Greeting cards are a nice gesture for your loved ones on birthdays, holidays, and any other occasion where you want to let them know they’re being though about. But let’s face it, even for those that hoard their greeting cards for their memories, eventually they’ll only be discarded, and with their toxic dyes, they are anything but environmentally friendly when being recycled or sitting in a landfill.

Unless they signify a major milestone, I typically don’t keep my greeting cards; but I would if they served more of a purpose than a pretty graphic and a sentimental message. Living, a company that specializes in developing future friendly products has a line of green greeting cards, including the Grow-a-Note Thank You Cards in Lavender which will stick around after you’ve shed your tears over the thoughtfulness of a friend, because they can actually be planted directly into the ground to turn into a beautiful plant or flower. The green greeting cards are made from lavender wildflower ink and have soy-based ink used for the graphics and messages; but what makes them something extra special is the fact that they have seeds embedded throughout the paper.

Each greeting card comes with planting instructions on the back; but essentially all you need to do is plant your greeting card and a flower or plant will eventually sprout from it. The card itself ultimately dissolves into the soil so there is no fuss on that end. I know I said that this is a type of greeting card that might last a little bit longer than the traditional kind that weeks after receipt find their way to my recycling bin; but let’s be honest about it. Despite my best efforts, any plant that finds its way into my home has a short-lived stay; but that doesn’t mean I’d like to give this product a try to stretch my green thumb.