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You know how it is. You’ve been walking through that flower market, or that hip district on your trip abroad, and you fall in love with a succulent or a bag of bulbs that you absolutely MUST bring back home with you. Before you shell out the cash and make the necessary bubble wrap preparations to keep your new gem intact on the flight back home, you should check whether you’re allowed to bring a plant from abroad.
Unfortunately, that’s often forbidden due to the risk of cross-contamination. For example, you can bring plants from other European Union states to the United Kingdom, but you need a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate if you’re bringing (or ordering) plants from outside the E.U. Some plants are banned altogether. The United States Customs has similar restrictions.
But don’t take our word for it. Double-check with your airline and your country’s customs website. And check if the restrictions also apply to seeds.
In case you find that your new green friends have to stay put, here are a few other ideas for souvenirs that a plant-lover can bring home.
Our recommendation: use this occasion to support local artists. While you can but a lot of these items in the form of made-in-China merch from souvenir shops, that’s hardly the best use of your money now, is it?
1. Botanical illustrations
Why they make excellent souvenirs: Easy to carry and easy to find, botanical illustrations and prints can do double duty – as inconspicuous bookmarks, or up on the wall as reminders of your trip.
Where you can find them: Book stores, museum gift shops, botanical garden gift shops, some antique stores and consignment stores.
2. Pottery
Why they make excellent souvenirs: For a plant-lover, we’re obviously thinking of ceramic flower pots and planters, but feel free to think outside this box: coffee cups, coasters, or wall art will delight just as much.
Where you can find them: Local ceramicists’ studios, concept stores, fair trade shops, ethical gift shops.
3. Funky planters
Why they make excellent souvenirs: One word: quirky. We’ll nudge you again to think outside the box. From antique store tea pots to small dinosaur toys turned cactus planters to designer pieces that come in odd shapes, a lot of vessels can serve as a home for your plants.
Where you can find them: Antique stores, second-hand shops, concept stores, fair trade shops, ethical gift shops, museum gift shops.
4. Pressed plant jewellery
Why they make excellent souvenirs: They’re an easy way to bring back a bit of local flora. While they may not be widely available, a growing number of artists are now using pressed botanical materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
Where you can find them: Some concept stores, museum gift shops, consignment stores.
5. Gardening gloves
Why they make excellent souvenirs: You don’t have to indulge in outside gardening to make good use of gardening gloves. They’ll come in handy even for a quick repotting session in your apartment. Nobody likes fingernails full of dirt for too long.
Where you can find them: Plant stores, botanical garden gift shops.
6. Botanical stationery
Why it’s an excellent souvenir: It’s a super practical gift, even in the age of digital note-taking. A bit of botanical stationery – whether it comes in the form of calling cards, index cards, to-do lists or sticky notes – will cheer up your day.
Where you can find them: Book shops, museum gift shops, botanical garden gift shops.
7. Macrame plant hangers
Why they make excellent souvenirs: They’re very easy to fold and pack, and won’t take a lot of space. Once you put them on display, you’ll often be reminded of your holiday.
Where you can find them: Local craft markets, plant stores, some art supplies stores, fair trade shops, ethical gift shops.
What kind of souvenirs do you bring home from your trips?
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