Senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson has covered everything from stocking a medicine cabinet to adopting a pet. She’s especially passionate about running (she worked in a running store) and cat furniture.
Senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson has covered everything from stocking a medicine cabinet to adopting a pet. She’s especially passionate about running (she worked in a running store) and cat furniture.
Many new plant parents got a fern or fiddle-leaf fig to make their rooms look better while they were in quarantine. When their houseplants do things like lose their leaves or turn brown in the winter, it may come as a surprise. According to Erin Marino, director of marketing at the Sill, this seasonal change is totally natural. “The biggest thing I’d say is don’t freak out. Your plants will look a little less happy, and it will be easy to see since you just got through a great growing season in the summer, she says. Winter is not a good time for plants because they won’t get as much sunlight and the dry air from the heaters inside will make them sick. But if you take good care of them, they can make it through. “Less sunlight typically sparks a plant’s natural dormancy,” says Casey Godlove, creative director at PlantShed. “They use less water, produce less new growth, and generally pause until spring. ”.
Pros in plant care say there are many easy things you can do to keep your plants healthy during the winter. When you put plants somewhere in your home, look for places that get the most sunlight. However, don’t put plants too close to windows or radiators that let cold air in. “A cozy “cuddle puddle” of plants is a great way to keep the soil moist,” says Bryana Sortino, co-founder of Horti, a plant subscription service. Plants lose water vapor through transpiration, so putting them together in a cluster makes the air more humid. ” Now is also not the time to repot or fertilize your plants. Rebecca Bullene, partner and co-founder of Greenery Unlimited, says, “The plant won’t have the energy to process the fertilizer, and minerals and salt will build up in the root system, which can hurt the plant.” Experts say to look for signs of thirst, like curling or drooping leaves, instead of watering your plants regularly like you would in the spring and summer. This is because your plants won’t be consuming water at the same rate.
As the seasons change, we asked our experts to tell us which plants will do best and which tools and accessories will keep all of your plants happy.
Godlove says the sansevieria laurentii, or snake plant, is “nearly indestructible.” It was one of the low-maintenance winter plants that our experts suggested the most. Gabby Santiago, a plant care expert at Rooted, says they’re great for people who are just starting to care for plants and can even live in rooms without windows. “Sansevierias will put up with you while you figure out how the light works where you live during the dark winter months,” says Tara Heibel, founder of Sprout Home. “They are not fussy about being in the perfect lighting scenario and can handle a lower light frequency. Snake plants can handle drafty windows, heat from heaters and radiators, and less humidity, according to Lisa Muñoz, founder of Leaf and June. This makes them a great plant for the winter. Bullene says that the snake plant is very drought-tolerant because it grows naturally in dry places. It won’t mind the dry heat too much. Horticult website founders Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit, authors of How to Window Box, say to try other types, such as the sansevieria cylindrica or the sansevieria masoniana. “They’re the funkier cousin to standard snake plants but about as forgiving,” Gordon and Benoit say. “They’re like sculptures. ”.
One more common houseplant that Marino groups with the sansevieria is the ZZ plant. Both are easy to take care of and can survive in less-than-ideal conditions, says Marino. It’s not likely that these plants will do well in the winter, but she says they’ll be able to handle it. It’s also Tula Plants & Design CEO and founder Christan Summers’s top pick. It can handle drought better than cacti, and its leaves are shiny and waxy, making it look happy all the time, she says. Godlove and Bullene recommend the ZZ plant because it can tolerate low light and infrequent watering. Gordon and Benoit also say that the ZZ is “shiny, shaped, and looks cool next to the art on your wall. It also grows new leaves pretty often, which is a nice surprise.” ”.
Our experts talked a lot about the pothos because it doesn’t need a lot of direct sunlight, just like the snake and ZZ plants. “There’s a reason you see the pothos plant in offices, nail salons, and malls,” Marino says. “It’s incredibly hardy and can handle a wide range of different light levels. ” Heibel also loves the plant’s trailing look.
If you have dry air in your home even though it gets a lot of sunlight all year, Bullene suggests dracaena plants, which do well in low humidity. She says, “A lot of them are native to Hawaii and grow on the [very dry] lava fields of volcanoes.”
“You can’t kill them,” says Summers of the very hardy and low-maintenance cast-iron plants. “They have a really elegant leaf shape that I always appreciate in the mix of floppiness. Muñoz agrees that they are “extremely easy to maintain” and “do well in dry conditions in the winter.” ”.
Since cacti and succulents are usually easy to take care of, it wasn’t a surprise that many of our experts say they are good choices for winter. Marino recommends the Haworthia, which is safe for pets. “They live in the desert, where it doesn’t rain much and there’s not much humidity, so they won’t mind this at all in the winter,” she says. Heibel says to put cacti and succulents near windows that let in drafts because they need a lot of sunlight but can handle the cold better than tropical plants with leaves like the ZZ or sansevieria.
Another favorite of Summers’ is the euphorbia milii, or crown of thorns. It is a type of succulent, but it is not safe for pets. ‘These bloom in February, and it’s always so nice to see something like that in New York’s gray February,’ she says. Depending on the variety, you can find them with pink, red, or white flowers.
This is one of the few houseplants that will bloom in the winter, usually between November and January. Its flowers are white or red, and it’s also called the Christmas or holiday cactus. “The buds look like ornaments, and the flowers are these gem-colored fluffy bells,” Gordon and Benoit say. Muñoz calls these cacti “a favorite nontoxic option that also produces showy flowers. They prefer protection from intense sunlight, and that’s exactly what we get in winter. ”.
Sortino says that these plants “have semi-succulent traits, which means they can do well with less water and often less light.” He also suggests the peperomia because its shiny leaves will make your home feel lush and tropical in the winter. Another fan is Heibel. This is especially true if you need to fit a bright, leafy plant into a small space. This plant is safe for cats and dogs to eat, so it’s a good choice for pets that like to nibble on plant leaves.
When the temperatures drop outside, it can be a challenge to keep indoor plants happy in cold, drafty rooms. Many common houseplants languish once winter hits. But you can still enjoy beautiful greenery all winter long with these tips for choosing the best cold-hardy indoor plants.
Certain houseplants are naturally resilient to chillier conditions. By selecting more cold-tolerant varieties, you can create lively indoor oases even in difficult spaces that get little sunlight or have cold drafts.
Read on to discover the top picks for winter warriors that will thrive despite the cold.
Cold-Tolerant Indoor Plants
Here are the most cold-hardy houseplants to brighten up your home during the winter:
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Snake Plant – Also called mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is a Victorian parlor favorite that has become popular again for its ability to handle low light and cold.
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Cast Iron Plant – True to its name, the cast iron plant survives tough conditions including near-freezing temperatures down to 32°F (0°C).
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** ZZ Plant** – With plump leaves on thick stems, the ZZ plant shrugs off cold, low light and drought once established.
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Jade Plant – Given sufficient sunlight, the jade plant withstands cold rooms while also tolerating dry soil in the winter.
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Geraniums – Cheerful geraniums bring colorful blooms indoors when getting at least a few hours of direct sun per day.
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Air Plants – Air plants like the Tillandsia thrive in cool temps as long as humidity remains high Mist frequently
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Ferns – Delicate-looking yet durable, varieties like maidenhair ferns relish the cool and lower light of winter indoor conditions.
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Dracaena – With strap-like foliage, Dracaena marginata handles down to 50°F (10°C) with no trouble.
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Ficus – The classic rubber plant bounces back from cold better than other finicky Ficus trees. Its waxy leaves resist chill damage.
Caring for Indoor Plants in Cold Rooms
Even cold-tolerant plants need a little extra care in chilly indoor environments:
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Move plants away from drafty windows, vents or doors.
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Group plants together to create a warmer microclimate.
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Use sheer curtains to filter harsh sunlight in south-facing rooms.
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Increase humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier to prevent leaf scorch.
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Water less frequently, allowing soil to dry out more between waterings.
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Avoid fertilizing in midwinter when growth slows.
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Switch to a winter-specific plant food (lower nitrogen).
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Prune damaged leaves or stems to maintain appearance.
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Monitor for signs of stress like leaf drop or leggy growth.
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Supplement with a grow light if sunlight is scarce.
With the right selections and care, your indoor garden can continue flourishing despite old man winter! Try adding a few of these hardy houseplants to liven up your cold, gloomy rooms during the chill of winter.
Best plant-care accessories for winter
If the dark and rainy winter days are really getting to your plants, it’s okay to give them a little boost with a grow light. He says, “I used to be a purist when it came to grow lights until I was shown I was wrong.” For plants that need light, buy a grow light if your home’s light levels drop a lot in the winter. “Most lamps in homes have a yellow tint, but plants like bright white lights that cover the whole light spectrum.” It’s more like sunlight, according to Bullene, so it’s kind of like “tricking tropical plans into thinking that they’re still in this nice equator zone and getting the same amount of light they were getting in the summer.” “Grow lights are known for being ugly or hard to set up, so most of our experts suggest using full-spectrum bulbs (Bullene likes Philips) that you can easily screw into any light fixture you already have at home.
Here’s another full-spectrum grow bulb that Summers sells at her store. She says, “We try to keep it really simple because most people aren’t going to put in track lighting.” “Grow lights have become really user friendly for the home, which is great. ”.
This hanging pendant light from Rousseau Plant Care is a good choice for a grow light that looks good, according to Summers. It “mimics a full day of summer sun.” ”.
After low light, low humidity is the biggest challenge for indoor plants. One way to introduce more moisture to your indoor environment is by adding a humidifier. Look for one that’s sized appropriately for your space, and keep it running as frequently as possible. Bullene and Summers recommend Honeywell humidifiers. “I’ve had a Honeywell for way too long, and it just won’t break,” says Summers. “It’s just amazing, and it’s easy to clean out. ”.
This humidifier is Santiago’s favorite because it doesn’t require a ton of maintenance. “Most humidifiers lose water very quickly, so you have to keep replacing them,” she says. “But this one does a great job of keeping the moisture in the air.” “It can be filled up once a week without having to be filled up every other day.” ”.
A lot of our experts say that pebble trays are a low-tech alternative to humidifiers. You can buy them or make them yourself very easily. Just put a layer of pebbles in a tray, add water, and then put the tray right under your plant. Even though the pebbles keep the plant from being completely submerged in water, Marino says that they “raise the humidity and moisture levels in the air around the plant.” Bullene also says that you can put a bowl or dish of water on top of your radiator and let it evaporate into the air to keep plants nearby moist.
If you really care about your plant’s health, you can look out for signs that it needs water, but they aren’t always easy to spot. You should use a self-watering planter like the ones from Lechuza instead. You can fill it with water from the bottom, and the plant’s roots can soak it up as needed. “That makes a huge difference because the plant can drink from the water reservoir when it’s ready, not when a person thinks the plant is thirsty,” she says.
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TOP 10 Cold Tolerant Indoor Plants ❄️ Winter Houseplants
FAQ
What is the best houseplant for a cold house?
What temperature is too cold for indoor plants?
Which indoor plants survive winter?
From hardy succulents to blooming orchids, these indoor plants that survive winter are designed to thrive, keeping your home green and alive all season long. Save it for later! Discover the top indoor plants that survive winter, ensuring your home stays vibrant with hardy winter houseplants!
What plants grow well in cold rooms?
Jade Plant: Like the geranium, if you have enough sunshine, the jade plant will be a great plant for colder rooms. In colder temperatures they survive staying dry for a very long time as well. Maidenhair Ferns: Maidenhair ferns thrive in lower light situations, as well as in cooler temperatures.
What are the best winter houseplants?
3. Oxalis triangularis Anther top choice of winter houseplants is ‘ Oxalis Triangularisis, a low-maintenance and beautifully decorative house plant with vivid purple leaves and bell-shaped flowers,’ explains Emily Lawlor of Happy Houseplants.
What plants are good for winter?
Aloe Vera stores water in its fleshy leaves, making it particularly well-suited to drier indoor environments. It’s a useful plant to keep around, as its gel can soothe burns and skin irritations. 5. Christmas Cactus The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) is a winter favorite, known for its colorful blooms that appear in late fall or early winter.
Can houseplants survive the winter cold?
In today’s guide, let’s take a look at some of hardy houseplants that could survive the winter cold: The ZZ plant also known as arum fern, is a popular houseplant known for its deep green, shiny foliage. This houseplant could work as a living horticultural decor or as a centerpiece display!
Are there cold tolerant houseplants?
Fortunately, there are a number of cold tolerant houseplants that will be perfect for those spaces. Quite a few houseplants would languish in cold, drafty rooms, but here are some great choices for cold hardy houseplants. Here is a list of great cold hardy houseplants for your home.