Send Plants as Gifts Across Europe: How to Post a Living Gift from Ireland to 24 EU Countries
To send a plant as a gift from Ireland to someone in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland or another EU country, you order online with the recipient's address, and a potted plant is delivered free and tracked in 5–8 working days. PlantGift delivers to Ireland and 24 more EU countries, 25 in all. The plants that survive a few days in a box best are sturdy, slow-growing foliage plants that are not in flower: the ZZ plant, snake plant, Kentia palm, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea) and dragon tree (Dracaena). This is the practical how-to guide. To choose a plant to suit the recipient's climate and home, see our European plant gift buyer's guide. For why a living plant beats a bouquet, read why a plant is the best gift to send across Europe. For every occasion in Ireland, start with our indoor plant gifts guide.
Several of the best plants for posting come from dry or seasonal habitats and carry their own water supply. The ZZ plant stores water in thick underground rhizomes; the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) from eastern Mexico stores it in its swollen, elephant's-foot base. A week without a watering can is normal for them, which makes a week in transit much less of a strain than it is for a thirsty, soft-leaved tropical plant.
How do you send a plant as a gift from Ireland to another EU country?
You send a plant gift to another EU country in the same way you would send one within Ireland: choose a plant, enter the recipient's name and address at checkout, and pay. Delivery is free and tracked to all 25 countries, and it usually takes 5–8 working days. Every destination is inside the EU, so there are no customs declarations for your recipient to deal with.
A few practical steps make the difference between a gift that lands well and one that sits in a depot:
- Use the recipient's full local address format. Include the flat or apartment number, the building entrance (Germany's Hinterhaus, France's bâtiment and escalier, a Dutch huisnummer suffix such as 12-2 or 12A) and the local postcode. In a large apartment block, a missing flat number is the easiest way for a parcel to go astray.
- Add a phone number for the recipient if you have one, so the courier can reach them.
- Check that someone will be in. A living plant should not sit in a parcel locker or a cold porch for days. If the recipient works long hours, send it to their workplace.
- Tell them something is coming without spoiling the surprise. "Keep an eye out for a parcel next week" is enough.
- Keep the tracking email. You can forward the link, or simply check that it has arrived before you ring.
Our delivery information page covers the process in full, and the European plant delivery page lists every destination. There are dedicated pages for Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Which countries can you send a plant gift to from Ireland?
PlantGift delivers plant gifts to 25 EU countries: Ireland plus Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Delivery is free and tracked to each of them, and the expected window is 5–8 working days. Delivery times can vary, especially around public holidays and in the busy weeks before Christmas.
The United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), Switzerland and Norway are not on the current delivery list. If you live abroad and want to send a plant home to Ireland, the process is exactly the same in reverse. See our page on sending plant gifts to Ireland from abroad.
When should you order a plant gift for delivery elsewhere in Europe?
Order a plant gift for another EU country at least two weeks before the occasion. That covers the 5–8 working-day delivery window, the weekends in between, and any slack for local public holidays. For a birthday or anniversary, count back from the date and remember that "working days" exclude Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays in both countries.
| Occasion | Date | Order by (recommended) | Note for European recipients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine's Day | Sun 14 Feb 2027 | End of January | Same date across Europe; see our Valentine's plant gift ideas |
| Mother's Day (Ireland) | Sun 7 Mar 2027 | Mid-February | Most of continental Europe marks Mother's Day in May, on a date that varies by country, so check the local date |
| Easter Sunday | 28 Mar 2027 | Early March | Easter Monday is a public holiday in many EU countries, which adds a day |
| Christmas | 25 Dec | Order by 10 December | The busiest weeks for couriers; order earlier for northern and eastern routes |
| Birthday, housewarming, sympathy | Any time | At least two weeks ahead | For sympathy, a slightly late plant is still welcome; see our sympathy plant guide |
Which plants travel best by post across Europe?
The plants that travel best by post are sturdy, slow-growing foliage plants that are not in flower. Our top five are the ZZ plant, the snake plant, the Kentia palm, the ponytail palm and the dragon tree. They share three traits. They store water or use it slowly, so a few days without light or a watering can does little harm. Their leaves are thick, leathery or fibrous rather than soft, so they tolerate being boxed. And they grow slowly, so they don't put out fragile new shoots that snap in transit. Each profile below uses the same headings, so you can compare them at a glance.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): the most transit-proof gift
The ZZ plant is native to eastern Africa, from Kenya to South Africa. It grows in low to bright indirect light and needs watering only every 2–3 weeks, because it stores water in thick underground rhizomes. That reserve is exactly why it arrives looking as it did when it was packed. It is toxic, so keep it away from pets that chew leaves. In an Irish or north-European home it copes with dim hallways, offices and missed waterings. It is the go-to gift for busy people and first-time owners, and a safe bet when you don't know the recipient's flat.
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria): upright and unbothered
The snake plant comes from tropical West Africa. It takes anything from low to bright light and needs water every 2–4 weeks, less in winter. Its stiff, upright leaves pack neatly and don't bruise the way soft foliage does. It is toxic to pets that chew leaves. It is the safest pick when you don't know the recipient's light conditions, which is usually the case when you send a gift to another country. It commonly lives for decades.
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana): the elegant, pet-safe long-hauler
The Kentia palm is native to Lord Howe Island, off eastern Australia. It grows in bright indirect to fairly low light, tolerates a north-facing room, and wants water when the top 3–4cm of compost is dry. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. It is one of the few palms that copes with cool rooms and short winter days, whether in Galway, Hamburg or Gdańsk. Because it is slow-growing, its fronds are mature and firm when it ships. It is the classic Victorian parlour palm: elegant and long-lived.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria 'Laurentii')
Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): a water tank with leaves
The ponytail palm comes from eastern Mexico. It wants bright light, including some direct sun, and water only sparingly, every 2–4 weeks, because its swollen base stores water. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. A sunny windowsill suits it, which makes it a natural fit for a Mediterranean apartment. It is almost impossible to kill by neglect, so it arrives unfazed by a week on the road. It is a quirky, sculptural gift that needs almost no attention.
Dragon tree (Dracaena): tall, woody and hard to damage
Dragon trees and corn plants come from tropical Africa (D. fragrans) and Madagascar (D. marginata). They like medium to bright indirect light and want water when the top half of the compost is dry. They are toxic to pets that chew leaves. The woody canes carry the height, so a tall dragon tree ships far better than a soft-stemmed plant of the same size. It also tolerates the dry air of centrally heated flats better than most. It is tall and structural, and makes an instant impact in a new home.
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica): thick leaves, but expect a short sulk
Ficus species come from South and Southeast Asia to Australia. The rubber plant likes bright indirect light and water when the top layer is dry. It is toxic to pets that chew leaves. Its thick, leathery leaves travel well, but be honest with your recipient: a ficus may drop a few leaves after a move, and it settles within a few weeks. For a deeper look at the genus, see the best ficus plants for Irish homes.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica 'Tineke')
Which plants should you avoid sending by post?
Avoid sending plants in full flower, soft thin-leaved tropicals and plants known to resent being moved. Open flowers and soft new growth are the parts of a plant most easily bruised in a closed box, and a plant that sheds leaves in response to change will arrive looking tired. That doesn't mean they are bad gifts, only that they suit a local florist or a hand delivery better than a parcel:
- Plants in full bloom. A peace lily or anthurium in full flower may lose a few blooms in transit. If you want flowers, choose a plant that re-flowers over the coming months rather than one at its peak on dispatch day.
- Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). It dislikes draughts and being moved, so it is best for someone who already keeps plants and knows it will sulk.
- Soft, thin-leaved tropicals such as Alocasia and Calathea. They are beautiful, but more sensitive to cold and handling, so send them in spring or summer.
- Very tall specimens with huge, thin leaves, such as Strelitzia nicolai. Large paddle leaves are more likely to tear in a box, so choose a mid-sized plant if you're set on one.
Our guide to why plants make better cross-border gifts than cut flowers goes deeper into the biology of what happens to a plant in transit.
What is the best plant to send to someone in Spain, Italy, Portugal or Greece?
For a recipient in southern Europe, the olive tree (Olea europaea) is the natural choice, and the ponytail palm and dragon tree are good indoor alternatives. The olive is native to the Mediterranean basin. It wants full sun and should dry slightly between waterings. It is the ancient symbol of peace, friendship and long life, so it carries meaning in every Mediterranean culture. Its small, leathery evergreen leaves are built to lose little water, which also helps it cope with a warm van in summer. We make no pet-safety claim for the olive. For growing it back home in Ireland, see our olive tree care guide. For more plants for southern balconies, read our Spanish balcony and terrace plant guide.
How do these travel-ready plants compare?
| Plant | Latin name | Light | Watering | Pet-safe? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZZ plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Low to bright indirect | Every 2–3 weeks | No, keep away from pets that chew leaves | Any recipient; long northern and eastern routes |
| Snake plant | Dracaena trifasciata | Low to bright | Every 2–4 weeks | No, keep away from pets that chew leaves | When you don't know the recipient's light |
| Kentia palm | Howea forsteriana | Bright indirect to fairly low | When top 3–4cm is dry | Yes, listed non-toxic by the ASPCA | Homes with pets; cool northern flats |
| Ponytail palm | Beaucarnea recurvata | Bright, some direct sun | Every 2–4 weeks | Yes, listed non-toxic by the ASPCA | Sunny southern apartments |
| Dragon tree | Dracaena marginata | Medium to bright indirect | When top half is dry | No, keep away from pets that chew leaves | Housewarming; centrally heated flats |
| Rubber plant | Ficus elastica | Bright indirect | When top layer is dry | No, keep away from pets that chew leaves | Recipients who already keep plants |
| Olive tree | Olea europaea | Full sun | Dry slightly between waterings | No claim made | Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece; balconies |
Can you include a gift message with a plant sent abroad?
Yes, on selected plants: a handwritten gift message is available on selected gift plants — you'll see the option on the product page. If the plant you've chosen doesn't offer it, send your message separately by text or email, timed to the tracking update. The plant still arrives in your name. Keep the message short and in the language the recipient reads most comfortably. A few words in German, French, Dutch, Spanish or Polish go a long way. Our guide to personalised plant gifts with messages has wording ideas for every occasion.
What happens if the plant arrives damaged?
If a plant arrives damaged, diseased or in poor condition, our healthy-arrival guarantee means it is replaced or refunded. Ask the recipient to take a photo when they open the box, and get in touch with your order number. A little transit stress is normal and different from damage. A ficus dropping a leaf or two, or a palm frond bent in the box, usually recovers within a few weeks in a bright spot, away from radiators, with no fertiliser until it settles.
Frequently asked questions
Explore more plant gift guides
- Indoor plant gifts guide: every occasion, every recipient, in one place
- Best plant gifts for European recipients: choosing by climate, home type and pets
- Why a plant is the best gift to send across Europe: plants vs cut flowers in transit
- Housewarming plant gifts: for a new flat in Berlin, Lyon or Dublin
- Birthday plant gifts: ideas by age and personality
- Low-maintenance indoor plants: care notes for the ZZ, snake plant and more
- Pet-safe houseplants: for recipients with cats or dogs
- Plant gifts, low-maintenance plants and palm plants collections
Leave a comment