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10 Indoor Plants to Boost Your Mood in the Cold Weather

Cold winter weather can make us feel down and out, but incorporating some greenery into our indoor spaces can help boost our moods and bring a touch of nature into our homes. Indoor plants not only improve air quality and add aesthetic appeal, but they can also positively impact our mental health. Here are ten indoor plants that can help improve your mood during the cold winter.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake plants are known for their air-purifying abilities and are also believed to reduce stress and anxiety. The Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria, is an extremely versatile and low-maintenance indoor plant. Not only is it known for its air-purifying abilities and helping to remove toxins from the air, but it also thrives in a wide range of light conditions, from low light to bright indirect light, which makes it perfect for any spot in your home. Additionally, it has been known to survive for weeks (if not months!) on end with little water, making it a great option for those who may forget to water their plants regularly.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Spider Plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is an easy-to-grow indoor plant known for its air-purifying abilities and ability to improve humidity levels in a room. They are also known for their unique and fascinating appearance, with long, arching leaves and small white flowers. They are especially known for the small "spiderettes" that grow on the end of long stems and can easily be propagated to create new plants.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a popular succulent plant that is known for its medicinal properties, as well as its ability to improve air quality. Aloe vera gel, found inside the leaves, is used to treat many skin conditions and can be taken orally as a dietary supplement. In addition, Aloe vera is a great air purifier; it helps remove formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. With little maintenance required, Aloe vera plants are a great addition to any household- they only need to be watered every two weeks or so!

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy, also known as Hedera helix, is a popular indoor plant known for its ability to improve air quality by reducing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, it reduces fatigue, headaches, and dry skin by increasing humidity in the air. As a climbing vine, it can be trained to grow on trellises, walls, or in hanging baskets, providing a natural, green way to add a decorative touch to any room. A very "traditional-looking" plant!

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston Fern, also known as Nephrolepis exaltata, is a beautiful and popular indoor or outdoor plant known for its delicate fronds and lush green foliage. It's particularly known for improving air quality by increasing humidity and removing pollutants. Additionally, it is believed to have natural mood-boosting properties and a calming effect, and also to be able to reduce stress levels. They typically prefer moist and shaded environments and require regular misting to thrive. Great for sunrooms!

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Chinese money plants are believed to bring good luck and positive energy to a space and are known for improving air quality. The Chinese Money Plant, also known as Pilea Peperomioides, is a popular indoor plant known for its round, coin-shaped leaves. They prefer moderate to bright indirect light, so it's best to keep them in areas with filtered light (like a kitchen window). They are also known to be relatively low maintenance and easy to care for.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lily, also known as Spathiphyllum, is a beautiful indoor plant known for its large, glossy green leaves and delicate white flowers. It's believed to have natural calming and soothing properties and to improve air quality by removing pollutants such as ammonia and formaldehyde. They prefer low to moderate light and consistent moisture levels, so they thrive in shady or dimly lit rooms. They are also known to be low maintenance and easy to care for, making them a great option for people new to plant care.

Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

The Weeping Fig, also known as Ficus Benjamina, is a popular indoor tree known for its elegant, drooping branches and glossy green leaves. They prefer bright, indirect light and consistent moisture levels and can grow quite large, up to 8-10 feet tall. It's important to find the right spot for your weeping fig. Choose a place that has bright but indirect light – a position a few feet from a window is ideal. Make sure the plant is not in a drafty spot or close to the heat of a radiator or heater in winter.

Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Gerbera Daisy, also known as Gerbera jamesonii, is a popular indoor plant known for its large, brightly-colored flowers in various hues, such as pink, red, yellow, orange, and white. They are believed to improve mood and reduce stress levels by providing a pop of color and cheer to any room. They prefer bright light and consistent moisture, making them a great option for sunny windowsills or well-lit rooms such as the kitchen. They have a moderate watering need and must be kept in well-drained soil to thrive.

Philodendron

Philodendron plants are known to improve air quality and are also believed to reduce stress and anxiety and promote feelings of calm and well-being. Philodendron is a popular indoor plant known for its large, glossy leaves and climbing or trailing habits. They are easy to care for and thrive in a wide range of light conditions, making them a great option for any room in the house. Some of the popular cultivars are Heart leaf, Cordatum, and Selloum. Some are climbing, and others are trailing, which can be great for hanging baskets and other containers. Incorporating indoor plants into our homes can positively impact our moods during the cold winter. These are all great options for improving air quality and reducing stress and anxiety and adding a little life to your home overwinter. Of course, it is important to research the care requirements for each species before making a choice, but many of them are low-maintenance plants that can add a touch of nature and color to any room in your home. Different plants work differently for different people, so it's always good to research the plants and choose the one you feel connected to. Stop into Red's Home & Garden this winter where you'll find a wide variety of indoor plants in our temperature-controlled greenhouse!   

6 Tips To Keep Your House Plants Alive During Summer

Summertime is a great season for houseplants and people. Both can enjoy warmer days and more hours of sunlight. Just as you do things to protect yourself from the heat and sun, your plants need that type of care too. Here are six summer plant care tips to keep your house plants alive during summer.

1. Make Watering Adjustments

Water is important for the survival of your plants. Like you, they also need more of it during the summer months. So, water your plants weekly and try to do it early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler. And if you know that a heat wave is coming, water them well so they won’t dry out. Also, don’t water too fast and make sure they absorb it all. Since water evaporates faster in hot weather, check your soil often. If it feels dry an inch or two down into the dirt, your plant needs water. If you notice dirt pulling away from the sides of the pot, that's a sign too. You can place rocks or mulch on top of the soil to help keep the moisture in.

2. Prevent Exposure To Direct Sunlight

Although bright sunny days are beautiful, too much sun can be harmful to your plants. Direct sunlight, especially midday, can burn their leaves and dry them out. To avoid this, angle window blinds away from your plants. You can use a sheer curtain to cover windows and provide some shade for them. Moving plants away from windowsills and more towards the inner part of the room also helps.

3. Maintain a Stable Environment

For indoor plants to survive, they need a stable environment. Extreme temperature changes are never good for them. Most houseplants originate from tropical areas and thrive in humidity. Be mindful of this while running your air conditioner, especially since they tend to dry the air out. You can combat this and provide the humidity your plants need by placing them near each other, misting them, turning on a humidifier, or placing pebble trays under their pots.

4. Look for Signs of Stress

It’s important to check your houseplants often for early signs of stress. This can show up when leaves wilt or fall off. They may also turn pale, and sunburned leaves will start turning yellow or brown. All these issues could be the result of too much heat, not enough water, or a bug infestation. By noticing these things early, you can correct the problem and protect your plants.

5. Fertilize, Prune, and Repot Carefully

Part of caring for your plants includes fertilizing, pruning, and repotting. But another one of the summer plant care tips is knowing when to do this. You should never fertilize, prune or repot a plant during extreme temperatures since your plant may be experiencing stress from the heat. All these activities can add to that stress, so it’s better to wait until it's cooler and your plant has recovered.  

6. Dust Your Leaves Often

As air pollutants increase in the summertime, so does the dust on your leaves. This can decrease the amount of light your plants can absorb and convert to food. Be sure to wipe your plants off every few weeks with a damp rag or wet paper towel.

Take Care of Your Plants

Your houseplants are living things and depend on you. Use these summer plant care tips to give them the care and protection they need. Are you looking for plant supplies or new plants to add to your home? At Red's Home & Garden we can help you find what you need. Come by and visit or call us at (336) 973-5521 and we will help you.

6 Tips To Keep Your Indoor Plants Happy All Winter Long

During the cold, dry months of winter, you've probably noticed that your houseplants struggle. Thanks to low-light conditions and a lack of humidity, it can be a challenge to keep your leafy friends looking their best. However, the following indoor plant tips can ensure that your plants look green and healthy throughout the winter season.

Increase Humidity

When the temperatures drop, you turn your home's heater on, which is good for keeping you warm and toasty but bad for the health of your plants. Your heating system dries out the air in your home, and most houseplants are tropical and prefer humidity. If you notice droopy or limp leaves, you need to find a way to increase the humidity in your home or at least in the vicinity of your plants.   There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can run the heat less often and utilize a humidifier, or you can place your plants' pots on a tray of pebbles covered in a shallow layer of water. As the water evaporates, it creates humidity that your plants will love.

Avoid Repotting

During the winter, your plants are working hard just to survive, so they become stressed and stop growing. This is normal and not a cause for concern, but you should avoid repotting your plants until the spring. Repotting in the winter adds even more stress and can be too much for even the hardiest of houseplants to handle. If you find a new pot at the store that you just have to have, either slide the plant, existing pot and all, into the new one or simply wait until conditions are better to repot.

Wait To Fertilize

In a similar vein, houseplants do not need fertilizer during the winter, since they are not pushing any new growth. Most plants that are kept in homes are native to other parts of the world and have adapted to conditions in which they do not have access to nutrients during a portion of the year. It can be tempting to want to feed your plants in the winter, especially if they start looking a little sad. However, be sure to hold off until spring when they're ready to take off again.

Check for Drafts

If you have plants on a windowsill or shelves near a window or door, be sure to check for drafts. The cold air can damage the plants and cause them to lose leaves or even die altogether. Remember that glass gets very cold in the winter as well, so make sure that no leaves are touching a window.

Cut Back on Watering

Overwatering your plants is just as bad, if not worse, than not watering enough. Excess water can lead to root rot and a mushy, dead houseplant. During the winter, your plants do not need nearly as much water as they did during the rest of the year. A good rule of thumb is to water your plant thoroughly and then wait until the top inch or so of soil is completely dry.

Find the Light

Because the days are shorter and your plants will have less light during the winter, you may need to move things around to give them as much light as possible. If you normally have them near a north-facing window, move them to a south or west-facing window so that they can soak up the sunlight and stay happy. These indoor plant tips should be enough to keep your collection of houseplants happy all winter long, whether you have one plant or 50. You'll be glad that you have something green to look at when it's cold and gray outside, so take good care of them! If you need a new plant, check out the selection at Red's Home & Garden.
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