Beat the Winter Blues with the Mood-Boosting Power of Houseplants

The long, cold days of winter can take a toll on your mood. As the sunlight fades and cabin fever sets in, many people start to experience the “winter blues.” But did you know surrounding yourself with houseplants can actually help boost your mood during the colder months? It’s true! Caring for indoor plants provides benefits that can keep the winter doldrums at bay.

Why Houseplants Combat the Winter Blues

Spending time around plants, even indoors, offers several perks that can improve your mental health during dreary winter months:

• Increased energy – Interacting with plants and nature is linked to greater energy levels, reduced fatigue, and an enhanced mood.

• Stress relief – Being around houseplants triggers the relaxation response, helping reverse negative effects of stress.

• Clean air – Houseplants purify indoor air by absorbing pollutants, which also benefits your health.

• Sense of purpose – Caring for living plants provides a sense of purpose and satisfaction that boosts your outlook.

• Visual appeal – The natural beauty of houseplants enhances your indoor surroundings with pleasant colors and textures.

Studies show living with plants can reduce anxiety, increase productivity, and promote overall wellbeing – all helpful in fighting seasonal affective disorder!

Best Houseplants for Boosting Winter Moods

While any houseplant can provide benefits, certain varieties are particularly well suited for bringing cheer during dreary winter months:

Flowering Plants

• Orchids – Elegant, delicate blooms in various colors.
• African violets – Vibrant purple, white, pink, blue blooms.
• Bromeliads – Pineapple-like plants with colorful bracts.

Tropical Plants

• Birds of paradise – Bold, vibrant orange and blue blooms.
• Bromeliads – Pineapple-like plants with colorful bracts.
• Hibiscus – Showy flowers in shades of red, white, pink, orange.

Succulents and Cacti

• Burro’s tail – Cascading trailing stems with gray-blue leaves.
• Jade plant – Thick, shiny green leaves in oval or round shapes.
• Echeveria – Rosette-shaped varieties in purple, blue, pink.

Pick plants you find visually appealing. The positive effects are greatest with varieties you enjoy looking at and caring for!

Caring for Houseplants to Boost Your Mood

To get the most mental health benefits from houseplants during winter, be sure to care for them properly:

• Provide adequate sunlight – Rotate plants to give proper light exposure for each variety. Supplement with grow lights as needed.

• Water appropriately – Water based on each plant’s needs, taking care not to over or underwater. Check soil frequently.

• Mist leaves – Use a spray bottle to mist leaves with water for moisture-loving plants.

• Wipe leaves – Gently wipe leaves with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free and vibrant.

• ** Prune when needed** – Trim back overgrown stems and remove dead leaves to encourage new growth.

• Re-pot annually – Repot plants each spring in fresh potting mix to replenish nutrients.

Caring for houseplants keeps you engaged and gives a sense of satisfaction that can definitely boost winter moods.

Ideal Houseplant Varieties for Winter Months

Some houseplant varieties thrive during the winter season, making them excellent choices for bringing natural beauty indoors:

• Christmas cactus – Iconic winter bloomer; green leaves with red or pink flowers.

• Cyclamen – Pretty pink, red, or white blooms atop green and silver variegated leaves.

• Peace lily – Dark green leaves complemented by pure white blooms. Tolerates low light.

• Kalanchoe – Vibrant flowers in shades of orange, pink, red, or yellow. Compact and elegant.

• Dracaena – Spiky, sword-like foliage in green, red, or variegated colors. Tolerates low humidity.

• Pothos – Easy to grow cascading vine with gold and white variegated leaves.

Pick a few low-maintenance plants that keep your indoor garden looking fresh through the winter.

Ideal Spots to Place Houseplants

Make the most of mood-boosting benefits by placing houseplants strategically around your home:

• Entryway – Greeted by greenery when entering the home.

• Living spaces – Add life to areas where you relax and spend leisure time.

• Desk or workspace – Enjoy nature’s beauty while working.

• Bedroom – Calming, restful plants help promote sleep.

• Bathroom – High humidity suits tropical plants.

• Kitchen – Herbs bring spring flavors indoors.

• Sunny windows – Position plants to receive adequate sunlight.

Surround yourself with houseplants by dispersing them in key areas you frequent.

Creative Ideas for Displaying Indoor Plants

Get creative with how you exhibit houseplants to enhance your living space:

• Hanging baskets or wall mounts for trailing vines.

• Decorative ceramic, glass, or glazed pots.

• Coordinating cache pots or plant stands.

• DIY vertical garden made from a pegboard.

• Plants grouped together in coordinating containers.

• Tall floor plants in corner spots.

• Windowsill propagation stations.

• Kitchen herb garden under grow lights.

• Terrariums containing small potted plants.

Let your unique style shine through in how you arrange and display your winter houseplant collection!

Key Takeaways on Using Houseplants for Winter Blues

Caring for indoor plants during the winter provides natural mood-lifting benefits to combat seasonal depression. Follow these tips:

• Choose flowering, tropical, or succulent plants for visual appeal.

• Provide proper sunlight, water, cleaning, pruning, and re-potting.

• Pick low-maintenance plants suited to winter conditions.

• Place plants in high-traffic areas around the home.

• Get creative with unique containers and displays.

Surrounding yourself with thriving plants keeps your spirits lifted through the darkest winter days. Try adding more greenery indoors this season to fight off the winter blues!