Let’s be real, Winter can be a real downer. It’s dark, dreary, and cold. Now houseplants? Houseplants are fantastic.
It’s hard to feel connected to nature when the trees are bare and everything’s muddy, but fret not, there’s a way to bring mood-boosting greenery indoors.
Houseplants are joyous because they bring the mood-boosting benefits of nature into our homes.
While it’s very valid to choose plants that you like the look of, they can provide more than pretty colours. And with winter around the corner, this is the perfect time to improve your wellbeing with some houseplants.
Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, put together a guide for plants that will boost your mood and purify the air, provide some healing qualities or become a tasty snack.
‘Plants inspire creativity, they have the ability to reduce stress, aid relaxation and boost mood, as well as improve air quality, so it’s little wonder we all get so much enjoyment from incorporating them into our homes,’ Catharina told Metro.
Plants also release water vapour into the air, which helps to increase humidity. Higher humidity is great for skin and respiratory health which is dried out by central heating.
They even help to reduce the amount of dust in the air – which is great for allergy sufferers.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, some houseplants can soothe burns or alleviate indigestion.
To help you out, Catharina shared her guide to the five types of plants no home should be without.
Mood-boosting plants
Money plant
The money plant has delightful, smooth circular leaves that spring up quite quickly.
It’s believed that the Chinese plant brings prosperity and good luck (hence the name).
It’s a poster plant for Feng Shui – an ancient Chinese traditional practice of harmonising with the surrounding environment – which ultimately makes for a traditional mood-boosting addition to a home.
Bird of paradise
‘If you want to make a statement, opt for the easy-to-care-for but visually impactful bird of paradise, which boasts glossy dark green paddle-shaped leaves and elegant stems,’ Catharina says.
When the plant can grow two metres tall, you’ll be treated to beautiful bright blooms for a visual feast.
Jasmine plant
Jasmine plants can grow outdoors but make popular house plants too, and for good reason.
‘On top of being a beautiful houseplant, its small, white flowers are known for their soothing fragrance, which can help you relax and eliminate stress,’ Catharina said.
Purify the air
Snake plant
The yellow and green striped plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is ‘fantastic at filtering the air of common airborne toxins including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toulene, and trichloroethylene which are all commonly found in homes after decorating,’ Catharina said.
This succulent releases oxygen at night, so keep it in your bedroom to help you breathe more easily.
English Ivy
Pop the English Ivy high up on a bookshelf to make the most of its gorgeous tumbling vines, which also help to purify the air.
As a bonus, it’s incredibly low maintenance. It thrives in any light conditions and grows quickly.
Rubber plant
And another one for those without particularly green fingers, the rubber plant’s large, glossy leaves ‘absorb and break down airborne chemicals, while also eliminating bacteria and mould spores in the air,’ Catharina said.
If you look after them, rubber plants can grow up to eight feet tall – making them a cracking statement piece.
Healing plants
Aloe vera
If you don’t have an aloe vera plant, it’s time to get one. These gorgeous plants purify the air while the leaves are full of soothing anti-inflammatory gel.
‘In fact, it’s one of the most natural remedies for sunburn or burnt skin and is rich in antioxidants and minerals that boost the skin healing process,’ Catharina said.
Peppermint
This homoeopathy superstar can help ease digestive problems, fight colds, and sinus infections and soothe headaches – essential for the bug-filled winter months.
Imagine being able to make yourself a fresh mint tea on demand. A dream.
Lavender
The cute purple flowers on a Lavender plant smell amazing, but did you know it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties?
It can be used to ‘treat anxiety, fungal infections, menstrual pain and nausea. In fact, the smell is said to be an effective sleep remedy, so is ideal to keep in the bedroom,’ Catharina adds.
Plants for feasting
The cold bite of winter doesn’t mean you have to give up on your homegrown dreams.
A fair few fruits and vegetables can survive the darkness of December and January if they are placed on a sun-facing window and watered little and often.
Catharina rounded up her top four:
- Chillies: Boasting high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants, chillies are the perfect addition to your winter diet. So, whether you’re a spice fiend or prefer a milder dish, there are many different varieties of chilli that can easily be grown at home.
- Basil: Britain’s most widely sold herb, is both pet-friendly and delicious – try adding to winter salads, soups and traybakes. Basil plants are easy to look after and will grow happily on a sunny windowsill. Pet-friendly with a fresh fragrance and a sure-fire way to boost the flavour of any dish – what more could you want from a houseplant?
- Tomatoes: From salads to soups and sauces, tomatoes are one of the handiest kitchens staples to have on hand and are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K, plus the antioxidant lycopene – which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease. They grow best in a warm, sheltered and sunny environment, so try investing in an ‘indoor’ greenhouse that can sit on your windowsill.
- Microgreens: Small in size but big on nutrients – containing up to 40% more phytochemicals (beneficial nutrients and components) than their full-grown counterparts. What better way to boost your well-being in the middle of winter?
Pet-friendly plants
Not all plants are safe for your fluffy little guys. Some can actually be toxic. If you’re worried, the leafy, striped spider plant is pretty much impossible to kill and produces adorable baby spider plants called ‘pups’. Which you can propagate to create an army of spider plants.
The spider plant is also great at filtering airborne toxins such as carbon monoxide and xylene.
If you prefer darker green, fan-shaped foliage then the lady palm is a great shout.
‘Non-toxic to pets, with a range of air purifying qualities, this is one of the few plants that can also reduce levels of ammonia, commonly found in a wide range of cleaning products,’ Catharine said.
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