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Houseplants That Thrive When the Days Get Shorter
Nov
As November settles into Western Massachusetts, the days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and our outdoor gardens are beginning their winter rest.
But who says gardening has to stop just because it’s getting chilly outside?
It’s the perfect time to bring a little green indoors!
Houseplants are a wonderful way to add life, color, and warmth to your home throughout the colder months. And here’s the best part: You don’t need a room filled with sunshine or years of gardening experience to enjoy them!
Many beautiful houseplants tolerate lower indoor light and require surprisingly little attention. Let’s meet a few favorites that can help keep your home looking fresh and inviting all winter long.
1. Snake Plant: The Low-Maintenance Superstar
If you’re looking for a houseplant that’s stylish, tough, and wonderfully forgiving, the Snake Plant is hard to beat!
With its tall, upright leaves and striking green patterns, this easy-care favorite adds a modern touch to almost any room.
Why you’ll love it:
- Tolerates low to bright indirect light.
- Requires infrequent watering.
- Available in several attractive varieties.
- Perfect for bedrooms, offices, and living spaces.
Winter care tip: Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Snake plants are much more forgiving of a little neglect than too much water!
2. ZZ Plant: Glossy, Gorgeous, and Easygoing
The ZZ Plant is an excellent choice for busy plant lovers or anyone just getting started with houseplants.
Its thick, glossy leaves almost look polished, giving it an elegant appearance without demanding constant attention.
Why you’ll love it:
- Tolerates lower indoor light levels.
- Stores water in underground rhizomes.
- Grows slowly and requires minimal maintenance.
- Adds a beautiful tropical look to indoor spaces.
Winter care tip: Let the soil dry between waterings, and avoid leaving the pot sitting in water. ZZ plants usually grow more slowly during winter and need less frequent watering.
3. Pothos: A Beautiful Cascading Favorite
Looking to add a little greenery to your shelves or hanging baskets?
Pothos might be your perfect match!
With its heart-shaped leaves and graceful trailing vines, pothos brings a soft, natural touch to any room.
Why you’ll love it:
- Adapts to moderate and lower indirect light.
- Easy to grow and maintain.
- Beautiful in hanging baskets or on shelves.
- Available in solid green and variegated varieties.
Winter care tip: Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry before watering. If your variegated pothos begins losing its colorful leaf patterns, it may need brighter indirect light.
4. Chinese Evergreen: Colorful Foliage Without the Fuss
Who says houseplants have to be plain green?
Chinese Evergreens, also known as Aglaonema, feature beautiful patterned leaves in shades of green, silver, cream, and sometimes pink or red.
They’re a wonderful way to add color and texture to your winter décor.
Why you’ll love it:
- Green varieties tolerate lower light conditions.
- Available in beautiful foliage patterns.
- Relatively easy to care for.
- Perfect for tabletops, plant stands, and decorative containers.
Winter care tip: Keep your plant away from cold drafts and allow the upper portion of the soil to dry slightly before watering. More colorful varieties generally prefer brighter indirect light.
5. Cast Iron Plant: Tough as Its Name!
The Cast Iron Plant has earned its reputation for being one of the toughest houseplants around!
Its long, dark green leaves bring a lush, elegant appearance to indoor spaces, even in areas that don’t receive much natural sunlight.
Why you’ll love it:
- Tolerates low indoor light.
- Handles occasional missed waterings.
- Features attractive, deep green foliage.
- A great choice for quieter corners of your home.
Winter care tip: Water when the soil has partially dried, and avoid placing the plant in direct, intense sunlight or near heating vents.
6. Heartleaf Philodendron: Simple and Elegant
With its soft, heart-shaped leaves and beautiful trailing vines, the Heartleaf Philodendron is another wonderful choice for indoor greenery.
This classic houseplant looks lovely cascading from a hanging basket or trailing along a bookshelf.
Why you’ll love it:
- Tolerates lower indirect light.
- Easy to grow and propagate.
- Adds a relaxed, natural look to your décor.
- Works beautifully in small or large spaces.
Winter care tip: Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering. If the vines become long and sparse, move the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light.
What Does Low Light Really Mean?
Here’s something important to remember!
Low light doesn’t mean no light.
Even houseplants known for tolerating dim conditions still need enough light to survive.
A north-facing window or a room with gentle natural daylight may be suitable for many low-light plants. However, a completely dark room without a window usually isn’t.
If your plants begin developing weak, stretched stems, unusually small leaves, or fading colors, they may need more light.
Gardening tip: A simple LED grow light can help supplement natural light during our shorter New England winter days.
Six Simple Tips for Winter Houseplant Care
When the seasons change, your houseplants’ needs change too!
A few easy adjustments can help keep your indoor greenery looking its best.
1. Cut Back on Watering
Most houseplants grow more slowly during the darker winter months, which means they generally use less water.
Always check the soil before watering rather than following a strict schedule.
2. Keep Plants Away From Cold Drafts
Those chilly Springfield winter nights can be tough on tropical houseplants!
Avoid placing plants directly against cold windows or near exterior doors where sudden temperature changes can cause stress.
3. Watch Out for Heating Vents
Forced-air heating can create dry conditions that some houseplants dislike.
Keep plants away from direct blasts of hot air, and consider using a humidifier for varieties that prefer higher humidity.
4. Give Leaves a Gentle Cleaning
Dust can collect on indoor foliage and block some of the light reaching the leaves.
Gently wipe larger leaves with a soft, damp cloth to help plants make the most of available light.
5. Hold Back on Fertilizer
Many houseplants need little or no fertilizer during winter when growth slows.
Wait until active growth resumes before returning to a regular feeding routine, unless your plant is actively growing under supplemental lighting.
6. Choose Containers With Good Drainage
Beautiful decorative pots are wonderful, but healthy roots need proper drainage!
Use containers with drainage holes or keep plants in nursery pots that fit inside decorative containers. Always empty excess water after watering.
Have Pets? Choose Your Plants Carefully!
Before bringing a new houseplant home, remember that some popular varieties aren’t safe for curious cats and dogs.
Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Pothos, Chinese Evergreens, and Philodendrons are toxic to pets if eaten.
If you share your home with furry friends, consider researching pet-friendly alternatives, such as certain parlor palms or spider plants, and always double-check plant identification and safety.
A beautiful home should be a safe home for everyone!
Bring a Little Green Into Your Winter!
Just because your outdoor garden is taking a break doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to beautiful plants!
From the bold, architectural leaves of Snake Plants to the graceful trailing vines of Pothos, there are plenty of easy-care houseplants that can brighten your home through the coldest months.
Whether you’re decorating your living room, freshening up your office, or simply looking for something green to enjoy while waiting for spring, there’s a houseplant for almost every space.
Ready to bring a little life indoors?
Stop by Sixteen Acres Garden Center in Springfield, MA! Our friendly team can help you explore houseplant options, choose attractive containers, and find the supplies you need to keep your indoor plants healthy and happy.
Because even when the days get shorter, your love of gardening can keep growing!
