National Plant a Flower Day (March 12)

National Plant a Flower Day is on March 12, which usually lands right when people start pretending it’s spring.

Some years that means sunshine. Some years it means planting something and hoping it survives a surprise frost.

Either way, it’s a good excuse to get outside and do something small and hopeful.

You don’t need a full garden. A pot counts. A slightly neglected planter from last year absolutely counts.

When is the Holiday?

It’s celebrated each year on March 12, right in that awkward stretch where winter is technically still around, but mentally everyone has moved on.

Who Invented It?

No dramatic founder. No famous gardener declaring a movement.

Like most specific seasonal holidays, it likely grew out of gardening culture and spring optimism. Someone noticed March 12 on a calendar and thought, “That’s close enough to planting season.”

And honestly? That’s all it needed.

The History of the Holiday

Humans have been growing flowers for thousands of years, and not just because they look nice.

Ancient civilizations planted them for ceremonies, medicine, and symbolism. Gardens in Egypt, Greece, and Rome weren’t accidental. They were intentional spaces.

In the 1600s, tulips became so valuable in the Netherlands that bulbs were traded for ridiculous sums of money. Entire fortunes, over flowers.

Today, we mostly just buy a six-pack at the garden center and hope for the best.

Fun Facts About Flowers

Flowers existed long before humans did. They were around during the time of dinosaurs, which is wild when you think about it.

Not all flowers are just decorative. Violets, nasturtiums, and calendula are edible and actually taste decent.

Young sunflowers don’t just “like” the sun. They physically track it across the sky before settling in one direction as they mature.

Victorians used flowers to send coded messages. Entire conversations happened in bouquets.

And some seeds can sit dormant for years before finally deciding the conditions are right.

Plants are patient. People are not.

Coloring Page

If you’re celebrating with kids, a simple National Plant a Flower Day coloring sheet works well, especially if it’s still too cold to actually plant anything.

Activities to Celebrate

This one doesn’t need to be complicated.

Plant something. One thing. Even if it’s just a small pot on a windowsill.

If you have a yard, add a few bright annuals and call it done. If you don’t, herbs or flowers in a container still count.

Starting seeds indoors feels optimistic. You’re basically betting on future sunshine.

You could also press a few flowers between books, learn what different blooms traditionally symbolize, or wander through a garden center and pretend you have more space than you do.

And if it’s still freezing where you live? Buy the plant. Keep it inside. Tell yourself you tried.

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Links to Resources

If you’re looking for ideas and supplies to get started, these gardening resources are helpful:

• 1,001 Gardening Tips & Tricks: Timeless Advice for Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Shrubs, and More. A detailed guide packed with essential gardening knowledge, offering tried-and-true techniques for growing healthy plants, improving soil quality, and keeping your garden thriving year-round.
• How to attract bees to your garden. Pollinators like bees are crucial for a healthy ecosystem. This guide explains the best plants to grow, how to create bee-friendly environments, and ways to avoid harmful pesticides that can disrupt bee populations.
• Edible Flower Seeds. Purchase a variety of edible flower seeds, including nasturtiums, violets, and calendulas, to grow in your garden and use in culinary dishes. These seeds are easy to plant and add a beautiful, edible touch to your home garden.

Related Holidays

• Rose Day (February 7) – celebrates one of the world’s most popular flowers, often shared as symbols of love, friendship, and appreciation.
• Floral Arrangement Day (February 28) – focuses on the art of arranging fresh flowers into bouquets and centerpieces for homes and special occasions.
• National Herb Day (First Saturday in May) – highlights growing herbs for cooking, wellness, and gardening, making it a great companion to spring planting season.
• National Red Rose Day (June 12) – honors the classic red rose, known for its beauty, fragrance, and long history as a romantic flower.

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