5 Plants Not Ideal as Farewell Gifts

A colleague’s farewell can be a bittersweet occasion, but making the goodbye special can leave an eternal mark in the heart of the one who’s departing. To create this lasting impression, one must strive to do something thoughtful and positive. Lauding the colleague for their work, contributions, the relationships they have built during their time at the office, and the knowledge they have imparted, the farewell must be all about appreciation. To make it noteworthy, you can consider plants as gifts because, symbolically, they tend to have a powerful message. However, not all plants can be given as farewell gifts. The following 5 plants are not ideal as farewell gifts.

5 Plants That You Cannot Consider as Farewell Gifts

When a co-worker, be it your manager or a same-level colleague, leaves a job, the feeling somewhat oscillates between being happy and sad. So, better not to dwell on past issues and rather focus on the way ahead, wishing them the best for their future. As for gifts, plants have come up as one of the go-to options for those who love thoughtful gestures. However, not all can be gifted because of factors like symbolism and the recipient's capacity to tend to them. 

Further, there are plants that require high-end upscale, can carry potential allergens, and have negative hidden meanings in certain cultures. In that light, the following 5 plants are not ideal as farewell gifts:

1) Venus Flytrap

A carnivorous plant, the venus flytrap has pretty peculiar characteristics. For example, it’s mandatory for it to have live insects as feed, which can symbolise predation, not a very positive farewell message. Also, its requirement of high humidity to thrive may make it challenging for average plant owners. 

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2) Cactus

Even though it’s low-maintenance, the cactus has sharp spines, which may stand for thorns or barriers in relationships. Symbolical downside aside, physically, a cactus can also be highly dangerous if you place it in areas that are accessible to kids or pets.

3) Highly-allergenic Plants 

Plants like ragweed can trigger allergies, which are not practical and ideal gifts for obvious reasons. Even if the receiver of that plant is not prone to allergies, their family members or close ones can be. Rather than causing discomfort, choose something that is easy to maintain and has a clean image attached to it.

4) Aggressive Growth Plants

There are a few plants that have invasive growth habits and thus can be a nuisance for the recipient. Gifting these plants might symbolise overpowering or overwhelming presence, which is not a reason you would want your parting colleague to remember you by, right?

5) Nightshade Plants

It’s worth noting that nightshade plants are toxic or cause allergic reactions in a few people. This may include your soon-to-be former colleague, too. As for symbolism, nightshades might stand for something mysterious or dangerous in certain contexts. So, given their meaning and potential risks, it's best not to choose them as farewell gifts.

In the end, when considering plants as farewell gifts, weigh in factors like maintenance hassles, the hidden meanings attached to them (opt for plants that stand for friendship, bonding, growth, and prosperity), and the safety factors (non-allergenic, safe, and house-friendly).

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