I thought living somewhere cold meant I couldn’t have houseplants. Boy, was I wrong!
There are plants that love cooler spots. Here are 15 I’ve tried that do great in my chilly house.
1. Leafwork
Characteristics and Care
Leafwork has become one of my go-to plants for those tricky, cooler spots in my home. Its preference for well-draining soil and bright indirect light makes it a breeze to care for.
Originally from cooler, non-tropical regions, this plant is a champ at withstanding indoor chill. I’ve found it to be incredibly resilient, even in rooms where other plants struggle.
2. Jewel Orchid
Unique Features and Care Requirements
Unlike its sun-loving cousins, the Jewel Orchid has stolen my heart with its ability to thrive in low light and high humidity. It’s perfect for those cooler, shaded rooms that often feel like plant no-man’s-land.
Native to the forest floors of Southeast Asia, this beauty is quite comfortable in less than tropical settings. I’ve had great success growing it in my north-facing bathroom, where it adds a touch of exotic charm.
3. Kalanchoe
Care and Preferences
Kalanchoe has been my reliable companion through many winters. This succulent prefers well-draining soil and bright indirect light, making it a perfect addition to my sunny but cool sunroom.
I’ve learned that the key to keeping Kalanchoe happy is sparse watering. With proper care, this little trooper thrives all year round, brightening up even the gloomiest winter days.
4. Peperomia
Characteristics and Origin
Peperomia has been my secret weapon for adding pops of color to indoor spaces during the colder months. It prefers a bright spot away from direct sunlight, which suits my east-facing windows perfectly.
Native to the cool mountains of South America, this plant feels right at home in cooler indoor climates. I love how it brings a touch of tropical flair without demanding tropical temperatures.
5. Elkhorn Fern
Natural Habitat and Care Needs
The Elkhorn Fern has taught me the importance of mimicking natural habitats. Loving humidity and indirect sunlight, it reminds me of the lush, shaded undergrowth of forests.
I’ve found that misting it regularly and placing it in a cool, damp corner of my living room helps it thrive. It’s adapted beautifully to my home’s cooler, damper environment.
6. False Shamrock
Unique Features and Care
The False Shamrock adds a touch of mystery to my indoor garden. I’ve discovered it prefers cooler temperatures, which makes it perfect for my drafty old house.
Bright indirect light and slightly moist soil keep this plant happy. It’s become a conversation starter, with its unique leaves that fold up at night as if going to sleep.
7. Baby Tears
Origin and Care Requirements
Baby Tears has become my go-to plant for creating lush, green carpets in cooler rooms. Native to the Mediterranean, it loves moisture and indirect light.
I’ve had great success growing it in my cool, humid basement bathroom. Its delicate appearance belies its hardiness in less-than-ideal conditions.
8. Aluminum Plant
Characteristics and Care
The Aluminum Plant never fails to impress visitors with its unique metallic sheen. Originating from shaded environments in Vietnam, it’s well-suited to the cooler spots in my home.
I’ve learned it does well in cooler temperatures and prefers its soil to dry out between waterings. It’s become a stunning, low-maintenance addition to my plant collection.
9. Panda Plant
Features and Care Needs
As a succulent from Madagascar’s Highlands, the Panda Plant has taught me that not all succulents need scorching heat. It likes well-draining soil and needs little water, making it my go-to low-maintenance option for cooler spaces.
I love how its fuzzy leaves add texture to my plant displays, even in the chillier corners of my home.
10. Strawberry Begonia
Origin and Care Requirements
Strawberry Begonia has won me over with its charming appearance and adaptability. It loves indirect light and needs consistently moist soil, which suits my forgetful watering habits just fine.
Native to East Asia’s cooler areas, it’s proven to be a hardy plant for my indoor environment. Its cascading growth habit makes it a beautiful addition to my cool, bright kitchen.
11. Moth Orchid
Care and Characteristics
Moth Orchids have taught me that beauty and resilience can go hand in hand. They need indirect light and a weekly watering schedule, which fits perfectly into my weekend plant care routine.
I’ve found they’re quite comfortable in my cooler rooms, offering stunning blooms even when the temperatures drop. They’ve become my favorite way to add elegance to my winter decor.
12. Blood Moss
Habitat and Care Needs
Blood Moss has been a game-changer for my chillier indoor settings. It enjoys high humidity and indirect light, reminding me of Africa’s cool forest floors where it originates.
I’ve created a little terrarium for it in a cool corner of my study, where it thrives and adds a unique touch to my workspace.
13. Feather Palm
Origin and Care Requirements
The Feather Palm brings tropical vibes to my cool spaces. Native to rainforests of South Mexico and Guatemala, it’s acclimated to cooler forest floors.
I’ve learned it likes its soil to dry out between waterings, which works well with my busy schedule. It’s become the star of my living room, adding a lush, tropical feel even in the depths of winter.
14. African Mask Plant
Features and Care
The African Mask Plant offers striking visuals that never fail to impress. I’ve found it loves bright indirect light and is accustomed to cooler shaded environments.
It’s become the centerpiece of my indoor winter garden, its dramatic leaves adding a touch of the exotic to my cool, bright dining room.
15. Pothos
Characteristics and Care
Last but not least, Pothos has been my faithful companion in adding green to almost any space. Native to the Solomon Islands, these versatile plants are used to moderate temperatures.
I’ve draped them across bookshelves and allowed them to trail from hanging baskets in my cooler rooms. Their preference for filtered light makes them perfect for those tricky, low-light spots.