Holm Town Nursery

We know that gardening in Alaska is a necessity for some, a hobby for others, and for many of us it is an obsession. Whether you are a greenhorn or a green thumb, we have the knowledge and products that will allow you to be successful.

You can count on us for a large selection of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs specially selected for the Interior Alaska climate and soil conditions. Our knowledgeable staff of garden enthusiasts are here to answer any questions and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, special orders are always welcome.

In addition to your summer gardening needs, Holm Town Nursery’s year-round garden center accommodates a fantastic selection of gifts, healthy houseplants, and an extensive hydroponics and indoor gardening department.

Hours of Operation:
Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Health Benefits of Houseplants

Houseplants not only add beauty to our indoor living and working spaces, but they are an inexpensive way to improve indoor air, reduce illness, and benefit our mental health.

Because Alaskans tend to spend so much time indoors during the winter months, poor indoor air quality can have a significant impact on our health. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are introduced to our living and work environments by carpet, linens, furnishings, adhesives, paint, and other products made from or treated with chemicals. Not surprisingly, according to the EPA, levels of these chemicals average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors, often polluting the air enough to irritate respiratory systems and cause headaches, sinus congestion, and fatigue. Studies by the EPA even link VOCs to cancer as well as liver, kidney, and nervous system damage.

A 1989 NASA study demonstrated that houseplants are an effective way to combat these substances that reduce our air quality, and therefore our health. Specifically, houseplants breakdown carbon monoxide, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, among other common pollutants. In fact, according to the NASA study, plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours.

Increasing humidity, something sorely lacking in the interior during winter months, is another benefit of houseplants. Most interior residents have experienced dry, cracked skin and lips, and the drying of the mucus in our airways and sinuses. This mucus acts as a defense mechanism against bacteria and viruses that cause illness. Increased humidity in the air restores the function of this important system while also improving the condition of our skin.

Finally, houseplants have been proven beneficial for our mental health, improving mood, focus, creativity, and the ability to heal. When combined with the full spectrum lighting that many plants require in the Alaskan winter, the benefits to individuals who experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be significant.

Visit Holm Town Nursery to experience the mood enhancing effects of clean, humid indoor air for yourself. As the interior’s only independent, locally owned, year-round garden center, Holm Town Nursery carries a variety of houseplants and lighting systems. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine the products that are right for you and help you keep them healthy and functioning properly.