As the new year unfolds, many of us are looking for ways to refresh our living spaces and create a cozier atmosphere, and there's no better way to do so than with plants! Not only does fresh greenery add the soothing touch of Mother Nature to our indoor environments, but it also has a myriad of benefits for our physical and mental health. In this guide, we'll explore some trending indoor plants in Salt Lake City that'll transform any space into a calming and stylish indoor oasis.
Benefits of Indoor Plants for the New Year
Here's why you need more plants this winter:
Create a Cozy Atmosphere: Indoor plants have the magical ability to transform any space into a warm and inviting sanctuary. Holiday plant decor adds a natural element that resonates with our desire for comfort and relaxation, especially during the colder months.
Enhance Home Decor: Indoor plants serve as living decor elements, effortlessly enhancing different styles and color schemes and accentuating the overall aesthetic of your home.
Thrive Indoors During Winter: The winter months are an ideal time to focus on nurturing and caring for your indoor green companions. While our outdoor landscapes are covered in snow, our indoor plants continue to thrive, providing a visual reminder of life and growth that helps boost our mood during the cold, desolate Utah winter.
Trending Indoor Plants for Cozy Home Decor
Here are some of our top indoor plant picks for 2024 and why we love them:
Philodendron Giganteum ‘Blizzard’
A visually-stunning choice for those seeking a rare and captivating philodendron variety, the ‘Blizzard’ boasts large, paddle-like leaves with a unique variegation pattern. It flourishes in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it an ideal indoor plant companion for any well-lit area of your home.
Alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’
The alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’ showcases dark green, textured leaves resembling dragon scales, adding a touch of exoticism and intrigue to your space. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
Monstera Subpinnata
Known for its deeply-lobed leaves and intricate, vine-like growth pattern, the monstera subpinnata offers a more delicate and intricate look than traditional monstera varieties. Give it bright, indirect light and moderate humidity, and you'll have a plant partner that'll get you through even the coldest, darkest winter day! Make sure you check out our monstera care tips to keep these greens healthy!
String of Turtles
The aptly named String of Turtles is a trailing succulent with small, round leaves resembling turtle shells. It looks stunning in hanging baskets or as a cascading element on shelves, and thrives in moderate to bright indirect light and well-draining soil.
Monstera ‘Albo’
The monstera ‘albo’ features large, fenestrated leaves with striking white variegation and is highly sought-after for its elegant and eye-catching appearance. It requires bright, indirect light and a well-balanced watering routine.
Calathea Orbifolia
Easily recognizable thanks to its large, round leaves with silver-green stripes, the calathea orbifolia offers a unique and elegant look that's perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your home. It enjoys bright, indirect light and consistently-moist soil.
Hoya Carnosa ‘Krimson Princess’
The koya ‘krimson princess’ features stunning cascading vines adorned with green and pink-tinged leaves that make it ideal for hanging baskets or as a trailing element on shelves. It flourishes in bright, indirect light and well-aerated soil.
Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’
Featuring heart-shaped leaves with shades of green and pink, the ‘pink princess’ philodendron is highly sought-after for its eye-catching coloration and aesthetic appeal. It requires bright, indirect light and a well-balanced watering routine for the best results.
Red Prayer Plant
This variety of prayer plant features distinctive red veins on its leaves that fold upward at night, resembling praying hands. This adds a touch of movement and interest to your indoor garden. It enjoys nothing more than bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil.
ZZ ‘Raven’
A unique cultivar of the ZZ plant, the ZZ ‘raven’ boasts dark, almost black, foliage and is renowned for its resilience and ability to thrive in low-light conditions. It requires minimal watering, making it an excellent houseplant for beginners!
Winter Plant Care Tips for a Cozy Home
Utah's dry winter air can make caring for your new greenery a bit of a challenge, so be sure to follow these care tips to keep your houseplants happy and healthy:
Ensure Proper Lighting: Because winter often means limited sunlight, you may want to place your plants closer to windows to maximize the natural light. Alternatively, you can supplement your indoor plants with artificial grow lights to meet their energy needs.
Adjust Watering Frequency: Winter's lower temperatures generally mean your indoor plants will require less water. Be mindful of their soil's moisture levels and water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so moderation is key.
Monitor Humidity Levels: Indoor heating systems can reduce your home's humidity levels, affecting certain plants, especially tropical ones. To counteract this, increase humidity by placing a shallow tray of water near your plants or by misting them regularly.
Protect from Drafts: Cold drafts can harm certain plants, so keep yours away from any drafty windows or doors, as sudden temperature changes can stress them out!
Indoor Plant Trends to Watch in the New Year
Here are a few indoor plant and home decor trends we're excited to see gain traction in 2024:
Biophilic Design: As the connection between nature and mental well-being continues to gain recognition, we expect the trend of incorporating more natural elements into interior design to continue with even greater force, making now a great time to stock up on new plants!
Rare and Unique Varieties: Plant collectors and enthusiasts are currently seeking out rare and unique plant varieties to add a distinctive touch to their collections. Keep an eye out for uncommon species that stand out, and keep checking in with us at Millcreek Gardens for new arrivals to stay ahead of the crowd!
Large Statement Plants: Using large plants as focal points in interior design is becoming trendier and trendier, and for a good reason. Statement plants like the fiddle leaf fig, rubber trees, or bird of paradise’s add drama and a sense of grandeur to a space, making them the perfect living focal points for larger rooms in your home.
Succulents: With their resilience and varied aesthetics, succulents remain a staple of indoor gardens in 2024. Versatile and water-wise, they add a modern touch, whether in stylish containers, centerpieces, or wall gardens.
We hope you're getting excited to start collecting some indoor plants of your own for the new year, and we're here to help you grow your green family. For all your plant and plant care needs—or just some friendly plant talk—come visit us at Millcreek Gardens today!