Top 10 indoor plants that will survive the winter
Indoor plants often face challenges during winter due to significant environmental changes. Reduced sunlight is one of the biggest obstacles to their survival; the shorter, darker days and cloudy weather drastically limit the amount of natural light plants receive. Since sunlight is essential for growth, this reduction can have a substantial impact on their health.
Temperature fluctuations and lower humidity from indoor heating can also affect indoor plants, as sudden shifts in temperature and dry air can hinder their growth.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The Sansevieria, also known as the snake plant, is a great indoor house plant that can typically survive winter due to its drought-tolerant qualities and ability to survive less frequent watering. The Sansevieria thrives in low light, so the lack of sunlight during these winter months doesn’t impact its growth. Another great characteristic of this plant is that it purifies air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. It’s also fairly slow growing, and requires minimal maintenance to keep it thriving. This plant is fairly hardy, it can survive in a range of temperatures – even during the winter – making it a perfect indoor house plant.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia can tolerate very low light conditions, making it the perfect plant for a low-light room. A fantastic feature of the ZZ Plant is its low maintenance in terms of how often it requires watering. As it stores water in its rhizomes, which are underground stems that send out the shoots and roots, it’s full of hydration, so additional and frequent watering isn’t required. This plant is virtually pest-free and resilient to neglect. It’s super low maintenance, making it a great winter plant to add some elegance to your room.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)
This hardy plant is know for its air-purifying qualities and can help to improve indoor air quality. The spider plant thrives best in indirect sunlight, but it will tolerate low light, making it perfect for winter. One of its best features is its ability quickly repopulate and grow new plants by creating ‘spiderettes’ or baby plants. It’s an incredibly resilient plant, so it’s a great choice if you’re prone to neglect or overwatering. It’s also ideal if you’re looking for a plant that thrives in cooler, drier air.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is admired for its graceful white blooms and lush green foliage, making it a beautiful addition to any home. Beyond aesthetics, this plant offers air-purifying benefits, known to filter toxins in controlled settings. While it grows year-round, including during the darker winter months, the Peace Lily perform best with moderate to bright, indirect light and may show slower growth or fewer blooms in lower light.
Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
The tough and stylish Rubber Plant is a great option for those searching for a resilient indoor plant for winter. It’s recognised for its large, glossy leaves that add a bold aesthetic to any room. It thrives in bright and warm temperatures, making it adaptable to many indoor conditions. This plant is incredibly hardy and can withstand occasional watering, making it ideal for those who may forget to water in the colder months. In addition, it is an effective air purifier that removes pollutants from the air. The Rubber Plant is a strong choice that grows well in cooler indoor temperatures.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior)
The cast iron plant lives up to its name as one of the toughest houseplants. It can survive in low light, withstand irregular watering and tolerate a wide range of temperatures, making it nearly indestructible through the cold. This slow-growing plant requires minimal care, making it best for plant owners who need low-maintenance greenery. The cast iron plant is also resistant to pests and diseases, and its ability to thrive in dry air and cooler indoor environments makes it one of the most reliable plants for surviving harsh winter conditions.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a practical and decorative plant, prized for the soothing gel in its leaves, which can be used to relieve burns and skin irritation. This plant prefers bright, indirect daylight, but can also handle colder situations. Aloe Vera is surprisingly drought tolerant, requiring minimal watering as its thick, fleshy leaves conserve water. Aloe Vera also thrives in cooler temperatures, and its air-purifying properties make it a great addition to your indoor space.
English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
English ivy is a hardy, tolerant plant that can easily adapt to indoor winter conditions and is also recognised for its air-purifying properties. This plant helps to reduce mould and provides excellent indoor air quality. It can survive in indirect light and even thrives in shade, making it a good choice for homes with less natural daylight in winter. If you’re hunting for some beautiful winter greenery, English ivy is a great low-maintenance option.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are one of the most adaptable houseplants, thriving in both low-light and indirect sunlight conditions, making them a versatile choice for the winter. They are recognised for their air purification capabilities, which help keep air purified and clean and require minimal watering. These plants can typically withstand little care. In addition, they tolerate dry indoor air well, making them ideal for homes with heating systems that reduce indoor humidity in winter weather.
Keeping indoor plants growing and thriving during winter doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of other plants you can opt for that are hardy, low-maintenance and resilient to the cold weather. If you don’t consider yourself green-fingered though, you could always invest in some botanical wall art to give your space a splash of greenery without having to keep any plants alive.
