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Plants in a cold house that will survive the winter

aniakoz99aniakoz99 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hello, in my apartment I have about 30 plants (mainly philodendrons, alocasias). However, winter is a hard time for them... There is a temperature of about 18-19 degrees Celsius and there is quite little sunshine. Unfortunately I happen to overwater the plants due to which they rot... Also sometimes a bugs appear - like spider mites (tetranychus urticae).

I wonder if you recommend any plants in such conditions? Which ones like low temperatures and are resistant to bugs? I would love to increase my collection, but I am looking for some interesting types of plants that will live well in such conditions.
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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    !8-!9C is not a cold house
    Over watering is easily cured. Don't do it


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    My house is lucky to be at that temp just now!
    Certainly not a cold temp IMO. 
    Spider mites/insects etc often occur when conditions are humid and/or airflow is poor.
    I agree re the watering. Just lay off the watering can @aniakoz99. More damage is done to plants [ of any kind ] with excess water, than almost anything else.  :)
    If you offer more info about your location etc, that will help with more accurate advice and ideas. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I was going to suggest cyclamen after seeing the topic title.  However they much prefer lower temperatures around 15-16 degrees and won't last long at 19.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Those plants will need very little watering during the winter.  How often and how much are you watering them?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree, that temperature is fine for most houseplants, but they don't need much water in the winter when the light levels are low and they're not growing much, just ticking over.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Yes, rein back the watering, the plants will be just ticking over and won't be needing much. Probably better for them to be in a cooler room if they aren't getting enough light too. I think tuberous plants like Alocasia may respond by losing their leaves or at least their leaves will go yellow and unsightly; they are possibly better off being treated like Dahlias and overwintered in a cool dry place and then brought back into growth in spring.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited November 2022
    re the watering:  Do the plants' pots have drainage holes?  Do they have cache-pots?  Never let plants sit in water.  (There ara a few exceptions).  

    re the mites:  Misting the plants with water and wiping the leaves should help.

    re new plants:  Your present plants should be fine.  I had a number of large Ficus benjamini that existed with little care in a rented house in Belgium.
    Get the know your plants individual needs.  Shop at a house plant specialist who can give good advice.


     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • MrsHAVamlMrsHAVaml Posts: 5
    Hello!  I have a conservatory that has a simple poly roof and its is full of plants (30+) we do not heat the space consistently during the winter and never at night so it does get cold (10 degrees and below).  The plants that I have had no problems with are stag head and boston fern, monstera, calethea, cactus, spider plants, succulents, snake plant, dracena and geraniums.  This photo was taken early April when there were still low overnight temps.  What seems to work for me is a good feed late summer/early autumn and then I do water them all much less in the winter.  I find using cinnamon sprinkled on the soil really helps stop getting that white bloom or any pests.  Have fun finding what is right for you home!  The quality and variety of plants from the supermarket Morrisons is amazing (and so cheap!) if you have one near you, they always grow so well and I have never had single pest on any of them.  
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    edited December 2022
    That's a very nice conservatory. We have similar plants in ours, plus a lot of orchids. If the outside temperature is below 0,,it will get down to 8c. It's got a glass lantern roof, replaced about 6 years ago, the low plastic one was leaking. Hubby is literally doing the annual "big" clean before the Christmas decorations go up. Blinds removed. It's north facing,but because it's a bungalow,sun shines over the roof,it can get up to 44c,in summer. There are 2 radiators in there, everywhere is super insulated. When we do have heating on,it's 18c max. I think trial and error with plants. I don't sow seeds at 20/23c as shown on the packets. We do get pests in winter, the calamondin and mandarin are too tender for the green house. MrsH, the plants you mentioned tend not to suffer with the same pests as citrus and orchids.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    MrsHAVaml said:
     I find using cinnamon sprinkled on the soil really helps stop getting that white bloom or any pests.   
    google :  Chemical Constituents
    Cinnamon consists of a variety of resinous compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamate, cinnamic acid, and numerous essential oils

    nb. Chemicals!!
    Don't think that you are avoidinhg chemicals by usung something "organic". 
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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