With winter’s arrival, the pleasures of outdoor gardening are left behind. Trees and perennial flowers have gone dormant, and the weather outside is less than inviting. At the same time, the holiday season can bring unwelcome guests like stress and depression. 

While outdoor gardening is no longer an option, you can create a lush green environment inside your home with indoor plants. Indoor plants offer many health benefits, among them improved mental resilience in stressful times. Indoor winter greenery can lift your spirits and decrease anxiety levels.  Umbrella Grow Light

Steps to create indoor greenery:

Most of our favorite indoor plants are of tropical origin, so winter’s shorter days can be a challenge for them. While some grow in shade in their natural habitats and do not require bright sunlight, limited sunlight can slow down the metabolism of your houseplants, causing some to go dormant. 

Providing as much light as possible will give your plants a boost. Here are some tips:  

To fertilize or not to fertilize?

Soil quality is a key to a successful indoor garden. You can start with a soil mix including compost or some organic fertilizer. A combination of organic soil with compost is a wonderful way to improve the growth of your plants. 

The soil of your potted plants is often completely depleted after the first season; to control this, use a quality organic fertilizer in spring and summer. 

Indoor winter temperatures can become a problem. Like us, houseplants are living organisms and susceptible to changes of temperature. If you are comfortable with your indoor temperature, your plants probably will be, too, but like you they are sensitive to drafts, excessive cold and overheating. To protect them:

Although repotting is essential for indoor plants’ health, do not do it during the winter short of an emergency. Plants can easily recover from repotting stress during the growing season, but winter is more of a challenge. 

Indoor plants are more than a decoration. They bring great benefits to you and your family, boosting your winter mood and improving air quality by filtering toxins and converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. 

Keep them healthy, and you will continue to enjoy your plants for years to come. 

Wireless Motion Sensor Light Jose German-Gomez is an environmental activist, Essex County certified master gardener and Montclair resident. He is the founder of the Northeast Earth Coalition.