Bring In Spring! Early Spring Ways to Invite Greenery Indoors

Bring In Spring!

Early Spring Ways to Invite Greenery Indoors

By Kerri-Lee Mayland

Early spring is less about full bloom and more about promise. The light shifts, we open windows for a few minutes at a time, and we start craving signs of life indoors — even if the ground outside isn’t ready yet. I often find myself begging Mother Nature, in her brown, bleak and bland era, to please give us just a hint of green. Even a little.

This in-between moment is when strategically placed small, intentional plantings make the biggest impact.

Rather than waiting for the garden, early spring is the perfect time to work with nature on a smaller scale — thoughtfully, and often by hand. I’m a big believer in putting your hands in the dirt, not just to create, but to lift your spirits. There’s actually science behind it. Contact with soil — specifically a naturally occurring bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae — has been shown to trigger the release of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, often called the “happy chemical,” acts as a natural antidepressant and can even support the immune system. It’s a win-win. But how do we bring that indoors?

Kokedama, a Living Sculpture

Kokedama, a Japanese planting technique that loosely translates to “moss ball,” is one of the most elegant and practical ways to bring greenery indoors early in the season. Part plant, part sculpture, kokedama can rest in a shallow bowl or be suspended in the air, allowing nature to quite literally float into your space.

What makes kokedama so appealing is its restraint. There’s no pot, no excess soil, no visual clutter — just roots, moss and form. In early spring, when homes are shedding layers, kokedama feels especially on brand.

Choose plants that enjoy moisture and indirect light: ferns, ivy, pothos, philodendron or even small hosta starts work beautifully. Displayed alone or grouped together, they feel organic without feeling overly decorative.

HOW TO Make a Simple Kokedama

What you’ll need:

• One small plant
• Potting soil
• Peat moss or bonsai soil (for structure)
• Sheet moss (available at garden centers or floral shops)
• Cotton twine or fishing line
• Bowl of water

Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the soil. Mix potting soil with peat moss until it holds together when squeezed but isn’t muddy.
2. Remove the plant. Gently take the plant out of its nursery pot and loosen the roots slightly.
3. Form the ball. Pack the soil mixture around the roots, shaping it into a firm ball roughly the size of a grapefruit.
4. Wrap with moss. Soak the sheet moss briefly, then wrap it around the soil ball, covering it completely.
5. Secure gently. Wrap twine or fishing line around the moss to hold everything in place. Keep it snug, not tight.
6. Water thoroughly. Submerge the finished kokedama in water until air bubbles stop rising. Let it drain well.

How to Display

Place in a favorite shallow ceramic bowl or hang from a hook near a window with bright, indirect light, using the wrapped twine.

Care Tip

Water every one to two weeks by soaking; spritzing won’t do the trick. If the moss feels dry or lightweight, it’s time to water again.

Other Easy Early Spring Plantings

Kokedama pairs beautifully with other low-effort spring signals. Forced bulbs in shallow bowls, pots of rosemary or thyme on a windowsill, or clipped branches placed in water all help bridge the gap between winter and true spring.

Think less about arrangements and more about placement. Try one living element per room, a good design principle to integrate. (And for the plant-challenged among us, faux is OK in a pinch.) A kokedama, forced bulb or herb placed on a nightstand, kitchen shelf or bathroom counter can quietly shift the mood of the entire home.

Let Materials Do the Talking

Early spring greenery feels best when paired with natural materials, such as stoneware, wood, linen and iron. Avoid glossy finishes and let texture take the lead. The quieter the vessel, the more powerful the plant.

A Season of Momentum

Early spring is brimming with anticipation, but it doesn’t need to be bold. It asks for patience, intention and small acts of care. Bringing nature indoors now isn’t about decorating as much as it is about noticing, nurturing and allowing your home to reflect the miracle quietly beginning outside.

Sometimes the simplest gesture — a plant wrapped in moss, resting in a simple bowl — is enough to remind us that the magic of spring is coming and growth is already underway.