Wild Life with photographer Bertie Gregory

Hardy Greens

Our plants and flowers have now fully died or gone into dormancy for the year, but are patiently awaiting the longer days and warmer temperatures.   I can for sure say, that I’m in the same boat as the plants.  But what if you don’t want to wait until spring to get your thumbs green again? We all know that plants help filter our air, while flowers give us a touch of colour to our eyes and sweet scents to our noses.

The best thing one can do is to have plants in the home.  It gives us the feeling of nature, spring and greenery, but often, because the lack of daytime hours in the day, our indoor plants don’t get enough light and will often shrivel up and die.

Whether your have a green thumb or not, I have collected some hardy indoor plants that will thrive through the winter months even though they may lack light on today.com and bhg.com

1.  Spider Plant
   Why you want it: These unusual-looking indoor plants add visual interest to a room, and they haven’t fallen out of fashion after years of popularity in the home. Spider plants come in a number of varieties, and work well as hanging plants.  How to care for it: Spider plants do well with evenly moist soil and bright or medium lighting conditions. Room temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees keep them thriving.
2. Rubber Tree
   Why you want it: This easy-to-grow indoor house plant will grow into an 8-foot-tall tree for a major pop of greenery in a room. If you prefer a smaller plant, just make your rubber tree into a shrub shape by pruning any long stems. The dark green leaves have an attractive shine to them.  How to care for it: Allow the surface of the rubber tree’s soil to dry out in between watering. It thrives in lighting conditions from medium to bright, and a range of room temperatures between about 60 and 8o.

   

   Alexander Walter/Stone/Getty Images

3. Peace Lily
   Why you want it: Surely you’ve seen this indoor house plant in many homes, since it has such pretty, curving white blooms and dark leaves — and it’s super easy to grow.  How to care for it: This house plant favors low humidity and also low light, making it great for rooms with few windows. It prefers moist soil throughout the pot and tolerates standard temperatures ranging to about 85 degrees.
4. Snake Plant
   Why you want it: It doesn’t get much easier than this indoor house plant—also sometimes known as mother-in-law’s tongue! It has variegated leaves that grow upright, and some varieties’ leaves have yellow or white edges. It has small white flowers that bloom only rarely.  How to care for it: This indoor plant grows well in a whole range of lighting conditions. The air should be somewhat dry, as should the soil. Any normal room temperature should suit it just fine.
5. Peperomia Plant
   Why you want it: Peperomias are a diverse group of small houseplants with waxy and often highly textured leaves. Red-edge peperomia (pictured) has a narrow band of red surrounding a wide creamy leaf margin. Other peperomias we love include ripple peperomia, watermelon peperomia, baby rubber plant, and silver-leaf peperomia.  How to care for it: Low to medium light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings
6. ZeeZee Plant
   Why you want it:  Sometimes called eternity plant because it lasts so long, succulent ZeeZee plant tolerates low light and neglect. The thick, fleshy leafstalks are so durable that you might even think it’s plastic. It is a slow grower, so purchase a large plant if you want a big specimen. Cut stems remain green and healthy in appearance for several weeks, even without water.  How to care for it: Low to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil to dry between waterings

Just a few of my suggestions to help those who are wanting to bring some greenery into their homes over winter, but may not have the greenest green thumb.  Do you have favourite house plans that make it in your home through winter like they are already in their utopia?  Share with us your favourite house plants!