The finest houseplants for winter are ones that can withstand fluctuating interior temperatures and low light levels, so fill your home with some of these professional recommendations.
All year long, houseplants offer beauty to our interior spaces, but during the colder months of the year, the best winter houseplants become even more significant, contributing vitality, color, and stress-relieving, air-purifying properties.
Winter houseplants are more sturdy and cold-tolerant, able to tolerate the occasionally harsh conditions of our homes during the colder months. They also bring color and intrigue within while our gardens are dozing.
There are a lot of indoor plants available all year round, including low-maintenance indoor plants and low-light indoor plants that can also thrive in the months when most other plants are dormant.
You’ll be overwhelmed by the variety of winter houseplants available in terms of styles, shapes, and colors. Regardless of the type you select, be sure you understand how to take care of house plants in the winter to get the most out of them and make sure they survive until the following winter.
Top Houseplants For The Winter
With some of these top winter houseplants, you may practice your green thumb during the off-season whether you’re an experienced indoor plant enthusiast or just starting out. Whether you’re searching for bedroom plants to enhance the calming and relaxing qualities of the area or bathroom plants to contribute to the spa-like feel of the space, there are options that will work well in any room in the house.
Plants from humid, tropical areas will struggle the most to adapt to winter, but plants from more extreme climes won’t even feel the change in season in our homes, according to Bloomscape gardening expert Lindsay Pangborn.
Indoor Low-Maintenance Plants
1. Snake Plant
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, also known as Sansevieria or Snake Plant, is a low-water plant that prefers to be placed in partial shade. Its temperature can be changed to suit different interior circumstances, and it should be allowed to dry out fully in between waterings.
Furthermore, the plant can help remove airborne contaminants like formaldehyde and benzene, which can help purify the air. Because of this, it’s the ideal choice for indoor gardening in the winter.
2. Plant ZZ
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also referred to as the ZZ Plant, is a drought-tolerant plant whose glossy, dark green leaves brighten up interior areas. It can thrive in low light conditions with only occasional watering, although it loves bright, indirect light.
Due to its ability to adapt well to varying interior conditions, it is a versatile choice for winter maintenance. In addition, the ZZ Plant can be used as an air purifier, eliminating benzene, toluene, and xylene from indoor air.
3. Spider Plant
Important spider plant care guidelines include regular watering, keeping interior temperatures reasonable, providing moderate light, and keeping the soil damp but not dry.
Because spider plants are great air purifiers and remove toxins like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, they are beneficial for both inexperienced and experienced gardeners. They thrive in typical indoor temperatures and do well in winter circumstances.
4. Pathos
The heart-shaped leaves of the adaptable trailing vine Pathos can be solid green, white, yellow, or pale green. Devil’s ivy, or Epipremnum aureum, is another name for it. It is useful for climbing plants, hanging baskets, and shelves.
It is necessary to water pothos sparingly, allowing the soil to go dry between treatments. It can tolerate bright to low amounts of indirect light and prefers ordinary indoor temperatures.
Furthermore, it enhances the quality of the air indoors by efficiently eliminating pollutants from the air such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
Indoor Blooming Plants
5. African Violet
Care instructions for African violets, often called Saintpaulias, include regular watering to preserve hydration, avoiding wetting leaves to prevent spotting, and watering from the bottom to keep foliage dry.
Warm indoor temperatures and bright indirect light are preferred by the plant. Its fragile character should be preserved by keeping it in a steady place and providing constant care, as it is susceptible to changes in its surroundings.
6. Peace Lily
Known by most as the Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum is an elegant indoor plant with calla lily-like white blossoms and glossy, dark green leaves. It’s a popular choice for adding refinement to interior spaces.
To take care of the soil, keep it moist but not wet. It likes low to medium light levels and can tolerate fluorescent illumination. It requires warm interior temperatures and is well renowned for its air-purifying properties.
7. Begonia
Begonias are colorful flowering plants with beautiful leaves. To maintain their vivid blooms, give them regular, even watering, avoid overwatering, provide strong indirect light, keep them in a steady, warm, and humid atmosphere throughout the winter, and deadhead them often to encourage ongoing flowering.
To increase their humidity, place them on a tray filled with water and pebbles. During the winter, make sure they are always warm. If you take the time to care for your Begonias, they will live longer and be in better health.
8. Jasmine
The star-shaped white or pale pink blooms that are the hallmark of the fragrant jasmine plant are widely recognized. It can be trained to climb a waterfall or trellis, adding beauty and fragrance to indoor spaces.
Some care tips include giving it regular watering, ensuring adequate drainage, and using bright light close to a south-facing window.
Jasmine likes colder indoor temperatures in the winter, particularly at night, and she receives the most humidity from regular misting. After blooming, pruning encourages new growth and helps maintain shape.
Herbs for Indoor Gardening
9. Basil
Basil, a popular culinary herb, is a must for indoor gardens, especially during the winter. It is a favorite addition to salads and pasta dishes because of its aromatic and mildly sweet flavor as well as its vibrant green leaves.
The ideal growing conditions for basil are warm, comfortable interior temperatures between 65 and 85°F (18 and 29°C) and 6 to 8 hours of strong light every day. To encourage bushier growth, regularly pinch off the top leaves; if you don’t, the leaves may turn bitter.
10. Mint
Some care tips for mint (Menthe) include keeping the soil wet but not waterlogged, proper drainage, and enough sunshine. Mint enjoys moderate sunlight, though it may tolerate less light.
It can thrive in typical indoor conditions, while it prefers lower temps for winter growth. Regular pruning will foster bushier growth and help avoid leggings. Pinch back the stems to prevent the plant from becoming overly tall and spindly.
11. Rosemary
With its sharp-looking leaves and strong aroma, rosemary is a widely used herb to flavor meats, soups, and breads. It can be cultivated inside in the winter with proper care.
Rosemary prefers six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day, well-drained soil, and lower interior temperatures. It thrives in bright, south-facing windows; keep it away from heating vents.
Because it grows slowly indoors, rosemary needs time and occasional rotation to develop healthily.
12. Thyme
Thyme is a versatile herb that works well in indoor herb gardens, especially during the winter. It requires occasional light watering, allowing the soil to become dry between applications.
For optimal growth, Thyme need six to eight hours of sunlight per day. It likes typical indoor temperatures and can tolerate much lower ones.
Regular trimming or harvesting encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too woody. Thyme can also be used as a decorative plant to add foliage and fresh culinary herbs.
Indoor Air-Purifying Plants
13. Aloe Vera
The soothing gel of succulent aloe vera is highly valued for its potential medicinal benefits, particularly when applied to burns and skin irritations. It grows best on a sunny windowsill and can tolerate bright light and minimal irrigation.
60 to 75°F (15 to 24°C) is the ideal temperature range for aloe vera, especially in the winter. To avoid fungal illnesses, avoid overwatering the plant and ensure that it has enough ventilation surrounding it. Although aloe vera gel has numerous uses, it must be handled carefully.
14. English Ivy
It’s crucial to water English ivy (Hedera helix) frequently to keep the soil moist, but to let the top inch dry out in between treatments.
The ideal indoor temperatures for the plant are between 50 and 70°F (10 and 21°C), and it thrives in bright, indirect light. Because of its mild toxicity, it should not be consumed by pets or small children.
Regular pruning will encourage dense growth, keep it in shape, and allow it to climb on supports.
15. Boston Fern
The feathery Boston fern is a popular interior decoration because of its delicate fronds and gorgeous cascade. Given that it requires wet soil and enjoys indirect light, it should be placed in a filtered or low light environment.
Warm temperatures between 60 and 75°F (15 and 24°C) are preferred by the fern in temperate indoor conditions with increased relative humidity. A room humidifier or a humidity tray can be used to increase the fern’s humidity, and regular misting will keep it looking rich.
Cactus and Succulents
16. Echeveria
Echeveria is a multicolored succulent with a symmetrical shape that grows in rosettes. These easy-care plants are perfect for bringing the outside in. Echeveria requires little irrigation, and the soil should be allowed to completely dry in between applications.
It works well in bright light, especially in a sunny area. Since echeveria enjoys warmer interior temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C), it thrives in cold circumstances. To stay healthy, echeveria needs well-drained soil, little watering, and enough airflow to fend off fungal issues.
17. Haworthia
Haworthia is a low-maintenance succulent with clusters of thick, fleshy leaves that resemble rosettes. It’s a versatile plant that looks great in indoor gardens. It requires little irrigation and can thrive in areas with moderate light levels.
If protected from frost, Haworthia may tolerate colder winter temperatures. The ideal internal temperature range for it is 60–75°F (15–24°C).
It is extremely drought-tolerant, but uses a well-draining soil mix to keep it healthy because overwatering can lead to root rot. This plant is especially suitable for novices since it can adapt to a range of conditions.
18. Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus is a winter blooming cactus with bright tubular flowers that might be pink, scarlet, white, or purple. It enjoys humid environments and flat, segmented stems. When in bloom, it needs regular irrigation and thrives in bright, indirect light.
The plant prefers interior temperatures between 60 and 70°F (15 and 21°C); lower overnight temperatures can promote blooming. To maintain increased humidity levels, it is advisable to spritz the plant or keep it near a humidifier.
Move the plant into a cold, dark spot six weeks before flowering season, then bring it back into bright light to encourage blooming.
19. Jade Plant – Crassula
“The crassula, commonly called the jade plant, is an amazing houseplant for the winter.”It can survive both warmer and colder temperatures with ease, as well as low light levels. It will survive into spring and summer if you maintain a monthly watering schedule and provide it with some sunlight, the speaker continues.
If you’re decorating with plants, jade plants might look great as kitchen plants or paired with a variety of other smaller plants.
20. Dwarf Citrus
Citrus plants are among our top picks for indoor trees; while you may think of them as summertime favorites, dwarf citrus plants, such as lemons, small oranges, and tiny kumquats, rank highly for adding a little zing to interior designs as well as being among the best winter houseplants for use in cooking and mixology.
Dwarf citrus should be moved outside during the summer and brought inside during the winter, ideally to a room that is 65ºF (18ºC), somewhat colder than the typical indoor daytime temperature.
21. Oxalis Triangularis
Oxalis Triangularis is is a low-maintenance, exquisitely ornamental house plant with vibrant purple foliage and bell-shaped flowers that is a top pick for winter houseplants. These lovely and unusual plants give even more beauty to the house when they close their blossoms and leaves at night and open wide in the morning.
22. Phalaenopsis Orchid
A basic and seasonal option to liven up your indoor winterscape are orchids. It is elegant, requires little care, thrives in only moderate lighting, and endures for months.
You may easily become familiar with orchid maintenance, and they rank among the greatest plants for bathrooms.
23. Tradescantia
Known as the traveling Dude, Tradescantia is a native South American spiderwort species that grows quickly and takes over any area. One of the best plants for hanging baskets or pots, this classic retro winter houseplant is gorgeous and low maintenance.
24. Aglaonema
Experts have identified several aglaonemas as some of the best houseplants for the winter months. “Aglaonema Pink Star is a gorgeous, rare plant that will thrive easily in your home,” they say. These plants are ideal for novices as they can withstand low light levels and require little maintenance; nevertheless, more seasoned gardeners may find them appealing as collector plants. If you love gorgeous foliage or want to give your interiors a jungle feel, this is an excellent plant choice.
This kind and others with gorgeous pink or crimson foliage are ideal for adding a touch of color to your house throughout the winter. This is a cold-weather plant that does well in low light.
25. Cyclamen Persicum
The best winter houseplants are sometimes the same ones that work best in pots and borders outside. When placed together, cyclamen can look amazing and provide the illusion of a small interior garden.
Cyclamen, in their various forms and hues, are excellent wintertime choices, especially in tones of red, pink, and white. Cyclamen prefers colder climates to flourish. For a lovely pop of color, place potted cyclamen “near a drafty window or entryway; they require indirect sunlight and well-drained soil.”
As kitchen plants, these look great placed on a windowsill to bring in some winter color.