The indoor plants you choose for your home should be able to withstand the conditions you’re likely to expose them to. Most of us are familiar with the basics of what makes a plant thrive—a good amount of sunlight and water, regular pruning, and a little bit of fertilizer. But if you’re looking for something that can handle harsher conditions, here’s a list of indoor plants that can stand up to heat, cold, or both.
Indoor plants are great—they add life to our homes and offices, they can help improve air quality, and they can even make us feel better. But no matter how much we love them, they’re still plants—and plants need water, light, and soil. And sometimes we don’t have time or energy to provide all three of those things for a plant. But not all hope is lost. There are some wonderful indoor plants that can withstand high temperatures and low temperatures alike, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out when summer comes or freezing solid when winter hits.
Many people want to enjoy the fresh scent and beauty of indoor plants, but they are reluctant to keep them because they fear the plant will die in the winter or get too hot in the summer. While it’s true that indoor plants need special care to survive in a home environment, there are many types of indoor plants that can withstand both cold and heat.
The first thing you should do when choosing an indoor plant for your home is check its temperature requirements. Most houseplants will do well at temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit (16-27 degrees Celsius). If you live in a very warm climate, you’ll have more luck growing tropical plants rather than temperate ones. If you live in an area that gets extremely cold during winter months, look for plants that are frost tolerant so they can survive freezing temperatures without getting damaged by freezing conditions.
Some plants like warm conditions and some prefer cooler temperatures. The following are indoor plants that can tolerate both cold and heat:
- African violet (Saintpaulia): This plant is one of the most popular houseplants, but it does well in areas with low light. It’s easy to grow, even for newbie gardeners, because it requires little water or maintenance and is hardy enough to survive winter outdoors in many regions.
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema): This tough houseplant has glossy leaves and grows well in medium light conditions. It tolerates a variety of temperatures, making it an ideal choice for people who want something easy to care for during all four seasons of the year.
- Dieffenbachia: Dumb cane or angel’s trumpet (Dieffenbachia amoena) Besides being beautiful when grown indoors, dieffenbachia also makes a great houseplant because it can easily withstand periods of neglect when you’re busy with life outside your home—and then return quickly once you’re ready. This gorgeous specimen looks especially good near large windows where there’s plenty of sunlight streaming through every day. However, if placed too close then its leaves may burn so keep them an arm’s length away from any direct light sources such as lamps or overhead fixtures.
How To Protect Indoor Plants From Cold
To protect your plant from cold, you should:
- Keep the plant away from drafts.
- Keep the plant away from windows.
- Keep the plant away from heaters.
- Keep the plant away from air conditioners.
- Keep the plant away from a cold kitchen area or bathroom during winter months when it is not being used for cooking or bathing, respectively
How To Protect Indoor Plants From Heat
- Place in a well-lit area. Plants require at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day, and the direct light from a window is ideal. If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it may begin to look sickly and lose its leaves. A sunroom or greenhouse is an excellent solution for this problem, but if you don’t have one available, simply place your plant near a window and try to keep it out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day (usually between 11:00 am–3:00 pm).
- Place near a drafty area or fan. Cooling drafts are beneficial for your indoor plants because they help prevent overheating by circulating air throughout your home and providing adequate ventilation for proper circulation within closed rooms without air conditioning systems installed yet; however, too much draftiness can dry out soil quickly so be careful not overdo it. Also, make sure that fans aren’t blowing directly onto pots because this could cause damage if done too often over long periods of time just use them sparingly when necessary (e.g., during heat waves).
Plants That Like Cold And Dark
- If you’re looking for indoor plants that like the cold, try these:
- Peace lilies are a common choice. They grow well in shade or low light and are incredibly hardy.
- Spider plants are another popular option for those who want an easy-to-care-for plant that will thrive in lower light conditions.
- Cactus and succulents work well in dry soil, which makes them ideal for low-light areas of your home.
Low Maintenance Indoor Plants
Low-maintenance indoor plants are a great choice for beginners and people with busy schedules. They’re also perfect for people with allergies or who have pets, because they don’t require frequent cleaning. The best part is that you can enjoy the look and feel of living plants without having to worry about overwatering or overfertilizing.
Low-maintenance indoor plants come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures—you’re sure to find one that suits your décor perfectly.
What Temperature Is Too Cold For Houseplants
If your home temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need to protect your plants from cold. Indoor plants that like low light and temperatures will be best suited for this purpose. These include:
- Cactus
- Succulents
- Ferns
- Moth orchids
If you’re worried about protecting a plant from heat, there’s no need to fret—there are plenty of options for keeping plants cool in the summer months as well. Most houseplants will do just fine (especially if you have an air conditioner).