Ode to: Dandy Farmer bonsai
One of my go-to gift ideas
Whenever a gift-giving occasion comes around, I always think of the bonsai shop Dandy Farmer. I found out about Dandy Farmer during my time as an editor at Curbed. I’ve included them as an unconventional source in a “Where to plants online” story. I’ve also given their bonsai as a gift to both my mom and mother-in-law. Why am I such a fan?
Mostly because my little bonsai (Cosmo the Dwarf Umbrella Tree), which DF originally sent to me as a gift in 2018 (!), is still very much alive… and sprouting new leaves… and bringing me joy daily.
I’m not great with houseplants (I killed my first one ever, a pothos, and the two snake plants I currently have at home have been in dire need of repotting for many seasons… and I’m still not sure when I’ll get around to it 🙊). But with Cosmo, I just have to remember to half-submerge it in water for 20 minutes every two weeks or so and the tree just keeps on keeping on…
I love Cosmo. I think its small size is extremely cute. Especially with DF’s spherical “Acorn Planter”. Cosmo currently sits on my kitchen counter, next to the sink, window, and coffee/tea station (which means I’m always looking at it).
I keep coming back to a little bonsai as a gift idea because I simply do enjoy mine — and I like what it represents: something alive, something peaceful, something that invites a (very doable) ritual.
— Jenny