Brighten Up Your Winter with Houseplants Washington winters can feel gloomy. It’s easy to fall into the seasonal slump, but there’s an easy solution to bring a little life and light back into your home— houseplants!
GRACE RICH Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board & Daphne Park Resident
Despite the misconception that houseplants can be too difficult to maintain, I’m here to share five easy-to-grow plants to bring home this winter that will not only thrive indoors but also brighten up any room with fresh, cheerful energy. I hope this quick guide inspires you to pick your next houseplant this winter! While plants can seem intimidating at first, many are surprisingly low-maintenance and easy to handle. They add instant color, life and a touch of joy to any room. Happy planting!
PHILODENDRON
Starting off with one of the most common houseplants, the Philodendron is simple to care for indoors and boasts hundreds of species. Their bright green color easily brightens up every space. Many varieties naturally trail downward, making them perfect for hanging pots or high shelves. Philodendrons are super simple to propagate*. Be sure to fertilize them once every month in the spring and summer. Sunlight: Philodendrons flourish in bright, indirect light, but they can also adapt to lower-light areas, making them ideal for homes where sunny days are scarce. Avoid direct sunlight. Water: Water about once a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. You will know your Philodendron is thirsty when its leaves begin to curl slightly.
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Toxicity: These plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which may cause irritation to humans and pets if ingested.
DRACAENA TRIFASCIATA
Next up is the Dracaena trifasciata, better known as the snake plant. This hardy houseplant is perfectly suited to Washington’s dim winter days, thriving in low to moderate light and requiring very little care. These plants are also super easy to propagate. Snake plants live long due to their ability to endure tough environmental circumstances. Sunlight: Snake plants prefer indirect light. They tolerate low-light corners better than most houseplants, making them perfect for spots away from windows or in rooms with filtered light. Water: These plants can go long stretches without water. Water every 2–4 weeks, allowing the soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent root rot*.
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Toxicity: It contains compounds called saponins that can cause mild irritation if ingested by humans or pets.
*Key Terms: • Propagate: This refers to cutting a stem from the original plant in order to grow a new plant of the same species. • Root rot: This is a condition caused by overwatering, which damages the plant’s roots and can ultimately lead to its death.
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COMMUNITY CONNECT | WINTER 2026