Why You Need Indoor Plants

January is thought by many to be the most depressing month of the year, and for good reason: it’s cold, dark and rainy much of the time—the perfect storm for an onslaught of the Debbie Downer’s. As a direct result, most of us are hibernating in our homes more than usual, so it’s important to make your space cozy and uplifting to help combat these winter blues. One of the best ways to do that? Add houseplants! There are several widely-held beliefs of the benefits of adding some green to your environment. Here are three of our favorites:

1. Breathe BetterStudies are further supporting the belief that houseplants can remove toxins from the air and improve indoor air quality. This becomes especially important during cold and flu season! Westwood Gardens carries some of the best air filtering plants to add to your home.
2. C'mon, Get HappyTending to plants allows us to vent our daily struggles into something productive and visually beautiful. No matter how you slice it, life isn’t easy for anyone, and indoor gardening is a wonderfully healthy way to process those feelings positively. Here’s one of our favorite indoor-planting activities for a particularly rainy/snowy week when you’re stuck inside.
3. Remember That?What was I doing? What did I come upstairs for? Most of us have a zillion tasks running through our brain at any given time, and it’s unlikely that this will change anytime soon. The solution? Add a few houseplants, perform your tasks in a more peaceful environment, and increase focus and productivity.

Exactly how many houseplants do I need for this magic to start happening, you ask? NASA studies (yes, that NASA) suggest 15-18 houseplants for an 1,800 square-foot house.[caption id="attachment_2091" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Pothos are one of the easiest houseplants to care for—and one of the best for purifying the air.[/caption][caption id="attachment_2095" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Aglaonema's bright color will lift your spirits during the winter season.[/caption][caption id="attachment_2097" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Give Dracaena a home in front of a sunny window and watch it flourish.[/caption]The good news? We house all of these beauties in our warm and toasty greenhouse, so get out of the cold and get a dose of warm with us!