21 Houseplants That Like Low Humidity

Maintaining high humidity in a dry region is a chore! It requires objects like humidifiers, daily misters, or pebble trays that require constant upkeep. Why struggle to cultivate these tender plants when there are hundreds of hardy options? 

Species originating in dry, hot climates are often the best choices, though there are tropical and subtropical types that tolerate low humidity. Pothos, heartleaf philodendrons, and cornplant are some common examples. They appreciate high humidity, though they tolerate lower levels. 

Dozens of snake plant varieties offer unlimited options for the choosy grower. Try ‘Bird’s Nest’ for a dwarf specimen with light and dark green stripes on the fronds. Opt for ‘Laurentii’ if you like yellow —the leaves have yellow margins around light and dark green stripes. 

Though aloe vera can be challenging to grow in dark homes, grow lights create the ideal lighting for this succulent. Simply attach them to a timer that matches your local daylight hours—they’ll turn on and off automatically, giving your aloe all the light it needs.

Without grow lights, aim to give aloe vera a brightly lit location near a window. It dislikes cold temperatures and high humidity, so sunrooms and kitchens work best. If it’s near a cold window, consider adding a space heater nearby to give it the warmth it craves. 

Aloe vera is cute, but the ‘Christmas Carol’ aloe is cuter! It sports red margins on succulent leaves. The green leaves have red and yellow specks between the red margins. Highly decorative, small, and easy to grow, this aloe is perfect for bright homes.

Like aloe vera, this type needs direct sunlight throughout the day to thrive. Grant it water only after the soil dries to prevent root rot. After a year or two of growing, you can divide your specimen and propagate the pups in new containers.

Though pothos originates from tropical and subtropical regions, it tolerates low levels of humidity! Like the snake plant, it also thrives in low light. Pothos vines sprout variegated green-yellow leaves off of rambling, creeping stems. The stems root freely, making propagation a simple task.

Unlike most houseplants that prefer bright, filtered light, this species thrives in low-light conditions common within our homes. The less light it receives, the less water it’ll need. 

Use the finger test if you’re unsure when to water. Dip your finger into the soil—if it comes out clean and dry, the plant needs water. If moist soil sticks to your finger, your pothos vine isn’t thirsty. Wait a few days before checking again. 

Cornplant isn’t related to corn, though it grows leaves that look similar to the crop’s foliage. Strappy, wide green leaves sprout from a central woody trunk. The thick trunks often fork off into smaller stems as they mature, though you can speed up the process by pruning single stems. After the cut heals, multiple shoots should sprout in its place.

As the cornplant is a favorite houseplant worldwide, there are dozens of cultivars to choose from! ‘Bausei’ has lovely, creamy-white striped leaves with green edges. Another funky type is ‘Dorado.’ It forms curled leaves with green centers and thin yellow margins. 

Regardless of the cultivar, cornplants prefer filtered light and regular water. Ensure their soil stays moist and not soggy, and grant them sufficient lighting with a bright window or grow lights. Cuttings root easily in soil or water; propagate them from spring through summer while temperatures are warm and the days are long. 

Heartleaf philodendron looks incredibly similar to pothos, though its leaves are a darker green and the stems don’t ramble as far as pothos. They’ll stay within six feet, making them the perfect length for decorating bare walls, bookshelves, and kitchen windows.

Hardy, drought tolerant, and appreciative of average humidity levels found indoors, the heartleaf variety excels where other tropical philodendrons would suffer. If you dislike the normal green color of the leaves, opt for a bold variety. ‘Brazil’ fuses yellows and greens on the leaves, while ‘Rio’ displays yellow, green, and cream variegation. 

Coleus often grow as summer annuals in our gardens, though they make gorgeous indoor specimens. These houseplants tolerate low to average home humidity levels but will thrive with more if you can provide it. Highly adaptable, these specimens excel in homes throughout the U.S.

Coleus love the ambient moisture that evaporates after you water them. The gaseous moisture helps the plant thrive with little effort on your part. Be sure not to overwater, as soggy soil spells death for these tender tropical plants! Water once the soil dries on top, about every one to two weeks.

This unique clumping perennial also goes by the name Moses-in-the-Cradle. It grows lush, bright green leaves with maroon undersides. Special varieties like ‘Tricolor’ have other colors like white, yellow, and cream on their leaves. 

Happy, mature plants produce clusters of flowers at their tips within leaf folds, hence the “cradle” name. Though they’re gorgeous, they’re insignificant in comparison to the decorative foliage. You may cut them off to help your plant focus its energy on producing more leaves rather than flowers. 

Cyclamen grow from tubers belowground, enabling them to survive drought, adverse weather, and pest attacks. They enter dormancy in summer and emerge in late winter as the days lengthen and temperatures warm. Persian cyclamen are perfect for homes without much humidity, sprouting lush, pink blooms throughout the cool months.

Because cyclamen grow from tubers, they dislike constant sogginess. Water them once their soil dries, about every one to three weeks during the growing season. Summer dormant specimens require much less water than actively growing ones; cut back irrigation to once a month for best results. As new sprouts emerge in spring, you may resume your normal schedule.

This desert dweller hails from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where it endures long, dry summers and mild winters. Desert rose stores water in its trunk, which makes it appear swollen. The swollen trunk provides moisture during droughts, allowing this tree to survive harsh conditions. This low-humidity species is truly unlike any other houseplant! 

Though beautiful, the desert rose requires more sunlight than other houseplants. Grant it plenty of direct sunlight throughout the day. When in doubt, add some grow lights. They’ll boost the brightness, ensuring your woody specimen survives the winter. 

Ornamental peppers are abundant in grocery stores starting in late summer and early fall. You’ll see all sorts of varieties with purple, green, and variegated leaves. They have small, colorful peppers in different shapes. Some are round, while others exhibit the standard chili pepper shape with a wide top and a narrow point at the bottom.

‘Black Pearl’ is a variety that’s hard to find but rewarding to grow. It sprouts lush, purple-black leaves and round peppers that resemble black pearls. Though edible, they’re extremely spicy! Only eat them if you have a high heat tolerance, or dilute them in soups, stews, and sautés.

Swedish ivy, unlike English ivy, is easy to care for indoors. It doesn’t need extra humidity or special care. Simply let it spread in a spot with filtered sunlight. Indirect is best, as direct rays may burn the delicate foliage. 

You may have a neighbor or friend with this houseplant, as it’s common throughout the U.S. Ask for a cutting—they’re simple to propagate! Like with pothos, you snip the stems and place them in a glass of water. After they form roots, they’re ready for transplanting into containers. 

Poinsettias add holiday charm to houses during Christmastime, though they can grow indoors year-round! Keep your plant when it’s through flowering and place it in a bright, warm location. The leaves and flowers may fall off, but don’t worry; it’s a natural response the plant has to winter. Cut back the bare stems to encourage more buds to form low on the trunk.

Poinsettias originate from parts of Mexico where they tolerate excessive heat, frequent droughts, and sandy soil. Replicate these conditions indoors and your plants will thrive. Avoid putting poinsettias near cold drafts, and let the soil dry before watering them. 

These holiday shrubs have specific care instructions for reblooming. Learn more about what to do after you bring your poinsettia home with this easy-to-follow guide.

Golden barrel cactus may be one of the most famous cacti in the world! It’s a common plant for pot culture, as it appreciates free-draining soil and lots of sunlight. Originating from arid regions of Mexico, the golden barrel cactus grows like a weed in warm regions without winter frost. The trunk swells into a barrel shape, and its ridges have rows of spikey clusters.

Though this cactus seems tough, it has special needs when growing inside. Give it as much sunlight as possible—grow lights may be necessary in northern regions with short winter days. One easy way to help your cactus survive the winter is to cut back on watering; less heat means less growth and less growth creates little demand for moisture.

Haworthia is a genus of succulent low-growers that thrive in sandy soil. They’re perfect houseplants for a sunny, low-humidity windowsill, as their translucent leaves capture sunlight like a prism! Dozens of varieties exist, with types that look like dragon claws and others that resemble aloe or agave.

Like most succulents, Haworthia plants prefer sandy or gritty soil with superb drainage; they’ll rot in soggy or dense dirt. Keep them safe from cold and they’ll thrive in dry, arid climates both indoors and outdoors. Place them in a shallow bowl with clubmoss crassula, lithops, and cacti to create an indoor rock garden!

Crown of thorns has an interesting history. Though it originated in Madagascar, travelers introduced it into the warm, arid regions of West Asia and North Africa, where Jesus lived. This led to the belief that this plant could have made the thorny crown for Jesus’ crucifixion. 

Its name isn’t the only interesting part of this plant. Though its thorns are decorative, its flowers are stunning! They bloom most of the year in red, pink, and yellow colors. Find hybrids with your favorite bloom color or choose the tough species Euphorbia milii.

Like poinsettias, this Euphorbia species requires warm temperatures, low humidity, and plenty of direct sunlight. Choose a window facing East, South, or West that catches sunrays throughout the day. 

The starfish flower has another deathly name: the carrion flower! Instead of sprouting sweet-smelling flowers that attract bees, birds, and butterflies, it grows foul-smelling ones that lure flies! The flies pollinate the blossoms because they regularly seek out acrid odors from dead animals, waste, and rotting organic materials. 

Though the flowers are smelly, they often won’t appear on indoor specimens. This succulent needs lots of direct sunrays to thrive, though it benefits from some afternoon shade while the sunlight is strong. Water it sparingly and let the soil dry between waterings. If you’d like the smelly flowers, move your specimen outdoors after temperatures hover above 50°F (10°C). 

Clubmoss crassula looks otherworldly! This is the succulent for you if you like alien shapes. It thrives in regions that aren’t humid, growing long, spindly green stems with notches. The plant also goes by “watch chain” because the spindly stems look like chains. Some growers claim they look like underwater coral! 

I think this plant looks similar to the foliage that grows off Thuja, Juniper, and Cypress species. It’s scaly, ridged, and bright green. Cut these stems and place them in pots with soil to propagate them; they root readily and spread rapidly. 

Prickly pear produces one of the most delicious fruits in the world! They’re bright red and have small spines on them, though their flavor is worth going through the lengthy preparation process. With thick leather gloves, take a small pairing knife and chop off the spine clusters. Then, squirt the fruit out of the skin and slurp it down!

Though spiney, this fruiting cactus struggles with freezing temperatures, matching the dragonfruit in hardiness. It grows best when you keep it indoors for the winter and outdoors for the summer. Grant little water while the specimen is inside, and avoid placing it in really humid rooms. 

The panda plant is a fuzzy Kalanchoe relative that adds texture to the indoor garden. This is a lovely specimen to care for if you’re craving some cultivation during the winter months. It propagates easily with stem or leaf cuttings, producing dozens of new clones from a single specimen.

The African milk tree grows tall, stately, and impressive with time. It’s a slow-growing Euphorbia species, with relatives like the poinsettia and crown of thorns. It seeps a milky sap from cuts or injuries. The sap dries to form a protective covering over the wound. 

Though it’s a valuable defense mechanism, the sap is toxic. Take care, wear gloves, and avoid contact with the sap when cultivating this milk tree. It needs little water during winter, plenty of direct sunlight, and warm temperatures. Supplement with grow lights and space heaters in northern homes where winters have short days and cold temperatures.