How To Celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day In 2023

Houseplant enthusiasts, the best day of the year is here! No, it's not Thanksgiving or Halloween — it's even better. Houseplant Appreciation Day is January 10, so it's time to celebrate all the things we love about our favorite plants. Of course, we love our families and pets, but when was the last time you had to chase one of your peace lilies up the street in your slippers because they ran off when you weren't looking? Have they ever asked, "Is that what you're wearing to the party?" Let's face it, your Boston fern can be a little finicky sometimes, but it'll never scratch your sofa.

As the excitement of the holiday season draws to a close, you might feel the winter doldrums. The days are short, Christmas ornaments are in storage awaiting next year, and January sometimes feels long, cold, and dull. But that's what makes it perfect for celebrating Houseplant Appreciation Day. According to Piedmont, working with plant life boosts your mental and physical health. So, if you're feeling a little stressed this month, spend some time with your houseplants and thank them for all the positivity they add to your life.

Throughout much of the United States, there isn't much to do outside in January, but since your indoor environment is still comfy, this is the perfect time to repot your plants. Meadows Farms suggests looking for signs that your houseplants may be rootbound. If you can see roots growing on the soil's surface or coming out of the drainage holes, a larger pot is probably in order. It may be tempting to save some time by selecting a much larger planter, but giving greenery too much room can trigger it to grow more roots and less greenery. When looking for a new pot, select one about two inches larger than the current one.

While showing your houseplants your appreciation with a new home, be sure to give them fresh soil as well. Over time, the nutrients in potting soil become depleted. Using fresh, nutrient-dense potting soil for your new planter will provide much-needed nutrients.

Although major pruning should wait until the beginning of the growing season in late winter or early fall, now is an excellent time to look at your houseplants and possibly do some gentle pruning. Parade recommends first removing yellowing or brown leaves. Also, consider investing in tools like these long-handled snips on Amazon that can help remove sickly interior leaves without damaging healthy ones. Of course, a small set of scissors will also work.

If you have some plants that are looking leggy, this is also a good time to prune them. For example, leggy parts of arrowhead plants (Syngonium), pothos, and some monsteras can be pruned and rooted in water. If you are pruning for propagation, cut below one or two nodes on the stem, which is in a different place, depending on the plant. For more information on how to propagate specific species from cuttings, contact your local County Extension Service. They are a free and invaluable resource for all things plant-related.

Everyone needs a bath sometimes, and your houseplants are no exception. Unfortunately, just like the surfaces of your home, leaves can get covered in dust and debris. When this happens, they cannot efficiently photosynthesize sunlight, keeping them from getting all the food they need to thrive. For small plants, BioAdvanced suggests removing dust from smooth leaves with a soft microfiber cloth, then gently wiping the top and bottom of the leaves with a damp cloth.

If you have larger plants like potted palms, fiddlehead figs, monsteras, or philodendrons, you can give them a thorough bath and good watering in the shower. Garden Betty recommends putting your plants in the tub, turning the shower on at room temperature, and gently rubbing the top and bottom of each leaf. Not only does this clean all the dust off your plant leaves, but it also gives it a deep watering, which has the benefit of flushing out excess minerals that may have built up in the soil.

Perhaps the best way to celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day is to go shopping. This is a great time of year to get discounts as garden centers make room for new spring inventory. However, after the busyness of the holiday season has passed, stocked houseplants might look scraggly and sport brown leaves from inconsistent watering. If your store does not have a clearance rack, and you see one needing saving, Garden Tabs suggests asking for a discount. Rescuing a plant and returning it to its full glory is an exhilarating experience. And, if it doesn't make it, at least you didn't spend too much money.

However, no bargain is worth it if a plant is too far gone to save. So, while one with a combination of brown and green leaves likely needs some trimming and fresh water, avoid ones with soggy soil, an unpleasant or musty smell, or yellow leaves. These are all signs of root rot and an unsalvagable state of affairs.

Taking good care of your houseplants, starting new ones via propagation, and investing in new greenery for your home are all wonderful ways to celebrate the premier day for planters everywhere. But, most of all, don't forget to breathe deep and enjoy the clean air your plants help provide.