6 Indoor Plants That Will Make Your Winter So Much More Tolerable

Bring the alfresco life inside with these beautiful and brilliant indoor gardening ideas from senior garden editor Todd Carr.

Consolidate a plethora of potted plants and trees to create a lush field. "Jade plants, snake plants, and ficus trees are particularly low-maintenance and simple to care for," Carr says. Want to feel a little more tropical? Go for some citrus.  

"If you have adequate light, a shelving unit with different plants can be very striking," Carr says. "Keeping plants where you can see them will also gently remind you to tend them," Carr explains. Martha's indoor flower brackets prevent water leakage by encasing plants in two pots: one with a hole for drainage, and one without.

Lateral thinking is all well and good for gardeners, but what about thinking vertically for a change? Carr suggests assembling a living wall using Woolly Pockets, which can be mounted on a wall to provide plants with a healthy environment for growth. Vertical planters made of wood, polymers, or recycled materials can also be purchased to achieve a lush garden wall. 

Nurture a minute, self-contained ecosystem within your home by building a terrarium or two. "Group terrariums of various shapes and sizes together to create a tableau," Carr suggests. 

Ornate and elegant, glass-enclosed wardian cases are a miniaturized rendition of the greenhouse. The multipaned structure originated in the 19th century to house fragile tropical plants such as orchids, yet the design is equally relevant today. A tray containing stratified gravel, charcoal, and potting soil serves as the flower bed's foundation and cultivates an excellent indoor environment for plants.