Is your home feeling the heat from central heating during the chilly months? Fortunately, there are several types of indoor plants that can tolerate heat quite well. Discover the top indoor plants that thrive in warm indoor environments.
Succulents, cacti, and aloe vera are the best indoor plants that stand central heating. These plants are well-suited to warmer climates and are more tolerant to heat, making them perfect for homes with hot heating vents. Additionally, they require less maintenance.
In this article, I will introduce you to a variety of heat-tolerant plants that are perfect for homes with toasty central heating. These resilient plants require little maintenance and are sure to brighten up any warm living space. Keep reading to find the perfect indoor companion for your home.
1. Succulents
The succulent is one of the best houseplants for homes with hot central heating. Now there are wide varieties of succulents. However, each variety is known for being extremely tolerant of heat and droughts. These plants are not only good at surviving harsh warm weather, but they are also unique in appearance.
Succulents are desert plants that originated in arid locations such as Africa. These plants have puffy leaves with a waxy sheen. These odd leaves are where the plant stores water during dry spells. The plant comes from the Latin word Succus, which means sap or juice.
The little desert plants increased in popularity during the early 2000s and have since been deemed a millennial staple. However, many generations enjoy these fun plants. Unlike some desert plants, succulents come in various colors, sizes, and shapes, making them perfect for accessorizing your home.
Some of the most common varieties of succulents include:
- The Jade Plant
- Air Plants
- Hens and Chicks
- Moonstones
- Burro’s Tail
These are just a few popular succulents that will do well in a home with central heating. These plants are stunning and will make an excellent addition to your home. Plus, succulents are easily arranged in one pot to make a beautiful aesthetic display.
2. Cacti
Technically all cacti are considered succulents. However, not all succulents are cacti, but these prickly plants are still a fantastic option for warmer homes. The only drawback is their pointed spines which can prick you if you aren’t careful.
Another reason these spiky plants are a great option is their ability to go without water. So, these plants will tolerate your harsh heating unit and survive if you forget to water them.
There are thousands of vanities of cacti, though only some will fit inside your home. These exciting plants are native to most desert lands but are primarily found in North and South America and Mexico.
These sharp plants are found all over the world in harsh desert climates. Though cacti grow worldwide, certain varieties are native to different desert landscapes.
The most popular indoor cactus plants include:
- Angel Wing Cactus
- Rat Tail Cactus
- Old Lady Cactus
- Bishop Cap
- Christmas Cactus
- Barrel Cactus
- Coral Cactus
- Star Cactus
- African Milk Tree
Each cactus is unique, and some even bloom throughout the year. Because of the diversity of cacti, you can find a plant’s shape, size, and color that perfectly fits your home’s needs. Plus, any of these indoor plants will be easy to care for.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants are also technically in the succulent family. There are hundreds of varieties of succulents, though not all make great houseplants. The aloe vera plant was initially cultivated for its medical properties. However, it also makes an aesthetic addition to your home.
Research suggests that the aloe vera plant originated in the Arabian Peninsula. However, the plant is now found worldwide. Additionally, this plant is quite old, dating back at least 6,000 years, as depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Again, aloe is highly drought and heat tolerant, making it perfect for hot heaters in the winter. However, the plant also has some other perks. For example, aloe makes an excellent moisturizer and sunburn treatment.
Plus, consuming or applying the plant’s gel can help with things like:
- Acne
- Healing burns
- Improving hair health
- Helping gut health
So as you can see, there are many benefits to adding this aloe to your indoor plants.
4. Palm Lily
Another excellent option for warm homes is the palm lily (Yucca elephantipes). This plant is considered significant for a houseplant and grows like a mini palm tree. Additionally, the plant is incredibly heat-tolerant but does best in well-lit spaces.
Along with being heat resistant, the yucca is drought tolerant, meaning it only needs to be watered 1-2 times per month or when the soil has dried out. Overwatering a palm lily will result in an unhealthy plant.
The Yucca elephantipes is native to the southwest United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the eastern part of Mexico. This perennial is technically a spiky shrub. However, there are several varieties of palm lilies. Most of these plants thrive in warmer gardening zones and will survive the central heating in your home.
5. Devil’s Ivy (Pothos)
Another excellent indoor plant option is devil’s ivy or pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Chances are you have seen this plant in others’ homes or already own one, as it’s trendy among plant owners. This ivy plant is simple yet stunning and experiences fast growth. Additionally, the plant does pretty well in homes with hot central heating.
The plant originates from the Society Islands of French Polynesia and has since become an indoor staple plant in many homes. Another thing that makes this plant so popular is its ability to grow into whatever shape you want. In addition, the long vines are easily manipulated to climb or trail along a surface, making it a great decorative plant.
However, it’s important to note that devil’s ivy causes skin irritation in humans and shouldn’t be handled regularly.
That said, the plant in your home should be okay as long as you don’t eat the leaves or touch them without washing your hands. Tiny, sharp crystals along the plant’s leaves can cut your mouth, throat, and stomach. So keeping devil’s ivy away from children and pets is a good idea.
6. Croton
Crotons (Croton variegatum L.) are a very warm-tolerant indoor plant if you’re looking for something that will thrive and be aesthetic. The leaves of this houseplant are fun and distinct, ranging from deep orange to pale green.
However, crotons are known for their love of sunlight. This love makes them great for warm climates but also means they need plenty of sunlight. So if you are keeping yours indoors, ensure the plant gets placed near a window with plenty of light to ensure proper growth.
This plant originates from Malaysia and the Pacific, though the plants are now kept worldwide as houseplants. That said, keep in mind that the croton is also considered toxic and therefore isn’t consumable. Additionally, the leaves can cause a rash on sensitive skin.
7. Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum), also known as airplane plants, are one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. They require very little care and will do great even with central heating running during the colder months. The plant is named after its leaves’ spider-like appearance.
This unique plant hails from South and West Africa before it was introduced to Europe. However, like all the plants on this list, it has recently been widely popularized as a houseplant.
Spider plants also come in different shades. The leaves are typically a darker green with light green tinged along the inside. Some varieties are darker than others, but all spider plants have a similar shape with long skinny leaves.
8. Silver Squill
One of the most stunning plants on this list is the silver squill (Ledebouria socialis). These plants are perfect for homes with warm central heating, especially in winter. Additionally, squill is unique in its fun patterns and will make a beautiful addition to your home’s decor.
Silver squill is also known as leopard lilies or wood hyacinths. This perennial houseplant is native to South Africa and is well suited to warmer climates. The silver squill is hardy and easy to take care of.
The squill is excellent because it doesn’t require direct sunlight to thrive. The plant does better in indirect lighting, so it doesn’t need to be placed directly near a window to grow. You can put your plant anywhere in the room so long as it receives indirect light throughout the day.
9. Ponytail Palm
The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a fun houseplant because of its unique shape and leaves. As the name suggests, the plant looks like a palm tree with its long trunk and wispy palm-like leaves. Ponytail palms can reach a little over 4 feet (1 meter) in height.
The plant grows relatively slowly and prefers to be left on its own to grow with minimal watering. Therefore, the soil needs to be completely dry before watering the plant again. Indoor ponytail palms require soil with excellent drainage, as water buildup on their roots will result in root rot.
In the wild, ponytail plants go dormant during the winter months. However, the plant will skip this phase if kept in a warm home. So if you want it to go through its natural cycles, keeping it somewhere cooler is best, though the heater won’t harm the plant.
10. Haworthia
Technically, Haworthia (Haworthiopsis fasciata) is another succulent. So, of course, it’s an excellent option for homes with central heating. This plant is known for its thick spear-shaped leaves, which grow close together like a cacti pinecone.
Coloration-wise, the Haworthia is a stunning green with a white pattern peppering its thick leaves. The plant resembles an aloe vera plant, though it’s usually relatively smaller, and its leaves are pudgier like a succulent.
These plants are great at adapting and, therefore, thrive in full and partial sunlight. So you can place your haworthia anywhere in your home, so long as the plant gets sunlight daily.
The haworthia is native to South Africa and can also be found in several desert biomes. Additionally, the plant can be grown outdoors in gardens in warmer climates.
11. Hibiscus
Though hibiscus plants are native to tropical environments, these plants can make excellent houseplants. Hibiscus is pretty heat tolerant, and so long as they remain well watered, they can thrive in a heated home.
This tropical plant needs plenty of sunlight and, therefore, will need to be placed near a window with plenty of sunlight. Your hibiscus needs about 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Therefore a south-facing window is ideal.
Moisture-wise, hibiscus needs regular watering but will not enjoy overwatering. The plant will do best if watered when its soil dries out. However, it can be misted to aid in humidity retention, especially if your home is warm or you have placed the plant near a heating vent.
Ideally, keeping your indoor hibiscus plant away from heating vents is best. The heat will quickly zap your plants’ much-needed humidity. However, if you are resilient about misting and watering the plant, you can mitigate some heat.
12. Herbs
Growing a small indoor herb garden is a good idea if you want to add some greenery to your home, even in the winter. Most common herbs will tolerate the heat in your home and still manage to bring a pop of green to the space. Plus, you’ll have fresh herbs, which is a huge plus.
The best herbs to grow indoors include:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Mint
- Chives
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Cilantro
Each of these herbs is an excellent option for growing an indoor herb garden. These plants typically take up very little space and can easily be grown on the back of your sink, on a window ledge, or in any container you have lying around. Plus, herbs are cheap and easy to grow, so if they die, it’s not a substantial financial loss.
Additionally, there are many excellent grow lights on the market specifically for growing an herb garden in your home.
If you don’t already own one, I recommend using a hydroponics growing station with pods. You can use the containers to grow your herbs and have a grow light positioned over them for optimal plant growth. Be sure to get a grow light with adjustable height.
Additionally, you can grow many of these herbs from seeds and even propagate them from home using the paper towel and ziplock bag method.
13. Cast Iron Plant
Next, there is the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). This plant has a basic look but does well in warm spaces with central heating. Cast iron leaves are pointed and spread out as the plant grows larger. Additionally, the plant is known for its resilience and often joked about being indestructible. The plant is also regularly used as ground cover in difficult-to-grow areas.
Cast iron plants are native to Japan and Taiwan. The plant is great because it doesn’t require much light to thrive indoors. Partial light is ideal for optimal growth since the full sun can burn its leaves if it’s too harsh.
The plants grow slowly but will eventually reach about 2 feet (60 cm) tall. The plant is highly tolerant of heat and drought but requires regular watering to thrive. Cast iron plants are also highly susceptible to cold weather and prefer warm homes throughout the year.
14. Jade Plants
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) a variety of succulents that will thrive in a home with central heating. The jade plant is known as the lucky plant or money tree and is native to South Africa. The plant’s green leaves are oval in shape and branch from thin branches.
This plant, like most succulents, requires regular exposure to sunlight. Typically jade plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight to thrive. It’s important to note that jade plants that don’t receive enough light or water will experience leaves dropping off.
If properly cared for, jade plants will live for a long time. The plant needs regular watering but also requires its soil to dry out in between watering. Allowing the soil to dry prevents root rot from developing and ensures the plant remains healthy.
15. Dwarf Umbrella Tree
Lastly, there is the dwarf umbrella tree (Heptapleurum arboricola). This tree is fantastic for adding a pop of green to your home and still being low maintenance.
The umbrella tree has multiple trunks with fans of leaves that splay out on the tops, giving the plant an umbrella-like appearance. Coloration-wise, the leaves are typically light green with yellowish splotches along them.
This plant will grow best in direct light, so a large, brightly lit window is ideal. However, the plant can also be grown in partial light if necessary. Additionally, the plant can grow fairly tall if pruned regularly. Umbrella trees can also live up to 15 years.
If you found this guide helpful, I recommend my complete guide on caring for houseplants. I’ll discuss the many tips and tricks for keeping your plants happy and healthy: How To Care for Houseplants (The Ultimate Guide)
