A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Cold tolerant house plants

Being very environmentally conscious, we let our house get VERY cold this winter-down to 37 degrees once. Many of my houseplants died, some 10 years old. Any suggestions on cold hardy houseplants? The plants that did okay were rubber plants and begonias. I cannot find any listing on the internet of such plants. Any experiences?

A lot of cacti and aloe (OK, I'm a cacti and aloe nut) will happily take those temps. If you are interested in these kinds of plants, let me know and I can suggest species. If you've got sun, or grow lights, cacti that know they've had a winter will bloom wonderfully in spring/summer! AND, Good For You!

Also, a lot of ivies; English Ivy and its gazillion cultivars, Amaryllis could overwinter dormant at those temps. If you are willing to keep it over 40, the possibilities open up, and just about everything can take it down to 45 at night if it warms up a bit during the day. At 37 in the inhabited part of your house you have to be careful of your pipes, which might get colder.

Peace lilies can take cool temps as well. I had one that stayed in an unheated room all the time and it did great. Perhaps asparagus fern, too.

as long as it doesn't freeze, most ficus varieties do ok. cast iron plant (aspidistra) does well also.

Pothos should do ok. Snake plants will be fine, as will cast iron plants. Certain Palms like the Cat Palm will survive ok, as will the chinese evergreen hybrids "jewel of india" and "emerald star" ... peace lilies should be alright.. some varieties are more resistant then others... for what it's worth, I own every plant mentioned because they are good with light and cold. :)

i am in chicago and last week we experienced a false winter. i put my aloe vera plants outside and when it froze over they were out there for a couple of days. does anyone think that they will survive? any suggestions?

Thanks everyone. You are so helpful. I will use your suggestions!

Also, Christmas cactus would be ok in those cool temps, no problem!