As winter draws near and we seek refuge indoors, many of us notice a dip in physical energy and emotional well-being. Houseplants offer more than aesthetic appeal in our homes and workplaces; they rebalance our indoor environments and foster inner calm. Whether it’s a lush philodendron cascading from a bookcase or an elegant orchid on a coffee table, plants infuse life into any space.

With a variety of colors, sizes and maintenance levels, a green thumb isn’t required to create inviting, mood-lifting corners of greenery. Caring for plants can be an enjoyable, calming and uplifting experience, but simply being around them enhances our well-being. Research indicates that spending time with houseplants lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, reduces worry and improves post-surgical outcomes in hospital patients.

Indoor plants transform the ambience wherever they are placed. “Their presence alone lifts mood. My home feels softer, calmer and more alive when plants are around me in winter. Even one thriving plant in your space can shift the energy,” says Dana Carpenter, a horticultural advisor and founder of the Fancy Plants Club, an online resource for successful houseplant management.

Practical Beauty

Plants add moisture to dry indoor air, benefiting skin and respiratory health during the cold season. Varieties with broad, large leaves have a greater humidifying effect. For lush appeal and moisturizing benefits, choose dracaena, ficus benjamina, philodendron, peace lily, areca and bamboo palms. A 2005 study presented to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests that English ivy is ideal for allergy sufferers because of its potential to reduce airborne mold spores.

“Plants are sensory by nature and stimulate the senses through touch, sight, sound, smell and taste,” says Alicia Green, a horticulturist and coordinator of Buehler Enabling Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “Tending to a plant also subtly promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability that can contribute to emotional grounding.”

Carpenter agrees, stating, “When I am watering, pruning or just checking on my plants, my senses are engaged as I notice the texture of the leaves, the smell of soil, even the sound of water trickling. Caring for my plants offers a natural break in the rhythm of my day.”

A Refuge From the Winter Blues

Plants provide solace for those that find the colder months challenging, particularly individuals with seasonal affective disorder. “In the winter, when the light feels scarce and the days drag, even one corner filled with a few thriving plants, a cozy chair and maybe a grow light disguised as decor can change the energy of a room,” Carpenter reflects. “Just sitting near your green zone with tea in the morning turns it into a place you look forward to, especially during gray months.”

Plants add comfort, warmth and support in spaces where we practice mindful meditation, prayer or yoga. Beautiful blooms beside photographs of loved ones celebrate happy memories. A group of plants in varying shades can transform a cozy reading nook, enliven a kitchen corner, add vibrance to a kids’ playroom or lend an exotic touch to a sunny bathroom.

Choosing the right plants that fit our individual lifestyles makes it easy to follow our bliss. “Snake plant tolerates very low light and can be placed in almost any room with a window. It also has very low watering requirements, thus making it a very low-maintenance houseplant,” advises Green. “Pothos and peace lily can also be placed away from a window, as they are very tolerant of low light.”

Green also recommends using flowering plants such as amaryllis bulbs during winter months to add color to a room, and she encourages novice indoor gardeners to consider succulents and phalaenopsis orchids for their beauty and low-water requirements. Festive-blooming cyclamen is also a favorite for its tendency to thrive in autumn and winter.

According to Carpenter, all plants are joyful additions to the home, including fragrant herbs on a windowsill. “Brushing your hand across rosemary releases that fresh, grounding scent, which feels especially comforting when the world outside is cold and bare.”

Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.

Green Up Your Winter: Brumley’s Winter Plant Picks