But plastic is not an option 😀

That said I do agree.

Even with the baseboard on low it does get close to freezing. I’d say plants would harden off to an extent So willing to risk it.

Google searches came up with notHong at all.

I would experiment with small plants such as schefflera arfboricola 'Trinette' or acuba (such as "Gold Dust"). These are frequently planted outdoors here in Central Florida and seem to withstand our infrequent and brief bouts of freezing temps; I can't vouch for sustained hard freezes but it's a try if plastic is not an option . Or consider other "small" southern shrubs if you have access to them.

Aucuba can actually survive some snow so that is an option, good one. The schefflera will look it up, pretty sure not!will check

Aucuba is very hardy and can take temps well below freezing. I'd be more worried about it surviving indoors in dry heat than outside. Schefflera can't take much below 35f. Mine is still outside from the summer but it hasn't been exposed to temps below freezing. If there's going to be a frost I cover it. And it hasn't had to contend with sudden changes. It's been outdoors for months.

eta mine is a variegated Schefflera arboricola

Asparagus densiflorus can tolerate temperatures at or slightly below freezing for short periods. If you can get a Camellia to be happy in a container, that's another one. Aspidistra elatior, Cast Iron plant will thrive. Of course, citrus are popular indoor plants, too, but may require supplemental lighting. Boston Ferns are quite freeze tolerant, at least the tops are.

Edited to add English Ivy and Fatsia japonica.

Schefflera delavayi, aka hardy schefflera, is outdoor hardy to zone 7. So this can tolerate cold as low as 0F.

Another possible option for a houseplant that can tolerate freezing (or nearly so) temps easily.

Hmm, some good ideas that didn't occur to me. Can't say I've let any of them freeze to test though.

Great list here, thanks all! Will research eachto make sure suitable for my specific lighting and lack of humidity.

Fatsia japonica has very large leaves and wants to b a small tree. Fatshedera lizei might be a bit more manageable indoors.

I keep certain plants very dry when cold. and they remain outside almost to 35F.

the best are regular jades (Crasula ovata) and believe it or not spider plants (Chlorofitum comosum). but jades need very high light indoors. Spder plants can stand almost darkness: granted they'll become kind of soft and almost translucent, but they will live.

also by mistake I left one without water for 3months! and it survived, just leaves dried by half may be. Jades can stand without water for 3 months too, but leaves start wrinkling.

Sansevierias are good candidates for low light and minimal watering (2-3 mo no water, tried too :). but I bring them in usually when it hits 40F, never tried to go lower.

some bromeliads can withstand light freeze: people in Florida forum can tell you more specifics. Dyckia is very hardy They are also drought resistant, and it's best to keep them dry when cold.

not all broms are hardy, but many withstand freezes in North FL.

here's the list with some suggestions

one more: Amaryllis. they will stand with no water for 2 months without getting limp. but bulbs don't like to freeze though. i'm pretty sure they can withstand high 30's.

but they need very high light unfortunately.

there are many people that post in FL forum after a freeze to report the damages and what withstood it.

oh, yes! ivies of course. but they can't dry up : will die very quickly and they are loved by mites, indoors or out and need high light too. Algerian ivy is spectacular (Hedera canariensis).