Keep A Plant Blooming During these Winter Months
Brace yourselves. Winter is not coming, winter is HERE.
If you haven’t tuned in to Al Roker recently then let me give you an update on the “Siberian Express” that is barreling through pretty much the entire country. As much as I may complain, I recently shot a winter wedding, that was absolutely magical.
I have always had a love for all things green but during these winter months, there isn’t much that blooms. Despite this, I make a point to keep something blooming and alive throughout the winter season to give me hope that spring is coming and that there will be blooms again!
The Christmas Cactus is a Low Maintenance Option for a Winter Houseplant
A few years back I discovered the Christmas Cactus and learned the trick to keeping it alive. You see the trick is that you embrace its low maintenance nature. You absolutely do not water it until the soil is bone dry. Touch the dirt and you’ll be able to see if there is a lack of moisture. Then, and only then, do you water it.
About 2 months before you want to see the Christmas Cactus re-bloom, you allow it to get as dry as I mentioned. You should reduce the amount of light it’s exposed to by keeping it near a darker area for about 12 – 14 hours. And keep it in a cooler temperature area. During the winter, keeping it near a window when it’s cold outside works well.
You can find some more house plants that thrive during the winter months here! Taking care of plants along with in-home massages helps me keep healthy when I don't want to weather the winter storm outside!
The Health Benefits of Taking Care of A Living Plant
There is a spiritual strength that comes from keeping something alive and that strength is something we all need during the winter months. If you can keep a plant and treat it really well, watch it grow and thrive, you will experience a sense of pride.
And don’t knock that – keeping a plant that is completely dependent on you alive is an accomplishment. When I get a new plant and season by season watch it grow, I am proud! I told one of my brides, that she had to get a summer planter and keep it alive and take care of it for a season and if she did good, then she could have a baby! There is something calming and peaceful about a beautiful plant and the fact that you are its caretaker.
Ecotherapy: Nature Walks to Boost Mental Health
There are a couple of studies that suggest that living plants, like houseplants, can brighten up your disposition. This research discovered that houseplants reduce stress and even go as far as reducing pain and discomfort. A survey conducted back in 2013 discovered that 80% of subjects who reported gardening as a part of their consistent activities were more satisfied with their lives compared to 67% of people who didn’t work with plants inside or out. I feel like I’m living proof of this! Gardening has become a true passion of mine, and whenever I am feeling stressed or sad, it is a therapeutic outlet for me.
The science behind this is absolutely fascinating. Ecotherapy is a category of behavioral therapy that connects people with the natural world through gardening or nature walks. One group at the University of Vermont has recently proposed a study. In their research proposal they note how many students are entering college with previously diagnosed mental health issues. They’ve suggested placing flowering houseplants in high-traffic residence halls and lecture halls and studying their effects on the mental wellness of students.
I believe whole-heartedly that having a connection with nature (however small) can only be beneficial to a person’s mental wellness.
Always Make Healthy Choices...Vivian
