Indoor plants help every home stay fresh and calm, especially when the weather turns cold. Winter months in 2025–2026 may bring dry air, low sunlight, and cooler rooms, which can make plant care a bit different. Still, many indoor plants grow well in this season if you choose the right ones and follow simple care steps.

In 1989, Dr. B.C. Wolverton from NASA’s Clean Air Study shared helpful facts about how indoor plants can support cleaner air. Later, in 2017, experts from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) shared updates about plant growth in low-light rooms. These studies still guide plant lovers today. Based on these findings and fresh observations from plant groups in India, here is an easy guide for winter-friendly indoor plants that will stay healthy during the cold months ahead.

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Why Winter Plant Care Is Different

Winter air becomes dry. Days get shorter. Rooms get less sunlight. Many plants enter a slow-growth phase. Because of this, they need fewer water cycles and gentle care. Some plants manage these changes well, while others fail. So the right choice matters.

The plants listed below stay active even in low light and cooler temperatures. This makes them good for homes, offices, bedrooms, or living rooms during the whole winter season.

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1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Shop Sansevieria Trifasciata Snake Plant

 

The snake plant is one of the strongest indoor plants you can keep during winter. It stores water in its leaves and can stay healthy even if you forget watering for a few days. The NASA study by Dr. Wolverton tested its ability to handle indoor air pollutants. The plant stayed stable in low light and helped improve air quality.

Why It Works in Winter

• Needs very little water
• Grows well in low light
• Stays firm even when room temperature drops
• Does not attract pests easily

Care Tips

Place it near a window where the plant gets gentle light. Water only when the top soil becomes dry. Keep the plant in a pot with drainage to avoid soggy soil.

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2. Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)


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This plant grows all year and stays active in winter too. Many Indian homes trust this plant because it grows in both bright and dim rooms. It can grow in soil or water, which makes it simple to manage.

Why It Works in Winter

• Low water needs
• Can survive in very low sunlight
• Grows well indoors even when rooms stay closed

Care Tips

Use clean water if you grow it in a bottle or jar. If in soil, water only when dry. Rotate the pot so the leaves grow evenly.

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3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

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Peace lily needs a bit more care than snake plant, but it does well indoors during winter when kept away from cold drafts. The RHS study in 2017 observed that peace lily can handle low-light corners inside a home better than many flowering plants.

Why It Works in Winter

• Tolerates low light
• Handles indoor temperature changes
• Helps freshen indoor air

Care Tips

Keep the soil slightly moist. Do not let it stay wet for long. Wipe leaves once a week with a damp cloth to help the plant breathe.

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4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ Plant (Black Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

This plant stays green even if you water it once every 10–14 days in winter. Its thick stems store water, so the plant stays active even in dry air. Many plant nurseries in India recommend it for apartments because it tolerates low-light halls and bedrooms.

Why It Works in Winter

• Very low maintenance
• Needs very little water
• Strong root system
• Stays green even in low sunlight

Care Tips

Do not overwater. Keep the plant near a bright window, but avoid direct sun.

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5. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plants grow well in winter when placed near a bright window. According to ICAR horticulture groups, this plant grows better in stable indoor conditions than outdoors during cold months.

Why It Works in Winter

• Thick leaves hold moisture
• Works well in medium light
• Can grow in dry air

Care Tips

Allow the soil to dry halfway before watering. Clean the leaves so they can absorb light better.

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6. Aloe Vera

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Aloe vera is known for its gel, but it also acts as a simple indoor plant. It does not need much water and can grow with sunlight coming from a window. Dry winters do not harm it much.

The NASA study also included aloe vera for air cleaning properties.

Why It Works in Winter

• Stores water inside the leaf
• Survives dry indoor air
• Needs very little effort

Care Tips

Give it bright window light. Do not water often. Use a pot with drainage holes because it dislikes damp soil.

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7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

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Spider plant grows quickly. It handles dry air better than many other leafy plants. In 2021, plant researchers in Pune studied common indoor plants in low-humidity rooms and found that spider plant stayed stable across all tests.

Why It Works in Winter

• Thrives in cool indoor rooms
• Grows well in low humidity
• Suitable for hanging pots

Care Tips

Water when the soil becomes dry. Keep it away from direct cold air from windows.

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8. Areca Palm

Many households keep this plant for its soft green leaves. It can handle winter well if you protect it from cold wind. The leaves stay healthy when humidity stays moderate.

Why It Works in Winter

• Handles mild winter weather
• Stays active in indoor warmth
• Looks fresh even in low light

Care Tips

Mist the leaves two times a week. Use filtered water if your tap water has high minerals.

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How to Care for Indoor Plants During Winter

Even strong plants need the right care. Here are simple steps to help them stay healthy.

1. Reduce Watering

Roots can rot in winter if you water constantly and soil stays wet. Check soil before watering.

2. Increase Light Where Possible

Shift pots near windows. Use sheer curtains to soften harsh light.

3. Keep Plants Away from Cold Wind

Do not place pots near open windows or near doors that open often.

4. Clean Leaves Regularly

Dust blocks light. Gently wipe leaves weekly.

5. Use Room Temperature Water

Cold water can shock roots in winter.

6. Avoid Fertilizers During Peak Cold

Most plants slow growth in winter, so feeding them may not help.

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Simple Placement Ideas for Winter 2025–2026

• Keep snake plants and ZZ plants in bedroom corners.
• Place spider plants in a hanging basket near a safe window.
• Keep peace lily in the living room where morning light enters.
• Put aloe vera and rubber plant near warm, bright spots.

These placements help the plants use available light and stay safe from cold air.

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Conclusion

Winter care becomes easier when you choose plants that adapt well. The plants listed above have been tested through past studies by NASA, RHS, ICAR, and several Indian plant groups. Their results show that these plants stay healthy in low light, dry air, and cooler rooms.

With simple care, these plants will stay green for the whole winter of 2025–2026 and keep your rooms pleasant, calm, and fresh.

FAQs: 

1. Which indoor plants grow best in winter?

Snake plant, money plant, peace lily, spider plant, aloe vera, ZZ plant, and rubber plant grow well in winter. These plants stay active in low sunlight and dry indoor air.

2. Do indoor plants need less water in winter?

Yes. Most indoor plants use less water in winter because growth slows down. Always check soil before watering.

3. Can indoor plants survive with very low sunlight in winter?

Some plants can. Snake plant, ZZ plant, and money plant manage low-light rooms very well. Peace lily also grows in dim corners.

4. Which indoor plant cleans air during winter?

Snake plant, spider plant, peace lily, and aloe vera showed positive results in the NASA Clean Air Study. They help reduce some indoor pollutants.

5. Should I fertilize indoor plants in winter?

No. Most plants rest during cold months. Fertilizer may stress roots. Start feeding again when spring begins.

6. Why do plant leaves turn yellow in winter?

Yellow leaves may happen due to extra water, cold air, or poor light. Shift the plant to a warm spot and let soil dry before watering again.

7. Can I keep indoor plants near a window in winter?

Yes, but avoid cold wind. Keep plants near a bright window, but move them slightly away from cold drafts.

8. How often should I mist indoor plants in winter?

Mist plants like areca palm or peace lily two or three times a week if your room air is very dry. Do not mist succulents.

9. Which indoor plant needs the least care in winter?

ZZ plant and snake plant need very little care. They grow well even if you water them once every 10–14 days.

10. Can aloe vera survive winter indoors?

Yes. Aloe vera stores water in its leaves. It grows well near a sunny window in winter.

11. Why do plants grow slower in winter?

Winter brings short days and low temperatures. Plants get less light, so they slow their growth.

12. Can indoor plants help with dry winter air?

Some plants release slight moisture during growth. Spider plant and peace lily can help a little, but they cannot change room humidity fully.

13. Do indoor plants get pests in winter?

Yes, sometimes. Spider mites appear in dry air. Wipe leaves and keep plants clean to avoid pests.

14. Which indoor plant is safe for bedrooms in winter?

Snake plant and money plant are common bedroom choices. They stay healthy in low light and need less care.

15. Can I keep plants in the bathroom during winter?

Yes, if the bathroom gets some light. Spider plant and money plant do well in humid bathrooms.