Houseplants for a Healthier New Year

 

Looking for a greener, healthier start to the new year. Consider incorporating houseplants into your indoor space. Houseplants can enhance your home's look, boost your mood, clean the air, and light up your room. All houseplants do this to a certain extent, and some excel at it.  Here are just a few of our favorites. 

 

Aglaonema – Aglaonema commutatum - an excellent choice for beginners as well as experienced plant owners. Aglaonema prefers bright to medium indirect light. It can adapt to low light, but the coloration may fade. If it does, move the plant to a brighter location with indirect light.    

 

Corn Plant –Dracaena fragrans - prefers medium to bright, indirect light to maintain leaf variegation. Leaves with less variegation, slow growth, and small new leaves indicate it is not getting enough light.   

 

Ficus trees offer lush greenery and help freshen indoor air. They appreciate steady light and humidity and can grow into impressive indoor specimens. 

Money Tree – Pachira aquatica - room temperature, bright, indirect light, water thoroughly, then let it dry out. Rotating the plant periodically helps ensure even growth. 

 

 

 

Monstera deliciosa iconic split leaves make it a popular décor choice, and its large leaf surface helps improve air quality while transforming a room with a tropical feel. 

 

Never Never Plant – ctenanthe spp - likes to be warm, bright indirect light, high humidity, evenly moist soil 

 

Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum spp. Peace lilies are not only elegant but also efficient at absorbing common household pollutants. They thrive in moderate light and reward you with striking white blooms. 

 

 

Pothos – Epipremnum aureum. A classic trailing plant, pothos is excellent at purifying the air while being nearly effortless to maintain. It’s ideal for shelves, hanging baskets, and low-light areas. 

 

Snake Plant – Sansevieria spp. Tolerant of low light and irregular watering, the snake plant is a tough, sculptural plant that quietly removes airborne toxins while producing oxygen even at night.  

 

Houseplants not only add beauty indoors, but they also create a healthier environment for you. You’ll notice that many of these plants will do well in low-light areas, meaning they'll grow in dorm rooms, offices, and those hard to grow spots at home.  

 

 

Even if you've not had much luck with houseplants before, we'd encourage you to try again. Start with some easier-to-grow Pothos plants or Aglaonema and grow from there.  

 

 

 

Buying houseplants and taking them home or to school or your office is a great way to get the new year started right; healthy and green.    

A Guide to Indoor Herb Gardening

 Winter in Colorado might seem like a challenging time for gardening, but growing herbs indoors can be a rewarding way to enjoy fresh flavors year-round. Here’s how to successfully cultivate your indoor herb garden during the colder months. 

 

 
Selecting the Right Herbs: Certain herbs thrive better indoors than others. Consider growing: 

 

-Basil: Prefers warm temperatures and plenty of light. 

 
-Parsley: Tolerates lower light but grows best with moderate sunlight. 

 
-Thyme: A hardy herb that adapts well to indoor conditions.

 
 
-Chives: Easy to grow and can tolerate some neglect. 

 

Pot size and soil: Choose pots that are at least 4-6 inches deep for most herbs, ensuring they have drainage holes to prevent water retention. A high-quality potting mix is essential; look for one that retains moisture while allowing good drainage. Adding perlite can enhance aeration and drainage. 

 

 

Light requirements: Light is critical for indoor herbs. Ideally, place your pots in a south-facing window where they will receive 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If natural light is insufficient, consider using grow lights. Position about 6-12 inches above the plants and provide 12-16 hours of light daily to mimic natural conditions. 

 
 
Watering: Indoor herbs often require less water than outdoor plants. Check the top inch of soil; water only when it feels dry. Make sure your pots have proper drainage to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. During winter, be mindful of the reduced evaporation rates due to lower humidity. 

 

 

Temperature and Humidity: Keep your indoor herbs in a consistent temperature range of 65°F to 75°F. Avoid placing them near drafts, heating vents, or cold windows. Indoor air can be dry during the winter, so consider using a humidity tray or small humidifier to maintain humidity levels, especially for moisture-loving herbs like basil. 

 

Pest Control: Despite being indoors, herbs can attract pests. Regularly inspect your plants for aphids, spider mites, or whitefly. If you find pests, wash the leaves with water or use insecticidal soap. Maintaining healthy plants through good care will help deter infestation. 

Fertilizing Your Herbs: Herbs generally need less fertilizer during the winter months. However, a diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks can promote growth.  Be cautious not to over-fertilize as this can lead to weak or leggy plants.  

 

 
Harvesting for Flavor: One of the joys of growing herbs indoors is the ability to harvest fresh leaves throughout winter. Regularly snip off leaves to encourage growth but avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to keep it healthy. 

 
Growing herbs indoors during the winter in Colorado is not only feasible but can also enhance your culinary experiences. By considering their light, watering, and care needs, you can enjoy a flourishing indoor herb garden, even in the coldest months. 

 
Happy indoor gardening!