterpiece. Gift cards (available in various amounts) are available, so your recipient can choose the class or classes that interest them most.
Price at time of publish: Varies
The best gifts for gardeners in 2022 will keep their interests and gardening level in mind. For beginner gardeners, a set of garden tools, such as the Garden starter tools and tote bag bundle, might help them get started with their new hobby. Many gifts, such as the Solbari UPF 50+ everyday sun hat, will work equally well for beginners and experienced gardeners. If you’ve got an expert gardener on your list who seems to have everything, why not buy them something novel like the Tertill weeding robot?
Level of Gardening: The best gifts for gardeners in 2022 will always take into account the skill level of the gardener who is the recipient. Some products, such as a basic garden tool set or a gardening book, are best for beginning gardeners. An unusual plant that might be trickier to care for might be best left to an expert gardener. But many other gifts can be enjoyed by gardeners of all skill levels. Decorative garden stakes, bird feeders, harvest baskets, or garden experiences are good bets for gardeners of any skill level.
Size: When shopping for a gift for your favorite gardener, make sure to consider the size of the product and how easy it will be to get it to the intended recipient. A wheelbarrow might be one of the best gifts for gardeners, but it will be more expensive to ship than a pair of gardening gloves, for example. Similarly, some items like gloves or sun hats come in multiple sizes, so they might be harder to gift unless you know your recipient’s size. Be sure to send along a gift receipt if you’re unsure what size to purchase.
Intended Use: As you’re shopping, consider whether the gardener on your list is passionate about indoor gardening, outdoor gardening, or both. Some smaller watering cans, for example, are better for watering houseplants, while large watering cans are a better fit for someone with a large outside garden. If you’re purchasing gloves, be aware that some are designed for roses and other thorny plants, while other gloves work well for less-prickly plants. Make sure any decorative items are weatherproof if they’ll be placed outside in the garden.
How much should you spend on gifts for gardeners?
The best gifts for gardeners are available at all different price points. Small decorative items and vases are often budget-friendly options, while larger-scale items, like potting benches, wheelbarrows, and large garden tools may be pricey. Some categories of items, such as small garden tools or planters, are available in a wide range of price points depending on the quality of materials used to make the product.
What are some items gardeners need multiples of?
While gardeners might not need more than one garden trowel (especially if you buy a good quality one), there are several items that gardeners can use multiples. “Gardeners can never have too many gloves, seeds, plants—and well, more plants,” Dubow says. Of course, most gardeners are interested in the latest gardening book and probably need plenty of planters and vases to display their favorite plants.
Renee Freemon Mulvihill is a freelance writer specializing in home and garden topics. To write this gift roundup, she researched online, read product reviews, and checked with various gardening trend experts, including Katie Dubow, QVC plant expert and trendspotter.
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