Plant Appreciation Day, observed every year on April 13, is far more than yet another quirky commemoration day on the calendar. It’s a gentle reminder to stop and notice the quiet beauty of the green world around us. It’s also a great excuse to bring nature into the workplace, in the form of a desk plant, or even a garden project. Plantcare Services decided to celebrate plant appreciation for a whole week. You can join us!
For teams working in fast-paced environments involving a lot of screen time, a little vegetation inspiration can go a long way. It’s been linked to improved focus, decreased stress levels, and surprisingly, a stronger connection between members of a team – and you don’t even need to be a plant expert to benefit.
Here’s how to make the most of Plant Appreciation Week at work, with simple, team-friendly ideas for both in-person and remote setups.
Start up desk plant day
Invite everyone to bring a plant to work for the day – whether it’s a beloved potplant from home, or a tiny succulent from the supermarket. If someone already keeps plants at their desk, ask them to share their green corner with the team through photos or a quick chat.
Everyone loves a competition, so why not open up some qualifying categories?
– Owner of Tallest plant
– Owner of Smallest plant
– Most dramatic plant (dead or alive)
– Best plant name
It’s a silly and fun activity, sure to result in some laughs, and the perfect way to take a break from daily work-pressures.
Host a team plant swap
Ask colleagues to bring in cuttings, baby plants, or even full-size plants that they no longer want. Set up a casual “plant market” in a common area, and let the swapping begin.
To keep things fair (and less chaotic!), you can label plants with care instructions and suggested swaps (think “happy to trade for a snake plant”).
Teams who work remotely can even do this virtually. Ask participants to post pictures of plants they might have up for adoption, and match people who live in the same area for meet-ups or drop-offs. Alternatively, offer small plant or seed delivery vouchers so that everyone gets something green to take home.
Turn your office into a jungle!
If you can afford it, go beyond the single plant approach and go to town with new plant additions to the office. How about a few leafy plants in the foyer, a few pots of herbs in the kitchen, or sweet little flowering pots to bring colour to the windowsills?
Research has shown that indoor plants can lower stress, improve air quality, and increase focus. Even one or two shared plants in a breakout space can make a difference.
Involve the team members in naming the new plants or creating tiny signs or writing little “biographies” for them. It’s an excellent opportunity for team bonding, especially when people feel a sense of shared responsibility for keeping the greenery alive.
The team that plants together, stays together
Planting something together is a practical and (literally) grounding team activity. It’s easy, fun, and doesn’t cost a lot. You could set up a potting station in the break room with small containers, soil, and easy-grow plants like basil, mint, or marigolds.
Consider the option to host a pot-decorating competition, or use a design program to make printable plant care tips to distribute amongst colleagues. If your office has enough space and sunlight, why not start a small workplace garden or herb box? You could draw up a maintenance timetable so that each team takes turns watering or harvesting herbs for the office kitchen.
For remote teams, a DIY plant kit delivery can allow everyone to join in. Send out seed kits with instructions and let people share their planting progress over time.
Virtual greenery
To add to the theme, a fun way of sharing the botanical vibes is to send people plant-themed backgrounds, or even update their email signatures with the theme for a few days. An informal plant club can exist beyond the constraints of meeting up in person – a team chat group, or forum is a great way to take things further. On a platform like this, people can share photos, ask for care advice, post about plant sales, or even start a monthly plant challenge.
These shared interest spaces work especially well in hybrid or remote teams. They’re not about productivity – they’re about culture, connection, and fun.
It’s all about growth
Plant Appreciation Day isn’t about turning your office into a greenhouse. It’s about creating a community of calm, creativity, and connection. When your team tends to something together – even a pot of parsley – it becomes a bonding experience and a shared goal. So, pick an idea, make it easy, more importantly – make it FUN, and enjoy watching your workplace bloom just a little greener.
