Are there any houseplants hardy enough?

teapot2

I work in an office with a large sash window which is quite draughty in winter [in Edinburgh]. There's a fairly big shelf in front of the window and I wondered if any plants would be hardy enough to cope with the draughts or if its a non starter? I don't want to experiment and end up killing off perfectly good plants so thought some of you knowledgeable people might have an idea?

BOGOF_Queen

I should think that an Aspidistra should survive ok. I have one in my greenhouse at present and it has survived the temperature going down to -13 one night last week with only a bit of garden fleece covering it. The Victorians had them in draughty unheated hallways where not much else would survive - very popular in those days, Just watch that the sun does not scorch it through the glass in the Summer.

Newbird

BogofQueen is right. I'd go for an Aspidistra, just watch the sun doesn't get too much in Summer, move it to a shady place if it does.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum), will put up with all sorts of poor condtions too.

teapot2

Thanks to you both - looks like I'll be getting an Aspidstra then . Only been in the office since Oct so don't know if it gets lots of sun in the summer - bet it does. Sods law - freezing in winter, boiling in summer.

knithryn

Aspidistra can be quite expensive - about £1 for every good sized leaf on it.
Just so you know...

I got given one and it gets shuffled around the house...it's now a fairly large plant and doesn't mind it's cramped pot. It also has a summer holiday from the end of May to the middle of Oct out on the patio (that's in Bolton - prob June-Sept in Edinburgh)

Newbird

I haven't priced Aspidestra's lately but they are quite slow growing so any sizeable plant will be priced for the time its taken to get it there.

If you know of anyone that has a decent sized one they may be willing to split some off from the main plant for you, pot up and there you go!

Monkeysee_monkeydo

Fatsia japonicas, canna lillies, common fig, ivy (houseplant ivy), all can stand a touch of cool however

I find dragon plants, draceanas are easily the safest bet when it comes to houseplants. They can be found quite cheap too