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Scientists are taking a second look at a drug for Alzheimer’s that may help patients who are particularly at risk of developing the disease.
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In April, the future was looking bleak for an experimental Alzheimer’s drug called valiltramiprosate, or ALZ-801.
Researchers had just released topline results of a study of more than 300 people age 50 or older, who were genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s. Overall, those who got the drug did no better than those given a placebo.
But in September, a closer look at the results revealed benefits for a subgroup of 125 people who had only mild memory problems when they started taking the drug.
Those participants, initially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment rather than mild dementia, “showed very meaningful responses,” says Dr. Susan Abushakra, chief medical officer of Alzheon, the drug’s maker.
By one measure, the drug slowed cognitive decline by 52% in people with mild cognitive impairment. That result appears comparable with benefits from the two Alzheimer’s drugs now on the market: lecanemab and donabemab.
But the true effect of ALZ-801 is hard to quantify because of the relatively small number of participants in the group with mild cognitive impairment.
More robust results came from measures of brain atrophy — the shrinkage that tends to come with Alzheimer’s.
In the hippocampus, for example, participants who got ALZ-801 experienced about 18% less atrophy than those who got a placebo.
That’s an important difference, Abushakra says, because the hippocampus is critical to memory and thinking.
The findings were published in the journal Drugs. The study was supported by a $47 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
A drug that’s different
Ordinarily, results like that would probably fall short of the evidence required for approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
But ALZ-801 may get special consideration because it has potential advantages over the two drugs already on the market.
Those drugs are both monoclonal antibodies given by intravenous infusions. That adds to the cost and requires patients to make multiple trips to an infusion center.
ALZ-801 is a twice-daily pill that can be taken at home.
Also, the monoclonal antibodies work primarily by breaking down sticky amyloid plaques. These plaques form after fragments of a misfolded protein called beta-amyloid begin to clump together.
Alzheon’s product is meant to keep plaques from forming in the first place, by preventing amyloid proteins from clumping at all.
As a result, ALZ-801 doesn’t cause the swelling or bleeding in the brain that often comes with monoclonal antibody treatment.
A safer treatment for a high-risk group
The availability of a safer drug like ALZ-801 could be a boon to people who carry two copies of a gene called APOE4.
Their genetic status means they have about 10 times the usual risk of developing Alzheimer’s. As a result, even though APOE4/4 carriers make up only about 2% of the population, they represent about 15% of all people diagnosed with the disease.
Unfortunately, people with APOE4 genes are not only more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, they are also more likely to experience side effects from treatment with monoclonal antibodies.
“These individuals are at higher risk for inflammation in the brain that can be quite serious,” says Jessica Langbaum, an Alzheimer’s researcher at Banner Health in Phoenix.
Even so, Langbaum thinks people with the APOE4/4 genes can be treated safely with the current monoclonal antibodies. That could mean starting with a lower dose, she says, or beginning treatment earlier in the disease, when fewer amyloid plaques are present.
But David Watson, a scientist who carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, thinks people like him need a safer drug.
Watson, a co-author of the new study, also notes that ALZ may have benefits beyond those seen with monoclonal antibodies. For example, he says, the experimental drug appears better at reducing levels of a protein fragment associated with brain cell death.
“We’re really making a difference in keeping neurons alive,” he says.
More evidence of the drug’s effectiveness is coming from people who have kept taking ALZ-801 after the initial 18-month study period ended, Watson says.
Despite carrying genes that usually lead to a swift decline, he says, “many of them are holding their own” in their 60s and 70s.
‘Topsy Turvy’ is easy to grow when we meet the following cultural requirements:
Climate
In its natural habitat in the Tamaulipas region of Mexico, E. runyonii thrives in arid, subtropical weather with extremes, such as triple-digit heat, drought, and heavy rainfall.
It tolerates brief temperature dips to 25°F, but is not frost-tolerant.
‘Topsy Turvy’ prefers full sun. However, in the warmest Zones, morning sun and light afternoon shade are best to prevent the foliage from shading purple or suffering sunscald.
Potted specimens grown as houseplants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight placements that may cause discoloration and overexposure.
Soil
Whether in-ground or potted, ‘Topsy Turvy’ echeveria needs a substrate that is airy, loose, and well-draining to oxygenate the roots and prevent oversaturation.
The ideal choice is sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
If you’re growing in a container, choose a cactus and succulent potting mix that contains inorganic matter, such as gravel or perlite, and organic ingredients, like peat or bark.
This potting medium from Hoffman’s contains compost, peat, sand, and limestone to regulate the pH. It’s perfect for growing echeveria and other succulents.
The plump, fleshy foliage stores moisture to sustain the plant during dry periods.
Like most succulents, this cultivar is susceptible to rotting in overly wet conditions, so it’s best to water when the soil completely dries out. A little moisture stress is preferable to oversaturation.
If you have hard water that causes a white mineral salt buildup on containers and potting media, check out our guide to watering succulents for advice.
Fertilizer
In general, it’s not necessary to feed succulents when they are grown in suitable potting medium.
However, if you choose to provide supplemental nutrition, use a product formulated for cacti and succulents and to apply it at a quarter strength once in the spring.
This liquid plant food from Dr. Earth has a 1-1-2 NPK ratio to supply essential nutrients without excess nitrogen that may cause leggy growth.
Place the pot in bright, indirect sunlight indoors or full sun outdoors. Wait at least a week to transplant to a decorative, well-draining container or the garden.
If ‘Topsy Turvy’ echeveria doesn’t receive enough light, the stem holding the rosette elongates and produces fewer leaves as it stretches toward the sun, a response known as etiolation.
This makes it look “leggy” and less compact. Use clean pruners to remove the rosette, leaving a one-inch stem to regrow.
You can propagate a new plant from the top portion by allowing the cut end to callus off for a week in a location out of direct sunlight, dipping it in rooting hormone, and burying the stem half an inch deep in mounded soil as described in the propagation section below.
As the lower leaves age and weaken, gently twist them off and discard. Similarly, remove any foliage that is broken or otherwise damaged by pathogens, pests, or sunscald.
Because echeveria plants grow slowly, you won’t need to repot very often.
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The adolescent brain is still developing, and the use of cannabis regularly may disrupt healthy neural development.
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Teens who start using cannabis before age 15 are more likely to use the drug often later in their lives. They are also more likely to develop mental and physical health problems in young adulthood compared to their peers who did not use the drug in adolescence.
“This further builds the case that cannabis use in adolescence adversely affects the [health] trajectories of those who use it,” says psychiatrist Dr. Ryan Sultan at Columbia University, who wasn’t involved in the new research.
The new study used data from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Researchers in Montreal, Canada, have been following more than 1,500 kids since birth into young adulthood to understand the factors that influence their development and their health. Among the various aspects of the kids’ lives and habits scientists have recorded is cannabis use between ages 12 and 17.
The researchers found that a majority of teens — 60% — didn’t use cannabis in adolescence. Among the remaining 40%, half started using cannabis in their late teens and by the time they turned 17, they used the drug infrequently — less than once a month. The remaining 20% started using marijuana before they turned 15, and by age 17, they were using it at least once a month.
This last group was more likely to seek health care in young adulthood for both mental and physical health conditions compared to those who didn’t use the drug as young teens.
“The risk is concentrated among those who start early and use frequently,” says psychologist and the study’s main author Massimiliano Orri at McGill University.
Early, frequent cannabis users had a 51% higher chance of seeking care for mental health problems in young adulthood compared to those who didn’t use the drug. And that risk was calculated after controlling for a range of confounding factors that are known to influence health, like bullying or lack of parental involvement.
Similarly, early and frequent users of cannabis had an 86% higher chance of needing care for physical health needs.
“We have some indication that respiratory problems were most frequently reported and also accidents and unintentional injuries,” says Orri.
These physical health problems may have to do with intoxication from cannabis, but could also be due to withdrawal symptoms, write Orri and his colleagues in the paper.
“That certainly makes sense,” says psychologist Krista Lisdahl at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, who also studies teenage brain development and health, but wasn’t involved in the new research. “It’s alarming and something that we really need to be tracking more closely here in the United States as well.”
A major strength of the study is that Orri and his colleagues controlled for so many confounding factors, adds Lisdahl.
“There are a lot of factors that are co-linked with physical health as well as mental health,” says Lisdahl. And the new study controlled for many of them, including “family, parental conflict and parenting style, as well as parental monitoring of the teens.” They also looked at factors at the individual level like social skills, peer relationships and whether a kid was victimized by peers.
Prior studies have also found a link between teen cannabis use and a higher risk of developing mental health symptoms.
Sultan’s recent research found a two to four times higher likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders for teens who used cannabis recreationally compared to adolescents who don’t use the drug at all. Other studies have suggested a link between early cannabis use and psychosis in youth. He and his colleagues also found a higher risk of other impacts like poorer grades and truancy.
“The adolescent brain is continuing to develop in a very dynamic fashion during the adolescent period and all the way into young adulthood,” says Lisdahl. “Using something like cannabis regularly during this period might disrupt that healthy neural development, especially in areas of the brain that are related to executive functioning, which is like problem-solving, planning, maybe controlling other kinds of behaviors and impulses, but also emotion regulation,” she says.
Take for example, a teen who’s prone to anxiety who turns to cannabis to feel less anxious, says Sultan. “If you start to do that on a regular basis, this is now your method for managing your anxiety,” he says. “This becomes your coping skill and you become atrophied in any ability to manage it in another way.”
The same thing can happen for someone who uses cannabis to manage their mood, he adds.
So, for someone who’s already predisposed to some mental health symptoms, starting cannabis use in adolescence can make it more likely those symptoms will worsen over time into mental health disorders.
For all these reasons, Sultan — a child and adolescent psychiatrist — says he often talks to teens and parents about delaying using cannabis until they are 25, to minimize the risks of health and behavioral issues later on in life.
Globally, cities are expanding. By 2050, more than two-thirds of the population is expected to live in urban areas. This growth increases the demand for green spaces, prompting people to find creative ways to incorporate nture into a limited footprint. At the same time, awareness of native plants’ importance is on the rise. Driven by this need and curious about the outcomes, I took on the challenge of discovering to what extent native plants can successfully be grown in containers. With a mix of enthusiasm, trial and error, and plenty of sweat, I discovered what works best—often through unexpected lessons along the way.
Gardening in a major city
Annuals are far from the only plants that offer summer color on city balconies. A multitude of native plants create stunning container displays.
As an urban botanist based in Chicago, my encounters with wild plants are often limited to the same aggressive species pushing through sidewalk cracks or the predictable selection of ornamental plants in city gardens. While I appreciate the resilience of dandelions, the summer displays of impatiens, and even the fiery red of burning bushes in the fall, I know native plants can offer so much more. Determined to bring biodiversity to my own urban space, I transformed my small 5×10 balcony into a haven for native Illinois prairie species—an experiment driven by curiosity, a love for plants, and the challenge of growing them in pots year after year. With little guidance available on overwintering natives in containers, I had to select pots that could withstand Chicago’s harsh freeze-thaw cycles, experiment with different soil compositions, and carefully choose species that could thrive in a limited space.
Overwintering Results
Beautiful for the gardener and beneficial for pollinators: These bees flocking to an anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 4–8) say this native plant experiment was a success.
Over 15 years, I’ve learned which native plants survive best in pots, which struggle, and which ones flourish beyond expectations. Species with fibrous roots or rhizomes, like certain asters and sedges, tend to overwinter well, while tap-rooted plants often struggle. I’ve also found that “nurse” plants, like Carex species, help stabilize soil and protect more delicate neighbors. Some of my standout performers include nodding onion (Allium cernuum, Zones 4–8), partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, Zones 3–9), and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, Zones 3–8), while overachievers like wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis, Zones 3–8) and stiff goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum, Zones 3–9) are great for beginners.
Overachievers:
I would recommend these plants for first-time growers. All were overall really robust and will thrive even with occasional neglect.
Stiff goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum, Zones 3–9)
Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis, Zones 3–8)
Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata, Zones 4–9)
Stiff goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum, Zones 3–9)
Giant Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum commutatum, Zones 3–7)
Heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides, Zones 3–10)
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, Zones 4–8)
Favorite top performers:
Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata, Zones 3–8)
In total, there are 23 plants that made my top-performers list. Here, I will keep the selection brief and highlight some of my favorites. Let me know in the comments if you’d like a deeper dive on this topic and my full list of recommendations.
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, Zones 3–9) reseeds and attracts wonderful pollinators.
Nodding onion (Allium cernuum, Zones 4–8) is a reliable performer. The city of Chicago gets its name from the Algonquin Indian name for this plant, chigagou, so Chicagoans can have a little extra pride growing this native.
Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata, Zones 3–8) self-seeds easily and produces a wonderful display. It also attracts some amazing wasps.
Sand phlox (Phlox bifida, Zones 4–8) and wild blue phlox (P. divaricata, Zones 3–8) are two of many phloxes that are amazing and worth the effort.
Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, Zones 3–8) is not too aggressive and has amazing fall color.
Favorite good performers:
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia, Zones 3–6)
This list is longer—31 native plants altogether. These are all wonderful, but there were small issues that left them off the top-performers list. Either they did not do well every year or were a messier plant to deal with, but that does not mean they aren’t worth buying and potting up. Here were my favorites from that list:
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 4–8) is almost a top performer but is messy and big. However, pollinators love it, and it also self-seeds nicely.
Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis, Zones 3–8) is a bit aggressive but produces a nice display.
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia, Zones 3–6) is a little messy but so beautiful.
Prairie clover (Dalea spp., Zones 3–8) can create such great displays but does not always overwinter well.
Fringed loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata, Zones 3–9) was a surprise. The color and floral display are wonderful, but it can also be aggressive.
Starry campion (Silene stellata, Zones 5–8) has fantastic flowers, but it did struggle at times.
Large-flowered bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora, Zones 4–9) is a personal favorite that lived many years but did not always flower.
Conclusion
The moral of this story: You have more gardening options than you might imagine in a small space. Any urban gardener can plant up a plethora of beneficial plants in just a couple of containers.
Despite setbacks, this ongoing experiment has proven that native plants can thrive in containers, providing vital habitat for pollinators and adding beauty to even the smallest urban spaces. My hope is that by sharing my success, more city dwellers will be inspired to bring native plants into their own lives, creating richer, more sustainable urban landscapes.
Find more information on growing native plants in the Midwest:
Discuss this article or ask gardening questions with a regional gardening expert on the Gardening Answers forum.
And for more Midwest regional reports, click here.
Jeremie Fant is the Director of Conservation at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. He has been testing different native plants in containers for over 15 years.
Photos: Jeremie Fant
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Niteangel Natural Wooden Insect Hotel, Garden Insect House for Ladybugs, lacewings, Butterfly, Bee, Bug
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The insect nest box provide a safe environment where garden creatures can shelter, hibernate and lay their eggs, the insect house can also keep insects from entering your warm room. The insect hotel makes it easy to find and observe fascinating creatures. the butterfly, bees and ladybugs can use this product as habitat. Dry wood and Bamboo can be home to many insects such as ladybirds and lacewings which eat aphids and help keep your plants pest-free. the insect hotel improve the growth of plants in your yard by attracting beneficial insects. The iron design on the top can keep the insect house from rainwater. Let the insect house have a longer useful life and make the insects more comfortable. If you only have a balcony or yard, the hanging garden shelter is ideal as it provides a choice of suitable habitats in a small area.
The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places
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A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach.
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes
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Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs.
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When I first started Wellness Mama I couldn’t have imagined where this journey would take me. All of the research, connecting with you, and interviewing dozens of health experts. I still pinch myself that this has become such a shared adventure. It’s humbling, a little surreal, and deeply meaningful to reflect on everything I’ve learned, changed, and still believe after all these years.
The Start of Wellness Mama
At its heart, Wellness Mama was born from a single moment. I was holding my very first newborn at the doctor’s office when I read a line in a magazine that changed the course of my life. It said that for the first time in two centuries, our children’s generation would have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
That one sentence hit me like a tidal wave. I didn’t know how, but I knew I wanted to help change that number. What started as a mother’s research project grew into a mission, and eventually a podcast, a business, and a community I’m endlessly grateful for.
Over time, I’ve evolved right alongside Wellness Mama. My babies aren’t so little anymore and my oldest, the one who inspired me to start Wellness Mama, is already an adult. I’ve healed from Hashimoto’s, learned more about how the body actually works, and discovered that the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.
Over all the years of interviews, research, and first hand lessons, a few truths have emerged.
The Most Common Expert Advice (and Why It Still Matters)
Across a thousand interviews, one of the biggest takeaways is that the simple things matter most. Yes, biohacks can be fun and supplements are helpful. However, the advice that comes up again and again from the brightest minds in health can be summed up in a few beautifully simple ideas.
Prioritize Sleep
Not a single expert has ever said that sleep doesn’t matter. Quality sleep is foundational to everything else. It impacts our hormones, blood sugar, mood, and even how well we detox. Just one or two nights of disrupted sleep can throw off hormones like cortisol and insulin.
As a mom of 6 I’m no stranger to sleepless nights and disrupted sleep. The good news though is that our bodies are wise and forgiving when it comes to us parents in certain seasons. We were designed for resilience, and the body seems to have protective mechanisms during times like these. I’ve written plenty about sleep and how to have better sleep over the years, and you can find all of that here.
Light is Medicine
This is one of the most underrated pieces of wellness wisdom I’ve learned. Light exposure affects every system in the body, from our circadian rhythm to our hormones and mental health. Getting sunlight throughout the day, avoiding blue light at night, and watching the sunrise are simple shifts that can profoundly change sleep, energy, and even mood. Light, like sleep, is free, powerful, and impossible to sell, which might be why it’s often overlooked.
Minerals Matter
Over the years, I’ve come to see minerals as the unsung heroes of wellness. They’re the “spark plugs” that keep our cells communicating and our bodies conducting energy efficiently. We talk a lot about electrolytes and hydration. However, understanding the body’s electrical nature has given me a whole new appreciation for how minerals support everything from nervous system balance to energy production.
Small Consistent Steps
Early in my wellness journey, I chased perfection. From strict diets and elaborate supplement protocols to rigid routines. What I’ve learned through both personal experience and expert wisdom is that baby steps win every time. Consistency builds momentum.
Tiny, sustainable changes are far more powerful (and peaceful) than all-or-nothing overhauls. And the thing about all-or-nothing is that it can quickly become overwhelming. So we end up doing nothing or getting burnt out!
Movement is More Than Exercise
Exercise is a necessity, but I’ve learned to think of movement as something much bigger. Walking barefoot outside, dancing with my kids, or playing frisbee in the yard all count. Movement nourishes the body in subtle ways. It supports fascia, lymph flow, and even our cellular battery charge. As one guest beautifully said, “Motion is lotion.” It’s not about punishing workouts but joyful movement that keeps us fluid, strong, and connected.
The Blue Zones around the world are famous for having the longest living, healthiest people. So what’s their common denominator? It’s not just what they eat, their location, or how many supplements they take. Longevity isn’t just about diet or fitness, it’s deeply tied to belonging and connection.
People in Blue Zones have strong communities and connections with others. We thrive when we feel seen, supported, and loved. This truth has shaped my priorities so much that I even opened a local wellness center. Not just for the saunas and cold plunges, but for the community those tools create.
The Healing Power of Nature
The term “nature deficit disorder” refers to the silent epidemic of modern life. We were meant to live close to the earth, barefoot on the ground, and in the sunshine. Natural light, fresh air, and time outside regulate our hormones, soothe our nervous system, and literally recharge us at an electrical level. Even a few minutes of sunlight or grounding each day makes a difference.
The more disconnected we become from nature, the more disconnected we are from our own bodies. And the good news is that the remedy is as easy as stepping outside!
Your Primary Healthcare Provider
After all these years, I’ve become more convinced than ever that no one knows your body better than you. Expert guidance is invaluable, but the most powerful data comes from your own body’s feedback. Your energy, mood, sleep, and intuition. Every expert I’ve spoken with, in their own way, points back to that truth. I say it so many times, but we are each our own primary healthcare provider.
What I’ve Changed My Mind About
Things have certainly changed a lot since I started Wellness Mama back in 2006! And I’ve changed a lot too. You may have noticed this if you’ve read the blog for any amount of time. Here are some of the biggest ways I’ve learned and grown over the years.
Food Dogmas
In the early years of my healing journey, I approached food with the mindset that there was one right way to eat. When I was deep in the process of reversing Hashimoto’s, I relied heavily on strict elimination diets. Each one served its purpose for a season and taught me a lot about how food affects things like inflammation and energy.
But I also noticed that the more I restricted, the more disconnected I felt from my body’s natural cues. These diets helped me heal physically at first, but it also created a subtle fear around food. Now, I see nourishment through a much softer and more intuitive lens.
I still believe in real, whole foods, but I also believe in flexibility. I eat seasonally, choose foods grown close to home when possible, and pay attention to how I feel after meals instead of following strict rules. I’ve learned that true wellness isn’t about perfection or restriction, it’s about resilience. The healthiest people I know are the ones who can travel, share a meal with friends, and enjoy food with gratitude instead of guilt. My current philosophy: food should fuel, heal, and bring joy, not fear.
Supplements
At one point, I had an entire cabinet (and spreadsheet!) full of supplements. I believed I could optimize my health by filling every possible nutritional gap. While some of those tools were incredibly helpful at times, I eventually realized I was leaning too heavily on external inputs and missing the bigger picture. I was trying to out-supplement lifestyle habits that couldn’t be replaced, like deep rest, mineral balance, and nervous system regulation.
Today, I take a much more minimalist and intentional approach. My focus has shifted to supporting my body’s innate intelligence rather than trying to micromanage it. Instead of dozens of pills, I rely on high-quality minerals, magnesium, and occasional targeted supplements based on lab work or life stage.
I use herbal remedies and tinctures when needed and prioritize food first. I’ve found that supplements should support, not try to compensate for being undernourished or overstressed.
Exercise as Punishment
In my twenties, exercise was something I did to “earn” food or to change my body. I pushed hard with long runs, intense HIIT workouts, and heavy training. It was about chasing a certain aesthetic (that never came) rather than listening to how my body felt. Eventually, that approach led to burnout and hormonal imbalances. I realized I was missing the real purpose of movement which is to build capacity, strength, and joy.
Now, I move to feel alive, not to punish myself. I still strength train several times a week because muscle really is the “organ of longevity.” However, I’ve also added things that nourish my nervous system, like daily walks, dancing with my kids, fascia release, sauna sessions, and time barefoot outside.
Movement should be diverse and intuitive, a mix of strength, mobility, play, and rest. I think of it now as movement nutrition. A variety of inputs that keep the body flexible, strong, and balanced for a focus on connection.
Parenting and Presence
When my kids were little I had a very different approach. I believed good parenting meant doing everything “right” from healthy meals to perfectly managed emotions. But real life quickly showed me that kids don’t thrive on perfection, they thrive on presence. Trying to control everything created unnecessary stress for both them and me.
Over the years, I’ve learned to let go of the idea that I can (or should) protect my kids from every struggle. Instead, I focus on connection and modeling emotional regulation. My goal now is to raise children who trust themselves, understand their emotions, and know they are loved unconditionally.
That means fewer lectures and more listening, fewer rules and more rhythm. I still set boundaries, but I try to do it with empathy and curiosity. This approach has brought so much more peace into our home, and honestly, more joy into motherhood.
Fear vs. Trust
For a long time, I saw my body as something fragile or even broken, especially after my Hashimoto’s diagnosis. I viewed symptoms as problems to fix and spent years trying to control every possible variable. Looking back, I realize I was operating from fear. Fear of illness, fear of aging, fear of doing it wrong.
But the more I learned the more I saw how deeply our systems are designed for balance and healing. My body wasn’t betraying me, it was communicating with me. Now I see my body as trying to work for my benefit and symptoms are beautiful messages. Instead of trying to micromanage my health when something feels off, I get curious and try to listen. Calm and confidence are some of the best healing tools at our body’s disposal.
What I Still Believe (Now More Than Ever)
Some beliefs have only deepened with time:
The body is wise. It’s not your enemy; it’s your ally. Every symptom is communication, not betrayal.
The basics matter most. Sleep, light, real food, movement, minerals, and connection are the true “biohacks.”
Curiosity heals. Approaching health with wonder instead of fear changes everything.
Nature is medicine. The sun, the soil, the sea…they offer what no pill can replicate.
Community changes lives. The truest healing doesn’t happen in isolation. We need each other.
Progress beats perfection. Always.
Life Lessons and Understanding
In the beginning, I chased wellness like a puzzle to solve. One lab result, one supplement, one new protocol at a time. But after years of research, experimentation, and thousands of conversations, I’ve realized that wellness isn’t something we achieve. Instead, it’s something we align with.
Our bodies are constantly moving toward balance. The best thing we can do is to help create the conditions where it can naturally unfold. That means less doing and more listening. Less fear, more trust. Less rigidity, more rhythm.
These days, my wellness routines are a whole lot more intuitive than they once were. My daily non-negotiables include things like drinking mineral-rich water, getting morning sunlight, and pursuing peace. I’m aiming for connection, with myself and with others, and working with my body instead of trying so hard to control it.
The Journey Ahead
If you’ve been on this journey with me from the start, thank you. You’ve watched Wellness Mama grow from a mom’s late-night research project into a shared exploration of what it means to live well. If you’re new here, welcome to this kitchen table of curiosity. We’re all learning together.
I still believe, as I did holding that tiny baby all those years ago, that we can change the story for the next generation. We can raise children who trust their bodies, understand nature, and know that real health is woven through connection, joy, and purpose. Health doesn’t have to be complicated and it’s often the simplest things in life that are the most impactful.
What are some ways you’ve changed and grown in your health journey? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Irrespective of what most green-thumb gardeners think, there is no holiday for in a gardener’s calendar. Not even in winter, when most plants go dormant.
If climatic conditions in your region isn’t favourable to grow plants in backyard, then you can start the indoors. Gardeners living in warmer corners of USA can try to plant flowering plants that are cold-hardy.
Winter is also a season of planning for your blooming backyard in spring.
However, it is essential that you ensure the plant you choose to grow can tolerate weather conditions in your region. You can check USDA hardiness zones here.
In mild winters with just a little chill, plants like pansies and violas bring color all season long. In cooler climates, hardy plants like hellebores and winter aconite thrive outdoors, adding cheer early on.
For colder areas with frost, bulbs like snowdrops and witch hazel give bright blooms despite the cold.
In warmer subtropical winters, camellias and winter jasmine offer vibrant flowers and lovely scents.
For very cold spots, growing indoor herbs like mint and chives by a sunny window keeps your garden green indoors.
21 Flowering Plants that You Can Plant in Winter
Choose cold-hardy flowering plants that can enjoy vibrant blooms and delightful fragrances throughout the chilly season.
Growing needs of these flowering plants changes according to climatic conditions. So, you don’t have to water regularly. Else, it may easily experience root rot.
Later at the end of the article I’ll share few important tips on winter plant care.
1. Pansy
Pansies are classic winter bloomers that come in a spectrum of colors, from vibrant purples to soft pastels and bright yellows. These hardy annuals are not only beautiful but also incredibly versatile, perfect for beds, borders, containers, or even winter bedding displays.
Pansies are known for their excellent cold tolerance, making them ideal for chilly winter climates. They bloom continuously with minimal care and add cheerful color when most other plants are dormant. They prefer full sun to partial shade and thrive in rich, well-draining soil with regular watering to keep the soil moist.
Calendula produces bright orange or yellow daisy-like flowers and is known for its medicinal properties. This annual or short-lived perennial has been cultivated for centuries and blooms almost continuously until the first heavy frost.
Calendula is one of the easiest and most reliable winter flowers. It grows fast, resists frost, and blooms brightly with basic care, making it perfect for beginner gardeners. Plant it in full sun with well-draining soil enriched with organic content, and keep the soil moderately moist.
3. Winter Jasmine
Winter jasmine showcases bright yellow flowers during the coldest months, often blooming before many other plants wake up. Its trailing branches and vibrant blooms make it an excellent choice for bare walls, trellises, or slopes in winter gardens.
This vine is incredibly hardy and requires minimal maintenance. It provides a cheerful splash of color when the garden needs it most and can tolerate harsh winter conditions. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to most soil types.
4. Dianthus (Sweet William)
Dianthus offers fragrant blossoms in pinks, reds, and whites with delightful spicy-sweet scents. It is a resilient plant that thrives in winter, suitable for borders, rock gardens, or containers.
These charming flowers are easy to grow and add both visual appeal and wonderful fragrance to your winter garden. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade with regular watering to maintain soil moisture.
Hellebores are enchanting evergreen perennials with rose-shaped flowers that bloom from late winter into early spring. They can handle cold weather exceptionally well and provide early-season interest in shade or part-shade areas.
Available in colors ranging from white and pink to deep purple and green, hellebores are long-lived plants that improve with age. They’re perfect for woodland gardens and shaded spots, preferring rich, moist soil with good drainage and partial to full shade.
6. Viola
Smaller than pansies but just as vibrant, violas bloom in a variety of colors and can tolerate frosty days with ease. They are great for borders, pots, or hanging baskets during winter months.
Violas have a delicate appearance but are surprisingly tough. They continue blooming even in cold temperatures and often self-seed, returning year after year. They thrive in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and regular watering.
7. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum creates a carpet of tiny white or pastel-colored flowers with a subtle honey-like fragrance. These low-growing beauties are perfect for filling gaps in garden beds and adding a delicate scent to your winter garden.
In regions with little to no snow, these plants can thrive seamlessly from fall to spring. Despite blossoms diminishing in heat, they have the remarkable ability to self-sow, ensuring a resurgence in cooler weather. Plant them in full sun to partial shade with well-draining, fertile soil and moderate moisture.
Snapdragons produce tall flower spikes in many colors including pink, red, yellow, and white. They often bloom through winter in mild climates and add vertical interest to winter gardens.
These striking flowers attract pollinators and make excellent cut flowers. They prefer full sun and regular watering for best performance, thriving in well-drained soil with good organic content.
9. Primrose
Primroses bring softness with their pastel-colored blossoms in shades of yellow, pink, purple, and white. These delicate flowers flourish in cooler weather and make lovely borders or container plants.
They prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Primroses are perfect for adding gentle color to shaded winter garden spots and need protection from intense afternoon sun in warmer regions.
10. Marigold
Known for their bright orange and yellow shades, marigolds bloom vigorously in winter and also help repel pests naturally from the garden. They’re easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
Marigolds prefer full sun for at least 6 hours daily and well-drained soil with good organic content. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming throughout the winter season, and they need moderate watering to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
11. Cyclamen
Cyclamen plants feature distinctive, butterfly-shaped flowers and heart-shaped leaves. These hardy tubers produce a range of colors including white, pink, red, and lavender.
Cyclamen can be grown in containers or as ground cover, adding a touch of elegance to your winter garden. They thrive in cool temperatures and partial shade with well-drained soil rich in organic matter, preferring slightly moist conditions.
12. Snowdrop
Snowdrops are delicate white flowers resembling tiny bells that often peek through the snow. These early risers announce the end of winter and the promise of spring.
They’re like the garden’s little messengers, spreading hope and joy when needed most. Plant them in clusters and let them multiply each year naturally in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
13. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that showcases unique, spidery flowers in late winter. The flowers come in various shades including yellow, orange, and red, depending on the species.
Beyond its beauty, witch hazel also offers a delightful fragrance. It’s a firework show in your garden when everything else is in hibernation, thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
14. Iceland Poppy
Iceland poppies bring bright and cheerful blooms in shades of orange, yellow, white, and pink. These flowers tolerate cold weather while adding vibrant color to winter gardens.
They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Iceland poppies make excellent cut flowers and bloom prolifically in cool temperatures, requiring regular watering to keep soil evenly moist.
15. Chrysanthemum
Known for their stunning blooms, chrysanthemums extend the flowering season into winter in many regions. They offer rich colors like gold, white, burgundy, and purple.
Mums are versatile and can be grown in borders or containers. They require full sun for at least 6 hours daily and regular watering for best performance, thriving in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
16. Camellia
Camellias are showstoppers with glossy evergreen foliage and stunning blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. These shrubs thrive in cool temperatures, adding glamour to your outdoor space when everything else seems dormant.
Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica are varieties that bloom in winter. They prefer partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, requiring consistent moisture throughout the growing season.
17. Crocus
Crocuses are pint-sized powerhouses that burst through frosty soil with blooms in shades of purple, yellow, and white. Their delicate petals unfurl like whispers of spring, adding a pop of cheer to the chilly landscape.
Plant them in clusters for an instant winter garden wonderland. Each tiny flower tells a story of resilience and hope, thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
18. Winter Aconite
Winter aconite produces small, bright yellow flowers that emerge as the first signs of spring approach, often poking through the snow. This bulbous perennial naturalizes well, creating a carpet of golden blooms in late winter.
They prefer partial shade and moist, rich soil. Winter aconite is one of the earliest bloomers, bringing joy after long winter months and thriving under deciduous trees and shrubs.
19. Cornflower
Cornflowers display striking blue coloration and bloom well in cooler weather. They’re great for cut flowers and add charm to winter gardens with their delicate, frilly petals.
These hardy annuals are easy to grow and self-seed readily. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil with moderate watering, making them ideal for beginner gardeners.
20. Aster
Asters bring star-shaped daisies in shades of purple, pink, and white. In many Indian and mild climates, they continue flowering well into winter, providing a welcome color splash when other plants fade.
They require full sun to partial shade and moderate watering. Asters are easy to grow and require very little maintenance, thriving in well-drained soil with good fertility.
21. Daphne
Daphne, commonly known as winter daphne, is an evergreen shrub that unleashes clusters of pink or white blossoms with exquisite fragrance. Blooming in late winter, its flowers transform your garden into a scented sanctuary.
Plant daphne and let its aromatic charm enchant your winter landscape with floral magic. It prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, growing best near entrances or paths where its fragrance can be enjoyed, requiring consistent moisture.
Winter flowering plants need less frequent watering since their water requirements drop during cooler months. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry, and always water early in the day so plants can absorb moisture before evening temperatures drop.
Ensure your plants receive full sun for at least 4-6 hours daily, as adequate sunlight is crucial for continuous blooming and healthy growth during winter.
Soil Care and Mulching
Use well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic compost to provide essential nutrients for winter blooms. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and protect roots from sudden cold snaps.
Good drainage is particularly important in winter to prevent waterlogging and root rot when plants are less active.
Maintenance and Protection
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and maintain the plant’s energy for new growth. Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced, phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support abundant flowering throughout the season.
During unexpected frost or extreme cold, cover delicate plants with frost blankets or burlap, and move potted plants to sheltered locations like covered patios or indoors near sunny windows.
Winter gardening offers endless possibilities for creating a vibrant, colorful outdoor space even during the coldest months. These flowers prove that winter doesn’t have to be dull or lifeless.
By selecting plants suited to your climate and providing them with proper care, you can enjoy continuous blooms, delightful fragrances, and a garden full of life throughout the season.
Start planting now and watch your winter garden transform into a beautiful retreat that brightens even the chilliest days.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
