Stop Pining for Summer – Drew Barrymore’s Cozy Plant Corner is All You Need

In Drew Barrymore’s Instagram post, she’s doing what all of us want to be doing in winter: baking a pie, looking adorably cozy, and just casually standing in front of the most perfect windowsill plant display ever, no big deal. Behind her, a mix of red-leafed plants, trailing greenery, and what appears to be eucalyptus creates a warm, lived-in vibe that feels super welcome during the darkest months of the year.

Our takeaway? Winter gardening doesn’t mean you have to give up on color completely, especially in your home. With the right plants and a few smart placement tricks, you can turn a simple windowsill into a hygge-inspired plant corner that will carry you through winter in style.

Start With Foliage That Brings the Color

In winter, whether you’re working with an outdoor garden or an indoor space, it’s best to focus on foliage rather than flowers. Leaves last much longer, need less light and maintenance, and still have that wow factor that we all know and love.

Red and burgundy leafed plants are especially nice in winter. Consider using:

• Coleus
• Red aglaonema
• Cordyline
• Caladiums

To keep things from feeling too “matchy matchy,” balance the colored leaves with spilling greenery like pothos, philodendron, or ivy. Walmart sells this live English ivy for indoor use, and it provides natural air purification, which can be extra useful in winter when we tend to keep windows and doors closed.

Mix Textures for That Cozy, Layered Look

What makes Drew Barrymore’s windowsill feel so warm and inviting is that it’s not staged, and there are tons of textures. Smooth leaves, flowing vines, and lighter stems like eucalyptus all play together like children on a playground.

If you don’t mind artificial plants, mix fresh plants with dried or faux greens to get the same effect without constant maintenance. These artificial eucalyptus branches from Amazon are highly realistic and fill out your windowsill. If you prefer the fragrance of real ones, Amazon also sells these dried eucalyptus branches.

This mix-and-match look keeps your windowsill looking casual and unfussy. Plus, if one plant starts to die, you’re not left with an awkward empty space.

Maximize Light (Even When Winter Sun Is Weak)

Light in winter is…well, not generous. To make the most of it:

• Keep windows clean (yes, it actually helps)
• Turn plants once a week so they don’t all grow on just one side
• Put the plants that need the most light closest to the glass

If your windowsill is more “vibes” than sunlight, try a small grow light like this one from Walmart. It’s super easy to work with and attaches to a table. The goal should be 10-12 hours of additional light per day, which should be enough to keep color around without stressing out your plants.

Choose the Right Containers (It Matters More Than You Think)

Winter plant corners really shine when containers feel purposeful rather than thrown-together things you had lying around the house. That means skipping mismatched pots and opting for one cohesive palette; ceramic, stoneware, and neutral resin all work well.

Pro tip: Make sure every pot has a good drainage hole. Overwatering containers is a good way to ruin an otherwise very inviting winter windowsill setup.

Create a Corner You Actually Want to Sit Near

The real magic of Drew Barrymore’s windowsill isn’t just the plants or her baking a pie; it’s the festive, homey feeling that comes with it. Warm light, layered textures, and greenery that make the place feel alive, even when it’s cold out.

If you’re feeling particularly decorative, try adding a candle, a wooden cutting board, or a linen towel, and suddenly your windowsill isn’t just a plant shelf. It’s a whole mood.