Brr it’s cold! With temperatures dropping below zero resulting in ice, fog and snow across most of the UK, we are not coping well with this latest batch of extreme weather. The hot water bottles are out, the radiators are cranked as far as we dare (let’s not get into that one!) and we’ve got so many layers on, we look like a contestant on World’s Strongest Man and can barely put our arms down by our sides. Despite all of this cold combating kit, we’re finding ourselves spending a minimum of 51% of the day moaning about how cold we are…
Is it any wonder then, that our houseplants are as enthusiastic about the cold as we are!?
Most houseplants will only cope with “normal household temperatures” (18 to 21 degrees Celsius is usually safe but check our guide on each plant for more info), so if you’re following Martin Lewis’ advice and only heating one room, make sure your plants are with you in that room!
As well as offering a quick reminder to keep your plants warm and away from windows and draughts (where temperatures fluctuate most significantly), we wanted to take some time today to look at some houseplant heroes that are particularly resilient to cold temperatures and draughts- perfect for winter weather.
Cold weather is coming which means it’s time to get your home ready by bringing in some indoor plants that can tolerate lower temperatures. Having plants inside provides numerous benefits like improving air quality boosting moods, and adding color when outdoor plants have died back for the winter. The key is choosing varieties that won’t suffer when your thermostat dips down at night or if you have drafty spots.
After researching expert recommendations, these are my top 10 picks for the best indoor plants for cold weather:
1. Jade Plant
The jade plant, also called the money plant, has thick woody stems and oval-shaped succulent leaves. NASA research found it’s one of the best plants for filtering air pollutants like xylene and trichloroethylene. It’s easy to care for, tolerating both warm and cold conditions. It also does well in low light. Simply water it once a month in the winter.
2. Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactuses are cacti that bloom in the fall and winter when days get shorter and cooler. They produce colorful flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, orange, and white. To get it to bloom, keep it outside until fall temps drop into the 50s Fahrenheit, then bring it in. It grows well indoors in moderately bright light and temps between 60-70°F. Water when the top few inches of soil become dry.
3. Cyclamen
Cyclamen is a beautiful blooming plant that thrives in cool weather. It has heart-shaped silver-marbled leaves and flowers in pink, purple, red and white shades. It goes dormant in summer, then regrows in fall. The optimum temperature range is 50-68°F. Place it in bright, indirect light. Let the soil dry out some between waterings.
4. Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant has long, shiny deep green foliage. A perennial from Japan and China, it does great as a houseplant in temperatures between 50-80°F. It tolerates all lighting conditions. Allow the soil to become somewhat dry between waterings. Wipe dust off the broad leaves periodically.
5. Norfolk Island Pine
Resembling a miniature Christmas tree, the Norfolk Island pine has soft green needles and a pyramid shape. It prefers temperatures between 60-70°F and bright, indirect light. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering. Mist frequently to provide humidity similar to its tropical rainforest origin.
6. Citrus Trees
It’s possible to grow small citrus trees like lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, and kumquat indoors They enjoy temperatures between 55-85°F during the day and around 50-60°F at night Bright light is essential, so place near a sunny window. Use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining soil. Don’t overwater. Fertilize regularly.
7. Chinese Evergreen
An easy care plant, the Chinese evergreen has patterned leaves that can be green, red, pink, silver, or white depending on variety. It tolerates low light and drier air. Water when the top inch or two of soil has dried out. Wipe leaves regularly to prevent pests. Ideal temperature range is 60-80°F.
8. ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant has thick, waxy dark green leaves that give it a tropical look. A native of eastern Africa, it tolerates temperature fluctuations, low light, and neglect. Allow the soil to become quite dry between waterings. Give it a bit of morning sun if possible. Ideal temperature range is 60-80°F.
9. Snake Plant
One of the most resilient indoor plants, the snake plant has stiff, upright sword-like leaves with yellow edges. It can tolerate very low light, infrequent watering, temperature fluctuations, and dry air. Allow the soil to become totally dry before watering. Ideal temperature range is 60-80°F. NASA recommends it for improving indoor air quality.
10. Peperomia
Over 1000 species of peperomia exist, most native to Central and South America. Many have ornamental leaves marked with stripes, dots, and colors. They tolerate neglect, low light, and colder temps. Allow the soil to become almost dry between waterings. Ideal temperature range is 65-80°F. Put in a bright location for best growth.
Now that you know some top options, you can choose the best indoor plants for your home’s conditions this winter. Just provide the proper care for each variety and they’ll reward you with beauty, fresh oxygen, and happiness during the cold weather months.
Best Houseplants for Cold Rooms
Consensus seems to be that 18 to 21 degrees Celsius is the magic range for home temperatures in the UK. Advice is to keep your home in this range for health and comfort but, realistically, there will be occasions where the temperature drops below this.
The plants were looking at today are, like us, best suited to that optimum 18-21°C range but, should all cope with things getting colder at extreme times of year or the occasions when you want or need to dial the thermostat back.
Remember, the size of your houseplants really matters when it comes to handling the cold. Large plants are better equipped to handle changes in temperature because they have more mass to help them keep their cool (or warmth, actually) in colder weather. The big guys release heat more slowly into the chilly air, making them super tough against the cold. On the flip side, smaller plants will find it harder to handle the cold as their daintier bodies succumb to the cold far more quickly. So, if you want your plants to endure cooler temps, go for the bigger ones—theyve got more sufficient size to handle it!
Prolonged cold is no good for man nor plant, but these hardy houseplants wont freeze to death when conditions become less than optimum…
Originating from Japan, where climates can be particularly extreme, the Japanese Aralia is often found growing outdoors in gardens up and down the UK – cold household temperatures really pose no threat.
Tolerating -10°C when grown outdoors, a year round inside temperature of 15-21°C and the occasional fluctuation to 10°C during winter is easily achievable.
Tough in the cold, Fatsia japonica gets finicky in the heat – watch out for drafts and be cautious with watering. Not a low-maintenance plant, but a star in the right chilly setting.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, thankfully abbreviated to ZZ Plant (and its compact cultivar Zamioculcas zamiifolia Zenzi) are super on trend thanks to the irresistible combination of amazing style and structure, with incredibly easy care requirements. Shade tolerant, drought tolerant and temperature tolerant too.
15°C to 24°C is the preferred range of the ZZ, but if things get down to 8°C, this remarkably resilient plant should be just fine.
The Cast Iron Plant. Solid and dependable, as its name suggests the Aspidistra can cope with a heck of a lot being thrown at it – including cooler temperatures.
7-10°C during the winter shouldn’t be much of a problem for this bold beauty.
The Aspidistra is extremely resilient and has a wonderful ability to thrive on very little care. It’s often the perfect houseplant for spaces where other plants have failed to acclimatise.
First of all, this is not a true pine. It’s a tropical plant that must be kept indoors. Ideally, Araucaria heterophylla should again be kept at “normal household temperatures”, but if the boiler packs in or youre turning the heating right down while youre out of the house,10 -15 degrees Celcius is a good range to keep it during the winter months and it can cope with temperatures dropping to as low as 5°C on occasion.
It’s a fab winter plant, not only for its unmistakable Christmas tree vibes, but its Scandi chic silhouette looks so striking in minimalist interiors.
Schlumbergera (fantastic fun to say – schlum·ber·ger·a, schlum·ber·ger·a, schlum·ber·ger·a!) or Christmas Cactus not only tolerates colder temperatures (10°C is no problem) it actually needs a dip in temperature to begin budding.
Around October time your Christmas cactus should begin to recognise the cooling temperatures and start to bud ready for opening in December. Pretty cool!
Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) and its cousin Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm) can cope with temperatures as high as 37°C and, the bit we’re here for, as low as -5°C (once established).
While the Date Palm gives off an incredibly tropical look, its well-equipped to cope with cooler household temperatures during the winter and the extremes of summer too. This remarkable palm plant is ideal for indoor / outdoor living spaces – pop it on the patio in summer and bring it inside during the winter months.
In most homes, even in the UK, it is rare temperatures will get below 10°C, even during the winter months. If you do have a particularly cold or draughty spot that you’re looking to furnish with a plant pal though, DO NOT have a look at the plant families below. They will do well down to about 10, which should be fine in most circumstances, but we certainly wouldn’t guarantee them any lower.
Sanseveria are happy to be neglected in all sorts of ways, including temperatures of 10°C for short periods. Much colder for much longer and you’re sturdy snakeskin stems will turn to a mushy mess.
Again, not a cold lover but a cold tolerater. Dracaenas can cope with temperatures dropping to 12ish for short periods. One for if you’re dialling back the thermostat overnight, not turning it off all the way.
You can easily picture the retro chic of a spider plant sitting in a front room in the 60s and 70s and, with a tolerance to cold down to about 8°C, they survived when the electric fire was only on one bar then, they’ll do fine when you turn down the central heating too.
The Best Cold Tolerant Houseplants! Grow These Plants for Thriving Indoor Plants This Winter!
FAQ
What is the best plant for a cold house?
- English Ivy (Hedera helix) Ivy really thrives in cooler temperatures. …
- Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa) …
- A Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) …
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) …
- Fatsia Japonica. …
- Lemon tree. …
- Snake Plant. …
- Aspidistra.
What plant removes 78% of airborne mold?
English Ivy is the plant known for removing a significant amount of airborne mold, with studies indicating it can filter out up to 78% of airborne mold in 12 hours, according to Homes and Gardens.
What plants can survive at the coldest temperature?
- Rhododendrons. Rhododendrons are a group of flowering shrubs that are known for their showy pink springtime flowers. …
- Daffodils, crocuses and tulips. These three bulbs are the essence of spring for some people. …
- Hostas. …
- Bleeding hearts. …
- Irises. …
- Daylilies. …
- Lilacs. …
- Hydrangea.
What’s the lowest temperature indoor plants can tolerate?
Most houseplants are native to tropical areas and will not tolerate freezing temperatures. Many indoor plants will see damage when temperatures drop to the mid to lower 40s°F and nearly all will die if exposed to below freezing temperatures.