Just because cold, dreary weather has you stuck indoors doesn’t mean you have to forego all of the flowers and plants you delight in outside during the spring and summer.

Whether your indoor vegetation consists of plants you’ve brought in to protect from the elements or foliage you keep inside year-round, having plants inside provides warm weather cheer that livens up your space.

Follow these tips to keep plants thriving all winter long:

• Dry air may be your biggest enemy in keeping indoor plants healthy and happy during the winter months. Furnaces and other heating units deplete moisture from the air, leaving little for your plants to absorb. Water according to your plants’ specific needs (generally less during the winter months), and in between waterings, mist plants to keep the air humid.
  
  
• Pay careful attention to your plants’ lighting requirements. Remember that the angle of the sun varies by season, which may affect how it reaches your plants’ location, and rotate regularly to ensure the entire plant is able to soak up those much-needed rays.
  
  
• Avoid repotting, which can further stress plants adjusting to a new environment.

If you’re looking to expand your indoor “garden,” consider these varieties, which tend to excel in the house:

• African violet – Year-round blooms in a variety of colors, favors medium to bright lighting
• Peace lily – Large, white blooms and broad green leaves, tolerates lower light and humidity
• Jasmine – Fragrant, delicate flowers on a vine, prefers ample light and moisture
• Christmas cactus – Vibrant spray-like blooms, responds well to lower temperatures
• Orchids – Delicate solid and variegated blooms, minimal maintenance with moderate light and water needs

Surrounding yourself with lush greenery and fragrant, colorful blooms is a sure way to brighten your spirits and your indoor space. With a little care, you can bring a beautifully diverse garden inside to enjoy until the temperatures again make outdoor gardens accessible.

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