The weather outside may be frightful, but the fire—and indoor plants—are positively delightful. As we enter the coldest months of the year, we asked our friends at Bloomscape for their 5 favorite houseplants to buy in winter.

 

 

1//Sssensationally Adaptable

No matter which way you slice it, the snake plant is one of the hardiest houseplants around, making it our go-to recommendation for winter foliage. But beyond being hardy, the snake plant prefers the type of dry, hot air produced by furnaces and fireplaces. This is because snake plants are native to dry climates and need very little moisture to survive.

 

 

2//A Stately Winter Winner

Like the snake plant, ZZ plants are famously adaptable. They can withstand a wide spectrum of lighting conditions, they don’t mind flexible watering schedules, and they can be very forgiving if overnight temperatures just happen to nosedive. By no means are we saying let your ZZ plant freeze—very few houseplants can tolerate freezing temperatures. But if any of your greenery is going to survive a cool evening, it’s this sturdy plant.

 

 

3//Beginner’s Luck

One of our favorite indoor plants for beginners is the pothos plant. Despite its delicate, glossy leaves, the pothos is extremely durable and forgiving. It can withstand cool windowsill temperatures, and it doesn’t mind dry air. Place your pothos in a hanging pot or put it on a bookshelf and watch its elegant vines cascade down.

 

 

4//Cold-Resistant & Air-Purifying

Despite having native roots in hot African and Asian environments, the dracaena is surprisingly resistant to cool temperatures, low light, and dry air—the three main hurdles houseplants often need to overcome to thrive in North American winters. And though it takes a lot of plants to make a measurable difference, it’s worth noting NASA specifically listed the Dracaena Marginata (Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia) as one of the best air purifying plants in the world.

 

 

5//Small But Sturdy

Succulents are known for their low-maintenance indoor care needs. In fact, they’ve spent centuries adapting to dry climates and droughts. In other words, the dry air in your winterized home won’t bother these plants. While succulents are resistant to varying temperatures and low humidity, they can be picky about lighting. Your succulents will be happiest if they receive four or more hours of direct sunlight each day, so while a south-facing window is best, an east- or west-facing window can also work.

 

Article written by Lindsay Pangborn; reprinted with permission from Bloomscape—a company that helps strengthen people’s relationship with plants by making it easy to buy them. How? They deliver healthy, ready-to-go plants to your door and set you up with the tips and tricks you need to help your plants thrive.