I agree with:
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra) there are many varieties, I have 'Milky Way'. The Victorians in England, who lived in"Castle Like Conditions" used these and gave them their common name for this reason.
Sansevieria, also has many varieties, I have several. If you want I could give you a few divisions, I was planning on repotting them in the spring.
An idea for gift for him is a little fluorescent desktop plantlight, he might really enjoy an African Violet or something.
