Houseplants That Boost Wellness
Winter temperatures drop, and it is not surprising that our moods sometimes follow. With shorter days, a lack of sunlight, and the inability to spend much time outdoors, many people struggle with feeling down or not like their normal selves during this time of year.
Houseplants are known to reduce the stress hormone cortisol simply by being around them. Just as taking a walk through the woods can create a connection to nature and put us in a calmer state, indoor gardening can translate that same feeling by bringing nature into your home.
The benefits of houseplants are numerous. Houseplants naturally increase humidity. Dry indoor air in winter can lead to dry skin, a scratchy throat, and irritated sinuses. Plants release moisture through transpiration, gently raising humidity in a healthy, natural way.
“Think of plants as mini humidifiers, but prettier, quieter and healthier,” says Rachel Pettygrove, Owner of The Grove Botany Boutique.
Best plants for this include peace lily, areca palm, Boston fern and monstera.
Houseplants also improve indoor air quality. During winter months, when windows and doors are closed, the air can become stale. Many plants help remove airborne pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Top air-purifying plants include the snake plant, pothos, spider plant and ZZ plant.
Boosting mood and reducing seasonal stress is another benefit of plants. The combination of green color, natural life and daily interaction can trigger lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and mood. Houseplants are proven to help with seasonal depression symptoms. Caring for them can be a small act of therapy.
Surprisingly, plants can support better sleep. Some plants release oxygen at night and can help create a more restful sleep environment. Good plants for the bedroom include snake plant, aloe vera, lavender and jasmine.
Houseplants can also help fight off winter illnesses. More humidity, cleaner air and stress reduction can contribute to a stronger immune system.
“Plants won’t replace medicine, but they absolutely support a healthier home during sick season,” Pettygrove says.
Naturally hosting indoor plants encourages people to open curtains and let light in. Caring for plants helps establish a routine and provides small bursts of sunshine when checking on them.
Because winter sunlight is weaker, easy, low-light plant options such as snake plant, ZZ plant, philodendron, pothos and peace lily are good choices.
“Winter does not have to be plant-killing season. Picking the right plant makes success easy,” Pettygrove adds.
Franklin hosts several places where residents can purchase plants to enhance their home spaces, including The Grove Botany Boutique, Bud and Bloom Florist, JP Parker Flowers, Salvage Sisters and Vintage Whimsy.
Suzy Rowland is a plant vendor at Salvage Sisters. She purchases her plants from an Indianapolis greenhouse and chooses easy-to-care-for plants for her stand. Rowland has cared for houseplants for more than 10 years and has more than 50 houseplants in her own home. During COVID-19, she started selling plants as a home porch pickup and later moved on to farmers markets. Her favorite plants are pothos, an easy-care option. She says January is the perfect time to introduce a little green into your home after taking down the Christmas tree.
Pettygrove, owner of The Grove Botany Boutique in downtown Franklin, is an expert on houseplants and their care.
She inherited her love of plants from her mother. Pettygrove has a 50-year-old spider plant that belonged to her mother, along with 84 other indoor plants in her home. She also has 162 tissue cultures currently growing at home. Plants she propagates and grows herself are what she calls “Grove Grown.” Her goal is to have her shop be 100% Grove Grown by 2027. The shop hosts more than 200 plants, including succulents, aromatic plants, blooming plants, easy-care varieties and some rarer selections.
When she started selling plants at the Franklin Farmers Market, she thought her clientele would be women her age but soon learned that everyone is a potential customer. She has several male customers and is always delighted when groups of teen boys visit her shop to take part in the succulent bar experience.
“At The Grove, we do not just sell houseplants — we help people create healthier homes,” Pettygrove says. “During winter especially, the right houseplants can make your space feel warmer, cleaner and calmer. We guide customers to choose plants that thrive in winter conditions and increase overall well-being.”
