The Best Winter Houseplants (& Care Tips)
The Bay Area has been its chilliest in the past 30 years, and Cupertino’s coldest month of the year is December.
It makes sense, then, that many of us have retreated indoors. But instead of looking wistfully at what could be growing outdoors, it’s time to look inward – at houseplants.
Houseplants provide our dwelling spaces with beauty, color, and purified air. The best houseplants tolerate our not-so-ideal indoor conditions, such as low light, dryness, and drafty window sills. And yet, the shorter days and colder temps have nothing on these interior heroes.
Our 14 houseplant picks will suit any room in your house. And, as always, you’ll receive lots of winter plant care tips to ensure your houseplants thrive and keep you thriving through this chilly season.
1. Air Plants Tillandsia
Due to their low water needs and tolerance to reduced humidity levels, air plants are among the best indoor plants for the winter. These interesting specimens add whimsy and texture to all spaces.
Air plant care
Keep air plants in bright, indirect light. You can also place them under fluorescent light.
Mist them with purified water at least once a week. If you soak them (no longer than 30 minutes), let them dry in a warm place for at least 4 hours.
Keep them away from air vents and drafty windows, or your Air plants might dry out.
2. Snake Plant Dracaena trifasciata (formerly known as Sansevieria trifasciata)
With their impressive height and sword-like leaves, Snake plants make a statement. Not only that, they’re incredibly hardy. Low light? Forgot to water? No problem.
As succulents, Snake plants tolerate neglect and even readily propagate themselves without our help.
Snake plant care
You can grow your Snake plant in low to bright, indirect light. Water only when the soil has dried out. They’ll thrive in good draining soil, such as G&B Organics Palm, Cactus & Citrus Planting Mix.
3. Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plants, especially with their adorable pups, are easy and rewarding to grow. If you have yours hanging indoors, rotate the pot regularly so that it receives even sun exposure. Be sure to keep it away from heaters.
Spider plant care
Spider plants appreciate moderate to bright, indirect sunlight. Before watering, wait until the top 2 inches of soil have dried out. The soil should never be totally dried out.
4. Philodendron
With over 450 varieties, Philodendrons are versatile and low-maintenance. Tolerant of rooms with low light, they appreciate planters with good drainage.
Philodendron care
As growth slows down during winter, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Philodendrons prefer medium light.
5. ZZ Plant Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
Perfect for travelers and folks who enjoy a more hands-off approach to growing plants, ZZs thrive on neglect in nearly all conditions. All they ask for, really, is good-draining soil and fertilizer twice a year.
ZZ plant care
Although ZZs tolerate low light, they’re happiest in medium to bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
6. Rubber Plant Ficus Elastica
Thanks to their thick, “rubbery” foliage, Rubber plants can tolerate low temperatures. They also tolerate low light, but we recommend that you wipe down their leaves with a damp cloth (or mist the plant) to allow better sunlight absorption and provide moisture for these humidity-loving plants.
Rubber plant care
Place in bright, indirect light. (The more variegated your Rubber plant, the more light it will require.) Allow the top few inches of the soil to dry out between waterings.
7. Jade Plant Crassula ovata
Undemanding and friendly (it’s called the “Friendship Plant” after all) to novice plant owners, Jade plants are known to bring good fortune and wealth. Now, those are some desirable vibes to have in a home!
Jade plant care
Jade plants need at least 4 hours of direct morning sunlight to thrive. Alternatively, you can leave it in a room with south-facing windows.
Your Jade plant needs to be watered once every 2 to 3 weeks. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
8. False Shamrock Oxalis Triangularis
The deep purple leaves and bell-shaped flowers make the Oxalis Triangularis a wonderfully decorative indoor plant during winter. They’re especially charming because the plants open wide to the morning light and close in the evening.
Oxalis Triangularis care
Give your Oxalis good-draining soil, and place it in a spot that receives bright, indirect to bright, direct light. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
9. Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera Truncate
With cheerful blooms that range from red, purple, white, yellow, orange to pink, the unfussy Christmas cactus can live for decades! It doesn’t take much to see it through the generations, which makes them amazing gifts.
Christmas cactus care
They require bright indirect light – not direct sunlight like other succulents can handle. A west- or south-facing window with a sheer curtain would be ideal. Also, unlike other succulents, Christmas cactus plants like humidity. If you don’t have a humidifier, place the cactus on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Water your Christmas cactus when the top one-third of the soil feels dry.
10. Pothos Epipremnum aureum
Durable and mesmerizing in its ability to grow long trails, there’s a Pothos for every home. There are several Pothos varieties, each one offering a fascinating pattern or shade to behold. If you choose a variegated Pothos, give it enough light so it doesn’t lose its colorful patterns.
Pothos care
Place your Pothos at least 10 to 12 inches away from windows or air vents where it can receive medium to bright indirect light. It requires coarse, well-drained soil. Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry.
11. Cyclamen Persicum
Cyclamens make the season – and the home – bright. With blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and striped, and dazzling silvery foliage, Cyclamens thrive in cold temperatures. They can provide color near a drafy window or entryway.
Cyclamen care
Place your Cyclamen in a spot with bright, indirect light. It’s important to keep the root ball moist while it’s still in bloom. When watering, water below the leaves making sure the water doesn’t touch the leaves or stems. Give it soil with good drainage.
12. Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis
Moth orchids are as classic as they are winter houseplant must-haves. As beautiful and exotic as they appear, they’re surprisingly undemanding.
Moth orchid care
Moth orchids love their sunshine – but not direct sunlight. Keep your orchid away from air vents or any area that gets drafty, and provide it with humidity.
Check your orchid’s roots regularly. If the roots are dry and gray, your orchid needs more water. Your orchid is healthy when the roots are green and plump.
For a detailed orchid care guide, visit our Garden Guides.
13. Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema
Being a tropical plant, pretty Chinese evergreens are impressively tolerant to the coldness and dryness of winter. They have stunning foliage and attractive shapes, making them beautiful additions to your home.
Chinese evergreen care
Plant your Chinese evergreen in a pot with good drainage, and wipe the leaves regularly as it tends to attract bugs like spider mites and aphids. It will thrive in medium, indirect light.
14. Succulents
Versatile and just plain fun to look at, succulents are wonderful to have around the home. They add color and architectural interest to any space.
Succulent care
Provide your succulents with at least 6 to 8 hours of bright light. A sunny windowsill might be a good option. Water them sparingly, letting the soil dry out before watering.
More Winter Houseplant Tips
Group Hug!
Group your houseplants with the same light and humidity requirements together. The plants release vapor into the air, creating humidity and regulating moisture.
Your Houseplants are fasting
Wait until spring to fertilize your plants. Feeding them now will do more harm than good. During winter, your houseplants don’t have enough energy to process fertilizer. The root system will get a buildup of salt and minerals that will harm the plant.
Get Off Schedule
Your houseplants don’t require as much water as they do during spring and summer. If you used a watering schedule, it’s time to get off schedule and water only when your plants show signs, such as drooping leaves.