Some houseplants just have that fresh, calming vibe that makes hot days feel a little more bearable. These picks don’t just look lush—they help cool things down with their soothing greens and airy presence.
Perfect for stuffy rooms or sun-soaked corners, they’re like a little breath of fresh air indoors. A few simple care tips will keep them happy all season long.
Ready to find your new favorite summer plant buddy?
1. Snake Plant
These striking plants release oxygen at night, making your bedroom feel fresher while you sleep. Their tall, sword-like leaves add a modern touch to any space while requiring minimal care.
Water sparingly – once every two weeks is plenty during summer. Place in indirect light and avoid cold drafts. Snake plants thrive in normal room temperatures and can tolerate neglect better than most houseplants.
2. Peace Lily
With elegant white blooms rising above lush green foliage, peace lilies add a touch of tranquility to any room. Their tropical appearance instantly creates a cooling visual effect during hot weather.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mist leaves regularly to increase humidity around the plant. Peace lilies prefer filtered light and will dramatically droop when thirsty, perking back up quickly after watering.
3. Aloe Vera
Nature’s cooling agent comes in plant form! The gel inside aloe leaves provides relief for sunburns and minor skin irritations – perfect for summer mishaps.
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Place in bright, indirect sunlight for best growth. Aloe plants store water in their thick leaves, making them drought-tolerant and ideal for forgetful waterers during busy summer schedules.
4. Boston Fern
Lush and feathery, Boston ferns create a cool forest vibe in any space. Their delicate fronds gently sway with the slightest breeze, enhancing the feeling of coolness in your home.
Maintain high humidity by misting frequently or using a pebble tray with water. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Boston ferns thrive in bright, indirect light and appreciate being moved outdoors to a shady spot during mild summer evenings.
5. Spider Plant
One of the easiest plants to grow, spider plants feature arching variegated leaves that create a waterfall effect. They’re excellent air purifiers, removing toxins and adding fresh oxygen to your summer living spaces.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Bright, indirect light brings out their beautiful striping. Spider plants produce adorable “babies” that can be propagated, allowing you to spread cooling greenery throughout your home.
6. English Ivy
Cascading vines of English ivy bring a touch of woodland charm indoors. Studies show they can reduce airborne mold particles, helping your indoor air feel fresher during humid summer months.
Provide moderate watering, allowing soil to dry slightly between drinks. Mist regularly to prevent spider mites. English ivy prefers bright, indirect light but adapts to lower light conditions, making it versatile for any room needing a cooling green presence.
7. Rubber Plant
Glossy, deep green leaves make rubber plants a stunning focal point in any room. Their tropical appearance brings jungle vibes indoors, creating a psychological cooling effect during hot weather.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Wipe leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to maintain their shine. Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect light but adapt well to different conditions, growing impressively tall with proper care.
8. Chinese Evergreen
Featuring stunning patterned leaves in various shades of green, silver, and sometimes pink, Chinese evergreens bring tropical beauty indoors. Their lush appearance creates a cooling visual effect that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid cold drafts and direct sunlight. Chinese evergreens thrive in warm, humid environments and grow well in low to medium light, making them perfect for brightening dim summer corners.
9. Areca Palm
Feathery fronds of the areca palm create a miniature tropical paradise in your living room. Their graceful appearance adds a breezy, resort-like feel to indoor spaces during sweltering summer months.
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Place in bright, indirect light for best growth. Areca palms naturally increase humidity and filter air pollutants, creating a healthier indoor environment while giving your space that cool, vacation vibe.
10. Pothos
Hardy and forgiving, pothos vines trail beautifully from shelves or hanging planters. Their heart-shaped leaves come in various patterns, adding visual interest and a refreshing green cascade to summer interiors.
Allow soil to dry between waterings – they’ll tell you they’re thirsty when leaves droop slightly. Bright, indirect light brings out their variegation. Pothos plants thrive in normal room temperatures and can be propagated easily in water, expanding your collection of cooling greenery.
11. Bamboo Palm
Reminiscent of gentle tropical breezes, bamboo palms create a calm, cooling atmosphere. Their delicate fronds filter sunlight beautifully, creating dappled shadows that enhance the feeling of coolness.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright, indirect light for best growth. Bamboo palms naturally increase humidity levels while removing toxins from the air, making your summer indoor environment both fresher and healthier.
12. ZZ Plant
Glossy, dark green leaves arranged in a distinctive pattern make ZZ plants both architectural and refreshing. Their waxy foliage reflects light, creating a cool, modern aesthetic for summer spaces.
Water sparingly – once every 2-3 weeks is sufficient. ZZ plants tolerate low light conditions brilliantly. Nearly indestructible, they’re perfect for busy summer schedules when you might forget to water, thriving despite neglect while maintaining their cool, collected appearance.
13. Monstera
Those iconic split leaves instantly transport you to a tropical paradise. Monsteras create dramatic shadows and a jungle-like atmosphere that feels inherently cooling during hot summer days.
Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry. Provide bright, indirect light for best leaf development. Monstera plants appreciate occasional misting and respond well to being moved outdoors to a shaded patio during mild summer evenings.
14. Philodendron
Lush heart-shaped leaves in vibrant green make philodendrons instant mood-lifters. Their trailing vines create a waterfall effect that feels naturally cooling and refreshing in summer spaces.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Bright, indirect light keeps growth full and healthy. Philodendrons are excellent air purifiers, removing formaldehyde from indoor air while providing that tropical, vacation-like feel we crave during hot weather.
15. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Dramatic and sculptural, fiddle leaf figs make a bold statement with their large, violin-shaped leaves. Their impressive size creates a mini indoor tree effect that transforms hot spaces into cool, green sanctuaries.
Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry. Consistent bright, indirect light is essential for health. Fiddle leaf figs prefer stable conditions, so avoid moving them frequently or exposing them to drafts during summer air conditioning cycles.
16. Calathea
Known as prayer plants, calatheas feature stunning leaf patterns that move throughout the day. Their dramatic foliage in purples, pinks, and greens creates a visual cooling effect in summer interiors.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide high humidity through misting or a pebble tray. Calatheas prefer filtered light and will close their leaves at night, creating a fascinating daily rhythm that adds living movement to your summer spaces.
17. Jade Plant
Symbolizing good fortune, jade plants feature plump, glossy leaves that store water efficiently. Their sculptural appearance adds a cool, collected feel to summer interiors while requiring minimal care.
Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry completely between drinks. Provide bright light with some direct sun. Jade plants develop a tree-like structure over time, becoming living bonsai that bring a sense of permanence and tranquility to hot summer spaces.