Easy Houseplants for Winter Cheer

Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Are you experiencing a post-holiday let down? Does the house seem a little dull without colorful holiday decorations? You might want to add some houseplants in your home to brighten both your mood and your environment.

Researchers have found that houseplants offer a number of health benefits. For one, the addition of plants adds color and warmth to indoor spaces making them welcoming places in which to be. Research has shown that plants lift people's moods whether at home, in the office, or in shopping malls.

Plants may help you to relax. Studies have shown that working with plants has a calming effect on people as many gardeners can attest. Horticultural therapy has been used to alleviate some of the symptoms of dementia, depression, and anxiety for people with these conditions.

Taking plants and flowers to those who are ill, injured, or recovering from surgery may help their healing process. Looking at greenery can have a soothing effect allowing the patients to relax.

Peace Lilies are favorite interior design plants for their glossy foliage and the white flowers that morph to pale green and remain very showy for another month. Flower Christopher Hollis CC-BY-SA 2.0

Before deciding whether to bring some house plants home, consider your light source. The lighting in your house is usually indirect meaning that it passes through another medium such as a window shade or it's reflected off of another surface before hitting the plant.

Any plants labeled partial shade, full shade, or low light will probably do well in household light. For more information on measuring light levels in your house, go to the NC State Extension Master Gardener site at
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/18-plants-grown-in-containers#section_heading_8773

Prayer Plant foliage is parallel to the ground in daytime but folds to a perpendicular "prayer" form at night. Whole plant Maja Dumat CC BY 4.0

In its native central African home, the Snake Plant blooms in winter but rarely blooms as a house plant. Form Mokkie CC-BY-Sa 3.0

Watering is the other big issue for house plants. More of them are killed by overwatering than underwatering. Pay attention to the plant care instructions on the label.

For more information on growing your plants, go to the Plant Toolbox on the NC State Extension Master Gardener site at https://emgintranet.ces.ncsu.edu/ where you can search by plant name.

The following are some of the easy, low-maintenance house plants that you may want to add to your home.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a low-light plant preferring partial to deep shade. Its white flower is called a spathe. Keep its soil slightly moist. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly and then water until it drains from the pot. Discard excess water from the saucer to prevent root rot. Trim off the spathes when flowering is over.

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a tropical plant that does best in bright, indirect light as too much light causes its variegation to fade. Place in a pot with wet pebbles underneath as it needs high humidity. While growing, keep the soil evenly moist but let it dry out between waterings in the winter. It's grown for its interesting foliage rather than its tiny flowers.

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is a tough-to-kill plant unless overwatered. From spring to fall, let it dry out between waterings. In winter restrict watering to every other month. It will tolerate very low light.

The Spider Plant is perfect for hanging baskets with its long flowing stems from which dangle the plantlets that can be cut off to start new plants.   Joanne K.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) does best in medium light levels but tolerates deep shade. This native of South Africa prefers moist well-drained soil but reduce watering in winter. Its variegated leaves brighten a room.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is characterized by glossy green or variegated heart-shaped leaves that grow best in bright, indirect light. Mist regularly and allow the potting soil to dry out before watering again.

Prune back Pothos stems to maintain its bushy shape. Form madaise CC BY- NC-ND 2.0

Of course, be sure to periodically check your plants for pests like spider mites and mealy bugs and treat if needed. Follow fertilization recommendations for your plant when it's growing.

If roots protrude at the bottom of the pot, the leaves are yellowing or drooping, or the plant is drying out too quickly, it's time to repot in potting soil. Occasionally spray the leaves to remove dust.

Create an indoor garden and enjoy the fun of caring for plants and the benefits that they can bring to you and your home.