Nine Indoor Plants That Will Make Your Winter More Tolerable

Once the seasons start to change, particularly to colder weather, it's a common desire to cuddle up with a blanket and turn to the comfort of the great indoors. While staying inside sure has its perks—we're partial to cozying up by the fireplace and enjoying some fresh, homemade hot chocolate—gardening can fall by the wayside due to inhospitable weather, both for your plants and for you. But if you're itching to exercise your green thumb in the winter, know that you have options. There are a number of plants that can brighten up your space and bring you the beauty of your beloved blooms inside.

Plant growth may go dormant during the winter, but your garden doesn't have to. That's why we've rounded up some of the best indoor plants to tend to all year long. When gardening indoors, why not get creative with a tree that will pull double duty by livening up your home décor and offering up delicious fruit? A dwarf citrus plant is the perfect addition during this time of year—you can grow an orange, lemon, or lime tree with ease. Of course, there are also options if you're just looking for a touch of greenery. There is nothing like an indoor succulent garden. They're easy to care for, come in all shapes and sizes, and make for the perfect addition to your windowsill.

If you would like to practice your DIY skills to keep you busy, you can even create a terrarium full of succulents. No green thumb's required to bring this project to life—as it's pretty much a small, self-sustaining ecosystem that can function without intervention. The same goes for an air-purifying plant, like the Chinese Evergreen, which is easy to maintain since it can tolerate poor light and dry air. Ahead, explore more indoor plant ideas to add to your home for the winter season.

Want your home to feel a little more tropical? Grow some citrus. Plant a dwarf citrus tree in well-draining soil—the tree performs best when temperatures stay between 55 and 85 degrees; an average of 65 degrees is ideal. Position your plant beside a south-facing window with good airflow and water regularly without making the soil overly moist.

Low-maintenance and lovely to look at, succulents are a brilliant match for novice gardeners. For optimal growth, Todd Carr, former Martha Stewart Living senior garden editor suggests setting an array of succulents in full sunlight and refraining from the impulse to overwater. "Place a tray of pebbles and water underneath plants to maintain moisture," Carr says. 

"Create a green roof with ivy hanging plants to act as an elevated, aerial garden," Carr recommends. Ivy provides a cascade of color, so try varying the drop of your plant.

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. 

Not only is creating a mint garden simple, it also lets you reap the fruits of your labor. It's one of the more versatile herbs—as it can be grown indoors as easily as out.

Creating your own garlic garden will be the perfect way to make use of your time indoors this winter. Plus, the makings will be delicious. An indoor garlic garden creates sprouts or greens (the green tops of a bulb), and they taste great for a seasoning or garnish.

Indoor plants like the Chinese Evergreen are great since they are easy to maintain and also help keep your air clean. 

The Spider plant is worth investing in, too. This indoor plant rids your home of potentially toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

Step outside of the box with your indoor plants by going bigger than usual. Monstera plants are the ideal variety for homes as they are low-maintenance and only need regular sunshine and water once a week.