13 Beautiful Indoor Winter Plants to Brighten Your Home

Are you looking for some indoor winter plants to brighten up your home during the colder months? Or maybe you just want to add some life to your home during colder and darker months?

We’ve got 13 beautiful indoor houseplants that are perfect for winter. These plants will bring a little bit of nature into your home and they’re easy enough for even beginners houseplant parents!

You can find all these plants at any local garden center or online, so get out there and pick up a few. They won’t take up much space in your home, and they will make any room feel warm and inviting. 

Why Grow Indoor Plants During the Winter

Wouldn’t you want to bring some color into your home during the winter months? Or maybe you just want to add a little life to your space during colder, darker times of the year.

Winter indoor plants have many benefits apart from bringing life back into our homes during the coldest months of the year. Houseplants are known as being great air purifiers because they release oxygen into the atmosphere at night.

Let’s not forget about the benefits of adding some green into our lives. It brings a sense of calm, relaxation, and peace to any space.

Minimal Care for Indoor Winter Plants

Anthurium and Moth Orchid - Indoor Winter Plants

You don’t have to be an expert gardener to keep these beautiful indoor winter plants alive and thriving throughout the winter. All it takes is a little bit of love and attention every now and then, which we promise won’t take much time out of your day at all.

You can place these houseplants on a table or shelf near a window where they can get plenty of sunlight. If you don’t have natural light in your living space, we recommend using grow lights instead.

The best part is that all of these plants require very little water and fertilizer during colder winter months. So once you buy them, there isn’t much maintenance required at all!

Just water them as needed and make sure they get enough light each day and they should be fine on their own. It doesn’t take much effort to keep these beauties happy – but it does make such a big difference when it comes to how good your home looks this winter season!

Pay Attention to Temperature

The temperature of your home during the winter months is very important for winter houseplants.

Most of these plants like it to be above 55 degrees (some even higher). If the temperature in your home drops below this then you should think about moving them into another room where they will be more comfortable.

Indoor plants can be somewhat susceptible to drafts so it’s important to keep them away from windows or any cold drafts.

Winter houseplants should be kept away from heaters and vents as well. Being blasted with hot air can dry them out too quickly.

Amaryllis Winter indoor plant

Check Humidity Levels

Another very important thing to keep in mind is the humidity of your home. All plants need a certain amount of humidity during different parts of the year, and winter indoor plants are no exception.

The ideal level of humidity for most houseplants is around 60-70%, though some require more or less than that. If you don’t have a room humidifier available, leave a pan of water near the plants. They should absorb some of the water from the pan and get all they need from it.

Adjust Your Watering Routine

More plants die from overwatering than underwatering, especially during the winter. Since winter indoor plants don’t need to be watered very often, your watering routine will need to be adjusted.

If you water them too much during the fall and winter months they may rot, attract fungus, or other plant diseases (which can kill them).

For most plants when a little below the surface of the soil is dry, it’s time to water again. Watering once a week should be enough for most winter indoor plants.

Fertilizing Indoor Plants During Winter

Winter indoor plants will only need fertilizer once or twice during the cooler months. Most houseplants are growing slowly during this time of year, so they don’t need much help from fertilizers to get the nutrients they need.

A good time for winter indoor plant fertilizing is in late January or early February. This is when your new growth should start to appear and you’ll want to be sure the plants are nourished.

For most winter indoor plants, I recommend using a slow time-release fertilizer during this period so they get all the nutrients they need over several months instead of all at once.

Move or Rotate Your Plants if needed

Just as the temperature, humidity levels, and water routine for houseplants in the winter need to be adjusted compared to those in the summer, the positioning of these plants will also have to be changed.

The height or placement of your plants can sometimes affect how well they grow. If this is the case with your indoor plants during winter, then it’s time to move them.

If you have your plants situated in a spot where they are either too dry or too cold, it may be time to rotate the pots to balance out the conditions between each plant.

Sometimes all it takes is moving them up higher (for example, if they’re near a heat source) or placing them in a spot where they can get more light and this should make them happier.

Best Winter Houseplants

Some plants may work well in your home, while others won’t do as well.

Different houseplants have different needs, so knowing what they are is a key part of making your home look great without a lot of hassle.

These are the 13 beautiful houseplants that I recommend that will brighten up any room in your home. They’re perfect for adding some greenery and life to your home.

These plants are easy to care for, so you won’t have any trouble keeping them alive – no green thumb required!

You can find all these plants at any local garden center or online, so get out there and pick up a few. They won’t take up much space in your home, but they’ll make it feel more alive!

Amaryllis

Amaryllis plants

The Amaryllis is one of the most popular winter-flowering houseplants available. It has blooms in bright red, pink or white depending on the variety you purchase.

Amaryllis plants are easy to grow indoors, and they require very little care. They only need to be watered after the soil has dried out between watering, so you can go weeks without having to tend to them!

Once the flowering stops, cut off the stalk just above the bulb. If you would like to keep the bulbs for next year (which you should!) remove the bulb from the soil in September and keep it in a dark environment, like a basement, for 8-10 weeks before repotting. Your Amaryllis will then bloom again for you the following year!

Anthurium

Two anthurium in pots. Perfect indoor winter plants

This popular houseplant comes in loads of different varieties, including the classic red Anthurium.

Anthuriums need to be kept moist at all times but should never sit in water. This winter indoor plant does love high humidity, which can be challenging in some homes. Increase the humidity by placing the plant on a shallow pebble-and-water-filled tray to give the plant its only micro-climate!

It prefers moderate to bright light. If an Anthurium’s leaves are dark green it means that they are receiving enough light, if they are light green or yellow it means that they need more light!

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

Also known as Thanksgiving Cactus, the Christmas cactus is a popular houseplant that blooms in fall, winter, or early spring with pink or white flowers. The Christmas cactus does well in bright sun to part shade and only needs to be watered when the top of the soil is dry. It does not require fertilizer during these months either.

The Christmas cactus can also bloom multiple times throughout the year, but it can take a little effort to get them to rebloom. A bit of light and temperature control will have your Christmas Cactus reblooming in no time. Flower bud development requires long dark nights, usually 13+ hours, and temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peace Lily

Peace Lily Houseplant

Peace Lilies are an excellent beginner houseplant as they are so easy to care for. It is a beautiful tropical plant with dark green leaves and white flowers.

This lovely houseplant likes bright but indirect sunlight, so it’s perfect for your living room or bedroom!

It prefers to be kept moist without being too wet or soggy. If you forget to water your Peace Lily it will droop its leaves and you might think that you’ve killed it, but with a little water it will bounce right back!

Cyclamen

Cyclamen houseplant in winter

The Cyclamen is an attractive flowering houseplant that blooms in winter or early spring.

This plant likes cool temperatures, so it’s best to keep them near a window where you can get the most sunlight.

Cyclamens like moist soil, but they don’t like constantly wet roots either. They should be watered only when the top of the soil is dry to your touch. This way, you can water it once every week or two instead of daily!

After blooming, the plant dies back for the summer and loses its leaves. As a result, many cyclamens are discarded because people think they are dead! But the plant is not really dead; it’s just dormant! Continue to water it on a regular basis, and when the weather cools down again, you will start to see new growth.

Moth Orchids

Group of moth orchids flowering in winter

This type of orchid is popular for its large, showy flowers that are usually white or purple in color!

They do not require an extensive amount of care. Moth Orchids need to be placed in indirect sunlight and watered once a week by soaking the whole pot in a tub of water. Please don’t use ice cubes to water orchids! These are tropical plants and the cold water isn’t good for them.

The best way to fertilize Moth Orchids is with well-diluted orchid fertilizer. You can do this every 1-2 weeks. A good way to remember this is ‘weakly weekly’.

Paperwhites

Paperwhites

Paperwhites are another popular winter flowering plant, and they’re also incredibly easy to grow.

They only need water after the soil has dried out between each watering. They do not require any fertilizers during the fall and winter months either!

Paperwhites will bloom from Fall onwards (depending on when they were planted), so they make lovely decorations for your holiday table!

Once their blooming is over, cut off the entire flower stalk just above where it emerges from the bulb, as you would with an Amaryllis. Then leave them alone until spring when you can repot them into new soil.

African Violets

African Violets

African Violets are an extremely popular houseplant with colorful flowers ranging from purple, pink, and white.

They do well in bright indirect light and need to be watered when the soil is dry. Many people believe that African Violets enjoy sitting in water, but this isn’t true!

Choose a robust African violet planter with a slow-release wicking reservoir at the bottom to prevent leaf damage from overhead watering.

They are also not fond of being in cold air, so they should be kept away from drafty areas or doorways.

Rosemary

Rosemary winter houseplant

Rosemary is an herb with fragrant, evergreen blue-gray leaves (they can flower, but this is very unusual). Rosemary makes a wonderful houseplant during the winter months when you don’t want to spend any time in the garden!

If you enjoy cooking with fresh herbs, then you can grow your own right inside your home! Rosemary does well in bright sun to partial sun and doesn’t require much water. It does best when kept evenly moist without being too wet or soggy.  

It’s great to keep on hand for all your holiday and Christmas cooking!

Begonias

Begonias in the winter

Begonias are another extremely popular flowering plant.

They produce large, colorful flowers in pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. They come in variegated leaves as well! Begonia does best in bright indirect light; too much sun can cause their leaves to burn.

Begonia also prefers humid conditions, so avoid putting these in a very dry area of your home. A bright bathroom is often a good place for them! You can also humidify the air surrounding your plant by setting it on a shallow tray of water with pebbles in it.

They should be watered when the soil is dry and the plant is showing signs that it is thirsty, like drooping leaves.

Kalanchoe

Pink Kalanchoe winter houseplant

This succulent houseplant is a must-have! It has beautiful star-shaped flowers in red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. The blossoms are small and appear towards the top of the plant.

Kalanchoe likes bright but indirect light and should be watered once a week when its soil is dry to avoid root rot.

If you do over-water the plant, make sure to let all of the water drain out of the pot. If your Kalanchoe has yellow leaves it means that it isn’t getting enough light or too much water!

The secret to a beautiful Kalanchoe is to keep it from becoming excessively long and leggy. After blooming, pinch back the old flowers and you should be able to get another rebloom.

Desert Rose

Desert rose flower

The Desert Rose is a gorgeous flowering plant native to the Arabian Peninsula.

It blooms in winter or spring with flowers ranging from pink, white, red, and every color in between! After blooming, the plant may shed its leaves until new growth appears in the summer.

This drought-resistant succulent can be grown in bright sunlight, but it doesn’t require much water even in low light.  They like having their soil dry out completely between watering, so it’s best to water them once every week or two.  

Snake Plant

Snake Plant - easy beginner indoor winter plant

This last houseplant is perfect for beginner gardeners are it is almost bulletproof!

It has strong grassy leaves that grow upright and come in yellow, white, or dark green. They look great in a container alone or grouped together!

Snake Plants do well in low to medium light and would even prefer to be kept in a darker corner of your home. It should not be watered at all until the soil is completely dry and then it can be given a good drink.

Liven Up Your Home With Indoor Winter Plants

Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into how easy it can be to bring some life into the living space of your home during the cold winter months. If you follow these tips then your plants should do just fine!

Once you create the perfect living space for your plants you can sit back and enjoy their company without worrying too much about maintenance. Good luck!