If you’re living in Chicago, the long winters and short days can make apartment living feel a bit, well… gloomy. Thankfully, though, bringing some greenery into your home can instantly brighten things up, even in the colder months!
There are plenty of indoor plants that thrive in low light, cooler temperatures and with minimal care. These cold-hardy indoor plants not only add a bit of greenery and life to your space, but are also perfect for city dwellers who may not have the brightest apartment or whose window sills are chilly at best.
Here are some of those winter-tolerant plants that can handle the conditions and still look as lush as ever in our luxury Chicago apartments!
10 cold-tolerant indoor plants for a Chicago apartment
Snake plant
First up is the snake plant, also known as sansevieria. This resilient plant is a favorite for good reason — it can handle lower temperatures and doesn't need much light, making it a great choice for apartments with fewer windows. Snake plants are incredibly low-maintenance, thriving on neglect, which is perfect if you're busy or new to plant care. They only need watering once every couple of weeks, and they can survive in indirect sunlight or even artificial lighting. Plus, they’re non-toxic to pets, so if you have a cat or dog, you’re in the clear!
ZZ plant
For something a bit more dramatic, consider a bold ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). With its glossy, dark green leaves, it brings a bold touch to any room. The ZZ plant is famously tough, handling cooler temperatures and very little sunlight with ease. It’s practically made for Chicago's long winters. Like the Snake Plant, it requires infrequent watering — every two to three weeks is usually enough. However, if you have pets, it’s important to know that ZZ plants are toxic to both cats and dogs, so be sure to place it out of their reach.
Spider plant
If you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to care for and pet-friendly, this is your go-to.
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) can tolerate cooler indoor temperatures and don’t need much sunlight — they do best in indirect light, but will also manage in low-light corners. They’re also forgiving when it comes to watering — you only need to water them when the top inch of soil is dry. Plus, they produce little "babies" that you can propagate, giving you more plants without having to buy new ones. Win-win!
Heartleaf philodendron
If you’re looking for an aesthetically-pleasing trailing plant, the heartleaf philodendron might be just what gets you through the winter months.
This vining plant is perfect for small apartments, as it can hang from a shelf or drape down from a window ledge; buy little plant clips to guide the trails along walls and roofs to make the trails extra fun!
Philodendrons also thrive in lower light conditions, and they’re fairly forgiving if you forget to water them every now and then. Watering once per week is usually sufficient. Although they tolerate cooler temperatures, it’s important to note that philodendrons are toxic to pets, so keep them out of hand’s (or paw’s) reach.
Christmas cactus
For a pop of color during the gray winter months, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a great, easy-to-care-for cactus with vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red or white.
The Christmas cactus is a tropical cactus, which means it prefers a bit more moisture than desert cacti, but it’s still quite hardy. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, and place it in indirect sunlight. It can handle cooler temperatures, making it ideal for wintery Chicago. Best of all, it’s safe for pets!
Cast iron plant
If you want something truly unique, try the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). True to its name, this plant is nearly indestructible, thriving in low light, with minimal water and in colder indoor temperatures. It’s slow-growing but requires very little attention — perfect if you’re not always the most attentive plant parent (guilty as charged😬). The cast iron plant is also non-toxic to pets, so you won’t have to worry if your furry friends decide to nibble on it.
Peace lily
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a classic indoor plant that can thrive in lower light conditions. While peace lilies do appreciate a decent amount of indirect light, they can still survive in dimly lit apartments, making them a solid choice for winter climates. These plants also signal when they need water — their leaves will droop and wilt pretty dramatically, but they bounce back after a good drink like the drama queens they are. A good rule of thumb is to water them about once a week.
If you have pets, be cautious as peace lilies are toxic to both cats and dogs.
English ivy
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is another trailing plant that does well in cooler, low-light environments. This vine can both climb and drape, making it a versatile addition to your apartment. It does prefer slightly more frequent watering — about once a week — but it’s fairly easy to care for otherwise. Unfortunately, English Ivy is also toxic to pets, so it’s best kept in a hanging pot or high shelf if you have animals.
Chinese evergreen
If you’re looking for a splash of color and texture, the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) could be a great fit for your space.
This plant comes in various shades of green and sometimes even pink, offering a more vibrant look to an already impressive looking plant. Chinese evergreens are known for their tolerance of low light and cooler temperatures, and they only need to be watered when the soil dries out. One downside is that they are toxic to pets, so keep this plant out of reach if you have furry companions.
Parlor palm
Finally, the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a popular choice for indoor gardeners who want a bit of tropical flair in their apartment. It’s very adaptable and tolerates both lower light levels and cooler temperatures more than most other tropical palms, making it a perfect fit for Chicago living. The parlor palm doesn’t need frequent watering, either — about once every one to two weeks should be sufficient. It’s also completely safe for cats and dogs!
With these cold-hardy indoor plants, even Chicago's long, dark winters won’t stand a chance at dulling your apartment’s vibe. Whether you’re working with limited sunlight or cooler indoor temps, you can still enjoy the beauty of nature without much hassle. Just be mindful of which plants are pet-safe, and you’ll have a thriving indoor garden in no time!
Happy winter!
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Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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