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.
When the weather outside turns cold, it can be challenging to keep our homes warm enough for some indoor plants. Tropical plants that thrive in heat and humidity don’t always tolerate frigid drafts and dry air well. However, there are plenty of options for adding greenery to your home, even in the coldest months.
After researching expert recommendations, I’ve compiled this list of the 10 best indoor plants for cold weather. These hardy plants can handle chilly temperatures and lower light conditions, making them perfect for brightening up your home during winter.
1. Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the most popular and hardy houseplants. Its sword-like leaves can grow up to 4 feet tall, adding dramatic height and structure. Snake plants are native to West Africa and can tolerate temperatures down to 45°F without issue. Their thick, waxy leaves retain moisture well. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as overwatering is the main cause of problems. Place your snake plant in a spot with indirect light.
2. Cast Iron Plant
As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is nearly indestructible Also called the iron plant, its long dark green leaves can reach 2 feet long Native to the rainy forests of Japan and China, cast iron plants can thrive in temperatures down to 50°F and tolerate low light. Allow the soil to become nearly dry before watering. The cast iron plant grows slowly and requires little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
3. ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is characterized by its attractive dark green leaves that emerge in pairs along zig-zagging stems. There are a few different varieties to choose from, but most grow 1-3 feet tall. ZZ plants are native to eastern Africa but adapt well to indoor conditions. They can tolerate temperatures down to 55°F. These succulents prefer less frequent watering. Allow the soil dry out completely before watering again. Give your ZZ plant bright, indirect light.
4. Chinese Evergreen
With its lush green leaves accented by silvery patterns the Chinese evergreen can brighten up any space. Its variegated foliage comes in shades of silver, green pink, and red. Chinese evergreens are native to tropical Asian forests but are surprisingly tolerant of cold and dry indoor environments. Temperatures as low as 45°F are fine. Let the soil dry out some before watering. Wipe the waxy leaves often to prevent dust buildup. Place in indirect light.
5. Cyclamen
Cyclamen are beautiful flowering plants that bloom from fall to spring. Their dainty blooms come in white, pink, red, and purple atop dark green heart-shaped leaves. Cyclamen thrive in cooler temperatures from 50-65°F. Place your cyclamen in an area with bright, indirect light. Water only when the soil becomes dry to the touch, taking care not to get water on the tuber or leaves. Reduce watering from fall through winter.
6. Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island pine is a popular indoor tree that can grow up to 10 feet tall over time. Its pyramid shape and evergreen needles make it look like a miniature Christmas tree. The Norfolk Island pine prefers temperatures between 60-70°F but can tolerate cooler and warmer temps. It needs indirect sunlight from an east or west-facing window. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Mist the pine’s foliage regularly to increase humidity.
7. Peperomia
Over 1000 species of peperomia exist, most native to South America. These fleshy-leaved plants come in a variety of leaf shapes, colors, and textures. Most stand 8-12 inches tall. Peperomias can tolerate temperatures as low as 55°F. Allow the soil to become dry to the touch before watering again. Bright to medium indirect light is best. Peperomias are slower-growing, making them great desk plants.
8. Christmas Cactus
Christmas cacti are prized for their vibrant winter blooms in shades of red, pink, white, orange, and purple. Oval flattened stems produce the showy flowers. Native to Brazilian forests, Christmas cacti can handle lower humidity and cooler temps down to 55°F. Place them in indirect sunlight near an east-facing window. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Move the cactus to a cool, dark area in fall to encourage bud formation.
9. Jade Plant
Jade plants are succulents with thick woody stems and oval-shaped leaves. Also called money plants, the jade plant is seen as a good luck symbol in many cultures. Slow growing, jade plants can live for decades with proper care. They tolerate temperatures down to 45°F. Allow the soil to become completely dry before watering. Jade plants thrive with plenty of direct sunlight but can tolerate lower light conditions.
10. Spider Plant
Spider plants are incredibly easy to grow. Arching green-and-white striped leaves extend out from the mother plant on long wiry stems, producing spiderettes, or baby spider plants. They add great texture and height in a room. Spider plants can withstand temperatures down to 45°F. Grow them in bright indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Trim off brown leaf tips as needed.
While tropical plants struggle in cold, drafty areas, these 10 picks will stay healthy and add life to your indoor garden all winter long. Follow the care tips above to keep your cold-tolerant plants happy despite chilly temps. With the right selection of plants, you can enjoy greenery in your home no matter how cold it gets outside!
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.
TOP 10 Cold Tolerant Indoor Plants ❄️ Winter Houseplants
FAQ
What is the best plant for a cold house?
- The Best Cold Tolerant Houseplants.
- Cyclamen.
- Christmas Cactus.
- Ivy.
- Cast Iron Plant.
- Inch Plant.
- Citrus Trees.
- 7. Japanese Aralia.
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What is the hardiest indoor plant?
The Snake Plant, also known as the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” is one of the most resilient indoor plants around. It’s drought-tolerant, adapts well to low light, and can withstand a range of temperatures. Plus, its striking upright leaves add a modern touch to any room.
What is the lowest temperature houseplants can tolerate?
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General Rule:It’s generally safe to bring plants indoors when nighttime temperatures consistently drop to 50°F (10°C) or below.
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Damage and Death:Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause significant damage to many houseplants, and freezing temperatures (below 32°F or 0°C) are often fatal.
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Species Variation:Some plants, like jade plants, are more cold-tolerant than others and can handle temperatures closer to freezing for short periods, especially if the soil is kept dry.
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Protecting from Cold:If plants are exposed to cold, they can be protected by covering them with sheets, blankets, or cardboard.
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Optimal Temperature Range:For most houseplants, daytime temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C) are ideal, with nighttime temperatures 10°F (6°C) cooler.