The stillness and quite moments that winter brings creates an opportunity for everyone to slow down and reflect. Everything around us seems to adopt the same grey appearance blended with a landscape of freshly fallen white snow. There are no birds singing in the trees or butterflies seeking to pollinate flowers because most plants are in their dormant phase until the birth of spring returns. Your indoor space doesn’t have to feel the same you can transform the space with warmth and colour making it your own unique indoor garden.
The key to making the indoor garden thrive in the colder months is to choose plants that add colour and are known to thrive with less sunlight and are adaptable to any season. In this post we will look at some plants that add beauty, warmth and colour, improve the atmosphere and creates that cozy feeling that endures throughout the winter season.
Plants that Brighten the Space
· Anthurium This tropical plant delivers as a rewarding plant for your indoor gardening throughout the winter. It provides a glossy foliage blooming in colours of red, white and pink. It creates the illusion of appearing like an artificial plant due to its glossy foliage. It is the perfect selection that adds colour to your space and loves the warm indoor temperatures. While this plant enjoys several hours of sunlight it can also survive in a bright indirect lighting environment. The key in having this plant bloom indoors is to be consistent. Adding light watering and providing a good drainage system will help to keep this plant happy.
· Poinsettia If you are looking for a plant that make the space burst with colour this plant will get the job done. Often more popular at Christmas they are found in the red, white, pink and peach and also some variations of variegated colours. Adding it as a center piece on any table makes the space alive with colour. This plant is very sensitive to cold weather and enjoys humidity. Adding a few sprays of water will help in making sure the space is not too dry. Water this plant when the soil becomes too dry. With the proper care poinsettias will stay in bloom making them a great addition for the winter blues.
· Christmas Cactus ( Schlumbergera ) This cascading arching plant generally blooms at Christmas. Although given the name that suggest it is a desert plant. It is native to the rain forest of Brazil where it can be found growing on trees, rocks and a humid environment in colours of pink, red and purple. It makes a perfect addition to any room because while other plants are going into their dormant stage this cactus will be bursting with cascading flowers. These blooms generally last for several weeks provided that the temperatures in the home are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not bothered by the reduced winter daylight and enjoys the occasion misting and infrequent watering. Making sure that it retains a moist soil and does not remain dry with moderate humidity. Allowing the plant to have up to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for eight weeks can encourage bloom. Once the plant has started budding do not relocate it and keep it away from drafts. With the proper care the Christmas cactus can thrive for a long time.
· Kalanchoe One of the most winter friendly plant which involves low maintenance. It is a succulent which stores its water in its leaves making it ideal for the space. It is native to Tropical Africa and is encouraged as houseplant bringing with it bright colours of pink, yellow, orange and purple. Expect it to bloom in late fall and can be placed on window ledges, or tabletops or anywhere in the home that can accommodate it. Water the plant when it is completely dry and removing the old flowers will encourage new ones to grow. It is a very easy plant to take care of especially for those with a busy lifestyle.
Plants that Add Light and Texture
· Aglaonema ( Chinese Evergreen ) I was given this plant as a gift and have had it for years. It is a native to southeast Asia with leaves displaying many decorative designs which definitely adds life to the space during the cold winter months. It enjoys indirect sunlight to a medium light setting. They are available in varieties, silver, red variegations, cream and pink. These options can allow this plant to be used as furniture replacement or any area that may seem dull. The Aglaonema does well in the dry winter season and is adaptable to its environment. It is also known for purifying the air. Water only when the soil is dry and avoid overwatering. With adequate care this plant will flourish, expand with its beautiful foliage and survive for a long time.
· Purple Shamrock ( Oxalis Triangelaris ) A native plant to Brazil with a bulb. It is perfect for cold climates and for indoors with deep purple foliage in triangular shape. It’s uniqueness is the leaves close at night and opens with light. It makes a great addition to any space especially light-coloured furniture or window coverings. Use as a center piece to highlight the space. You can also expect to observe pink or white flowers with adequate indoor light. The purple shamrock does not like a soggy soil and is best suited to water only when the soil is dry. Be careful to keep this plant away from drafts as it is best adapted to the warm areas of the home. You may experience some dormancy, during this time it is best to wait for a bit and then return to its regular water schedule. This fast-growing plant is considered long lived, requires very little effort and makes a great addition to the space.
· Calatheas, belong to the Marantaceae family known for their patterned leaves and their amazing movement. Their leaves open during the day and close at night like praying hands from which the name prayer plant is derived. They are visually attractive for winter and styling allowing the space to shift from neutral to colour without having to paint the room. Your eyes are naturally drawn to its texture, patterns and colours. The beautiful, shaped leaves and design remind me of an artist that painted the patterns on a canvas. It is a perfect addition for the short daylight seasons of winter. The alluring foliage is to be admired especially when other plants have stopped their blooming season these plants will highlight any space especially those who do not wish to add more furniture to overcrowd the space.
They are accustomed to being in a rainfall habitat and will not accept a home that has very dry air or is drafty. To avoid this investing in a good humidifier is recommended or placing them in groups is helpful. The calathea ornata has deep green leaves with some pink. It requires moderate care with some humidity. A great addition for living rooms bookshelves and niches. Calathea makoyana is considered to be very resilient especially in winter. It has light green leaves with dark markings with purple undersides. It has the ability to tolerate low lightings. Calathea lancifolia has long wavy leaves and dark green spots with purple undersides. It is able to tolerate rough conditions and is a good choice for a beginner.
Best Winter Care for Calatheas
· Lighting – Bright or indirect light keeping the plants away from direct sunlight or windowsill.
· Water- Keep the soil slightly moist, using filtered or distilled water. Avoiding water that contains too many minerals.
· Humidity – Aim for 50-60 % selecting locations in the home like bathrooms and kitchen will be advantageous.
· Temperature- Adjust the temperature between 64-78 Fahrenheit and out of windy areas in the home.
· Maintenance – Removing old dead leaves and keeping the leaves clean will continue to produce a healthy environment for the plant.
Plants That Add Fragrance to the Space
Entering into a room infused with the fragrance of flowers can shift our perception of the cold winter scene transforming the space into peace and tranquility. It’s the moment when you are able to remove the sentiments of cold winter days and dark nights and into a space filled with life, wonderful fragrance, beauty which is aesthetically pleasing.
· Jasmine ( Jasminum Polyanthum ) A powerful scented plant in which the room will be filled with its fragrance. It is a perfect selection as a late bloomer enjoying the cooler nights of winter. It requires sunshine with bright light and a moist soil. It will be able to tolerate temperatures of up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Add to any tabletop or as a window planter.
· Paperwhite Narcissus An easy growing winter bulb that can be grown in soil and in water that is not fully submerged. The plant traditionally represents new beginnings. It was given the name due to its thin paper white petals. It is related to the Amaryllis family but should handle with care as it is toxic to humans and to pets. Due to its toxic nature, it would be best to store it in location away from any concerns in the home.
· Scented Geranium A unique plant that generates it’s fragrance from the leaves and does not require the scent from the flowers. Once these leaves are brushed or touched then the smell is released. Some popular types are Rose, Lemon, Mint, Apple, Cinnamon and Nutmeg. It is able to survive the dry winter air and does not need too much moisture. Waiting until the soil is dry before watering is recommended. It does require some light and the winter sunshine. Many have used the scented leaves to make potpourri and many chefs have used certain varieties like lemon or rose for making jams, cakes and teas.
Winter Routine Care
Developing a system to take care of your plant is essential. You can organize their schedule either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly depending on what is needed. Now with the help of AI technology there are applications that can create schedules and devices that are also helpful to have this done by automation. This gives the homeowner with a busy schedule to focus on other matters.
I wrote and an article with some information that is useful and I have included the link below.
· Before adding water to any plant always check the soil moisture.
· Plants need to be rotated to accomplish even distribution of light to engage in photosynthesis.
· Inspect plants on a weekly schedule tor pest like spider mites.
· When plants are in bloom reduce the amount of feeding normally required.
· Remove dust from the leaves with a gentle wipe.
· Adding a humidifier will boost the humidity or group plants together.
· Trim the dead leaves lightly to keep the plant growing.
· Avoid overwater to prevent root rot.
· Keep plants away from heating vents or fireplaces.
Adding Style to the Space with Winter Plants
As the winter season sets in and brings with it the cold and lifelessness for the outdoors. You can remove this blandness and create an interior that is full of life. It is the perfect season to add style and completely transform the atmosphere with a thoughtful selection of winter plants. The introduction of winter blooms, evergreen and fragrant plants can transform the space making it feel warm and inviting to set the mood for a stylish interior for the season.
Incorporating white or light-coloured accessories can help when contrasting dark coloured floors or window coverings. A center table or dining table can be featured by adding a plant or a curated selection of books. Candles serve as an elegant decorative element. Lighting also sets the tone of the room and can be combined to include some plants especially tropical palm trees. Use accent pieces to enhance the space and the entry way is a good place to add plants without overcrowding the space. Fragrant plants are aways a great addition to allow the space to be filled with the fragrance of a garden. Whatever the choice is for your décor it is all about what makes the space comfortable and enjoyable for you.
By creating a winter garden indoors, you are allowing these plants to transform your home environment by connecting with nature. This allows the space to remain alive, balanced and comforting. Removing the dullness of winter converting it into an inviting retreat to be enjoyed throughout the season.
Image generated with the help of AI using ChatGPT by OpenAI.