While many indoor plants require bright indirect light and warmth to thrive, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker if your room is on the cooler side with limited natural light. In fact, there are plenty of houseplants that can flourish in such conditions. If you’re concerned about the impact of low light and cool temperatures on your plant selection, rest assured that there are plenty of options to consider.
By choosing plants specifically suited for low-light and cool environments, you can still bring some greenery into your space without sacrificing style or functionality.
Plants to Choose for Cold and Low Light Rooms
It’s essential not to let past setbacks discourage you when it comes to finding the right plant for your space. One of the most significant factors is ensuring you’re choosing a plant that’s well-suited to its environment. Some plants are notoriously finicky and require very specific conditions to thrive. In reality, there aren’t many rooms where all types of plants can grow without issue. Instead, it often takes some trial and error to find the perfect plant for your unique conditions.
We’re looking at plants that can not only tolerate low light but also cool temperatures – a rare combination indeed. While some plants may be happy in one or the other, finding houseplants that can thrive in both low-light and cool environments is a more challenging task.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcus zamiifolia) stands out as an excellent choice, and for good reason. Its low-maintenance requirements make it a popular sight in indoor public spaces. This adaptable plant can thrive in cold temperatures, low light conditions, and even neglect – so much so that many people mistake it for a plastic replica. To keep your ZZ plant happy and healthy, simply water only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Be cautious not to overwater, especially in cooler rooms, as this can lead to root rot. One of the ZZ plant’s greatest perks is its ability to adjust to new environments. If you want to relocate it to a warmer or brighter spot, just be sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause leaf yellowing or curling.
Maidenhair Fern
While maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) can thrive in low-light environments and cooler rooms, they’re not as adaptable as the ZZ plant. In fact, these plants require a more precise environment to flourish. Specifically, their soil needs to remain consistently moist – a challenge that can be amplified in cool rooms. To overcome this hurdle, it’s essential to use potting soil with good drainage properties and ensure the pot itself drains well too.
Interestingly, maidenhair ferns often do remarkably well in bathrooms, where they can tolerate low light, variable temperatures, and the steam created by showers. This unique combination of conditions makes bathrooms a great spot for these plants, provided you’re willing to maintain the right balance of moisture and temperature.
Snake Plant
The versatile Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria) is renowned for its ability to thrive in challenging conditions. It can tolerate low light levels and cool room temperatures, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners who may forget to water their plants from time to time. One of the plant’s most impressive features is its resilience – if it does happen to decline slightly, it can quickly recover with proper care.
Jade
While Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade houseplant, thrives in indirect sunlight, it also exhibits remarkable adaptability in low-light environments. Additionally, its leaves remain unaffected by sudden cool breezes, making it an excellent choice for placement near windows or doors. To maintain the plant’s vibrant foliage and overall health, consistent watering is essential. Furthermore, a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer during spring and summer can help promote healthy growth.
Philodendron
Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) boasts an impressive resilience, with one notable exception: its reliance on high-quality potting soil and moderate moisture levels. While it’s unfazed by cooler temperatures, requiring little maintenance overall, Philodendron does have a few other tricks up its sleeve. It can thrive in low-light conditions, provided there is some ambient light present, making it an excellent choice for spaces with limited natural illumination.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.) excels in cool, low-light environments, thriving despite its typical preference for subtropical climates. Its unique ability to remain lush and green in such conditions is impressive, considering its natural habitat. To keep it healthy, maintain consistent moisture levels – avoiding overwatering is crucial, as this can lead to issues with the plant.
Cast Iron Plant
Resilience is a hallmark of the cast iron plant, which thrives in environments that would be challenging for many other plants. This adaptability allows Aspidistra elatior to flourish in low-light conditions, unfazed by the absence of direct sunlight. Additionally, it’s remarkably tolerant of cooler temperatures, making it an excellent choice for rooms with a slightly chilly atmosphere.
With its ability to withstand dry spells between waterings, the cast iron plant requires minimal maintenance, ensuring it remains a stylish and low-fuss addition to any space.
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent times, largely due to its ease of growth and adaptability to imperfect conditions. One of the key benefits is that it can thrive in low-light areas and withstand temperatures as low as 39ºF, making it an ideal choice for rooms with limited natural light. However, when placed in such conditions, it’s essential to strike a balance with watering.
The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings, but not to the point of extreme drought. Conversely, overwatering can also be detrimental, so finding the sweet spot is crucial for optimal health.
English Ivy
English ivy (Hedera helix) excels in low-light environments with moderate temperatures, making it an ideal choice for rooms that fluctuate between warmth and coolness. I’ve successfully grown this houseplant in my office, where the temperature drops significantly when unoccupied. By heating only when I’m present, the English ivy remains content and thrives. When planted outdoors, English ivy can be problematic, as it spreads rapidly and may not be suitable for all areas.
In contrast, indoor containers or hanging baskets provide a contained environment for the plant to trail and grow. To maintain its desired shape, simply pinch off the growing tips to encourage a fuller, bushier form.
Lady Palm
Lady palms (Rhapis excelsa) are remarkably versatile plants that can thrive in a range of environments. While they typically prefer moderate temperatures and humidity, they’re surprisingly adaptable to varying conditions. They can flourish in consistently cool rooms or those with fluctuating temperatures. When it comes to light, lady palms do best in indirect sunlight, but they’re also capable of adjusting to low-light spaces if handled correctly.
In fact, introducing a new lady palm houseplant to a low-light, cool room is an excellent way to get it started off right. If you need to relocate an existing plant from indirect sunlight to a darker, cooler space, do so gradually to minimize stress. Simply move the plant a few inches further away from the indirect light every few days until it’s acclimated to the lower light conditions. I’ve personally found that this approach allows lady palms to adapt smoothly and with minimal disruption.
Kentia Palm
The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is an exceptionally versatile species that can thrive in various lighting conditions. While it typically produces more fronds in indirect sunlight, it will still perform admirably in low-light environments, albeit with slightly reduced foliage output. In terms of temperature tolerance, the Kentia palm is remarkably adaptable, capable of flourishing in warm houses and even coping with brief periods of temperatures as low as 25ºF.
Its impressive size and ability to thrive in cooler, low-light spaces make it an excellent choice for rooms where a dramatic impact is desired.
Prayer Plant
Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) thrive in low-light environments, producing vibrant foliage regardless of limited sunlight exposure. Interestingly, their color intensity decreases as they receive more direct sunlight. This unique characteristic makes them an excellent choice for rooms with varied lighting conditions.
While prayer plants are only cold-hardy to temperatures around 65°F (18°C), they can tolerate consistent cool temperatures in this range.
However, it’s essential to note that their humidity requirements increase when kept at cooler temperatures. To achieve this balance, I’ve successfully grouped cold-tolerant plants together with the prayer plant as the centerpiece. It’s crucial to avoid placing them in temperatures below 55°F (13°C), as this can be detrimental to their health.
Peace Lily
While peace lilies can thrive in low-light conditions or indirect sunlight, they’re also adaptable to varying nighttime temperatures. They’ll comfortably adjust to rooms with daytime warmth and cooler nighttime temperatures around 60°F, making them an excellent choice for spaces with unique temperature fluctuations. However, it’s essential to maintain a consistent temperature above this mark to ensure the plant’s well-being.
On the other hand, sudden drops in temperature or exposure to direct air currents from AC units or drafty windows can cause stress and negatively impact the peace lily’s health.
Tips For House Plants in Low Light and Cool Rooms
When it comes to growing houseplants in low-light rooms with cool temperatures, a little creativity and understanding can go a long way. While LED light fixtures may be helpful, don’t underestimate the impact of even minimal artificial lighting on your plants’ well-being. Consider hanging baskets or placing them near ceiling-mounted lights to maximize available illumination. However, be mindful not to overwater, as cold and wet soil can lead to root rot and other issues.
In fact, some plants may require watering only once a week or two, depending on their specific needs. To keep your houseplants healthy in low-light conditions, be sure to dust their leaves regularly to facilitate any available light. Remember that even a small amount of light can make a significant difference for struggling plants. If you notice a plant is struggling, consider moving it a few feet closer to a brighter area or a warm wall – this simple adjustment may be all it needs to thrive.
It’s also essential to recognize that houseplants will naturally grow more slowly in low-light conditions. Instead of stressing about the pace of growth, focus on providing consistent conditions and avoiding extreme temperature and light fluctuations, which can cause undue stress on your plants.