10 Evergreen Plants That Keep Your Home Fresh All Winter In Michigan

Winter in Michigan brings snow, ice, and long stretches indoors away from greenery. Having plants inside your home during these cold months can improve air quality and brighten your mood.

I’ve gathered ten evergreen plants that thrive in Michigan homes during winter, requiring minimal care while providing maximum freshness.

1. Snake Plant: The Ultimate Survivor

During Michigan’s harshest winters, this resilient plant continues purifying your air when you need it most. Snake plants release oxygen at night, making them perfect bedroom companions during those long winter evenings.

I’ve kept mine thriving for years with just occasional watering. Their striking vertical leaves add architectural interest to any room, standing tall even when outside plants are dormant beneath snow.

2. ZZ Plant: Glossy Winter Wonder

Nothing brightens a dreary Michigan January like the glossy, emerald leaves of a ZZ plant. I’ve placed mine in the darkest corner of my living room, where it still manages to look lush despite minimal light.

The waxy leaves actually store water, meaning you’ll only need to water it once a month during winter. For busy homeowners or those new to plant parenthood, this forgiving plant maintains its polished appearance through snowstorms and subzero temperatures.

3. Pothos: Cascading Green Curtains

My golden pothos creates a waterfall of variegated leaves that brighten even the gloomiest Michigan winter days. Watching it grow inch by inch gives me something to look forward to when everything outside is frozen.

Hang it near a window where the vines can catch indirect light. The plant’s air-purifying abilities work overtime during winter when windows stay closed. Simply water when the soil feels dry, and trim occasionally to encourage fuller growth.

4. Peace Lily: Elegant Air Purifier

White blooms rising above glossy green leaves create a stunning contrast against Michigan’s winter landscape. Peace lilies dramatically droop when thirsty, making them perfect for forgetful waterers like me – they literally tell you when they need attention!

Beyond their beauty, these plants excel at removing common household toxins. I keep mine in my bathroom where it thrives in the humidity from showers. The steam helps mimic its natural tropical environment even while snowdrifts pile up outside.

5. Spider Plant: The Air-Cleaning Champion

Arching green and white striped leaves make spider plants both decorative and practical during Michigan’s indoor months. They’ve earned their reputation as one of NASA’s top air-purifying plants by efficiently removing formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air.

My spider plant produces tiny “babies” that dangle from long stems, creating living mobile art above my desk. You can snip these offspring and root them in water to start new plants – a fun indoor gardening project when outdoor activities are limited by snow and ice.

6. Jade Plant: Living Good Luck Charm

Oval, succulent leaves store water like tiny reservoirs, making jade plants remarkably drought-resistant during dry Michigan winter air. According to feng shui principles, these plants attract prosperity – something welcome after holiday spending!

Place your jade plant near a south-facing window where it can soak up the limited winter sunshine. The thick trunk develops an appealing woody character over time, resembling a miniature tree. With minimal care, these plants can become family heirlooms, growing alongside you for decades.

7. Rubber Plant: Dramatic Statement Maker

Burgundy-tinged leaves the size of my hand create a dramatic focal point in my Michigan living room. The rubber plant’s glossy foliage reflects what little winter light comes through the windows, brightening the space naturally.

Unlike fussier houseplants, rubber plants actually prefer being slightly neglected. I water mine just once every two weeks during winter. The large leaves efficiently collect dust, so an occasional gentle wipe with a damp cloth keeps them looking their best while improving their air-cleaning abilities.

8. Chinese Evergreen: Colorful Cold-Weather Companion

Patterned leaves in silver, green, and pink bring tropical vibrancy to my Michigan home when everything outside is white and gray. Chinese evergreens thrive in low light conditions, perfect for our short winter days.

As one of the most forgiving houseplants, they tolerate irregular watering and less-than-ideal conditions. I’ve placed mine on my kitchen counter where its colorful foliage brightens meal prep during long winter evenings. The plant’s compact growth habit means it won’t outgrow its space, remaining attractive year after year.

9. Aloe Vera: Healing Winter Skin Savior

Michigan’s winter heating systems create dry air that’s tough on skin and sinuses. My aloe vera provides both visual greenery and practical healing gel for chapped hands and wind-burned cheeks after shoveling snow.

Succulent spiky leaves store their own water supply, meaning minimal maintenance even when you’re busy with holiday activities. Simply place in a sunny window and water sparingly. The architectural form creates interesting shadows as the low winter sun moves across your home throughout the day.

10. Norfolk Island Pine: Living Christmas Tree

Soft, feathery branches reaching upward remind me of outdoor evergreens, even when Michigan’s forests are buried in snow. Though not actually a pine tree, this tropical plant mimics the appearance of traditional Christmas trees.

During holiday season, I decorate mine with tiny ornaments and battery-operated lights. After the holidays, it continues providing year-round greenery. Norfolk pines prefer cool temperatures between 60-70°F – perfectly aligned with winter thermostat settings that keep heating bills manageable during Michigan’s coldest months.