As the leaves start to turn and temperatures dip across the UK with today marking the first official day of autumn, our desire to create a warm, cosy indoor space grows. Autumn invites rich textures, soft lighting, and a snug atmosphere, but one often overlooked way to enhance that autumnal feeling is with indoor plants.
The plant experts from Beards & Daisies explain how adding houseplants this autumn is an easy, effective way to make your home feel cosier and healthier, along with their top plant recommendations for the season.
Connor Towning, Lead Horticulturist at Beards & Daisies comments that “bringing nature inside not only enhances the aesthetic of your home, but it can also provide scientifically proven benefits, particularly during the colder, cosy months.”
Warm Up Your Space: Why Indoor Plants Are the Key to a Cosy Autumn
Humidity and Warmth
With the colder weather comes the use of heaters, which can significantly lower humidity levels in your home. This dryness can lead to discomfort, causing dry skin, irritated sinuses, and an overall feeling of stuffiness. Plants release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. The added humidity makes your living space feel warmer and more comfortable.
Jo, founder of Beards & Daisies and author of the houseplant guide ‘The Unkillables‘ states that “many people overlook how effective plants are at balancing humidity levels in the home. During autumn, when the air gets drier, plants act as natural humidifiers, making your home not only feel warmer but also healthier.”
As we spend more time indoors with windows closed, our exposure to indoor pollutants can increase. NASA’s Clean Air Study found that certain plants can remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia from the air if you have enough of them.
Plants such as the Snake Plant (Sansevieria) or a Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) act as natural air purifiers, filtering harmful substances while also adding moisture to dry indoor air. This can be especially beneficial in autumn, when heating systems kick in and can leave your home feeling dry and stuffy.
Plants Reduce Stress and Improve Well-being
The psychological benefits of houseplants have been well documented. Research published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology shows that interacting with plants can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall well-being. As the days grow shorter and darker, the simple act of nurturing a plant can give a sense of purpose and connection to nature, boosting your mood.
Adding greenery to your home can create a calming sanctuary, offering a mental escape from the hectic world outside. In autumn, when ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)’ becomes more prevalent due to reduced sunlight, houseplants offer a tangible way to combat these feelings of gloominess.
Enhancing Your Autumn Décor
Houseplants also serve as versatile décor items. The vibrant green tones of plants can be paired beautifully with autumnal colours like burnt orange, deep reds, and golden yellows. Whether you opt for larger statement plants like monstera or a collection of smaller ones like succulents, they will bring a fresh and organic element to your autumn décor.
“Houseplants can easily be integrated into your seasonal decorations,” Jo, founder of Beards & Daisies suggests. “Try placing a few trailing plants on a bookshelf or adding a large potted fern next to a cosy reading nook. Not only will it look great, but it will create a sense of warmth and life that’s hard to replicate with other décor.”
Plants that Thrive in Autumn
If you’re new to indoor gardening or unsure which plants will thrive during the colder months, there are several low-maintenance options perfect for autumn. Consider plants like:
- ZZ Plant: A resilient plant that thrives in low light and needs minimal water.
- Snake Plant: A hardy, low-maintenance houseplant, it can easily handle the occasional bit of neglect. NASA has even ranked it among the top plants for improving indoor air quality.
- Prayer Plant: The Prayer Plant thrives in autumn as it enjoys the gentle light and steady indoor conditions of the season.
- Spider Plant: This fast-growing plant is known for its air-purifying properties and is easy to care for.
- Fiddle Leaf Fig: This plant loves the season’s bright, indirect light and steady indoor warmth, helping it stay lush when outdoor greenery fades.
- String of Hearts: The String of Hearts is perfect for autumn since it flourishes with softer sunlight and drier air, making it an easy, trailing touch of greenery. (Jo’s top tip: add this hanging plant to a bookshelf to enhance a warm, cosy atmosphere.)
Don’t Sabotage Your Sale: Fall Home Selling Mistakes to Avoid
