Houseplants for Cold Rooms: Indoor Plants That Won’t Mind the Cold

A cold room can often feel unwelcoming, but did you know that certain indoor plants can actually thrive in these conditions.

Don't worry, you can still enjoy the beauty of houseplants! Some are surprisingly tolerant of cooler temperatures.  Many houseplants are surprisingly tolerant of cooler temperatures and can bring life and vibrancy to even the chilliest corners of your home.

A good way to check is by looking at their hardiness rating – the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has a great system for this, showing how well a plant can handle the cold and frost.

Some of our favourite cold-hardy plants that we would recommend include:

1. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
   Ivy really thrives in cooler temperatures. It's perfect for trailing from shelves or hanging baskets. For a more dramatic effect, opt for a larger, more established plant. Remember to keep it away from direct sunlight, especially in warmer months.
   
   
2. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
   You'd be surprised, but these plants can actually tolerate cooler temperatures down to around 10°C. Avoid draughts though.
   
   
3. A Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
   Ficus will also be happy in a cold space for a period too! Just make sure the soil is not too damp.
   
   
4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
   These are robust houseplants that are quite cold-tolerant. It's happy between 15°C and 24°C but can cope with temperatures down to 8°C.
   
   
5. Fatsia Japonica
   Lots of people have these romping away in their gardens in Northern Ireland. They're actually these are Japanese plants so happy outside in temperatures of -10oC. They're more than happy inside in a cold room.
   
   
6. Lemon tree
   Lemon trees are cold hardy. They are actually happy down to 5°C and cooler, but hate the frost.
   
   
7. Snake Plant
   This is just the best all-round plant. It tolerates, shade, underwatering and even the cold. 
   
   
8. Aspidistra
   Also known as the Cast Iron Plant...it has a Cast Iron temperament when it comes to the cold. It will be happy down to 7°C.
   
   
9. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
   These plants actually need some cooling temperatures to help them flower. They'll be happy down to 10°C.
   
   
10. Spider Plants
    Another one of our favourites that will be happy in a cold room with temperatures around 8°C

Even though these plants can handle cooler temperatures, they still require proper care:

• Avoid Draughts: Protect your plants from cold draughts, especially during particularly cold snaps. Moving them away from windows and doors can make a big difference.
• Insulation: If necessary, consider providing extra insulation, such as placing the pots on mats or grouping plants together to create a microclimate.
• Watering: Reduce watering frequency during colder months, as the plants' growth slows down and they require less moisture. Overwatering in cold conditions can lead to root rot.
• Light: Ensure your plants receive adequate light, even in cooler rooms. A south-facing window or supplemental grow lights can be beneficial.

A sunroom that isn't heated much over winter is usually fine for all these plants.