12 Houseplants That Keep Your Home Feeling Fresh All December
Bringing greenery into your home during the winter months can create a refreshing atmosphere, especially when the cold weather makes everything feel dull. Many houseplants not only add beauty to your space but also help purify the air and provide soothing scents. Whether you want vibrant blooms, fragrant flowers, or air-purifying qualities, the right plants can make your home feel cozy and fresh throughout December.
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Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus is a popular holiday plant, often seen with vibrant blooms in shades of red, pink, or white. This plant thrives in cooler indoor temperatures, making it a great fit for the winter season. It enjoys indirect light and should be placed in an area with moderate sunlight. The Christmas cactus prefers slightly cooler temperatures, typically between 50°F to 55°F, especially during the blooming period, to encourage its flowers to open. To maintain healthy growth, water the plant when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
The plant blooms more freely when it is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. While the Christmas cactus is low-maintenance, it benefits from being kept in a humidity-friendly environment. If your home is particularly dry during the winter months, consider placing the plant near a humidifier or on a tray filled with water and pebbles to boost the humidity. This will help keep the plant fresh and encourage vibrant blooms. With the right care, your Christmas cactus can provide a burst of color throughout December and beyond.
English Ivy
English Ivy is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in cooler indoor temperatures, making it an excellent option for December. It is well-known for its air-purifying properties, helping to reduce toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air. English Ivy can be placed in indirect sunlight, and it prefers a cool environment with temperatures between 50 and 65°F. For optimal growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and ensure the pot has good drainage. English Ivy also benefits from regular misting to maintain humidity, especially in dry winter months.
To maintain the plant’s health and appearance, trim the vines regularly to prevent them from becoming too unruly. This will also encourage fresh growth. English Ivy is versatile and can be grown as a hanging plant or used to cascade from shelves or decorative containers. Its trailing vines create a lush, green atmosphere in any room. As an added benefit, English Ivy requires minimal care, making it a great option for beginners looking to improve the air quality and aesthetic of their home during the colder months.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is an excellent choice for keeping your home fresh throughout December due to its air-purifying qualities. This hardy plant removes toxins like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air, contributing to a cleaner, healthier indoor environment. It thrives in cooler temperatures and indirect sunlight, making it perfect for winter. Spider plants are relatively easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering. Let the soil dry out between waterings, as overwatering can cause the roots to rot. Place your spider plant in an area with bright, indirect light, and it will flourish throughout the season.
In addition to its air-purifying properties, the spider plant adds visual appeal with its long, arching leaves and small white flowers. It is also known for producing “pups” or baby plants that can be propagated to grow new spider plants. These offshoots add to the plant’s charm and allow you to expand your collection. Spider plants thrive in hanging baskets or elevated pots, where their long leaves can spill over and create a graceful cascade. For a plant that’s both decorative and functional, the spider plant is a great addition to any indoor space during the winter months.
Poinsettia
Poinsettias are a holiday classic that adds a pop of color to your home throughout December. These plants bloom with vibrant red, white, or pink leaves, making them perfect for the festive season. While they are typically associated with Christmas, they can be enjoyed throughout the winter months. Poinsettias thrive in temperatures between 65 and 70°F, making them suitable for most indoor environments. To keep them healthy, ensure they receive indirect light and water them when the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting the plant sit in water, as this can cause root rot.
In addition to their bright colors, poinsettias are also great for adding a touch of elegance to any room. However, they do require careful attention to their water needs, as too much or too little water can cause the plant to wilt. Poinsettias do not like drafts, so keep them away from cold windows and heating vents. By providing the right care, you can enjoy their beauty throughout December and even into the new year, as long as they are kept in a relatively warm and bright space.
Amaryllis
The Amaryllis is a stunning winter-blooming plant that adds dramatic flair to any home. Known for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers, the Amaryllis blooms in shades of red, white, or pink, offering a festive touch for December. These plants thrive in cooler indoor temperatures and require indirect sunlight to grow. To care for your Amaryllis, place it in a bright area and water it when the top of the soil feels dry. Ensure the pot has good drainage, as the plant is prone to root rot if overwatered. The flowers can last for weeks, creating a long-lasting winter display.
Amaryllis bulbs are often sold pre-planted in a pot, making them an easy addition to your home during the holidays. After the flowers bloom, the foliage will continue to grow, adding a refreshing green touch to your space. If you want to keep the plant around for future seasons, allow the bulb to rest after blooming, and then replant it in a fresh pot for the next cycle. With minimal care and attention, Amaryllis plants can provide a striking, colorful display that will brighten your home during the colder months.
Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant and soothing plant that thrives indoors throughout December. Known for its calming scent, it is perfect for creating a peaceful atmosphere in your home during the winter season. Lavender prefers cooler temperatures, ideally between 60 and 65°F, making it suitable for indoor conditions during the colder months. This plant requires plenty of sunlight, so place it near a south-facing window or under a grow light for the best results. Water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
Beyond its delightful fragrance, lavender is also known for its air-purifying qualities. It helps freshen the air in your home while promoting relaxation and stress relief. Lavender can also be used in various DIY projects, such as making sachets or infusing oils. For a fresh and fragrant home, lavender offers both beauty and utility during December and beyond. Be sure to trim the plant regularly to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, is a tough and low-maintenance plant that thrives in cooler temperatures. It is particularly effective at purifying the air, removing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. Snake plants are ideal for low-light environments and can survive in areas with minimal sunlight, making them perfect for homes that experience limited winter sunlight. To care for your snake plant, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. This plant is highly tolerant of neglect, so you don’t have to worry about frequent attention, making it a great option for those new to indoor gardening.
Snake plants also feature attractive, upright leaves that add a sleek and modern touch to any space. They can be placed in small pots on a table, or in larger planters on the floor to fill empty corners. Snake plants are also known for their ability to improve air quality at night, as they continue to produce oxygen while you sleep. Whether you place it in your living room or bedroom, the snake plant is an easy and stylish way to keep your home feeling fresh throughout December.
Jasmine
Jasmine is a fragrant flowering plant that can make your home smell sweet and inviting during the winter months. Its delicate white or yellow flowers are known for their pleasant, calming aroma, which is perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere. Jasmine thrives in bright, indirect light and cooler temperatures, making it a great addition to any room in December. Water it regularly, but ensure the soil drains well to prevent overwatering. Jasmine also benefits from occasional misting, as this helps maintain humidity levels, which is especially important in dry winter environments.
In addition to its lovely fragrance, jasmine also has air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from the air. Its small flowers bloom throughout winter, offering a burst of brightness and fragrance that can lift your spirits during the colder months. Jasmine is a low-maintenance plant that, with the right care, will continue to thrive and enhance your home throughout the season.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is an elegant and easy-to-care-for plant that can brighten any home during December. Known for its beautiful white blooms and glossy green leaves, it thrives in lower light conditions, making it perfect for indoor spaces that may not get much sunlight in winter. Peace lilies are also known for their air-purifying properties, helping to remove harmful toxins such as ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde. To care for your peace lily, keep the soil moist but not soggy, and water it when the top layer of soil feels dry. Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water, as this can cause root rot.
In addition to its air-purifying benefits, the peace lily is a great way to add a touch of elegance and tranquility to your home. Its flowers last for weeks, and its dark green foliage remains vibrant throughout the season. Peace lilies do well in cool environments, making them an excellent choice for a fresh indoor plant during the colder months. Regular misting and proper care will keep the peace lily thriving throughout December.
Areca Palm
The areca palm is a stunning indoor plant that can bring a tropical feel to your home even during the winter months. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers temperatures between 65 and 75°F, making it ideal for indoor conditions in December. The areca palm also improves indoor air quality by removing toxins and adding moisture to the air, which is especially helpful during dry winter months. To keep the plant healthy, water it regularly, but ensure the soil has proper drainage. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so make sure the pot is not sitting in water.
Areca palms are known for their feathery fronds that add a touch of elegance and freshness to any room. They are low-maintenance plants that can grow quite tall, making them perfect for filling corners or adding greenery to empty spaces. Whether placed in a living room or hallway, the areca palm provides a lush and tropical atmosphere that helps keep your home feeling fresh all December.
Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm is a great indoor plant for improving air quality and adding a refreshing touch to your home during the winter months. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions, making it suitable for spaces with less sunlight during December. Bamboo palms are known for their ability to remove indoor pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. To care for your bamboo palm, water it regularly, but allow the top layer of soil to dry before watering again. Be careful not to overwater, as this can cause root rot.
In addition to its air-purifying qualities, the bamboo palm adds a tropical feel to any room with its feathery, arching leaves. It is a low-maintenance plant that grows slowly, making it perfect for those looking for a plant that requires little attention. The bamboo palm can be placed in various indoor spaces, including living rooms, bedrooms, or offices, where it will thrive and help keep your home fresh throughout December.
Gardenia
Gardenias are known for their beautiful white flowers and fragrant aroma, making them an ideal choice for adding a touch of freshness to your home during December. These plants thrive in cooler temperatures, making them well-suited for indoor environments during the winter months. Gardenias prefer bright, indirect light and require consistent moisture, so water them regularly, allowing the soil to remain slightly moist. They also prefer high humidity, which can be increased by placing the plant on a tray filled with water and pebbles or using a humidifier.
The striking appearance of gardenia flowers, combined with their rich fragrance, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in any room. Gardenias do require some attention, including occasional pruning to maintain their shape and remove any dead blooms. However, with the right care, these plants can offer a burst of color and fragrance throughout December, brightening your home during the winter months.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.