CNLA’s ‘Plants Love You’ Initiative: Cultivating A Greener, Healthier Future For All

Plants Love You’ is a movement initiated by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) aimed at increasing awareness of the positive impacts that plants have on our health, environment, and communities.

A number of years ago, the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance funded a focus group and some research around the value of plants, particularly in cities. They kind of turned things around from a feeling of “We love plants” to “Plants love you.” If you had someone that loved you so much that they provided all the air you breathe, all the food you eat, and cleaned the water you drink – you would easily say that person really loves you. Plants do all of that, and they do it in spades.

The campaign highlights the profound relationship between humans and plants, emphasising their role in creating healthier and more vibrant spaces for living, working, and thriving.

Plants have long been known for their aesthetic appeal, but their benefits extend beyond mere decoration. Research indicates that incorporating plants into indoor and outdoor spaces can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Plants are crucial in mitigating climate change by offsetting heat islands in urban areas and improving air quality.

At its core, the campaign wants us to think about all the amazing things plants do for us. From purifying the air we breathe to enhancing mental well-being and fostering biodiversity, plants possess a remarkable capacity to improve the quality of life for humans in our urban spaces.

The campaign highlights the economic, environmental, and social benefits of plants. From influencing property values to shaping consumer behaviour and community development, plants play a pivotal role in our lives. By adopting the ‘Plants Love You’ slogan, Canada’s ornamental horticulture industry aims to showcase the numerous ways in which plants contribute to our collective well-being.

Households are the principal market for plants and services, but businesses, institutions, municipalities and other government agencies also hold significant market share. Plants Love You “plants are your answer” solutions are adapted for each market.

As part of the campaign, the CNLA encourages individuals, businesses, and communities to embrace plants as integral components of a sustainable and flourishing future. By fostering a deeper appreciation for their value, ‘Plants Love You’ seeks to inspire action toward creating greener, healthier, and more vibrant environments for all.

There is a tremendous financial incentive for CNLA members to participate, as they can receive up to 50 per cent back on marketing activities that promote the Plants Love You campaign. Participating members will be required to report on the size of reach, circulation of promotion, and number of website/social media views. Files can be downloaded and used as is or modified to fit local campaigns.

For more information about the campaign, please visit PlantsLoveYou.ca. Join the conversation and spread the love for plants by using the hashtag #PlantsLoveYou