National Houseplant Appreciation Day
Bring nature indoors with a touch of greenery that will brighten your day, purify your air and add style to your space.
Houseplants are a wonderful addition to any home, adding the fresh scent of living earth, the subtle fragrance of those favorite flowers, or just bringing a bit of the outdoors into the indoors.
While some people have difficulty being able to sustain these little treasures over long periods of time, it has actually been shown to be incredibly therapeutic to have this blush of the natural world inside a person’s home.
History of National Houseplant Appreciation Day
National Houseplant Appreciation Day was established in 2012 by The Gardener’s Network, turning it into an official opportunity to remind people of the benefits of houseplants. Often with the holiday season fading into the past, people’s homes tend to lose some of their beauty and joy.
Removing all of the red ribbons and greenery from decked out halls can make things feel a bit stark. But this very timing makes National Houseplant Appreciation Day the perfect opportunity to brighten up anyone’s home with the sharp splash of green that is provided by a living plant!
There are so many things that houseplants can help with when it comes to enhancing a person’s life. while catnip can be a delightful treat to make those cats happy. Though cat owners may want to grow it someplace secluded where felines can’t get to it!
How to Celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day
Celebrating Houseplant Appreciation Day can be loads of fun! Try out some of these ideas for getting involved in celebration of the day:
Grow Some Houseplants
Houseplant appreciation day is all about bringing the joy and pleasure of the houseplant into each person’s home.
Whether a person decides to start growing a small group of flowering plants for their color and fragrance, or a small herb garden to enhance the kitchen, National Houseplant Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to really brighten up your home.
Try out some of these ideas for getting started:
- Aloe Vera: For those who have a brown thumb, then try some of the plants that require very little attention. Aloe Vera is very forgiving as it’s a desert plant, it will actually prefer an environment where it doesn’t receive water too often. Aloe Vera grows quite well indoors and is perfect when used as a first aid treatment for minor cuts and bruises, helping to moisturize skin, and healing minor burns.
- Cactuses and Succulents: These other low-maintenance plants are also perfect for beginners. Succulents are especially fun because they propagate very quickly and easily, creating plenty of opportunity to expand one houseplant into several with fast turnaround. Plus, they don’t mind being ignored for a little while!
- Spider Plants: Those who prefer something a bit more in the realm of vinery, spider plants can be a fun plant to grow. No, they don’t have anything to do with spiders, they just have long, thin vines and delicate leaves that are somewhat reminiscent, and when spider plants reproduce, their “babies” look an awful lot like spiders.
- Window Gardens: For the ambitious gardener, perhaps it’s time to dive into creating a small window garden full of beautiful flowers and deliciously savory herbs. They do require a bit more effort than the Aloe Vera or spider plants, but they give you wonderful rewards for everything you put in. A small herb garden in the window sill can bring the delicious taste of fresh herbs to homemade meals!
Treat Those Plants Right
For people who have houseplants but don’t always pay them the attention they deserve, this is a great day to give them a little extra love! Try these ideas for treating those plants with special care on this day:
- Talk to Those Houseplants: While it might seem crazy, research does show that plants that are talked to may grow better and live longer. No one can really say why, but it’s true! So start a little conversation with those houseplants and see what happens.
- Add Some Fertilizer: If it’s been awhile since the houseplants have gotten the benefit of some added food and fertilizer, this is a great day to give them a special treat.
- Get Some New Pots: Houseplant pots don’t have to be boring clay pots anymore! The varieties are almost endless for ones that match the decor or even ones that water themselves.
Play Houseplant Themed Music
Feeling weird about talking to those houseplants? That’s okay! They seem to respond fairly well to music also. Try creating a houseplant-themed playlist on Spotify, Pandora or another music platform. Here are some songs to get started with:
- Feed Me (Git It) on The Little Shop of Horrors Soundtrack (1986)
What could be better than a song sung by a very hungry plant? - Ivy by Frank Ocean (2016). This song is by an American R & B singer
Sure, it’s probably meant to be sung to a woman named Ivy, but it’s okay. - Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen (1995)
Released as a single on the greatest hits album by The Boss, himself. - Mother Earth’s Plantasia by Mort Garson (1976)
This is an entire album of electronic music specifically created to play for plants in order to soothe them.
Give a Houseplant as a Gift
Thinking of someone who loves houseplants? Then celebrate the day by gifting them with a new houseplant they can enjoy!
Whether it’s a low maintenance plant, such as a Jade plant, or something a bit more fussy like an orchid or an african violet, giving a houseplant as a gift is a fun little way to show someone how much they are loved.
Household Appreciation Day is finally time to celebrate all the little nooks and crannies in your home, by filling them with plants!
National Houseplant Appreciation Day FAQs
Did ancient civilizations keep houseplants?
Yes, ancient Egyptians and Romans adorned their homes with potted plants for decoration and medicinal purposes. They valued plants like papyrus and ivy.
Is there a houseplant that can predict weather changes?
The ‘Sensitive Plant’ (Mimosa pudica) folds its leaves when touched or before rain, reacting to atmospheric changes.
How do some cultures celebrate houseplants uniquely?
In Japan, the art of ‘Kokedama’ involves creating moss-covered plant balls, combining aesthetics with plant care.
Are there houseplants believed to bring good luck?
Yes, the ‘Money Tree’ (Pachira aquatica) is thought to attract prosperity in Feng Shui practices.
Can houseplants improve indoor air quality?
NASA’s Clean Air Study found that plants like the Peace Lily and Spider Plant can remove toxins from the air.
What’s a common myth about houseplants?
A common myth is that cacti reduce computer radiation. There’s no scientific evidence supporting this claim.
Which houseplant has a unique defense mechanism?
The ‘Venus Flytrap’ (Dionaea muscipula) snaps shut on insects, showcasing a fascinating adaptation.
How did Victorian-era terrariums influence houseplant popularity?
Victorians used ‘Wardian cases’ to grow exotic plants indoors, sparking a houseplant craze.
Are there houseplants that bloom only at night?
Yes, the ‘Queen of the Night’ cactus (Selenicereus grandiflorus) blooms exclusively at night, emitting a strong fragrance.
What’s an unusual way to celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day?
Some enthusiasts host ‘plant swaps,’ exchanging cuttings to diversify their collections and share plant care tips.
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