Happy New Year! If winter has your plants feeling a little stuck, this is your gentle reset. We’re sharing quick, practical houseplant tweaks that make a real difference right now, a dose of winter flower magic (ahem, snowdrops), and a smart January planting guide that helps you start the season without guessing. Plus, a look at why 2026 gardens are leaning bolder, with jewel tones that stay rich and vibrant in sun, and a small reminder to pause, look closer, and take in a little awe every once in a while.
Houseplants feel extra comforting in winter, but they still notice the season shift. Shorter days, dry indoor heat, and cooler temps can slow growth and stress even the easiest plants. Here are 10 simple tweaks to keep yours healthy through winter and ready for spring, like watering less (most plants grow more slowly right now) and boosting humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier. Easy win: rotate pots a quarter-turn when you water so they don’t lean toward the light.
Webinar Corner
In 2026, gardens are going bolder. Jewel tones are replacing the soft, muted palettes of recent years, with plant breeders introducing rich reds, deep plums, burgundies, and emerald greens in both flowers and foliage. Beyond the drama, these saturated shades are practical too, because they stay vibrant in bright summer sun instead of looking washed out like pastels. In our recent webinar, Rebecca Sweet talked about this trend plus seven others in companionship with our Garden Design Trends for 2026 article.
Snowdrops are proof the garden doesn’t totally shut down in winter. These early little bulbs can bloom as soon as late January, sometimes even popping up through snow. Ready for a little more winter magic? These 16 flowers are made for the cold and worth bookmarking.
January can feel like the perfect time to start planting, but what you can grow now depends a lot on your climate. In this post, an Arkansas gardener shares exactly what she’s planting in January and why, including what she starts indoors, what goes in the greenhouse, and what she’s already thinking ahead to for later. You’ll find her full crop list, plus notes on setup and climate that make the timing make sense.
It’s been quite a year for us citizens of the world, and now feels like the right moment to pause and reevaluate. I’m finding inspiration in the book Awe—a reminder that wonder lives in simple things: crisp fall air, hands in the soil, watching plants grow, looking closer. Awe truly lifts us. As we head into a new season, don’t forget that feeling—join me in a gentle reset.
Happy New Year,
Jim
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