Katherine Clarkson

During the Thanksgiving season, we often think about what we are grateful for. Some are thankful for their family, friends, warm meals, and cherished traditions. As we gather around our tables, it is easy to overlook the most enduring and silent beings in our midst, our plants. These quiet green companions give back in more ways than we might realize, filling our homes with oxygen, beauty, and a little reminder to slow down and grow. Let us honor some vegetation that gives back.

The Peace Lily’s elegant white flowers create a stunning display and purify the air. According to NASA, the Peace Lily purifies the air by removing harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, leading to a healthier home environment. It is almost as if this plant says thank you by giving back pure, breathable air. Its needs are minimal. Low light and occasional water, which makes it an easygoing addition to any household. This humble houseplant teaches us that sometimes the greatest gifts are the quiet, purifying ones.

Likewise, an ancient medicinal plant, Aloe Vera, is perhaps best known for its role in soothing burns and cuts. When we break open an Aloe leaf, we find a cooling gel that has natural healing properties. It is as though this plant patiently waits, storing its essence, ready to offer relief when we need it most. Aloe’s resilience and simple requirements, plenty of sunlight and infrequent watering, make it a perfect thank you plant, quietly growing on windowsills and waiting to serve.

The Snake Plant, unlike most foliage which releases oxygen during the day, works around the clock. At night it releases oxygen helping us rest more deeply and breathe more easily. With its tough, sword-like leaves, the Snake Plant is both durable and forgiving, needing only occasional watering and indirect sunlight. It is as if this plant takes the night shift in gratitude for a home. Its constant efforts remind us of those who work quietly behind the scenes.

This next plant combines beauty and fragrance, offering both aesthetic appeal and a calming scent. It is Lavender. Studies have shown that Lavender’s scent can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Having a Lavender plant in your home is like having a built-in stress reliever. Lavender’s calming presence is a subtle way it says thank you, releasing its fragrance and encouraging us to pause, breathe, and unwind.

In addition, herbs such as basil, rosemary, and mint demonstrate the direct way that vegetation expresses gratitude. They enhance the flavor of our food, making ordinary meals more memorable. We can snip these herbs regularly, which will encourage fresh growth. They seem to thrive on attention, giving back with every fragrant leaf and savory sprig. Cooking with fresh herbs brings a sense of abundance and generosity, transforming each meal into a savory cuisine.

Consider giving thanks for the foliage in your life. They may not speak, but they have a way of reciprocating our care with beauty, sustenance and tranquility. Whether it is the Peace Lily purifying our air, Lavender easing our minds, or herbs enlivening our meals, these plants quietly enrich our lives. In their own way, they remind us that gratitude can be a quiet, enduring gift. Similarly, during this holiday season, remember to choose kindness. In fact, let this serve as a reminder that every day, not just during the holidays, we should speak words of gratitude, love and peace, replacing anger and hate with compassion and understanding. Thank you for reading and if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at katherineclarkson2@gmail.com.

(Katherine Clarkson is the president of the Park County Master Gardeners. She lives in Wapiti.)