10 Hardy Houseplants That Will Survive Winter
The cold weather is here once again, and some homes don’t have enough warmth for most houseplants. Hopefully you prepared for winter well ahead of time! The good news is, there are many types of houseplants that can survive in dark, cold, and dry conditions. These houseplants are so easy to care for that even a beginner could grow their own indoor garden even over the winter. Be sure to check out the list below for a list of easy-to-care houseplants that can survive winter cold.
ZZ Plant
Known for its deep green, shiny leaves, the ZZ fern is a very popular houseplant for both indoor and outdoor use. The plant makes a stunning centerpiece display, works perfectly as a living horticultural decor, and is very easy to maintain. For one thing, the plant can tolerate low light levels. You can choose to place this houseplant any place in the house because it grows well in cold and damp environments.
The ZZ plant is a unique houseplant because it is capable of living in the dark, making it suitable to have in the house during the cool months. Since the ZZ plant is naturally slow growing, it will thrive in areas with enough natural light. The ZZ plant does not grow very big, so it will not overwhelm a small home. However, it cannot tolerate direct sunlight as bright light will burn its shiny foliage.
Maidenhair Fern
Known for its beautiful feminine foliage, the Maidenhair fern is an excellent houseplant for someone who wants to bring nature into his or her home. This houseplant naturally grows in forests, so it can thrive in different environments. Houseplants like the Maidenhair fern are extraordinarily tolerant of humidity, low temperatures, and can also thrive in shady environments.
This houseplant grows best in cool places with limited sunlight, so set it in a place that gets indirect sunlight rather than direct sunlight. Maidenhair fern can tolerate slightly dry conditions, although it grows best when watered and misted frequently. Please be aware that Maidenhair ferns love constantly moist soil, so it is best planted in a humid location. You can also use compacted or water-retentive soils for this plant.
Chinese Evergreen
Adding lushness to all corners of your home is easy with the Chinese evergreen. Its show-stopping patterns and resilience make it an ideal houseplant. While it can tolerate all kinds of indoor growing conditions, you’ll find the Chinese evergreen to thrive in tropical climates. This slow-growing houseplant thrives in environments with low light levels, cold temperatures and even dry air.
In spite of being a unique houseplant, the Chinese evergreen plant does not discolor when grown in dim lighting; however, the plant cannot tolerate overwatering as such use well-draining, evenly moist soils. Chinese evergreens can be affected by cold drafts, so keep it away from cold spots to avoid brown leaves. Moreover, this houseplant is susceptible to scale, mealy-bugs, spider mites, and aphids, so stop picking at the leaves regularly!
Clivia
Houseplants belonging to this genus are often grown both indoors and outdoors, and have trumpet-shaped blooms that range in color from red to pale orange. This plant retains its foliage all year long, even in the middle of the winter season.
Among the reasons this houseplant is so versatile is that it is able to adapt to different growing environments. It can thrive in places with low light and/or drafty air. However, once the weather gets cold, it is better to bring potted clivias indoors. Civias require only moderate moisture, so they will thrive in dry areas. They require little watering so they are hardier than most houseplants. However, they enjoy rich, well-draining soil, so you may need to fertilize it sometimes.
Jade Plant
Jade plants are known for their striking, fleshy leaves and woody stems. They age beautifully, taking on the shape of mini trees as they age. Its fleshy leaves can hold water during the dry months, acting as a reservoir for water when the air inside the house is hot. Jade plants are hardy houseplants that can survive hot and cold air as well as less than ideal growing conditions.
It is best to grow jade plants in a sunny location, but the plant can also thrive in lower-light conditions. Jade is also tolerant of well-drained soils and requires infrequent watering. In fact, it is only recommended to water a jade plant when the soil is almost completely dry to the touch. You may also add a small dose of fertilizer every once in a while to keep the foliage looking lush.
Christmas Cactus
This festive houseplant symbolizes the holiday season so it is no surprise this eye-catching houseplant is a nice gift idea as Thanksgiving approaches. Growing conditions for the Christmas cactus are tropical, with high humidity levels. In the ideal environment, Christmas cactus blooms will have jewel-toned petals that look just like orchids. Winter plants can have white blooms, but Christmas cacti have vibrant pink or purple blossoms.
The Christmas cactus is easy to care for. It benefits greatly from neglect. The Christmas cactus can be grown indoors or outdoors. It loves shade and hates water, so never place a pot near a window or near a space that obtains direct sunlight. Christmas cacti need full shade and don’t tolerate moist soil, so water only when you can touch the soil.
Philodendron
Known as one of the toughest houseplants around, the Philodendron will thrive anywhere from an outdoor or indoor setting. It’s known for its large, vivid green split leaves, which make it a lovely decoration for your home as well as being incredibly hardy. This resilient houseplant is drought-resistant and can tolerate a shady environment. Even those with brown thumbs can grow Philodendrons successfully, since these plants do not require much care to survive.
Like most cacti, the Philodendron can survive long periods of drought, so it is not necessary to water it very often. It only needs moist soil but hates standing water. It doesn’t require too much water. Water it every two weeks or so.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a durable houseplant that looks pretty and can purify indoor air by absorbing unpleasant odors. It does not grow too big, so the Fiddle Leaf Fig will brighten up a room without dominating it.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig’s watering requirements do change depending on its maturity. In the summer time, Fiddle Leaf Fig should be watered every two weeks, while in the winter months it only needs watered once a month. Despite their resilience, Fiddle leaf figs are sensitive to dryness of the room, which could cause water from the roots to evaporate. In a dry room, you should water the plant more frequently to keep the soil slightly moist.
Snake Plant
This plant is well known for producing thick, leathery leaves that appear reptilian. When grown correctly, snake plants produce clusters of white blooms with a green tint. These blooms come in large clusters, filling a room with a sweet, floral scent!
In spite of neglect, this houseplant thrives! It does not require full sun, it tolerates dim environments, it is extremely drought resistant, and it does not require much light at all. This houseplant does best in a partially shady location. Snake plants dislike standing water, so don’t water until the soil is dry to the touch. Use a well-draining, sandy soil for the best drainage.
Hoya
It is best known for its waxy, eye-catching leaves and is often found creeping or hanging along trailing vines in tropical forests. Hoya is capable of thriving in a variety of conditions and can adapt to a variety of light levels.
The waxy leaves of the Hoya hold a lot of water so it doesn’t require frequent watering at all. It thrives best in bright light, although it can tolerate partly shady conditions as well. The Hoya needs light soil and prefers a slightly drier climate. It’s one of those plants that does not do well with frequent irrigation, so it’s best to water only when the soil is dry to the touch.