Want to enjoy an indoor oasis even when the temperatures are brisk outside? Build your very own winter garden in the comfort of your home. We’ll help you find the look you’re after, from which planters to pick to what plants to grow—and throw in some indoor gardening tips for cold weather.

Why Indoor Gardening?

There’s every reason to start an indoor winter garden. Plants are soothing, and have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and calm the nervous system. It’s the same feeling you get when you go forest bathing, set out on a nature hike, or visit your favorite botanical garden. Get that same chill vibe from your indoor garden when it’s too cold to go out and look for it in nature.

In the living room

Indoor plants are known to improve relaxation and diminish feelings of depression and anxiety. And what better place than the living room to help you relax and unwind? Plus, setting up an indoor garden in your living room also offers soothing greenery in your field of vision, and purifies the air, removing chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde.

In the bedroom

Houseplants in the bedroom are helpful because they function as natural air purifiers, constantly absorbing natural gases, and filtering and cleaning the air. And studies have shown that some plants, like gardenias, help to relieve anxiety and aid in a better night’s sleep.

In the kitchen

Picture making your favorite recipe, and reaching for a sprig of fresh rosemary or basil. The great thing about growing herbs indoors is that most prefer a temperature of about 60-70°, the same temperature that’s comfortable for you. It’s so easy to grow fresh herbs indoors year-round that when you start, you’ll wonder why you waited so long!

In the home office

Oxygen-producing plants make us more productive and boost our creativity—both of which are necessary in the work environment. For those who work at home, not only are plants a nice visual break from technology, but they also eliminate VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are chemicals that build up in the air from mass-produced products. VOC-removing plants helps us breathe easier (literally), reducing the toxins that impair memory and, at high levels, may contribute to health problems.

Choose Your Planters

When it comes to choosing indoor planters, it’s all about the space and style. You want to select one or more planters that not only go with your indoor décor, but ones that fit with the way you use your space. You also want to think of the sunlight needs of the plants you wish to grow. For instance, if you want indoor plants that need direct sunlight, even on cold, winter days, you might opt for a narrow planter—like a window box—for your window sills, bay windows, or table.

What about a vertical indoor garden? You can place planters on a bookshelf, arrange them on a bench, or place them in groups around your home at various heights for some dimensional interest and natural pops of greenery. Low bowl planters work well for this type of arrangement; not only do they add a modern aesthetic, but their low profile allows for clear sightlines if you’re placing them in front of windows.

For larger spaces, or areas where you want to divide areas or section off a cozy nook, larger planters work exceptionally well. For this type of application, we recommend our Modern Fiberglass Rectangle planters to do the job, and do it beautifully. (Of course, you can also choose a different shape, like a Modern Round or Square, if you prefer.) On top of their sleek, contemporary look, another perk of our Modern planters is that they ship in just 3-4 days—so you can start your indoor garden less than a week after ordering!

Choose Your Plants

From your favorite flowers and greenery to fruits and vegetables, the sky’s the limit when it comes to indoor gardening! Yes, even in winter! Here are some ideas on what to grow:

Plants

• Aloe vera
• Cyclamen
• Fiddle leaf
• Hyacinth
• Jade
• Jasmine
• Orchids
• Peace lily
• Pothos
• Snake plant
• Spider plant
• ZZ plant

Herbs

• Basil
• Dill
• Lavender
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Vegetables

• Alfalfa sprouts
• Arugula
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Tomatoes

Tips for Growing Indoor Plants in Winter

• Don’t overwater. It’s tempting to overwater plants in any season, but especially with indoor plants, since they’re always in our sightlines. But resist the urge to overwater—especially in winter, when most plants need less water than other seasons. That said, indoor heating dries indoor plants out faster than if they were outside, so you’ll need to keep an eye on them for either extreme.

• To check if your indoor plants need water, you can simply put your finger in the top inch of soil to see if its dry. Other options are using a moisture meter or adding a water reservoir for your containers to keep your plants hydrated and healthy, but not oversaturated.

• Check the humidity. Heating your house during winter may make you feel toasty, but it quickly dries out your houseplants. While some plants prefer dry air, others thrive with more humidity. You might consider placing your plants in areas of the house where they are away from heating vents and drafts. You may also want to run a humidifier to add a bit more moisture to the air.

• Keep Up with Upkeep. Maintaining your indoor garden is essential. This means wiping down leaves when they get dusty, and looking for and eliminating pests. Trim yellow and brown leaves to encourage more growth. And when it comes to snipping, use clean garden tools and try not to remove more than 1/3 of your leaves when it comes to herbs and leafy green vegetables.

Get Growing!

Shop windowbox.com for all your indoor winter gardening needs!