Plant Pet Program
Sowing the Love of Plants in Classrooms Across Iowa
The Plant Pet Program (PPP) fosters curiosity and excitement about the world of plants by incorporating plants into classrooms, providing Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) aligned lessons, teacher trainings and videos, field trip opportunities, additional resources, and more!
The Plant Pet Program launched in 2021 to provide STEAM education support for teachers conducting virtual learning during the pandemic. The Plant Pet Program was strategically developed to connect schools with the Botanical Garden and plant science, and to provide teachers with tools to engage students with the natural world in a meaningful way. To date, Plant Pet Kits have been distributed to 200 classrooms, reaching 7,348 students.
The Plant Pet Program provides lessons that are “ready to go” & a classroom pet “ready to grow”.
The Plant Pet program has lessons and kits specifically designed for K-5, Middle School Science, and ‘other’ classrooms (e.g.: music or art).
Plant Pet Kits include:
Potted Plant Pet & care card
Grow light & watering can
A grade-specific NGSS aligned lesson plan & quick tutorial video
Corresponding lesson materials, worksheets & digital copies
Field trip opportunities, teacher training days, and more!
Plant Pet Kit Availability
Plant Pet Kits are distributed throughout the year, typically to align with the fall and spring. Requests are filled on a first come first served basis, while supplies last.
Quantities of Plant Pet Kits dependent on program funding. Schools with a higher percentage of Free and Reduced Lunch are prioritized. See below for the current availability, and how to request a kit or be added to the waitlist for the next batch of distribution.
Fall 2025 Availability
Des Moines Public School (DMPS) classrooms are eligible for FREE Plant Pet Kits through the generous funding of Bravo Greater Des Moines. Kits are available to all DMPS K-5, MS Science, and ‘other’ elementary classrooms (e.g.: music or art).
DMPS teachers can attend free half-day professional development trainings at the Botanical Garden to learn how to effectively utilize Plant Pet materials and curriculum, achieve NGSS in fun & meaningful ways, incorporate nature into the classroom, and pick up their Plant Pet Kits to take to their classrooms.
DMPS Teachers: Request a Fall 2025 Plant Pet Kit & sign up for the PD half day in the link below.
Spring 2026 Availability
Grant funding is still pending for the spring Plant Pet Kits.
ANY Teacher: Add your name to the waitlist for a spring 2026 Plant Pet Kit.
Purchase a Plant Pet Kit
Don’t want to wait? Purchase a Plant Pet Kit anytime and receive your kit within 3 weeks. Buy a Plant Pet Kit for you, your child’s classroom, or your favorite teacher!
Plant Pet Kits can be purchased for $100.
