
If Elsa from Frozen were a plant, which would she be? What plants are never bothered by the cold, anyway (pun intended)?
In this article, we will lay down 20 Elsa-approved houseplants or those which can survive the cold weather.
1. Snake Plant

Scientific Name | Dracaena trifasciata |
Common Name | Snake plant, Saint George’s sword, mother-in-law’s tongue, viper’s bowstring hemp, Golden Birds Nest, Good Luck Plant |
Temperature | 60 to 75ºF (16-24ºC) |
Sunlight | Direct sunlight only for 2-6 hours |
Water | Water only when the soil is nearly dry |
Unique Characteristic | Reptilian-like leaves |
A snake plant is most recognizable because of its thick reptilian-like leaves with a yellow- colored border. This plant thrives in a partially shady spot.
It is a perfect indoor plant, filling the room with a sweet floral scent.
The snake plant is drought-resistant, so you should only water it when the soil is dry when touched. It is also best planted in well-drained sandy soil.
2. Jade Plant

Scientific Name | Crassula ovata |
Common Name | Friendship plant, money plant, or silver dollar plant, Baby Jade, Chinese rubber plant, Dwarf rubber plant, Jade Plant, Jade tree, Japanese rubber plant |
Temperature | 65º to 75ºF (18 to 23ºC) |
Sunlight | 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day |
Water | Watering once every 2 to 3 weeks |
Unique Characteristic | Fleshy leavesShaped like a mini tree |
The jade plant possesses bright green fleshy leaves and wooden stems that take the shape of a mini tree once it matures.
It can tolerate both hot and cold weather conditions.
Because of its fleshy leaves, the jade plant can store water for the dry months.
Jade plants are ideally placed in areas where they can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. However, it can also tolerate low-light environments.
It is best planted on well-drained soil. It does not require frequent watering; doing so once every 2 to 3 weeks is enough.
To maintain the bright green color of its foliage, you may add a low-dose fertilizer from time to time.
3. Ponytail Palm

Scientific Name | Beaucarnea recurvata |
Common Name | Bottle Palm, Elephant-foot Tree, Ponytail Palm, Pony Tail Plant |
Temperature | 60 to 80ºF (15 to 26ºC) |
Sunlight | 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day |
Water | Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings |
Unique Characteristic | Elongated leaves that flow down to the ground |
The ponytail palm is another great accent plant in your room that can tolerate the cold. It has long, bright green leaves that flow down like hair.
This plant can survive dry air and soil, making it a low-maintenance plant.
The Beaucarnea recurvata stores water on its thick, textured trunk in preparation for drought seasons.
4. Christmas Cactus

Scientific Name | Schlumbergera russelliana |
Common Name | Christmas Cactus, Easter Cactus, Shrimp Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus |
Temperature | 60 to 70°F (15 to 21°C) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day |
Water | Water every 2 to 3 weeks when the top ⅓ of soil feels dry |
Unique Characteristic | Pink or purple orchid-shaped flowers |
The Christmas cactus grows well in tropical and high humidity environments.
It blooms with orchid-like flowers with shiny pink or purple petals.
This plant requires little attention. You can leave it in a full shade location and water it every 2 to 3 weeks.
5. ZZ Plant

Scientific Name | Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
Common Name | Aroid Palm, Aroid Plant, Emerald Palm, Eternity Plant, Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, ZZ Plant, Arum Fern |
Temperature | 60 to 75ºF (15 to 23ºC) |
Sunlight | Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight |
Water | Water every 2-3 weeks and allow the soil to dry out between waterings |
Unique Characteristic | Deep green and shiny leaves |
The ZZ plant is one of the most popular houseplants and is known for its shiny deep green foliage.
It is easy to take care of, requiring only low light conditions and watering every 2 to 3 weeks.
You can place the Zamioculcas zamiifolia in almost every corner of your home. It can survive in cold and damp environments and even in the dark.
Do not expose your ZZ plant to direct sunlight, which can burn its shiny leaves.
6. Clivia

Scientific Name | Clivia miniata |
Common Name | Clivia, Clivia Lily, Flame Lily, September Lily |
Temperature | 80º to 85º F (26 to 29ºC) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day |
Water | water once a week |
Unique Characteristic | Trumpet-shaped red or orange flowers |
Clivia is a versatile houseplant that is known for its trumpet-shaped flowers.
The Clivia miniata retains its foliage for the whole year, even during winter.
It thrives in low-light and dry environments and well-drained soil.
Watering it once a week is enough, while you can add fertilizers from time to time to enrich its foliage and flowers.
7. Aloe

Scientific Name | Aloe vera |
Common Name | Aloe, Aloe Vera, Barbados Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Medicine Plant, True Aloe |
Temperature | 50 to 85ºF (10 to 29ºC) |
Sunlight | 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day |
Water | Water every three weeks and sparingly during winter |
Unique Characteristic | Fleshy leaves with small white thorns |
The aloe plant is an excellent choice for those who live in dry places during winter.
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that can store water in its fleshy leaves.
Although you can water it every three weeks, check the soil every now and then to check if it still has enough moisture.
8. Fiddle Leaf Fig

Scientific Name | Ficus lyrata |
Common Name | Fiddle leaf fig |
Temperature | 60 to 80ºF (15 to 26ºC) |
Sunlight | 6 or more hours of bright light |
Water | Water once a week or every ten days |
Unique Characteristic | Huge fiddle-shaped leaves |
The Ficus lyrata is easily recognizable from its huge fiddle-shaped leaves, hence, its namesake.
The fiddle leaf fig not only brightens up a room but also absorbs foul odors in its surroundings.
This is another low-maintenance plant that only requires watering once a week, especially during winter.
9. Maidenhair Fern

Scientific Name | Adiantum capillus-veneris |
Common Name | Southern Maidenhair Fern, Venus’-hair Fern, Venus Maidenhair Fern |
Temperature | 70°F (21°C) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day) |
Water | Water daily or every other day |
Unique Characteristic | Small palm-shaped leaves |
The maidenhair fern is known for its lacy palm-shaped foliage. It can tolerate humidity and cold temperatures.
This plant commonly grows on forest floors and survives under low light conditions and shady environments.
It grows best when it is watered or misted daily or every other day because it loves moist soil.
10. Chinese Evergreen

Scientific Name | Aglaonema commutatum |
Common Name | Chinese evergreen, golden evergreen, Philippine evergreen, Poison Dart Plant |
Temperature | 55 to 77°F (12 to 25ºC) |
Sunlight | Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight |
Water | Water once a week during spring and summer, and once in two weeks during winter |
Unique Characteristic | Waxy lance-shaped leaves with pink margins |
The Chinese evergreen plant is known for its waxy lance-shaped leaves with pink margins.
It is a slow-growing house plant that can tolerate cold and dry environments.
This plant also thrives in low light conditions, needing only less than two hours of direct sunlight.
Be sure not to overwater the Chinese evergreen and plant them in well-drained, moist soils.
It is prone to pests like spider mites, mealy bugs, and aphids, so make sure to wipe its leaves regularly.
11. Philodendron

Scientific Name | Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum |
Common Name | Heart-leaf Philodendron, Parlor Ivy, Philodendron, Sweetheart Plant |
Temperature | 65 to 85°F (21 to 27°C)No lower than 59ºF (15°C) |
Sunlight | Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight |
Water | Water every 5 to 7 days |
Unique Characteristic | Vivid green split leaves |
You can spot a philodendron from afar with its large vivid gree split leaves.
The philodendron is drought resistant and thrives in shady environments. It is best planted on well-drained potting soil. Keep its soil moist by watering it every 5 to 7 days.
12. Hoya

Scientific Name | Hoya carnosa |
Common Name | Honey Plant, Porcelain flower, Porcelain Flower, Wax Plant |
Temperature | 60 to 85°F (15 to 29ºC) |
Sunlight | Direct sunlight for 2-6 hours |
Water | Once every 14 days in the spring and summer, and once every 3 to 4 weeks in the winter |
Unique Characteristic | Climbing plant with waxy leaves |
The hoya is a trailing plant common in tropical forests. It has thick waxy leaves that adapt to different weather conditions.
This plant needs direct sunlight for 2 to 6 hours but can also grow in partially shady locations. It is best planted in light soil.
It also does not require frequent watering. Watering once every 14 days in the spring and summer and once every 3 to 4 weeks in the winter is enough for the hoya plant.
13. Geraniums

Scientific Name | Pelargonium |
Common Name | Geraniums, pelargoniums, storksbills |
Temperature | 65 to 75ºF (18 to 23ºC) |
Sunlight | 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day |
Water | Watering the soil daily in the summer and less frequently in the winter |
Unique Characteristic | Hand-shaped flowers with leaves emitting aromatic scent |
Geraniums are great indoor plant that brightens up cold rooms with their bright white, red, pink, purple or even blue five-petaled flowers.
The geranium has palmate leaves divided into narrow pointed segments.
Geranium foliage produces aromatic scent likened to that of roses, lemons and strawberries. They can also be used to flavor jelly, lemonade, pastries and salads.
They may be planted in pots, planters or garden beds. It is best planted on well-draining soil and is drought tolerant.
It only needs direct sunlight for 6 or more hours and daily watering.
14. Cast Iron Plant

Scientific Name | Aspidistra elatior |
Common Name | Baran, Bar Room Plant, Barroom Plant, Cast Iron Plant, Haran, Iron Plant, Parlor Palm, Variegated Cast Iron Plant |
Temperature | 45 to 85°F (7 to 29ºC) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day |
Water | Once a week |
Unique Characteristic | Large paddle-shaped leaves |
The cast iron plant is a popular indoor houseplant native to China and Japan and commonly adorned in Victorian hallways.
The Aspidistra elatior grows large arching paddle-shaped leaves that rise directly from its fleshy roots and long stems.
This plant requires least attention as it grows well in shady areas and cold temperatures.
Cast iron plants also has the ability to purify the air, making it a great indoor plant for homes in cold climates.
15. Monstera

Scientific Name | Monstera deliciosa |
Common Name | Ceriman, Cutleaf Philodendron, Hurricane Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Mother-in-Law, Split-leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant |
Temperature | 60 to 80ºF (15 to 26ºC) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day |
Water | Water every 1 to 2 weeks and allow soil to dry out between waterings |
Unique Characteristic | Holes in the leaves |
The monstera grows up to 15 feet in height and 8 feet wide, and loves winter cold seasons.
It is known for its signature holes on the leaves. It also has aerial roots that help support its large size.
The monstera only needs indirect sunlight through shades and watering every 1 to 2 weeks. This plant can only be repotted once every 2 years.
16. Dragon Tree

Scientific Name | Dracaena marginata |
Common Name | Dragon Tree, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Malaysian Dracaena, Pleomele, Red-marginated Dracaena, Song of India, Straight-marginated Dracaena |
Temperature | 65 to 75º F (18 to 23ºC) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day |
Water | watering every 10 to 14 days will keep the soil with a nice even level of moisture |
Unique Characteristic | Slender leaves with red edges |
The dragon tree is a cold-tolerating indoor plant that is known for its long slender leaves with red edges.
They are a great plant for beginners since they are drought-tolerant and low-light adapting houseplant.
Native to Madagascar, the dragon tree can grown up to 20 feet high in the wild, and 6 feet tall indoors.
This is a slow-growing plant that needs watering only every 10 to 14 days.
17. Moth Orchid

Scientific Name | Phalaenopsis |
Common Name | Moon Orchid, Moon Orchids, Moth Orchid, Moth Orchids, Phalaenopsis Orchid, Phalaenopsis Orchids |
Temperature | 61 to 86°F (16 to 30ºC) |
Sunlight | Shade through upper canopy all day |
Water | Watering the roots about 2 to 3 times a month |
Unique Characteristic | Bright white, purple or pink orchids |
Moth orchids are low-maintenance plants that can tolerate the cold but also brighten up your room with its long-lasting white, purple or pink flowers.
They have short stems with broad oval leathery leaves. They are commonly sold as potted plants and can grow up to 3 feet in height.
Moth orchids only need dappled sunlight and watering of its roots for 2 to 3 times every month.
18. Moss Terrarium

Scientific Name | Bryophyta |
Common Name | Moss, Moss Terrarium |
Temperature | 55 to 80°F (12 to 26°C) |
Sunlight | 6 hours of indirect sunlight |
Water | Light water once a week |
Unique Characteristic | Dense green clumps |
Moss terrariums, especially when they are kept inside a glass, are able to retain the required humidity and protect the plant from the winter cold.
They can serve as an accent piece or decor in your living room, and can thrive along with other similar species.
Moss terrariums are low maintenance plants that require only indirect sunlight and light watering or misting once a week.
19. Succulents

Scientific Name | Xerophytes |
Common Name | Succulent |
Temperature | 40 to 80°F (4 to 26ºC) |
Sunlight | 4 to 6 hours of indirect sunlight |
Water | Water every 14 to 21 days |
Unique Characteristic | Thick green fleshy stems |
Succullents have thich fleshy stems that store water, enabling it to survive in extremely arid and cold conditions.
It only needs 4 to 6 hours of indirect sunlight and watering every 14 to 21 days.
Apart from being low maintenance and resilient, succulents provide a fresh vibrant look to office or study desks and rooms.
20. Sago palm

Scientific Name | Cycas revoluta |
Common Name | Cycad, Japanese Sago Palm, King Sago Palm, Sago Palm, Living fossil |
Temperature | 15 to 110ºF (-9 to 43ºC) |
Sunlight | Direct sunlight for 2-6 hours |
Water | Water once a week or less |
Unique Characteristic | Stiff yet shiny palm-like fronds |
The sago palm is native to Japan and China and is known for being a tough houseplant that can tolerate cool temperatures.
Also known as the living fossil, this cycad can have a lifespan of over 200 years.
It is a great container plant that can provide a tropical vibe in your garden, room or hallway.
Although it is not a real palm tree, the sago palm ihas a thick trunk with a rosette of glossy stiff palm-like fronds.
It only needs direct sunlight from 2 to 6 hours and watering once a week.