Skip to main content

The best indoor plants to decorate your home with in October

Resilient indoor plants to brighten your home during the fall months

Woman sitting at home surrounded by plants
Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

Fall is a slow and underwhelming season for avid gardeners. Summer plants start to die off or go dormant, and it’s too early to cut down a Christmas tree, right? So, what can you do to keep some of that glorious greenery in your life when the air starts to get chilly? The good news is you don’t have to give up your green thumb just because summer is over. There are a ton of low-maintenance indoor plants that can thrive right inside your home during the brisk fall season.

Indoor plants on wooden chairs and stands
Huy Phan / Pexels

What makes the best indoor plants for fall?

Not every indoor plant is suitable for indoor life in the fall and winter. Many varieties need high heat and long hours of direct sunlight, and they just won’t get the vital things they need while inside your home in the fall. The days are shorter and the air is cooler, after all. To prevent the disappointment of browning or wilting leaves, look for indoor plants that have a few key characteristics so you can reap all the benefits of your fall foliage.

Pick plants with high durability

Since fall and winter produce shorter days and dryer air, direct sunlight and humidity will be scarce in your home. It’s a good idea to pick the heartiest, most resilient plant varieties that can withstand, or even prefer, the low light conditions and lower moisture levels.

Some indoor plants have great health benefits for cooler months

Among the dry, recycled air blowing around your HVAC system, there are a lot of germs, toxins, and impurities that you and your family breathe in during colder months. Fortunately, many indoor plants can improve the air quality in your home. Through the process of photosynthesis, they filter out those harmful toxins and even give the air a little more humidity. Pick indoor plant varieties that are the best air purifiers out there.

Go for some decorative beauty

Our moods and energy levels definitely take a hit during the chilly months, especially when the trees are bare and the lawn is yellowing. Arguably the best quality of indoor plants is their natural beauty and greenery. Amidst the long nights and barren lawns, having some decorative plant life around may be just what you need to brighten up your day.

Polka dot plant among other indoor plants in terra cotta pots
cottonbro studio / Pexels

What to plant indoors in October

Aglaonema

A great pick for newbie plant parents, Aglaonema doesn’t need constant care. The bushy, pointed leaves of this indoor plant are thick and lush, and they come in a couple of different shapes and colors. Colorful Aglaonema plants have green leaves with a splash of colors like yellow, orange, and red, making them a great match for your fall decor. On the other hand, spring snow Aglaonema has green leaves with lovely white spots that make the leaves look like a light snowfall have kissed them.

Proper care for Aglaonema

These plants enjoy indirect but bright, sunny spots, though they’ll survive just fine in low light conditions. You don’t need to water them very often, as they prefer to dry out completely between watering. Test the soil with your finger to be sure the top inch of dirt is fully dry before giving Aglaonemas a hearty drink.

Croton plant
anne-tipodees / Shutterstock

Croton

Croton is a tropical plant that naturally comes in fall colors like red, orange, yellow, green, and even pink. Its leaves come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can pick one that suits your preference. Having a croton in the corner is a great way to introduce a touch of tropical paradise to an otherwise bare and dreary home.

Proper care for croton

Since it’s a tropical plant, it prefers some humidity. For best results, set it up near your humidifier or spray a mist of water on the plant occasionally to combat the dry wintry air. Some variations of croton prefer high levels of direct sunlight, so be sure to check the needs of your specific type before bringing it home.

Snake plant in pot
Kyrychuk / Shutterstock

Snake plant

Known for its incredible resilience, the snake plant is a go-to indoor plant for all seasons and is a great pick for inexperienced plant owners. The sharp, pointed leaves have a modern, chic appearance and look great in offices, living rooms, or even bathrooms.

Proper care for snake plants

While it prefers medium light, the snake plant can withstand low light conditions perfectly. If you tend to forget your watering routine, there are no worries with this tough guy since it can survive a lengthy drought.

Peace lily in planter on concrete surface
Adobe Stock

Peace lily

A gorgeous plant with rich, dark green foliage, the peace lily is incredibly hardy and will survive the colder months in your home with ease. When winter is over, you’ll be delighted by the white, waxy flowers that bloom in the spring. As a bonus, this plant is known for its top-notch air-purifying abilities.

Proper care peace lilies

Not only does the peace lily survive extremely low-light conditions, it actually prefers them. If it’s left in direct sunlight, those gorgeous leaves will start to yellow. The peace lily will also tell you when it’s thirsty — the leaves will start to droop when it needs some moisture.

side view of prayer plant in white planter
Farhad Ibrahimzade / Shutterstock

Prayer plant

Prayer plants, with their striking foliage that folds up at night resembling hands in prayer, bring a touch of nature’s serenity to indoor spaces during the cozy fall season. Their vibrant colors and unique movements make them perfect for captivating and comforting autumn decor.

Proper care for prayer plants

To care for prayer plants, place them in indirect light, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Maintain moderate humidity levels and avoid cold drafts. Trim browning leaves and fertilize every 4-6 weeks for optimal growth and stunning foliage.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or you’ve just started to hone your green thumb, you probably feel that disappointing end to your gardening fun when October rolls around. With one of the most resilient indoor plants on our list, you can keep your gardening hobby alive throughout both fall and winter.

Editors' Recommendations

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
5 spectacular ways to add boring ol’ slate blue to your home
Great ideas and color pairings for using slate blue in your home
Blue door with "Welcome" sign

Slate blue colors are wonderful hues to add to your palette when you're looking to invite more peace and serenity to your space. This faded, cool color focuses on the simplicity of a soft blue-grey tone, perfect for uplifting and neutralizing any room. Unfortunately, the challenge with using this color is that it can sometimes leave your color palette feeling dull and boring due to the washed-out and faded undertones. If you adore this gentle and calming shade and want to add it to your space in a way that works, we have a few tips to help you achieve a lovely aesthetic.

We've gathered five spectacular ways to add a slate blue color to your home to create a relaxing and vibrant space.

Read more
Home design: This is the best decorating tip to avoid unwanted clutter in your new home
Avoid clutter in your home design by trying this one trick when you begin decorating your new place
Woman hanging beach art

You’ve just moved into your new place and are looking at your moving boxes with flurries of excitement, imagining all the ways you can decorate your home and make it yours. But before you start unpacking, you may want to take a pause. It’s far too easy to get caught up in the moment, eager to decorate, only to rethink your interior design choices in a week or two.

One TikToker shares an amazing tip about functional home design that can change your unpacking process in your new space.

Read more
What colors go with brown? How to make this seemingly drab hue look glam in your home
Brown doesn't have to be boring. Here's how it can jazz up your space
Brown living room walls with neutral color palette design

Brown tones have a reputation for being "boring." These earthy hues often have a tendency to feel dull and bleak for many people. However, this is largely due to poor design execution. If used well, brown shades can enhance a room’s design and bring a new sense of vitality to a space. Brown can be a wonderful hue to add to your home if you're looking to create a luxe and vibrant environment. These rustic shades can be natural, rich, and earthy when paired with complementary colors that let this hue shine.

Unfortunately, many homeowners struggle to find the best shades to pair with brown, which leads them to create spaces that feel drab, bland, or unfinished. Today, we’ll cover some of the best colors to pair with brown and how this stunning color can help revitalize your space.

Read more