From walks to backyard picnics to building vegetable gardens, there was an urge to get back to nature during Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown. Isolation also ignited an obsession with indoor plants, whose popularity increased greatly and left many shops unable to meet the demand. So we reckon a lot of new plant mums and dads will be celebrating National Houseplant Appreciation Day on January 10. The annual day was established by The Gardener’s Network, which took the opportunity to remind people of the benefits of house plants. 

House plants are a wonderful addition to any home, adding the fresh smell of living earth, the subtle fragrance of your favourite scents or just bringing a bit of the outdoors inside. It’s been said it’s extremely therapeutic to have a sense of nature inside one’s house. Often, as the holiday period comes to a close and we take down our Christmas trees before returning to work, there’s a sudden emptiness within the home. So why not celebrate the day by adding a splash of green to brighten up your home or dedicate the day to giving your indoor plants some extra TLC. 

Many find themselves with a brown thumb instead of the much-desired green thumb, so an aloe vera plant is ideal because it’s low-maintenance, while a mini herb garden is the ultimate windowsill accompaniment that requires a little more attention. Abbie, the co-owner of Minty Greenhouse in Frankston, says her favourite plant is the all-time classic and favourite of the indoor plant world, Monstera deliciosa – also known as the Swiss cheese plant. 

And what about her expert go-to recommendation for a plant parent newbie? “Start simple,” said Abbie. “Try the monstera, peace lily, or spider plant. As much as fiddle leaf figs are gorgeous and tempting, they can be difficult to grow for first-time plant parents. They’re definitely a plant to work up to.”

KATE SEARS