Flower arrangements have an expiration date, and although the sentiment outlasts the stems, it’s always sad to send those blossoms to the bin after a week. Flowers are like me: they are beautiful but require constant attention. Give the gift of lasting greenery that is both impactful and practical. Low-maintenance yet stunning, succulents come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Their chic mix-and-match aesthetic coupled with their set-it-and-forget-it care plan make them attractive to anyone from the countryside crowd to the metropolitan masses.

Not everyone has a neighborhood nursery clustered with options which is why we are such succas for Lula’s Garden. After tossing yet another bouquet, Liraz Birnbaum founded Lula’s Garden in 2016 because she knew  there had to be a more sustainable alternative to the traditional arrangement. Sourced from locally grown, family-owned nurseries, Lula’s Garden arrangements come packaged in elegant boxes that also double as the plant’s pot. The garden boxes can be customized for a variety of special occasions or personalized with the recipient’s initials or a logo for corporate gifting. Dad received the Petite Zebra Garden with the logo for a work conference he was attending and it was quite the swanky touch. Mom gifted the Ray Garden with a “Congrats!” box as a housewarming present.

In addition to supporting local growers and promoting green practices, Lula’s Garden has a giving initiative. In partnership with water.org, every garden sold provides six months of clean water to a person in the developing world. Whether love is in full bloom, families are growing, or professional partnerships are budding, this fresh take on gifting green kicks cact-ass!