Celebrating International Plant Appreciation Day by Shenequa Williams

Every year on April 13th, we get a special reminder to stop, breathe, and admire the leafy wonders around us, because it’s International Plant Appreciation Day. Whether you’re a full-time plant parent or plant lovers, a backyard gardener, or someone who simply enjoys a walk in nature, this is the perfect day to celebrate the power and beauty of plants.

While there’s no official theme this year, the message is always the same: plants matter. They clean our air, feed our bodies, calm our minds, and brighten our spaces. And honestly, they deserve more than just a day of recognition, but this is a great start.

Here in Antigua and Barbuda, we’ve got a deep-rooted appreciation for nature, and it shows. Our national flower, the dagger log (Agave karatto), is a striking reminder of the beauty and strength found in our local landscape. With its tall flowering stalk and golden-yellow blooms, this native plant thrives in our dry climate, surviving with minimal water, something that speaks to the resilience of our people and land.

There are so many simple and meaningful ways we can join in the global celebration. If you’re feeling inspired, plant something! Whether it’s a potted herb, a flowering shrub, or a fruit tree, growing plants is a powerful act of care for yourself and the environment. We sometimes forget how deeply plants affect our lives. They’re not just “green stuff” in the background, they give us oxygen, food, medicine, shelter, and shade. They support our health, our climate, and even our economy, especially in agriculture-rich communities like ours.

So, let’s take this April 13th to really appreciate them. Whether it’s tending to your home garden, supporting reforestation efforts, or just taking a moment to say “thank you” to that old tree that’s been shading your yard for years, it all counts.

Because when we appreciate plants, we’re really appreciating