International Plant Appreciation Day: Celebrating the Healing Power of Gardens
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
April 13, 2021
Dearest garden reader,
Today is a special moment for all who cherish the green world—International Plant Appreciation Day.
It is a day dedicated to recognizing the profound value plants bring to our lives, from cleansing the air we breathe to nurturing our minds and spirits.
Countless studies affirm the therapeutic power of plants, a truth beautifully described by the esteemed doctor, writer, and lifelong garden lover Oliver Sacks.
Oliver, who practiced medicine across from the lush paths of the New York Botanical Garden, often took restful walks amid its foliage. He reflected,
“In 40 years of medical practice, I have found only two types of non-pharmaceutical ‘therapy’ to be vitally important for patients with chronic neurological diseases: music and gardens.”
He shared how stepping into the garden allowed him to quiet his mind, focusing solely on the plants and the fresh air. This garden stroll became a moment of incubation, helping him return to his work with clarity and calm. Oliver said,
“When I worked at the hospital opposite the garden, I used to come in every day... I think nature has a healing effect; the garden is the closest one can come to nature...
Oliver often led visitors from around the globe who came to New York to visit the garden, a place that symbolized peace and renewal. He also loved quoting T.S. Eliot’s gentle invitation to embrace a garden’s mystery and beauty:
“Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit.”
On this International Plant Appreciation Day, may you take a moment to walk among your plants, breathe their gentle presence, and feel the healing closeness of nature. Let the garden be your sanctuary and your source of calm, refreshment, and renewal.
Celebrate plants today by planting something new, visiting a botanical garden, or simply pausing to appreciate the green companions in your life. Their quiet strength supports our well-being in countless unseen ways.
May your day be filled with the peace and joy of leaves, blooms, and the promise of growth.
