Winter Dormancy in Houseplants
Just as bears retreat into hibernation during winter, many houseplants go through a similar dormancy period.
This can catch people off guard, especially those hoping for year-round blooms.
In this article, houseplant enthusiast Melissa Strauss showcases eleven resilient indoor plants that can handle the gloomy days of winter like pros.
Outdoor plants make their dormancy quite obvious.
As the days grow shorter, they produce less chlorophyll, bringing on those stunning autumn colors.
Eventually, most deciduous species drop their leaves, redirecting energy towards their roots to ensure their survival through the colder months.
Indoor plants, however, often originate from tropical climates, so their changes aren’t as visible.
Even so, they too enter a resting phase as daylight fades and sunlight filtered through windows becomes less intense.
During this dormancy, houseplants often slow their resource consumption.
Homeowners might observe that the soil retains moisture longer, indicating that watering should be less frequent.
It’s also wise to pause fertilization, as excess salts can damage roots.
Low-Light Thriving Houseplants
As winter marches on, the light needs of houseplants shift considerably.
While some species still prefer a moderate amount of brightness, several can thrive in low-light conditions.
Here’s a roundup of eleven houseplants that not only endure winter darkness but actually thrive in it.
- Snake Plant
- Scientific name: Sansevieria trifasciata
- Light needs: Prefers bright, indirect light
- Growth potential: Up to 4 feet tall
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
- Philodendron
- Scientific name: Philodendron spp.
- Light needs: Enjoys bright, indirect light
- Height range: Can grow from 3 to 30 feet
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
- Golden Pothos
- Scientific name: Epipremnum aureum
- Light needs: Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight
- Height potential: Grows between 8 to 10 feet
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
- Zebra Cactus
- Scientific name: Haworthiopsis attenuata
- Light needs: Prefers bright, indirect light
- Height potential: Reaches about 8 to 12 inches
- Hardiness zones: 9-11
- Parlor Palm
- Scientific name: Chamaedorea elegans
- Light needs: Bright, indirect light is ideal
- Height range: Can grow from 2 to 15 feet
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
- Corn Plant
- Scientific name: Dracaena fragrans
- Light needs: Favors bright, indirect light
- Growth potential: Can grow as tall as 15 feet
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
- ZZ Plant
- Scientific name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Light needs: Prefers bright, indirect light
- Height range: Stands between 2 to 3 feet
- Hardiness zones: 9-10
- Alocasia
- Scientific name: Alocasia spp.
- Light needs: Enjoys bright, indirect light
- Height potential: Can reach heights of 2 to 10 feet
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
- Caladium
- Scientific name: Caladium bicolor
- Light needs: Thrives in bright, indirect light
- Height range: Grows from 1 to 2.5 feet
- Hardiness zones: 9-11
- Spider Plant
- Scientific name: Chlorophytum comosum
- Light needs: Bright, indirect light is preferred
- Height range: Can grow 1 to 2 feet tall
- Hardiness zones: 9-11
- Stephania Pierreii
- Scientific name: Stephania pierrei
- Light needs: Prefers bright, indirect light
- Height range: Grows between 1 and 3 feet
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
Creating a Lively Indoor Space
By choosing these resilient houseplants, you can keep your home feeling lively even amidst winter’s challenges.
With the right plants, your indoor space can shine through even the darkest of days.
Source: Epicgardening.com