Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

The Quiet Companions That Bring Winter Back to Life

When the world outside is frozen and colorless, houseplants offer a small but steady kind of hope. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection celebrates the grounding, fragrant, and surprisingly emotional presence of plants, especially orchids, through the long winter months.

Do you have some of these? They can really be delightful, particularly in the winter months when you cannot get outside and blooms on anything are scarce. They also help keep you grounded. They need regular attention and can reward you with lovely blooms and scents in the winter months.

As the snow piles up outside, covering the walks and blocking the driveway, we can enjoy the blooms on the orchids and the lovely scent they fill the room with. An orchid can be a very dependable plant. First, they are easy to find, as most grocery stores have a small collection of Phalaenopsis orchids at the entrance or near the checkout. I know you have seen them and have been tempted to buy one. You likely bought one for a friend because you fear taking care of it yourself.

There it is in the store, in full bloom with its tall stem and large flowers. You cannot resist, and you do have a friend who is recovering from surgery or who has a birthday or celebration coming up. So, an orchid it is. However, the reverse can be true. Your friend could be at the grocery store and buy one of these for you. Now what do you do? Most recipients enjoy the orchid’s bloom, hold onto it for a few days or weeks after it finishes, and then toss it in the garbage. After all, you do not know how to care for it or if it will ever rebloom.

You can solve this dilemma. After all, you have the internet right at your fingertips. Google “orchid care” and see what you find. Go on. Do it now. The directions are quite simple. Cut off the bloom, but not the whole spike, unless it looks dead and ugly. Water it, but please, please do not put ice cubes on it. Someone, somewhere, published this advice, and so many people are freezing the roots of their orchid. Would you like an ice cube down your back daily or weekly? Cut it out.

Now, you must employ your patience. Remember that this is a hothouse plant that has been forced to bloom so the entrepreneur can make money. What happens to you when you are forced to produce something for another? Let it rest and take its time. You might think of it as building trust. Eventually, it will rebloom and settle into your environment.

Then you will be glad that you kept it and cared for it. Orchids are a bit like children. They need to be safe, and that takes time. They need to be nurtured, and that takes more time and attention. They need to be appreciated, and that takes attention and understanding. They need to be enjoyed and celebrated, and that takes joy.

Want to explore more about nature, grounding, and emotional well‑being? Visit Psychology Today’s reflections on how nature supports emotional health and Greater Good’s research on the calming effects of tending plants.

If this reflection inspires you to cultivate steadiness, patience, or emotional grounding, much like caring for an orchid, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support resilience, balance, and well‑being.