Houseplant Appreciation Day Date in the current year: January 10, 2024

Houseplants, also known as potted plants, pot plants or indoor plants, are ornamental plants that are grown indoors, mainly for decorative purposes. People have cultivated potted plants since ancient times; their popularity has waxed and waned over the years, but today a lot of households own at least one houseplant.

Many common houseplants are semi-tropical or tropical; cacti, epiphytes, and succulents are popular types of houseplants because they are relatively low-maintenance. Most houseplants do not require extensive care and only need water, light, fertilizer, and occasional pruning or repotting to thrive.

Houseplants have a number of benefits for people who own them. For example, they are believed to have a positive effect on indoor air quality: since houseplants photosynthesize, they help reduce both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels. They also improve the indoor environment (microbiome, humidity, etc), can increase productivity in office settings, and provide stress relief.

Houseplant Appreciation Day was founded in 2012 by The Gardener’s Network, a project offering a wealth of information for home gardeners, including “How to Grow” tips and info on bulbs, flowers, fruit and vegetables, herbs, houseplants, lawn care, organic gardening, trees, bushes and shrubs, common plant problems, and more.

Houseplant Appreciation Day is dedicated to growing, caring for, and loving houseplants, as well as celebrating their benefits in our lives. For those who already have houseplants, this day is a reminder to give them a little extra attention. For those who don’t, it’s an encouragement to buy a houseplant and learn how to take care of it.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day. Here are a few suggestions if you’re not sure where to start:

• Make sure the houseplants you already own are well-watered and give them a special treat in the form of fertilizer.
• Reorganize your houseplants to make sure each of the plants receives the right amount of light and can be easily accessed for care.
• Buy a new houseplant or two.
• Buy new gardening tools or accessories.
• Give someone a houseplant as a gift (but only if you’re sure that it will be appreciated and well taken care of).
• Learn more about the benefits of houseplants for your physical and mental health.
• If you have kids, teach them how to grow and care for houseplants.
• Decorate your houseplants even though the holiday season is over or customize their pots.
• Visit your local plant nursery for inspiration.
• Name your plants and talk to them (no, it’s isn’t weird; well, maybe just a little).
• Think about starting and indoor herb garden.

And don’t forget to snap a photo of your favorite houseplant and post it on social media with the hashtag #HouseplantAppreciationDay to spread the word about the holiday.