This time of the year, we all start to get a bit tired of cold weather, whipping winds and knee-deep snow. Even those of us who live in warmer climates are getting more ready for spring, but it’s still a month or more away. One of my favorite pick-me-ups to cure the winter blues is to buy an exotic indoor plant—these more tropical plants remind me of lying on a beach with an umbrella drink. To get an instant boost this month, pick up an orchid plant and let the brilliant colors and exotic shapes transport you.

The quickest way to kill an orchid is with too much care. Sounds a little counter-intuitive for such a gorgeous plant, doesn’t it? The first orchid I ever had was dead in a month—because I loved it to death. Literally. So don’t hover over these beautiful flowers; let them do their thing until they tell you that they need some attention. After all, they grow in trees in their native environment, so they are very used to being ignored.

Place your orchids by a bright window—they need light, but no direct sunlight. Water about every 10 days or so—in cooler weather, you can probably go two weeks in between watering. Although orchids love humidity, don’t allow them to sit in water or they’ll rot. Instead, place them in a saucer with pebbles in water; the planter will sit on top of the pebbles rather than coming into direct contact with the water.

Use a soil that is specially packaged as suitable for orchids—peat-based potting soils are perfect, as are those with bark pieces. These soils don’t retain excessive moisture that can quickly rot orchids. Fertilize according to package directions, only using a fertilizer that is made for these flowers. When in doubt, water and fertilize less rather than more!

These gorgeous plants will love the humidity of your bathroom, or the bright light of your living room window. Although their care is specific, it’s very low-maintenance, making it the perfect plant to add to your indoor garden!

~Jenny Peterson