These Indoor Plants Will Boost Your Mood for the Winter Months

The winter months mean a mental slump for many of us, especially in locations where sunlight is more limited. Canadians know this more than most. A good way to help fight against the winter blues is to keep your home environment serene and full of positivity. In general, houseplants will help improve your home’s air quality, and likely your mood, too! But not all indoor plants are created equal when it comes to their effects on your mental health. Here are some of the 10 best indoor plants that will improve your mood in the winter.

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Basil

Linalool, a major chemical component in basil, is a natural stimulant that helps wake you up. In aromatherapy, it’s often used to help fight anxiety and depression, making basil, which contains approximately 17 per cent linalool, a great choice to help fight the winter SADs.

A peace lily plant in a white pot by a window

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Peace Lily

Beyond their name, which already envokes a zen and happy feeling, peace lily plants are known to remove toxins from the air, including mold and strong chemical scents. This promotes a cleaner, happier environment in your home.

A hand holding up a potted rosemary plant

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Rosemary

The scent of rosemary or rosemary oil is known to have therapeutic benefits. It can help calm the nervous system, relieving stress and anxiety and helping to generally boost your demeanour. Plus, it’s the perfect plant for any foodie since you can cook with this tasty herb (like this Rosemary Maple Cornbread, for example).

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Jade Plant

With its penchant for bringing good luck, the jade plant is a great addition to any home this wintertime. It can also be said to bring wealth and fortune, so it’s especially helpful in business. This is one plant that will make you smile to have it in your home.

A potted purple orchid in a neutral grey living room

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Orchid

Orchids are a particularly magical plant, and their benefits are abundant. They’re great air purifiers and known to have mental health benefits as well, relieving stress. They’re even said to help with loneliness and depression.

Small lucky bamboo plant in blue pot in palm of someone's hand

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Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is said to bring good fortune and positive energy in Chinese tradition. The number of stalks your bamboo has represents different things, like two stalks for love and six to attract wealth. Fill your home with the manifestations you desire with this plant!

A potted fern plant in a white pot on a wooden dresser with a record player

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Fern

Ferns are among some of the best air purifiers in the plant world, making the air in your home cleaner and fresher. They can also help those who suffer from dry throats and stuffy noses during the wintertime, which is sure to boost your mood (whether you’re aware of it, or not).

A table with various potted indoor houseplants

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Snake Plant

Snake plants are one of the most popular indoor plants, and for good reason! They’re beginner-friendly, which means you won’t easily kill them (the most depressing event for a burgeoning plant parent). They’re also known to be good for a home’s feng shui. They’re best kept at the entryway of a home to ward off bad energy.

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Aloe Vera

Another favourite for houseplant parents is aloe vera. It’s a hardy plant that has many uses, like using its gel to soothe skin ailments. It’s also said to help with stress and headaches, and has strong air-purifying qualities.

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Pothos

One unexpected benefit of pothos plants is that they can help ease eye irritation (that can be especially inflamed after a long winter day staring at computer and phone screens). Pothos is beautiful and fast-growing, making it a plant that likely will make you smile as you watch it grow!