Indoor Plants and Your Winter Space
Indoor Plants to Brighten Your Winter
While the mountains and fresh powder can keep us all pretty happy in the Kootenays during the winter, the shorter days and colder temperatures tend to drive us inside more at this time of year. Studies have shown the many benefits indoor plants can bring to a home or workspace, such as helping to clean the air, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost creativity and productivity.
Here is a list of some great options to both brighten and clean your home or workspace, and continue to enjoy nature while inside this winter.
The ZZ Plant: (Harry Potter Spell Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
This is the current Instagram darling of the plant world at the moment and one that we think is a great winter indoor option due to how low maintenance it is and drought tolerant. It thrives when it is generally left alone and requires infrequent watering. Best placed in a room with minimal light; it has great versatility to survive in many different rooms throughout this season. Bringing you some beauty with its rich green colour, while also removing toxins from the air, such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Snake Plant: (Harry Potter Spell Name: Dracaena trifasciata)
One of the most famous of indoor plants before the ZZ Plant got its following is the Snake Plant, also commonly known as ‘Mother-in-law’s Tongue’. This is due to its reputation of being both durable and tough natured. Again, a great option as it also requires little attention, and infrequent watering, especially in the winter. Another air purifier for your space, its long, green stiff leaves can range from 2-6 feet depending on the variety. Look at the dwarf varieties of the “Whitney” or “Future Superba” for smaller options if you prefer. Perfect for low-light rooms as it prefers indirect sunlight. Handles well in dry air or overly-heated winter spaces.
Aloe Vera: (Harry Potter Spell Name: Aloe Vera – that’s how low maintenance it is)
A staff favourite at Goldstar, this succulent is another tough cookie, and can even bounce back from the worst of neglect and requires infrequent watering. So much so, that with succulents, like Aloe Vera its better to almost not water them through the winter. Even with the little attention you give it, it will continue to remove formaldehyde from the air while serving you tropical, desert vibes. And its great for your skin with its natural anti-inflammatory and anti- bacterial properties. This sun loving baby prefers a bright sunny spot. Perfect for a dry window.
Spider Plant: (Harry Potter Spell Name: Chlorophytum Compsum)
This green beauty is the strongest air purifier in the list. A NASA study done to test household plants and their ability to remove toxins from the air, found the Spider Plant to surpass the others, removing about 95% of toxins in preliminary tests. It also differs from the rest on the list by being pet friendly. While it needs bright light, it prefers not to be in direct sunlight. Perfect for a room with big windows. They also love humidity, so are a great option for over-heated winter spaces or bathrooms. Only needs watering about once a week, just make sure the soil has been dried out between waterings.
Peace Lily: (Harry Potter Spell Name: Spathiphyllum)
This tropical plant loves living in the warmer temperatures we are used to indoors in the winter. Not suitable for any drafty rooms. They prefer low light, and can also survive under florescent lights, so are a great option for a work desk or spaces that get minimal light. Their dark green leaves and white flowers will bring some much needed life to any dark space while also serving as a great air purifier. Like the rest on this list, they are far more tolerant of under watering than over watering. Not a Plant Person? If you’re for cleaner air, a calmer environment, and enjoying the beauty of nature all in the comfort of your indoor space – maybe indoor plants are your next winter hobby? If so, this list serves as a great guide for the newbie plant owner, busy person or natural green thumb. Worried about the upkeep and care of your plants, whether out of town or during your regular cleaning services? Contact us here at Goldstar and let us know. We’ll be happy to tend to them when we visit.