Keep Your Home Lush This Winter: The Best Houseplants for Cold-Weather Growth
When winter days get short and gray, houseplants bring a pop of green life that brightens up any room—and your mood along with it. Studies from Psychology Today show that tending to plants indoors can reduce stress and help you feel calmer, cozier, and more connected to nature when it’s too chilly to head outside.
At Ed’s Plant Shop, we believe plants aren’t just decorations—they’re living elements that help make your space feel more grounded, vibrant, and personal, even during the darkest months. Here’s our curated guide to the best houseplants for winter and how to care for them.
Why Indoor Plants Matter in Winter
Indoor gardening in winter offers more than just a splash of green. Many houseplants tolerate or even prefer the drier air and reduced light of colder months. While claims about air purification are often overstated, plants can still create a more welcoming atmosphere and support your winter routines with their calming, presence-enhancing effects.
Best Houseplants to Grow in Winter
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
With upright, sculptural leaves and a reputation for hardiness, Snake Plants are perfect for winter. They tolerate low light and minimal watering—ideal when the sun’s scarce and the air is dry.
Snake Plant – A tough, low-light tolerant favorite for winter.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant is known for its waxy green leaves and its ability to thrive on near-total neglect. It stores water in its rhizomes, making it drought-tolerant and perfect for dry, low-light spaces. Looking to be a little more creative than a waxy green leaf? Look towards the Chameleon ZZ Plant for a splash of unique coloration and texture!
ZZ Plant – Thrives with minimal care in lower light environments.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Elegant and relatively easygoing, the Peace Lily can handle winter’s lower light levels and adds interest with its glossy leaves and occasional white blooms. Keep it in a humid spot and water when the topsoil feels dry.
Peace Lily – A humidity-loving classic with striking white blooms.
4. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
The Money Tree is admired for its braided trunk and lush leaves, and symbolizes good luck. It prefers bright, indirect light and benefits from humidity—use a pebble tray to keep it happy in winter.
Money Tree – A symbol of prosperity and easy winter care.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera thrives in bright, indirect light and stores water in its leaves—making it ideal for dry winter indoor air and forgetful waterers.
Aloe Vera – Medicinal succulent with minimal winter care.
6. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos features heart-shaped leaves variegated in gold and green. It tolerates low light but flourishes with bright, indirect light and occasional watering.
Golden Pothos – Easy trailing vine for winter freshness.
7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant has arching green–and-white leaves and produces baby plantlets. It’s easy to propagate, tolerates varied light, and prefers even moisture.
Spider Plant – Classic air–purifier and propagator.
8. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade Plant has thick, glossy leaves that store water—perfect for bright windowsills and minimal watering.
Jade Plant – A succulent symbol of luck and resilience.
9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber Plant features large, leathery leaves that thrive in bright indirect light. Wipe leaves regularly to keep them dust-free and healthy.
Rubber Plant – Dramatic foliage for winter interiors.
10. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns offer lush, shaggy fronds that thrive in high humidity—ideal for bathrooms or kitchens. Mist regularly and avoid waterlogged soil.
Boston Fern – Lush and humid-loving for cozy winter spaces.
Winter Houseplant Care Tips
- Light: Position near windows, rotate weekly, and use LED grow lights if needed.
- Humidity: Group plants, use pebble trays, mist leaves, or run a humidifier.
- Watering: Check soil before watering—winter plants prefer drier intervals.
- Temperature: Maintain 65–75°F, avoiding drafts and heaters.
Create Your Winter Oasis
Winter doesn’t have to mean lifeless indoor spaces. With these winter-ready plants and easy care tips, you’ll enjoy a lush, inviting home all season.
- LED Grow Lights for supplemental winter lighting.
- Humidifiers to maintain optimal moisture levels.
