House plants can help bring nature indoors, even in times when nature goes dormant. With all of the cloudy weather and lack of green, winter at times can be pretty depressing. I’ve found that having an abundance of indoor plants has actually kept me smiling through the normal winter gloom. As much as I love snow, I love gardening more, so being able to continue using my green thumb keeps a smile on my face. I personally love house plants for their beautiful addition to my interior design.

Indoor plants enhance the overall appearance of almost any space. They become perfect embellishments for any maximalist interior designer, weaving through and growing in between existing accents. Even in a more minimalist, modern design, indoor plants can create a focal point and add to the clean aesthetic. I have rows of little terracotta pots lining my window sills, mimicking an interior window box of sorts in an area that would’ve traditionally been left bare. Plants in the bathroom can help to create a sense of serenity, and if done right, even give off a spa-like appearance.

**Blue Echeveria,** a species of *Echeveria*. A small succulent with a bluish tint to its leaves. Succulents are a popular choice for houseplants because of their low maintenance, cost, and funky shapes. Full Sun and light watering every month or so.

Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits, indoor plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen while simultaneously eliminating air pollutants. Certain plants like bromeliads, orchids and succulents are prone to release more oxygen at night, so it may help if you find yourself having a hard time catching some Zs, to place these plants in the bedroom. Since plants create oxygen, having plants inside will act as a natural air purifier, which in time will increase air quality and may help you recover from illness faster and even fend off a blocked nose. The Bamboo Palm, Ficus and Peace Lillies can help prevent allergies by eliminating compounds in the air released by synthetic fibers, hairsprays, household adhesives and those from chemical cleaning products. It’s even believed that indoor plants can work to improve the acoustics of your home.

Plants like ferns and air plants thrive in a moist and humid environment, so placing these plants in your bathroom, especially in the shower or bath will create effortless upkeep. In my apartment I have a stand-in shower with very clear glass, so I fastened some airplants to the glass using some suction cup claws to create some sense of privacy, while creating a unique space for these little plants to thrive. Although cut flowers aren’t technically indoor plants, I love to place bouquets of eucalyptus in the bathroom and even hang some from my shower head, which gives off the most calming aroma.

**Golden pothos,** a species of *Tongavines.* A popular flowering house plant that also gets called “devil’s ivy” because it is hard to kill and can grow in the dark. Grows best in moist soil so keep it watered. Beware! This plant is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested!

Indoor plants have their place at work too, various studies have shown that they reduce stress, increase creativity and boost moods. Adding plants to your desk and even communal spaces at work will brighten up the area and provide all of their benefits to the whole company. Even for those who work near a lack of windows, plants like the Snake Plant, ZZ Plant and various types of Pothos and Philodendrons can survive in low-lighted environments.

People who don’t have children or pets, very much like myself, can find a sense of purpose in caring for indoor plants. As we all know, even those with extensive outdoor gardens don’t have much to do during the off season, so house plants can be a real way to keep exercising the green thumb. Within the past year, I gave up my beautiful gardens at this farm house I was renting and moved into a small studio apartment downtown. I went from having perennial and vegetable gardens to not even one window box, so naturally I had to up my house plant count. I can confidently say that my 35+ collection of house plants has greatly benefitted my overall mood and heightened the aesthetic of my interior design. I love coming home in the winter to a happy little green space.