Instead of buying mom some flowers this year for Mother’s Day, help her grow her own.

And the timing couldn’t be better — this week is DC Plant Week, from May 8 to May 14 — and it gives you a chance to celebrate more than 20 locally-owned plant stores in the week leading up to Mother’s Day.

“This is our second annual DC Plant Week,” said Mollie Lee, manager of the Little Leaf shop in Logan Circle and organizer of the yearly event. “We really just wanted to highlight all the amazing local plant businesses in the area.”

Lee said spring is the ideal time for a week to celebrate the D.C. plant community with special events, sales and workshops.

“The weather gets nicer, it’s growing season, the plants are thriving, the flowers are thriving,” said Lee.

Lee doesn’t discount the loveliness of cut flowers.

“Flowers are beautiful — I love receiving flowers,” she said. “But plants just have that longevity to them. You can really just grow them, ideally, forever and have a longer term relationship to them.”

Some people love the idea of getting plants, but fear they don’t have the skill to keep them alive.

“There’s some plants that really thrive with neglect, that don’t need that much sun [and] only need watering once a month,” said Lee, who said she asks customers about the space where they’ll keep a plant and how much watering they’re comfortable with.

This year, Lee said DC Plant Week is partnering with local bars that are offering botanical cocktails. “So, have some drinks, buy some plants, and have a great week.”

To learn more about the event and it’s offerings, follow along on social media.