In the middle of winter, when gardens are bare and days are short, houseplants bring life and color indoors. National Houseplant Appreciation Day, on January 10, celebrates the potted plants that sit on our windowsills, desks and shelves. It is a good day to give your plants some attention, from dusting their leaves to checking their roots, or to bring home a new one. Even if you think you have a 'black thumb', there are easy plants that almost anyone can keep alive.
History of National Houseplant Appreciation Day
People have kept plants indoors for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese grew plants in pots, both for decoration and for herbs and medicine.
Indoor plants became fashionable in Europe in the 1800s. Explorers brought tropical plants back from around the world, and wealthy Victorians built glass conservatories and used Wardian cases, an early kind of terrarium invented in the 1830s, to grow ferns and other plants. Ferns were so popular that the craze had its own name: pteridomania.
In the 20th century, houseplants became common in ordinary homes. They had a big moment in the 1970s, when spider plants and hanging macramé planters filled many living rooms, and another in the 2010s and 2020s, as social media and apartment living made 'plant parents' a trend. Who created National Houseplant Appreciation Day is not documented.
Why National Houseplant Appreciation Day Matters
Houseplants make spaces feel calmer and more welcoming. Many people find that caring for plants is a relaxing routine and a small daily connection to nature.
They are also a great first step into gardening. Learning to read a plant's needs for light and water builds skills you can use outdoors later.
How to Celebrate National Houseplant Appreciation Day
- Give your plants a check-up: dust the leaves, remove dead growth and look for pests.
- Adjust for winter: water less often and move plants closer to bright windows.
- Try an easy plant: pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants and spider plants are forgiving.
- Propagate a cutting: root a pothos or tradescantia stem in water and share it.
- Repot carefully: if roots circle the pot, move the plant to a pot one size larger in spring.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a few plants can brighten an office; teams can adopt a plant each and take turns watering, or swap cuttings with colleagues. Make sure plants suit the light available. In classrooms, students can grow plants from cuttings or seeds and record their growth, learn how plants use light through photosynthesis, or build a small terrarium in a jar. A class plant gives younger students practice in responsibility. At home, families can repot a plant together, start a windowsill herb garden, or let children choose and care for their own easy plant. If you have cats or dogs, check that your plants are pet-safe, since some common houseplants are toxic to animals.
Fun Facts About National Houseplant Appreciation Day
- The Wardian case, an early terrarium, was invented in the 1830s.
- Victorian Britain had a fern craze known as pteridomania.
- Most houseplants need less water in winter because they grow more slowly.
National Houseplant Appreciation Day FAQs
When is National Houseplant Appreciation Day?
It is celebrated on January 10.
What are the easiest houseplants for beginners?
Pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants, spider plants and cast iron plants are all forgiving.
How often should I water houseplants in winter?
Less than in summer. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry, depending on the plant.
Are houseplants safe for pets?
Some are not. Check whether a plant is pet-safe before bringing it home if you have cats or dogs.