I’ve been on a real gift basket kick lately (and by lately I mean always – I’m always on a gift basket kick). For my sister-in-law’s birthday, I gave her a super cute Cookbook Gift Basket. One year for Mother’s Day I gave my mom and my mother-in-law a Pink Themed Gift Basket. I’ve also gifted a friend a Seed Packet Bouquet. Not quite a gift basket, but similar enough.
Last year I had a friend who was really going through a hard time. I wanted to give her something that would *hopefully* encourage her and lift her spirits. Now, she and I are both garden lovers. That’s where this fresh herb gift basket came into play. It was the perfect mix of practical and thoughtful (or at least I thought it was). And what is so awesome about gifting a fresh herb gift basket is that it can be tailored to fit any personality, any theme, any occasion – anything!
Fresh Herb Gift Basket
As I said, a fresh herb gift basket can be completely customized to fit the recipient’s personality, mood, aesthetic, etc.
My friend was going through a rough patch physically, mentally, and spiritually, so I wanted plants that symbolized strength, hope, and courage. I was also limited to the plants that were available at the store. Thankfully there was a decent selection!
Here is what I came up with:
- Lavender – to help calm
- Sage – for wisdom
- Thyme – for courage
- Rosemary – to remember how amazing she is
- Dill – to fight against evil thoughts
I was thinking this would make an especially awesome house-warming gift. A cute basket filled with plants that represent the mood and vibe of their new home. For example, think about these…
- Calendula – to bring health
- Marjoram – to bring happiness and wonderful new memories
- Chamomile – to find comfort in your new home
- Basil – to wish them well
- Dill – to deter evil from entering
- Hydrangea – for gratitude
Wouldn’t that make a sweet little basket? A few things that flower, a few annuals, a few perennials – I just love it!
Scroll down for a few more plants and their symbolic meaning. I’m sure you can find one that sends the perfect message!
Symbolic Meaning of Herbs
- Basil – Good Wishes
- Calendula – Health
- Chamomile – Patience in Adversity, Comfort
- Chives – Usefulness
- Coriander – Hidden Worth/Merit
- Dill – Powerful Against Evil
- Fennel – Flattery, Worthy of Praise
- Hops – Mirth
- Lavender – Devotion
- Lemon Balm – Sympathy
- Marjoram – Joy and Happiness
- Mint – Virtue
- Oregano – Substance
- Parsley – Festivity
- Rosemary – Remembrance
- Sage – Wisdom, Immortality
- Spearmint – Warmth of Sentiment
- Tarragon – Lasting Interest
- Thyme – Courage, Strength
- Yarrow – Everlasting Love
Symbolic Meaning of Flowers
- Aloe – Affection, also Grief
- Amaryllis – Pride
- Angelica – Inspiration
- Aster – Love, Daintiness
- Begonia – Beware
- Black-eyed Susan – Justice
- Borage – Bluntness, Directness
- Butterfly Weed – Let me Go
- Calla Lilly – Beauty
- Carnation (Pink) – I’ll Never Forget You
- Carnation (Red) – Broken Heart
- Carnation (White) – Innocence, Pure Love, Women’s Good Luck
- Carnation (Yellow) – Disdain, Disappointment, Rejection
- Chrysanthemum (Red) – I love you
- Chrysanthemum (White) – Truth
- Chrysanthemum (Yellow) – Slighted Love
- Clematis – Mental Beauty
- Clover – Think of Me
- Columbine – Foolishness, Folly
- Coreopsis – Always cheerful
- Crocus – Cheerfulness, Youthful Gladness
- Daffodil – Regard, Unequalled Love
- Dahlia – Good Taste
- Daisy – Innocence, Loyal Love
- Daylily – Mother
- Edelweiss – Courage, Devotion
- Forget-Me-Not – True Love Memories
- Gardenia – You are Lovely
- Gladiolus – Integrity, Strength, Victory
- Goldenrod – Encouragement, Good Fortune
- Heliotrope – Eternal Love, Devotion
- Hibiscus – Delicate Beauty
- Hollyhock – Ambition
- Honeysuckle – Bonds of Love
- Hyacinth – Sport, Game, Play
- Hydrangea – Gratitude for Being Understood
- Iris – Faith, Trust, Wisdom, Hope, Valor
- Larkspur – Open heart, Levity, Lightness
- Lilac – Joy of Youth
- Lily (Orange) – Hatred
- Lily (White) – Virginity, Purity, Heavenly
- Lily (Yellow) – Happy, Walking on Air
- Lily-of-the-Valley – Sweetness, Humility
- Lotus – Purity, Enlightenment, Rebirth
- Magnolia – Nobility, Love of Nature
- Marigold – Grief, Jealousy
- Morning Glory – Affection
- Nasturtium – Patriotism, Conquest, Victory in Battle
- Pansy – Thoughts
- Peony – Bashful, Happy Life
- Poppy – Consolation
- Rhododendron – Danger, Beware
- Rose (Dark Crimson) – Mourning
- Rose (Pink) – Happiness
- Rose (Red) – Love
- Rose (Yellow) – Jealousy, Infidelity
- Rose (White) – Innocence, Heavenly, I’m Worthy Of You
- Rue – Grace, Clear Vision
- Snapdragon – Deception, Graciousness
- Speedwell – Feminine Fidelity
- Sunflower (Dwarf) – Adoration
- Sunflower (Tall) – Haughtiness
- Sweet Pea – Blissful pleasures, Good-bye, Thank you for a lovely time
- Sweet Woodruff – Humility
- Tansy – Hostile Thoughts, Declaring War
- Tulip (Red) – Passion, Declaration of Love
- Tulip (Yellow) – Sunshine in your Smile
- Violet – Watchfulness, Modesty, Faithfulness
- Zinnia – Thoughts of Absent Friends, Lasting Affection
Why haven’t I thought about this!! Such an amazing idea!!!you had me at lavender 🤍
Thanks!! Yes, LOVE me some lavender!
Wow! I learned a lot from reading this. My birth month flower is Lily of The Valley and I feel like it fits my personality.
This sounds like a great gift basket idea, I love that each one has it’s own meaning.
This would make a great gift for a plant lover!
This is an amazing gift. I love the symbolism too!
such a wonderful idea, and thanks for the symbolic meanings as well so we can plan it for the occasion and person easily
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