10 low-water houseplants that handle dry furnace air

When the heater clicks on, a lot of plants start to sulk. These don’t. All of these handle dry air, skipped waterings, and regular “real life” neglect way better than fussy tropicals.

1. Snake plant

Snake plants are built for dry, ignored corners. Thick, upright leaves store water, so you can let the soil dry completely between waterings. They’ll sit through winter next to a vent and still look sharp. Just avoid soggy soil—too much love is how they die.

2. ZZ plant

ZZ plants are basically plastic that happens to be alive. They tolerate low light, dry air, and long gaps between waterings. Let the soil dry most of the way out, then water deeply and drain. Perfect for hallways, offices, and spots you forget about.

3. Ponytail palm

That “ponytail” bulb at the base is a built-in water tank. Ponytail palms like bright light and infrequent watering, so they’re fine with furnace air as long as they’re not overwatered. They’re a good pick if you want something sculptural that doesn’t demand daily attention.

4. Jade plant

Jade plants are succulents, so they prefer bright light and dry spells. Let the top half of the soil dry before you pick up the watering can. In winter, that might mean every few weeks instead of every few days.

5. Aloe vera

Aloe stores water in its leaves and actually gets mushy and sad if you baby it too much. Bright light plus a good soak after the soil has dried is all it needs. Dry furnace air is less of a problem than a heavy hand with the watering can.

6. Pothos

Pothos isn’t as drought-tolerant as succulents, but it still handles missed waterings and lower humidity very well. Let the top couple inches of soil dry, and it will forgive you for running out the door with breakfast instead of watering plants.

7. Cast iron plant

There’s a reason it’s called cast iron. This plant tolerates low light, irregular watering, and dry air without much drama. It’s slow-growing, but the payoff is a plant that doesn’t fall apart when the heat kicks on.

8. Dracaena (including some “indoor palms”)

Many dracaena varieties (including some marketed like small palms) can handle lower light and infrequent watering. Let the soil dry partway and don’t park them right in front of a vent. They’re a nice taller option that still fits the low-water category.

9. Haworthia

If you want something small for a desk or windowsill, haworthia (zebra cactus) is an easy win. It’s a compact succulent that likes bright light and dry soil between waterings. Furnace air won’t bother it nearly as much as too much moisture.

10. Peace lily (on a drier schedule)

Peace lilies aren’t “cacti,” but they tolerate indoor winter conditions better than most leafy plants. Let the top of the soil dry and water when leaves start to flag. If you want something that tells you what it needs, this is it.