Living, breathing, healthy plants boost the spirit like nothing else. Whether you consider yourself to have a green thumb or are just inching your way into the world of gardening, lets get inspiration and motivation for indoor garden growing.

Plants In Any Room

Healthy green plants help clean the air, lift your spirit and fill empty corners. Any room should have at least one green plant or pot of cheerful bulbs.

Sunny Windows

Have an open spot in front of a nice, sunny window? Don’t let it go to waste — put a big plant in front of it. Stands can help smaller plants get the maximum amount of light.

Low-Light Rooms

If your space does not get as much sun as you would like, don’t give up completely on houseplants. Visit a local nursery and ask what’s recommended for a low-light room. It’s true that if your room really gets zero natural light, a plant will not survive there, but if there is any sort of light, you may be able to get something to grow … and it’s well worth the effort to try.

Set Up An Indoor Potting Station

To make things easier for watering, repotting and generally caring for your houseplants, a little indoor potting station within reach can be a lifesaver. A sink in the mudroom or laundry room would be ideal, but the kitchen can work as well if you don’t have another option.

To set up your potting area, at minimum you will want some closed storage for bags of potting soil and tools, a shelf for extra pots and saucers, a work surface that you don’t mind getting dirty and access to a sink for water.

Get Creative With Containers

You don’t always need to use traditional indoor pots for your houseplants — why not try a rectangular planter, an urn or an outdoor container? Just be sure to use a tray beneath the pot or planter to protect your surfaces from water damage.

Keep Aloe On Hand

Wondering what one plant to buy first? Make it an aloe — they are easy to care for, and they are fabulous when you have a burn. Simply cut off a piece, slice it open lengthwise, and place the gel-covered interior directly on your burn.

Cluster Potted Plants and Blooming Bulbs Together

Grouping potted plants doesn’t just look charming, it is beneficial to the plants too. Keeping plants in close proximity to one another boosts humidity, helping the plants stay healthier and go a bit longer between watering.

Tables Make Great Plant Stands

Looking for more room to house your plants? Put a vintage side table or dining table to work. Even thrift store finds are charming when filled with potted greens.

Plant a Piece of Furniture

Ready to get really creative? Pull out drawers from an old cabinet or dresser, line the interiors with waterproof plastic, fill them with soil and pop in a few plants. This can be a wonderful way to give new life to an old piece that is too rundown to use for its intended purpose.

February is a time of year for at home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family. Here are some ideas to add to your to-do list this month, from the necessary to the just-for-fun. 

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

Rotate Your Mattress

Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life and comfort.

Pack Up Old Sheets and Towels To Donate

If you bought new sheets or towels during January white sales, make some room by letting go of an old set or two. Homeless shelters and some churches will accept donations of bedding and towels in good condition, and animal shelters are often in need of towels. Really worn linens can be cut up and used as rags or dropped in a textile recycling bin.

Clean Entryway Floors

If winters are cold where you are, road salt and melting snow can mean entryway floors take a beating. Pick up clutter and give the floors a good mopping.

To keep floors looking their best between cleanings, stash a few old towels in a basket near the door to wipe up messes.

Keep Sidewalks and Entryways Free of Ice and Snow  

Ice and snow can make walkways dangerous for visitors. Aim to shovel snow promptly, and sprinkle gravel, straw or wood chips to provide traction. Frequent light shoveling is better than letting the snow build up. And if you plan to be away during an expected winter storm, hire someone to clear the sidewalk and front steps of your home while you’re gone. Your neighbors and mail carrier will thank you.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Cook to Stock Up Your Freezer

A few hours of cooking on a weekend can produce major dividends if you focus your efforts on big-batch suppers that can be frozen and reheated later.

Knowing that you have homemade soup, stew, chili or casseroles in the freezer makes facing weeknight dinners much less stressful. Just add crusty bread and a simple salad and dinner will be ready in no time.

Organize Bookshelves

Pull out volumes that you didn’t enjoy or are finished with and sell or donate them, leaving a bit of extra room on each shelf for new titles. And if you get distracted by beloved old books you had forgotten about, just roll with it. After all, there are few better places to spend a winter afternoon than in a comfortable chair with a good book.

Refresh Your Movie-Watching Zone

Winter is a good time to catch up on movies you missed in the theater or to binge-watch your favorite shows. So why not make your movie-watching zone as comfy and cozy as possible? Start by vacuuming the floors and upholstery (using a vacuum attachment) and clearing away clutter. Next, assess your collection of movies and games, donating extras to charity. Finally, make sure there are plenty of comfortable pillows and blankets and lighting that can be dimmed.

Boost Warmth

Stay toasty and save on energy bills by blocking drafty doors with door sweeps or door snakes and warming up with rugs, throws and duvets. For even more energy savings, shut doors to unused rooms, move furniture away from heating vents and close the chimney flue when it’s not in use.

Check Bathrooms for Moisture, Mildew and Mold

It can be hard to give bathrooms enough ventilation when the house is closed up tight for winter.

Unfortunately, that buildup of moisture can lead to mildew or even harmful mold. Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to grout, the ceiling and any other areas showing signs of excess moisture.

Clean The Dryer Vent 

Having the buildup of lint cleaned from your dryer vent at least once a year is essential to keeping your dryer working efficiently and preventing a potential dryer fire. In winter, snow can block the exterior vent, so take a walk outside your home to inspect the vent and remove snow or debris if needed.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget For

Start Planning For A Spring or Summer Home Sale

If you’re considering putting your home on the market this year, it’s a good idea to start the process now. Set a timetable, interview potential real estate agents and make a list of projects that need to get done to help your home show well.

Indulge in Weekly Fresh Flowers

With Valentine’s Day happening this month, the markets will be filled with fresh flowers at good prices. Treat your home to a bouquet of flowers once a week to add a little cheer — spring may still be a ways off, but that doesn’t mean your dining table can’t look like a garden in bloom!