It’s mid-February, the sun sets before you’ve even finished your afternoon coffee, and the windows haven't been cracked in months. Between the blasting heater drying out your skin and the gray sky outside, your home can start to feel a little… stagnant.
While we can’t change the forecast, we can change the ecosystem inside our four walls. Houseplants are often dismissed as mere decor, but they are actually functional living tools. In the winter, they can help keep your environment, and your headspace, a little clearer.
Let's dive into just four of the benefits of having indoor plants in your home this winter and the best plants for winter wellness.
4 Benefits Indoor Plants in Your Home This Winter
Research shows that indoor plants do more than just look good; they actively improve winter wellness by increasing humidity, reducing stress, and capturing indoor air pollutants. Adding a few intentional and functional plants like Snake Plants or Peace Lilies can help mitigate the dry air and "stuck-inside" feeling that comes with the colder months.
1. Scrubbing the "Stale" Out of the Air
When we seal our homes against the cold, we also trap indoor pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene (often found in furniture and cleaning supplies). Since you probably aren't eager to let a 20-degree breeze in to circulate the air, plants are your best alternative.
Studies (e.g., NASA Clean Air Study) found Snake Plants can absorb indoor air pollutants under controlled conditions.
According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, certain plants are incredibly efficient at absorbing these toxins through their leaves and roots. In our ultimate guide to air-purifying plants, we dive deep into how species like the Snake Plant or Spider Plant act as natural filters, keeping your air fresh when the ventilation is low.
2. Managing Moisture (and Preventing Mold)
Winter air is a bit of a contradiction: it’s bone-dry in the living room because of the heater, yet it can get overly damp in the bathroom or kitchen, leading to mold.
Certain plants are essentially natural dehumidifiers. They absorb moisture from the air through their leaves to hydrate themselves. This is a game-changer for those corners of the house prone to dampness.
As we explored in our post on plants that help prevent mold, species like English Ivy and Peace Lilies can actually help reduce the spore count in your home, making your space feel much crisper.
3. A Natural Antidote to the Winter Blues
There is a real, scientifically-backed reason why looking at a lush Monstera makes you feel better than looking at a blank wall. It’s called Biophilia, or our natural desire to connect with nature.
Studies have shown that even a few minutes of interacting with indoor plants can lower blood pressure and reduce cortisol levels. When the world outside looks dormant and brown, having a vibrant, growing living thing in your peripheral vision reminds your brain that growth is still happening. It’s a simple way to boost productivity and ease the seasonal "slump" without leaving your couch.
4. Softening Your Space
From a design perspective, winter can feel a bit "hard." Think heavy blankets, dark colors, and closed curtains. Greenery adds a layer of organic texture that synthetic decor just can't replicate. It's a biophilic design philosophy, incorporating natural elements and textures to bring the look of nature (and the benefits of it) indoors.
Biophilic design isn't just a trend; it's a design philosophy with roots in the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests humans have an inherited need to affiliate with nature.
We spend about 90% of our time indoors, according to the EPA. Not only does incorporating plants or biophilic design principles in your home change to look of your space, it impacts the way we feel about it. The way light hits a translucent leaf or the way a vine softens the edge of a bookshelf creates a sense of warmth. It makes a house feel like a lived-in, breathing home rather than just a place where you're hiding from the snow.
Best Indoor Plants for Winter Wellness
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Benefit |
How it Helps in Winter |
Best Plant for the Job |
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Air Purification |
Filters VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and indoor pollutants trapped by closed windows. |
|
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Natural Dehumidifying |
Absorbs excess moisture to prevent mold. |
|
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Mood Boosting |
Lowers cortisol and mimics outdoor nature. |
|
|
Humidity Boost |
Releases moisture to help dry skin/throats. |
How to Keep Winter Houseplants Healthy
The biggest hurdle to winter plant parenting is, of course, the winter light. The sun is lower, the days are shorter, and your bright, indirect light spot from a south-facing window might not be so bright or consistent right now.
If you see your plants reaching toward the window or losing their vibrancy, they aren't being dramatic, they’re just need more light. Providing them with a consistent full-spectrum grow light can bridge the gap, ensuring your indoor plants stay healthy all season long.
A full-spectrum grow light, like the Aspect™ Gen 2, has built in dimmability so you can adjust light levels to be exactly what your plants need, not just in winter, but year round.
Winter Wellness and Plants
Winter doesn't have to mean a disconnect from the natural world. By bringing in plants that:
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purify the air
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balance humidity
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brighten your mood
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elevate your space
you’re doing more than just decorating, you’re curating a healthier environment for yourself. Whether it’s a single hardy Snake Plant or a full indoor jungle, you're improving your winter wellness... one plant at a time!
Want to learn how to care for your indoor plants in the winter and give them the best chance to thrive? Check out our complete guide to winter plant care!
