As the weather gets cooler, it can sometimes feel a little gloomier inside, too. An indoor plant is a wonderful way to make your home a little greener, which can feel like a little pick-me-up if it’s cold (or snowy) outside. Indoor gardening can be a form of stress relief, which might come in handy if you feel pressured during the winter holidays. Whether this is your new hobby or you’re looking for fresh foliage to plant: We’ve got you covered!

Winter Indoor Plant Advice

Care for indoor plants looks a little different during colder weather. The first and most important rule to remember is to decrease how much you typically water plants. Growth usually slows during the winter, which means that less water is absorbed into the soil. Don’t be afraid to check if your plant actually needs more water before you pour! If you can feel that the top two inches of soil are dry (via your finger or a wooden stick), your plant is ready for water. If you know how light your plant feels when the soil is dry, versus how heavy it feels when the soil is wet, you’ve got another good indicator for when your plant needs to be watered.

If your plant benefits from humidity, consider placing it in a bathroom or a room with a humidifier. Keep in mind that consistent temperatures are best, regardless of humidity. Avoid placing a plant near air vents. It’s also important to remember what the sun is doing! If your indoor plant is dependent on natural light, consider moving your plant closer to a window to ensure it benefits from a full day’s rays as the sun begins to set earlier.

Low Maintenance Indoor Plants

If you’re new to indoor plants, low-maintenance varieties are a great place to start. The following plants will be just fine with inconsistent watering (it’s easy to forget until you’re in the habit!): Chinese evergreens, ZZ plants, snake plants, philodendrons, and rubber plants. Moss terrariums come in lots of different sizes, look charming in a home office, and can even provide a fun afternoon project if you want to create your own miniature greenhouse from scratch. Jade plants do well with varying temperatures and will do just fine if you occasionally open a nearby window.

Indoor Plants That Bloom in Winter

If you’re looking for a plant to brighten your home, seek out ones that bloom in winter. With consistent temperature and good light, Lace Flowers (also known as alsobia) and holiday cactuses make cheery decorations. Both plants also do well in artificial or indirect light. Anthuriums and moth orchids also need a medium amount of light, but they prefer high humidity and do well in bathrooms.

Pet-Friendly Indoor Plants

While plants are pretty, not all are pet friendly. However, this shouldn’t stop you from using nature to decorate, as long as you do your research. Certain types of succulents make perfect home décor while still being non-toxic, like haworthia, echeveria, and air plants. Ponytail palms are pet friendly and do well in bright light. Spider plants thrive in humidity—like in a bathroom—and are also non-toxic. Hoya heart plants are a safe choice while also being the perfect size for homes with only a little bit of counter space. Basil and thyme are also pet friendly and are a great start to an herb garden. Just make sure that they get enough sunlight on a windowsill in a pot that allows water drainage.

Best of luck with your newfound winter green thumb! Remember—if you need more room for your plant babies or are considering a hot house or a conservatory addition as part of your home renovations, Freedom Mortgage can help with your new home financing or current home refinancing needs!