When winter arrives and everything outside starts looking gray, our homes can feel a bit lifeless too. But guess what? We don't have to wait for spring to enjoy some greenery!
With the right indoor plants, we can brighten up our rooms—even when it's freezing outside. Today, we're diving into how we can choose strong, cold-friendly indoor plants that stay happy all winter long.
Winter isn't just cold—it often comes with less sunlight, drier air, and chilly indoor temperatures. That means we need to choose plants that aren't too picky. The best winter indoor plants are the ones that:
• Can handle low light
• Don't mind cool rooms
• Don't need constant watering
• Keep their color and shape without much effort
Let's explore what types of plants fit the bill—and how we can care for them the smart way.
Here are our favorite plant picks that survive (and even thrive) through winter:
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
This one's a true survivor. It doesn't need much water, can live with very little sunlight, and doesn't mind cooler air. Plus, its tall, striped leaves bring great texture to any corner.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is almost impossible to damage. It handles low light and dry air like a champ, and its glossy leaves stay shiny year-round.
3. Spider Plant
These green-and-white beauties are perfect for hanging baskets or shelves. They grow fast and can tolerate lower temperatures better than many others.
4. Peace Lily
With dark green leaves and occasional white blooms, peace lilies do well in lower light. Just keep them away from cold drafts and water when the soil is dry.
5. Pothos (Devil's Ivy)
This trailing vine is a winter favorite. It grows fast even in dim corners and is super low-maintenance. Great for shelves, hanging pots, or table centerpieces.
6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
With colorful leaves and a tough nature, this plant is both stylish and strong. It prefers warmth but won't wilt easily in winter.
Even hardy plants need a bit of help in winter. Try to:
• Place them near windows where they can still catch some natural light
• Avoid cold spots, like directly beside drafty windows or near heaters
• Group them together, which helps raise humidity around them naturally
• Wipe the leaves regularly to keep dust from blocking the light
Winter watering is different from summer. Most indoor plants need less water in colder months. Here's how we handle it:
• Check the soil first—only water when the top 2-3 cm feels dry
• Use room temperature water so we don't shock the roots
• Don't let pots sit in water—extra moisture can cause root problems
Besides water and light, here are a few more things we do to keep our plants happy:
• Clean the leaves once a week with a damp cloth
• Skip the fertilizer until spring—plants grow slower in winter
• Rotate the pots every few weeks so all sides get some light
• Mist lightly if the air feels super dry, but don't overdo it
Some plants just don't like cold at all. We try to avoid tropical ones like ferns, orchids, and calatheas in winter unless we have a warm, humid room for them. They're more delicate and can quickly get stressed.
Choosing the right plants means we don't have to pause our love for green living during the cold season. These tough indoor greens can survive with us through winter and still bring life and calm into our homes.
We'd love to hear from you! Do you already have a favorite indoor plant that survives the winter? Or are you planning to try one of these soon? Let's share plant ideas and keep our homes green together!