A houseplant for extreme temperatures

[CherryAndAlmond]

Hi all, I'm looking for inspiration for a houseplant that is happy with both cold and heat. It's for a south facing garden room, very bright and sunny. It's my office in the day, so I heat it with an electric heater that makes the air quite dry. But even though it's insulated it gets very cold at night, and on my non-working days. Any ideas for a biggish plant that would tolerate this? Preferably nothing spiky! I put my lovely peace lily out there but within two days it looked very unhappy.
Thanks in advance.

Things like Peace Lily like warm and moist conditions, I think you'd
be better going for something that can take thedryness.

I find Christmas cactus (Zygocactus, Schlumbergia) cope well with th fluctuating temperatures of my unheated south facing conservatory which at this time can reach 20+ in the day an drop to freezing at night. A friend has a tall stand in her conservatory, about 6 ft high and 18 inches wide, with a Christmas cactus on every shelf, so at this time of year it is a six foot pillar of flower

Spider plant, they are almost indestructible.

• Things like Peace Lily like warm and moist conditions, I think you'd be better going for something that can take thedryness.*

IME they don't like bright light either - mine didn't even like a shaded north-ish window ledge.

I think there are probably quite a few plants which we don't necessarily think of as 'houseplants' which might work, including the sorts of plants which are happy in unheated conservatories ie frost tender but ok a bit above freezing. For instance, you could probably grow some magnificent perlagoniums with some support.

Brilliant, thank you. Some good ideas here. I love the idea of a pillar of flower.
I have a spider plant, so I'll take it out and see how it fares.
Pelargoniums... That's worth considering.
I think I'll go to the garden centre tomorrow. Any more ideas before that would be gratefully received. I was wondering about things like succulents? Or aloe vera?

A kalanchoe might work? Mine have withstood some bad conditions and still survived. They're also very cheap so not a big loss if they die.

I think orchids like extremes.. in fact I think that's what makes them flower

(Check though)

Sounds very like desert conditions, hot in the day, cold at night, dry air… so I’d look at things in the cactus or succulent families. Aloe should work.

Crassula ovata - the Jade plant or Money plant would probably be OK. In time they can grow into an impressive small shrub, and may reward you with flowers!

These plants usually do well they don't seem to mind being in a cold room. Desert rose and aloe Aristata

Have you seen the Instagram page 'ikeagreenhousecabinets'? You could do a similar thing with a small glass dome/cloche and a small heated pad underneath (people use them to propogate seedlings) you could create the conditions for any plant you choose and make a nice feature. Can you tell I'm desperate for an kiea fabrikor cabinet!!!!!

Ooo, some great ideas! Off to Instagram now!

@Angrymum22

Spider plant, they are almost indestructible.

I keep killing mine and have no idea why. One is fine and the other three look like they’ve been through an apocalypse.

What about a big corn plant, OP? Mine seem ridiculously hardy.

I’ve got aspidistras that live outside! They’re not called cast iron plants for nothing.

I have a Hoya that’s over 30 years old, it’s withstood several moves and resulting neglect. They have lovely scented flowers and thrive on infrequent watering!

I think I'm going to end up with lots of plants in my small office!

@Beebumble2

I have a Hoya that’s over 30 years old, it’s withstood several moves and resulting neglect. They have lovely scented flowers and thrive on infrequent watering!

Ooh, I think I can beat that! It was my mother’s, and I reckon it’s over 50