If your home is like most, the winter months can be pretty dreary. The days are shorter, the weather is colder, and the sun seems to disappear for weeks at a time. This can make it hard to keep your spirits and energy levels high.
However, houseplants are one easy way to brighten your home and your mood during the winter. Quite a few house plants will do just fine in a dark room. Let’s have a look!
12 Cold Dark Room Plants
In rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light, it is considered tricky for plants to thrive and survive in such conditions. Don’t fret! There are plenty of options for plants that can tolerate low-light conditions.
Here is a list of our favorite house plants for cold dark rooms that you can easily grow in the United States:
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
The snake plant is one of the best plants you can grow in your home in the United States if you have cold, dark rooms. This drought plant can tolerate a wide range of conditions and will thrive even in low-light situations.
Snake plants also improve indoor air quality by filtering out toxins and pollutants. If you are looking for a plant that you can maintain easily and will help purify your indoor air, then a snake plant is a great option.
Another advantage of snake plants is that they are deficient in maintenance. They do not require a lot of water or attention and can go for long periods without being watered.
Snake plants are also relatively resistant to pests and diseases, which makes them a great option for those who do not want to deal with the hassle of dealing with pests and diseases.
2. Philodendron (Philodendron Sp.)
Although philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) are often thought of as houseplants that thrive in warm, humid environments, some varieties can tolerate lower light and cooler temperatures.
If you live in a colder climate in the United States or your home doesn’t have a lot of natural light, you may want to consider growing a philodendron to add some greenery to your space.
Philodendrons are a type of tropical plant that is native to the Americas. There are many species of philodendron, and they come in various shapes and sizes.
Some philodendrons are climbers, while others are compact and bushy. Its types that can tolerate cooler temperatures include:
- Philodendron hederaceum
- Philodendron scandens
- Philodendron bipinnatifidum
When choosing a philodendron for your home, it’s essential to consider the plant’s mature size. Some philodendron varieties can become quite large, so be sure to choose one that will fit comfortably in the space you have available.
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3. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
Pothos plants are great for adding some green to a cold, dark room. They don’t need much light to thrive and can tolerate shade. These hardy plants are also very easy to care for, making them ideal for those who don’t have a lot of time or experience with plants.
Pothos is an excellent option if you’re looking for a plant that can brighten up a dark room. Pothos is a great way of adding beauty and lush greenery in your dark place to brighten your mood after a tough hectic routine.
4. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior)
The cast iron plant is an excellent option if you’re looking for a plant that can thrive in low light and cold temperatures. It is also known as Aspidistra elatior; this tough plant is native to China and Japan and has long been a popular choice for indoor gardens.
The cast iron plant gets its name from its ability to tolerate many conditions, including poor light, low humidity, and drafts. It’s an ideal plant for rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light, such as basements or bathrooms.
This hardy plant is also one of the few that can survive frost. While it won’t flower indoors, the cast iron plant can reach up to three feet tall and wide. It has dark green, glossy leaves that can grow up to a foot long.
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5. Dracaena (Dracaena Sp.)
Dracaena is a common houseplant known for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions in the United States of America. This plant is often used as a natural air purifier, as it can help to filter out harmful toxins from the air.
However, did you know that Dracaena can also be an excellent choice for rooms on the colder side?
While most plants prefer warm, humid conditions, Dracaena tolerates cooler temperatures.
This makes it an excellent option for rooms that are not heated or cooled regularly, such as basements or attics. Just be sure to keep the soil moist and avoid direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to scorch.
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
The spider plant is perfect if you often find yourself in dark, cold rooms. The spider plant is a flowering perennial that can easily survive in cold, dark rooms.
This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, but it can be found in many homes as a houseplant.
This plant can tolerate low light and cool temperatures, making it ideal for offices, bedrooms, and other indoor spaces.
The spider plant is also easy to care for, requiring little water and maintenance. So if you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant to brighten up your dark, cold room, the spider plant is a great option.
7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum Sp.)
The Peace Lily is a beautiful flowering plant that you can maintain even with little effort. It is an excellent choice for those who want to add a touch of elegance to their home but don’t have much time or space for gardening.
The Peace Lily is a very popular houseplant as it does not require a lot of light. It is also known for purifying the air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
The Peace Lily can grow to be quite large, up to three feet tall, but it is usually kept much smaller by potting it in a small pot.
8. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Sp.)
Most people think ferns are high-maintenance plants that require much care and attention. However, maidenhair ferns can be grown with little maintenance. That’s why they are considered an excellent choice for those with busy lifestyles.
Maidenhair ferns originate from tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, so they are used to growing in shady, humid environments.
When grown indoors, maidenhair ferns prefer to be in cool, dark rooms with high humidity. If you cannot provide these conditions, your fern will likely suffer from stress and become unhealthy.
Maidenhair ferns do not like direct sunlight, so it is crucial to find a spot that is out of direct sunlight. They also prefer to be in humid environments, so misting them regularly will help keep them healthy.
9. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is a houseplant that is known for being able to thrive in low-light conditions. It is often recommended as a plant for people who live in cold, dark rooms.
While the ZZ plant can tolerate these conditions, it is essential to remember that it is still a living thing and needs some primary care to stay healthy.
To do so, you must ensure the plant has enough light. Besides being low-light tolerant, ZZ still needs some light to grow and thrive. If your room is very dark, you may want to consider placing the plant near a window or in a spot where it will get some indirect sunlight.
Water the plant when the soil is dry. The ZZ plant is tolerant of drought, so you don’t need to water it very often. However, it would help if you still watered it when the soil is dry to keep the plant healthy.
10. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum ‘Marble Queen’)
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as devil’s ivy, is a beautiful houseplant. Native to Southeast Asia, this vining plant has heart-shaped leaves variegated with shades of green, yellow, and white. Golden pothos is a low-maintenance plant that is tolerant of neglect.
It is a vigorous, climbing vine that can reach up to 10 feet in length, making it an ideal choice for hanging baskets or draping over shelves and furniture. It’s an easy plant to care for, does well in low-light conditions, and can even thrive in rooms with no natural light. Golden pothos is a great option if you’re looking for a plant to brighten up a dark room.
The Golden Pothos is also effective at removing other common indoor pollutants, such as benzene and xylene, and making them ideal for purifying the air.
11. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Sp.)
The Chinese Evergreen is a popular houseplant because it is very easy to manage and thrives in low-light conditions. This plant is also known as the Aglaonema and is native to tropical regions of Asia.
The Chinese Evergreen has beautiful variegated leaves in many colors, including green, silver, pink, and red. The Chinese Evergreen is an excellent plant for beginners because it is tough to kill. However, there are a few things to remember when caring for this plant.
First of all, the Chinese Evergreen does not like direct sunlight. This plant will do best in a shady spot. If you put this plant in a spot that gets too much sun, the leaves will start to turn yellow, and the plant will become stressed.
Secondly, the Chinese Evergreen likes to be kept moist but not wet. Water this plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.
However, do not let the soil get soggy as this can lead to root rot. Finally, the Chinese Evergreen does not like to be fertilized too often.
12. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)
Boston ferns are a type of fern native to the eastern United States. They are known for their ability to tolerate low and cold temperatures, making them ideal plant for rooms with little natural light or homes in colder climates.
Boston ferns require regular watering and should be misted frequently to keep their leaves healthy and free of pests. They can be propagated from spores or divisions and produce new fronds (leaves) each year.
Boston ferns are not only beautiful, but they are also beneficial to your health. They can help filter out toxins and improve air quality. Boston fern is a great option if you are looking for a plant that can help purify your home or office.
Care Tips for Cold Dark Rooms Plant
If you have a plant struggling to thrive in a cold, dark room, you can do a few things to help it survive and even thrive. Here are some care tips for plants in cold, dark rooms:
Choose the Suitable Plant Species
Not all plants are created equal when it comes to their light requirements. Some, like ferns, prefer low-light conditions and will do best in a room that doesn’t get much sunlight.
Others, like succulents, need a bit more light but can still tolerate some shade. Do your research to determine which plants will do well in your particular situation.
Provide Artificial Light
If your room doesn’t get much natural sunlight, you may need to provide some artificial light for your plants. This can be done with grow lights or even fluorescent bulbs. Just be sure to position the lights so they are not too close to the plants, as this can cause them to “burn.”
Water Regularly
All plants need water to survive, so make sure you are watering your plants regularly. If possible, try to use filtered or distilled water, as this will help to prevent mineral buildup in the soil.
Make Sure the Room is Well-Ventilated
Plants need fresh air just like people, so make sure your room has good ventilation. This will help prevent mold and mildew problems and keep the air fresh for your plants.
Don’t Forget to Fertilize
Even if plants grow in low-light conditions, they still need nutrients to thrive. Use a fertilizer explicitly made for low-light plants, or consider using a slow-release fertilizer that will provide nutrients over time.
By following these tips, you can successfully grow plants in even the darkest rooms with a bit of care!
Bottom Line
If you have a dark room in your house, don’t despair! Plenty of plants will do just fine in shady, dark, or cold places. Just be sure to research the care requirements for each plant before you bring it home, as some of them can be a bit finicky. With little effort, you can turn your dark room into a lush, green oasis.
You may also like the following house plant articles:
- House Plants That Grow in Water
- House Plants With Variegated Leaves
- What Houseplant Doesn’t Need Sunlight?
- Houseplants to Grow From Seeds
- Houseplants That Like Coffee Grounds
Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.