Winter means less sun, cold air sneaking in, and a general vibe that can make your indoor space feel a little blah. The winter season is the perfect time to incorporate plants and soft lighting into your living space. Plants just make things feel alive, adding texture and a chill atmosphere. Throw in some warm, soft lighting (bonus points if they’re also functional grow lights), and you can totally turn any room into a cozy, welcoming spot to hang out.
Whether you have a small apartment or a spacious home, we have some ideas to help you incorporate plants and the lighting to help them thrive. Let’s make the bleak winter days and long nights a little cozier and happier.
Why add plants indoors during winter?
There’s many reasons to add houseplants to your home, especially in the wintertime when we’re spending more time stuck indoors. Indoor plants help improve air quality by producing oxygen and filtering out certain airborne chemicals and help increase indoor humidity which is super helpful when heaters in your home dry out the air.
Being around plants and greenery is linked to reduced stress, better mood, and improved well‑being. Assistant professor of horticultural science at North Carolina State University, Melinda Knuth said “We see a clear connection with the fact that being around plants improves cortisol levels in our body,” in a Time article.
So, adding plants to your home isn’t just about looks (although we’re personally big fans of the indoor jungle look…) it’s about helping your living space feel good.
How do I pick lighting that works for plants and my home?
The key is to go for soft, warm light instead of harsh overhead lighting. Lamps, pendants, and ambient lights help highlight the plants’ textures while keeping the room feeling relaxed.
However, the tricky part for houseplants in winter is that most homes don’t get enough natural light they need to stay healthy (shorter days, weaker sun, longer nights). This is where grow lights come in handy. They give your plants the light they need to stay healthy, but can also double as cozy lighting in your home.
Curious to learn more about grow lights and why your plants probably need them to stay healthy and happy? Check out our blog post!
Are grow lights harsh or ugly?
A lot of people assume grow lights are bright, blue, or just plain industrial-looking. That’s not really the case anymore. Modern lights can be both useful and easy on the eyes.
Soltech grow lights, for example, are full-spectrum, so your plants get all the light they need to stay healthy. At the same time, they give off a soft, warm-white glow (around 3000K) that feels like regular home lighting. Many, like the Aspect™ Gen 2, are dimmable too, so you can tweak the brightness to fit your space or your mood.
For example, the Aura™ Ambient Grow Light is a great example of this type of functional lighting. It gives plants the full-spectrum light they need while also acting as soft mood lighting for your space.
In short, grow lights don’t just help plants grow, they can actually make a corner, shelf, or nook feel cozy and inviting.
How do I create a cozy plant corner with light and greenery?
Pick a small nook, side table, or reading corner. Group a mix of plants: a taller piece, a trailing plant, and perhaps a smaller leafy plant. A ZZ plant, snake plant, and heartleaf philodendron are great picks for this kind of setup.
Add a soft overhead like the Vita™ Pendant Light, and you instantly have a cozy focal point.
How do I add height and interest to my space?
Vertical styling helps make a room feel more layered and dynamic. Hanging planters or tall houseplants, like Bird of Paradise or Fiddle Leaf Figs, can bring life to corners. A light like the Aspect™ Gen 2 works really well for these setups— it’s simple, sleek, and gives steady light for your plants without looking out of place.
Trailing plants like pothos, philodendrons, or hoyas soften edges and add a sense of movement. These plants look beautiful on shelves or bookcases softly cascading. The Grove™ LED Bar Light can easily be mounted underneath shelves, providing functional lighting for your plants and soft lighting for your cozy aesthetic.
How do I style shelves, mantels, or side tables for winter?
You can make small surfaces feel intentional with a few tricks:
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Mix different textures: ceramic pots, wood, glass, or books
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Layer plants at different heights
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Add a tabletop style lamp, like the Versa™ to highlight greenery and provide ambient lighting for the entire room.
Throw in a few warm accents: a candle, a cozy throw, or some seasonal decor and your shelf or mantel instantly feels cozy and lived-in.
How do I brighten dark low-light rooms?
Some rooms just generally don’t get enough daylight in winter. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have plants, you just need the right grow lights to keep them healthy. A Highland™ Track Light System works great for situations like these because it can light an entire plant wall, a large plant collection, or larger spaces like living rooms styled with plants, while looking look a regular lighting fixture.
How can I bring plants into everyday spaces like kitchens or desks?
Small or low-profile plants work well on counters, desks, or tables. Pair them with a bar light like the Grove™ that can be mounted under cabinets, to make sure they get enough light while keeping the area cozy and functional. Even a tiny plant with the right light can brighten your workspace or kitchen without taking up much room.
How do I make my home feel cozy with plants and lighting?
Winter styling works best when you mix natural textures, soft lighting, and greenery. Plants soften edges and add life. Warm light highlights their leaves and makes a space feel inviting. Add wood, ceramic, and soft fabrics, and you’ve got a room that feels alive but relaxed.
How do I keep plants healthy in the winter?
Here are a few general plant-care tips for helping your plants thrive in the wintertime:
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Rotate plants occasionally for even light exposure.
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Water less often— plants grow more slowly in winter!
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Keep plants away from drafts or heaters.
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Group plants together to naturally increase humidity.
Looking for care instructions and tips for your specific plants? The Soltech Plant Guide features over 100+ plant varieties and how to help them thrive!
Cozy up your space this winter with plants
Creating a cozy and inviting home this winter is simple when you combine indoor plants with the soft, functional glow of modern grow lighting. It’s more than just decor; it's about enhancing your well-being, improving your air quality, and turning those long, cold nights into opportunities for relaxation in your beautifully styled space.
By styling houseplants around your home and incorporating warm, full-spectrum grow lights, you can help your home feel a little cozier this winter! For more styling inspiration and tips, check out our Pinterest!
