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Life

Cold Weather Plants to Keep Your Apartment (& Mental Health) Thriving

Britney Jenkins
Iesha Ismail
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

Ah, fall is finally here. It’s finally time again to break out your favorite sweaters and put on those boots you’ve been dying to wear. There are many wonderful things about this season, but for many, as the temps drop this season it can become tricky for both them and their plants.

A very common affliction for students is something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that’s connected with the changes in the seasons; it usually results in people feeling more down around the colder season. However, some studies show that plants help raise your mood, so they might also help you combat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Meaning that adding a few into your apartment this season might be an act of self-care that can make a lasting impact.

Whatever reason you may have for adding new plants this winter, here are some cold-hardy plants to help you keep your indoor jungle lush.  

Jade Plant

Jade plants are sturdy plants that will stay green and thrive even during winter. Historically loved for their mythical ability to improve your finances, these little plants are as adorable as they are hard-working. They even filter the air during the day and remove gunk like toluene. They’re also supposed to be great for home remedies.

How to take care of this plant: Keep in a sunny place (like by a window or a lamp) and water sparingly. If it freezes at night, bring them away from any window sills and keep them on your desk.

Lemon Cypress

These plants are perfect for cold weather, and in fact, they don’t really like heat. They’re the perfect plant for people who love cold weather and keep their thermostat down in the summer. They get their name because of the lemon-y fragrance they give off when their needles break.

How to take care of this plant: Keep in a sunny place. These mini trees like six to eight hours of direct sunlight. And since they prefer temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees, you can leave them by a window all season. Water weekly.

Succulents

Many college students already prefer these plants because of how hard they are to kill, but did you know many succulents tolerate cold weather very well? Some succulents can even tolerate snow! Many times when you shop for these in the store they aren’t labeled, but here’s a list of common cold hardy succulents to look out for next time you go plant shopping.

How to take care of this plant: Keep in a place where it can get as much indirect light as possible (depending on the varietal). Keep them in pots with good drainage, water every one to two weeks.

Extra tip: If you’ve found yourself killing these in the past, make sure this time around that you give them enough sun and not too much water. Too much water causes the roots to rot and is a common killer of these desert plants.

Snake Plant

This plant is a staple of indoor gardens everywhere. It’s famous for being easy to keep alive, its cute aesthetic and its ability to detoxify the air. Lately, plastic ones have been popping up, but this plant is so low-maintenance that it’s worth the gamble. This plant unsurprisingly does well even in cold temperatures.

How to take care of this plant: Avoid getting the leaves wet, water every few weeks. The most common killer of this plant is overwatering, so only water extra if they plant starts wilting. These plants like indirect sunlight, but will do okay if in darker winter conditions.

Herbs

Surprisingly, most herbs do very well during winter. Rosemary is the hardiest of the bunch and will last you all winter if you keep it in the right conditions. Other herbs like mint, lavender and chives also fair well in colder temps. These are perfect additions to your windowsill and you can even get some culinary use out of them.

How to take care of these plants: Each herb is different so do a quick search when you purchase one to see its optimal environment. When in doubt, keep them in a sunny window and water them whenever the soil gets dry.

Those bleek, chilly days can seem just a little more lively when you add some vibrant greens to your space. Try out these calming, cold-friendly plants and see how they brighten your room and mood in the coming winter season. 

Obsessed with all things natural. Let's keep growing. ?
Iesha Ismail studied as a double major in English and Women's Studies at the University of Florida. Iesha is the High School/Her Future editor, a Feature Writer, and Style Blogger for Her Campus National. She was also the senior editor for Her Campus UFL and senior content editor for UF's Sparks Magazine. She is currently working in editorial for a financial research publication firm, and a guest contributor for Muslim Women Professionals. Iesha loves to observe nature and fashion as inspiration for all kinds writing she's into. Fashion, culture, drawing, and animation are just a few of the passions she plays with on the daily. Whether it's writing colorful stories or sketching in her worn out sketchbooks, Iesha always dabbles in anything art.