Winters, especially in Montreal, can feel like they drag on forever. The seasonal changes – especially the prevalent lack of vitamin D from the sun – can affect our moods and our motivation, sending us through a bit of a bumpy ride as we await the early signs of spring. Lucky for us, household plants have been recommended as a natural improvement for living conditions during the winter months.
Not only can the cold weather outside be close to unbearable, but the insides of our apartments and dorms can also be suffering. It is expected that as the air outside becomes drier with the seasonal changes, so does the air inside. Studies have shown that keeping houseplants during the winter months can help purify and humidify indoor air (Montreal Gazette). This can help reduce susceptibility to various infections or illnesses by removing toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde (M Live). According to a NASA study, houseplants can reduce airborne bacteria and mold spores by at least 50 percent (M Live).
Not only can plants make your air more breathable, but tending to these plants can also have soothing effects on your mental health. Having a pop of color in your apartment during dark, gloomy winter days can improve your mood and remind you that spring is just around the corner. In multiple research studies at Washington State University, it was shown that the presence of growing plants could have a calming and positive effect on people (M Live). At the very least, plants can act as a new decorative item in your home or dorm.
Of course, there are restrictions to what plants can be well-tended to and live a healthy life indoors. According to Cameron Macdonald, the resident horticulture expert at Pointe-Claire Nursery Maison, there are a number of beautiful plants that can endure and even thrive in low-light and low-moisture conditions (Montreal Gazette). A couple of his favourite houseplants include orchids, which are known to be tough plants, only needing to be watered once a week. Orchids are thought of as a smart investment because they can last for up to three months.
Flowering bulbs, though not technically houseplants, are also recommended since they offer a wider variety of color in the form of tulips or daffodils among other flowers, which are sure to brighten any dark winter day. These last a shorter time span, only surviving for about a few weeks in indoor conditions.
Finally, a plant called the Golden Pothos, is a beautiful plant that is on NASA’s top 10 list for plants that clean the air (M Live). This plant is easy to grow and has low watering needs, which makes it great for beginners looking to keep plants in their homes.
With the winter still in full swing for at least another month, it’s a good idea to invest in some beautiful plants to help make this last home stretch of cold weather a little bit more bearable.
Sources:
http://www.mlive.com/living/jackson/index.ssf/2011/11/brighten_your_mood_and_home_wi.html
Images obtained from:
http://offbeathome.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/2011/05/orchids-plan…
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02850/bulbs_2850796b.jpg
http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/sites/rodalesorganiclife.com/files/ima…
http://www.youngs-garden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Sempervivum…