Why Australians are leaving plants out for strangers

The movement’s Facebook group has over 10,000 members

(Getty Images)

People in Australia have been leaving plants for strangers to find as part of a mass movement of random acts of kindness.

Members of the 10,000-strong Plant Drop Australia Facebook group have been leaving plants in different public locations for others to find.

When members place their plants, they leave a tag containing the group’s name, its QR code or the hashtag #happyplantdrop.

“Get a plant or a cutting of one of your plants. Put it in a pot. Find a nice spot where your soul and plant says ‘yeah right there’ and leave it for a stranger to find,” the group’s description reads.

“We are all so Amazingly Crazy about this and it’s one of the most beautiful things to be a part of. Thank you to every single person that’s a part of this.

“This may sound weird but I reckon the plants are really enjoying this love they are spreading. They do it so freely. We have a lot to learn from them.”

Members have posted pictures of plants on public benches and at random spots in parks. Some are planted in mugs or have special notes attached – some wishing the receipient a happy Valentine’s Day.

People who have found plants also post in the group to share their discoveries.

One member posted: “Found this cute lil plant on our dog walk just now and couldn’t help but bring him home with us We LOVE him! Thank you to whoever left him there for us to find.”

Another wrote: “Found this little beauty left at Honeywood park when I took the children to the park, what a lovely thing to do, thank you Plant Drop Australia you made my day.”

“An action from a stranger can alter your life,” group founder Micka Brown told ABC.

“Choose a plant that you love the most and learn how to propagate it and spread that love.

“The more you love the plant, the more the love will spread, I reckon.”