When summer temperatures climb, your home can quickly become uncomfortably warm, even with air conditioning running overtime. Most people don’t realize that certain houseplants can actually help lower indoor temperatures naturally through a process called transpiration—essentially plant sweating!
I discovered this cooling effect last August when my AC broke during a brutal heatwave. After placing several leafy plants around my living room, I noticed the temperature felt at least a few degrees cooler within days. The difference was subtle but unmistakable, especially in rooms that typically trapped heat.
Beyond their cooling abilities, these plants also improve air quality and add a refreshing touch of nature to your space. With the right selection of greenery, you can create your own natural cooling system while enjoying the beauty and benefits of indoor gardening.
1. Aloe Vera
One of the hardest working plants in my apartment sits on my kitchen windowsill. Aloe vera releases cool moisture into the air and thrives in sunny spots where temperatures typically rise.
The fleshy, water-filled leaves act like natural air conditioners, steadily releasing moisture throughout the day. This process creates a cooling microclimate around the plant.
Beyond temperature control, aloe offers practical benefits too—snap off a leaf to soothe sunburns after those hot summer days outside. Just make sure it gets plenty of light but not too much direct sun that could scorch its leaves.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Standing tall in the corner of my bedroom, this upright plant quietly works overnight when other plants rest. Snake plants are rare night transpirers, releasing oxygen and moisture during darkness when you need cooling most.
Their vertical growth makes them perfect for small spaces and tight corners that need temperature regulation. I’ve noticed my bedroom feels noticeably fresher in the morning since adding one.
Nearly impossible to kill, snake plants survive neglect and varying light conditions while continuously filtering air. The stiff, sword-like leaves add architectural interest while working hard to keep your space comfortable through the hottest summer nights.
3. Areca Palm
My living room transformed once this feathery palm took residence near the south-facing windows. The Areca’s broad fronds release impressive amounts of moisture—up to a liter of water daily in ideal conditions.
Nicknamed the ‘butterfly palm’ for its graceful appearance, it creates a tropical vibe while actively cooling surrounding air. The dense foliage provides excellent shade too, blocking heat-generating sunlight from warming your floors and furniture.
Place it where air circulates to maximize its cooling effect. After adding mine, I noticed I didn’t need to lower the thermostat as much, even during afternoon heat peaks when the sun hits that side of my apartment.
4. Boston Fern
Hanging in my bathroom, this lush fern creates a spa-like atmosphere while naturally lowering the temperature. Boston ferns thrive in humidity, making them perfect for bathrooms and kitchens where they can absorb excess moisture and heat.
The delicate, arching fronds have enormous surface area for transpiration, releasing cool vapor into the surrounding air. During summer, I sometimes mist mine in the morning to boost its cooling power throughout the day.
Unlike some ferns that demand constant attention, Boston ferns are relatively forgiving as long as they receive indirect light and regular watering. Their dramatic cascading form adds visual cooling too—just seeing those soft green fronds feels refreshing.
5. Rubber Plant
The glossy, broad leaves of my rubber plant reflect heat rather than absorbing it—a clever natural cooling mechanism. Positioned near my dining area, it creates a noticeably cooler zone during afternoon meals.
Rubber plants remove toxins while releasing oxygen and moisture, improving air quality and temperature simultaneously. Their large leaves provide excellent shade, blocking direct sunlight from heating up surfaces in your home.
Despite their tropical origins, these plants are surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. Mine has grown from a small nursery plant to a statement piece in just two summers, increasing its cooling capacity each season as it adds new leaves and height.
6. Peace Lily
After placing a peace lily in my home office, I immediately noticed the air felt fresher during long workdays. These elegant plants are workhorses when it comes to increasing humidity and cooling their surroundings.
Peace lilies have broad, dark green leaves that absorb heat and release moisture through transpiration. When they need water, they dramatically droop—a helpful visual reminder that’s saved mine countless times.
Beyond cooling benefits, they’re among the best air-purifying plants according to NASA studies. The occasional white blooms are a bonus, bringing a touch of serenity to spaces where temperature management matters most, like home offices or bedrooms where electronics generate extra heat.
7. Spider Plant
The spider plant sitting on my bookshelf might look modest, but it’s secretly cooling the air around my reading nook. Its thin, arching leaves continuously release moisture, creating a gentle cooling effect perfect for small spaces.
What makes spider plants special is their ability to thrive in normal home conditions without fussing. They’re particularly effective at removing formaldehyde and other toxins that can make rooms feel stuffy during summer months.
My favorite feature is how quickly they produce babies—little plantlets that dangle from the mother plant. I’ve propagated several from my original plant, creating a network of natural air conditioners throughout my apartment at virtually no cost.
8. Ficus Tree
The stately ficus in my living room corner serves as both a natural cooling system and a focal point. Its large, abundant leaves create significant transpiration, releasing moisture that cools the surrounding area.
I’ve noticed this plant creates its own microclimate—the air feels distinctly different when you stand near it on hot days. Ficus trees are particularly good at filtering indoor air pollutants that can make spaces feel stuffy and uncomfortable.
While they can be a bit particular about their care, the cooling benefits make the effort worthwhile. Mine dropped some leaves after a recent move but quickly recovered once I found its preferred spot with bright, indirect light and consistent watering.
9. Golden Pothos
The trailing vines of golden pothos create a living curtain in my kitchen window, blocking heat while cooling the air. This was actually my first houseplant years ago, chosen for its reputation as nearly indestructible.
Pothos leaves are highly efficient at transpiration, continuously releasing moisture into the surrounding air. The cascading growth habit makes it perfect for placing on high shelves or hanging baskets where the cooling effect can shower down into your living space.
For maximum cooling benefit, I keep mine slightly more hydrated during summer months. The variegated yellow and green leaves brighten up the room while working hard to maintain a comfortable temperature, especially in my kitchen where cooking heat can make summers unbearable.
10. Weeping Fig
My weeping fig has become the cooling centerpiece of my sunroom after several years of growth. Its dense canopy of small leaves creates an impressive surface area for transpiration, actively cooling the air throughout the day.
The graceful, tree-like structure provides natural shade that prevents sunlight from heating up floors and furniture. During particularly hot afternoons, I sometimes mist the leaves to boost its cooling effect even further.
Weeping figs can be sensitive to changes in environment, but once they settle in, they’re steady performers in the cooling department. Mine has adapted to its spot and now reliably keeps my sunroom several degrees cooler than it would be otherwise during peak summer heat.
11. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen tucked into that dark corner of my dining room proves cooling plants don’t all need bright sunshine. This adaptable tropical thrives in low light while steadily releasing moisture into the air.
Its broad, patterned leaves continuously transpire, creating a gentle cooling effect that’s particularly noticeable in smaller spaces. Since adding one to my apartment, I’ve noticed less stuffiness in areas that previously trapped heat.
Chinese evergreens come in various patterns and colors, from silver to red-tinged varieties. Mine has subtle cream variegation that brightens dim corners while working quietly to improve air quality and temperature. For someone with limited natural light, these plants offer cooling benefits without demanding prime window real estate.
12. Bamboo Palm
The bamboo palm beside my couch creates a cool zone perfect for summer afternoon reading. Unlike some cooling plants that need constant attention, this one maintains steady transpiration without demanding daily care.
Its feathery fronds filter light while releasing moisture, creating a natural humidifier effect that makes the air feel fresher and cooler. During last summer’s heatwave, I actually moved my work setup next to it to benefit from its cooling microclimate.
Bamboo palms are particularly effective at removing benzene and trichloroethylene from indoor air, substances that can contribute to that stuffy, hot feeling in enclosed spaces. Mine has grown slowly but steadily over three years, becoming more effective at cooling with each new frond.
13. English Ivy
Trailing along my bookshelf, English ivy provides cooling effects while taking up minimal floor space. The small leaves might look delicate, but collectively they create substantial transpiration that helps regulate room temperature.
I’ve found ivy particularly helpful in my bathroom, where it thrives in the humidity while helping prevent that tropical rainforest feeling during summer showers. The cascading vines can be trained to grow where you need cooling most.
Beyond temperature benefits, English ivy is one of the best plants for filtering airborne fecal particles and formaldehyde—substances that make indoor spaces feel less fresh. Mine started as a small $5 plant and has grown into an impressive cooling system that frames my bathroom mirror beautifully.
14. Philodendron
The heart-shaped leaves of my philodendron seem to pulse with cooling energy on hot days. Positioned near my entertainment center, it counteracts heat from electronics while adding lush greenery to the space.
Philodendrons are particularly efficient at transpiration, the process where plants release water vapor through their leaves. This creates a subtle cooling effect that’s most noticeable in enclosed areas like my TV nook.
After trying several plants in this spot, the philodendron has proven most effective at maintaining comfort during movie marathons when the electronics heat up the space. Its trailing vines can be guided around picture frames or along shelves, creating cooling effects precisely where needed while adding visual interest.
15. Money Plant (Pilea)
Small but mighty, the money plant on my desk creates a cool microclimate right where I work. The round, coin-shaped leaves continuously release moisture through transpiration, helping maintain comfortable temperatures even when my laptop heats up.
Unlike larger cooling plants, pileas fit perfectly in tight spaces like desktops and small shelves. They’re particularly effective when grouped with other small plants to create cooling plant communities.
Mine propagates readily, producing tiny offsets that I’ve potted up for friends struggling with hot apartments. The quirky, flying-saucer leaves stand up on slim stems, allowing air to circulate freely around each leaf and maximizing the cooling effect from this compact plant.
16. Dracaena
My dracaena stands sentinel by the sliding glass door, intercepting heat before it enters my living room. The tall, architectural form with strappy leaves creates effective cooling through significant transpiration.
What surprised me most was how much cooler the floor feels around the base of this plant during hot afternoons. The long leaves continuously release moisture, creating a cooler zone that extends several feet from the plant itself.
Dracaenas come in various sizes and patterns, but all share the ability to filter indoor air while cooling through transpiration. Mine has grown from a modest tabletop plant to a five-foot statement piece, increasing its cooling capacity each year while requiring minimal care beyond occasional watering.
17. Monstera Deliciosa
The star of my plant collection, my monstera creates a tropical oasis effect in my living room while actively cooling the space. Those iconic split leaves aren’t just for show—they provide massive surface area for transpiration and moisture release.
During last summer’s heatwave, I actually moved my favorite reading chair next to this plant to benefit from its cooling effect. The large leaves also provide shade, preventing sunlight from heating up surfaces underneath.
Monsteras grow quickly when happy, increasing their cooling potential each season. Mine has doubled in size over two years, and I’ve noticed the temperature difference it creates has become more pronounced. For maximum cooling, I gently wipe the broad leaves clean monthly so they can transpire efficiently.