money No Sunlight? No Problem for These Low-Light Loving Indoor Plants
Contrary to what you might think, a lack of sunlight in your home doesn't have to equate to a lack of houseplants! Even if you don't have big, picture windows with endless streams of sunlight, you can still successfully grow indoor plants. In fact, many houseplant varieties are resilient to low light conditions and can even thrive in the shade! We're talking rooms with only north-facing windows, areas illuminated by fluorescent lights, spots distant from windows, or rooms shaded by trees or buildings.
However, it's important to realize that low light doesn't mean no light; most houseplants and indoor trees—think the ZZ plant, monstera, and pothos—need some light to thrive and look their best. You can provide supplemental light with grow lights during the darkest days of winter or in very dark rooms. Many of them will even do just fine with occasional light from a table lamp. Another thing to remember is that plants in low light typically will not need to be watered as often as those in high light settings. Always stick your finger in the soil first to check the moisture level; if soil sticks, wait a few more days before watering for plants that tend to like it on the dry side (which is many low light plants). You also should add fertilizer at half-strength only during the active growing season from spring to fall.
Ahead, learn more about our favorite low-light indoor plants that offer a splash of green for every room.
For more helpful houseplant ideas:
Begonia
The beautiful begonia comes in a variety of shades, including burgundy, silver, green, pink, red, and orange! With its bright leaves and ability to thrive in low light conditions, begonia will light up any dim room it's placed in.
Parlor Palm
Many palms, like the parlor palm above, are great options for the shadier spots in your space. Known for its bright, feathery fronds, this low maintenance plant does well even with very little light.
Staghorn Fern
The dark green, antler-shaped leaves of this fern will add so much interest to your space! In nature, staghorn ferns grow on other plants rather than soil, and in your home can be mounted on wooden boards, doubling as an art piece.
Spineless Yucca
This spiky plant is native to the desert but can still tolerate low light conditions (although it may grow slower and less lush). It'll do perfectly fine in the shady corners of your home but will need very little water.
Arrowhead Vine
Like the many shades this plant comes in (bronze, green, and variegated), the light conditions arrowhead vine thrives in can vary too! This plant does well in low to medium indirect light and begins to vine or trail over time, so it's perfect for hanging baskets.
Anthurium
If their red, heart-shaped leaves aren't enough to get you on the anthurium train, the plant's ability to tolerate a variety of light conditions sure will! While this tropical blooming houseplant prefers bright, indirect light, anthurium will do fine in lower light conditions.
Polka Dot Plant
With their bright green leaves and pink or white spots, adding the polka dot plant to your collection will instantly inject color and life into your home. This spotted plant prefers shade as hot, direct sunlight can cause its leaves to fade.
Bird's Nest Fern
Known for its bright green, rippled leaves, this fern does not fare well with sunlight. In fact, it prefers indirect light and can even tolerate low light (although you'll have to reduce watering levels accordingly). In the rainforest environments where it's naturally found, bird's nest ferns grow on the surface of other plants.
Bromeliads
This plant is tropical, but don't let that fool you! Bromeliads actually thrive in low light and can even grow under fluorescent light. Bromeliads love humid conditions, like the bathroom.
Ponytail Palm
As its name suggests, the long, thin fronds of this palm resemble strands of hair in a ponytail. This easy-to-maintain plant tolerates a variety of light conditions, including low light. It's also a great choice for travelers as it stores excess water in its thick trunk, so it can go a couple of weeks without being watered.
ZZ Plant
Unlike most tropical plants that prefer bright, indirect light, ZZ plant is quite forgiving and will push new growth even if it’s only getting the light from your desk lamp. Its glossy leaves and upright form make it a great plant for an office or poorly-lit bedroom.
Snake Plant
Snake plants have a dramatic, upright architectural shape, and they'll survive in even the darkest rooms. New types also have interesting spear-like shaped foliage instead of the more common flat leaves.
Aglaonema
This plant not only tolerates low light levels, it also tolerates neglect! Aglaonema has pretty spotted leaves with silver or pink markings. It tolerates low light much better than many other houseplants.
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, and it's surprisingly tolerant of low light levels. The one thing it won't like is staying wet, so water sparingly.
Cast Iron Plant
Cast iron plant has earned its name because it stands up to a lot of abuse. The long, dark green leaves look good in any room of the house. It handles low light levels and typically will survive if you occasionally forget to water.
Heartleaf Philodendron
This handsome trailing plant has shiny, dark green heart-shaped leaves. It's beautiful draping over the edges of a bookshelf or climbing up a trellis. It's a tough little plant and a good choice for new plant parents.
Spider Plant
Spider plants prefer bright light, but they will tolerate low light levels. The strapping arching leaves look great in hanging baskets. In moderate to high light levels, they'll produce "babies," which you can snip off to make more plants.
Monstera
Several different species go by the name Monstera, but mostly it's Monstera deliciosa that can adapt to lower light levels. It's not going to grow fast, but generally it will do just fine in low to moderate light levels.
Dracaena
There are many different types of dracaena plants, but most have long, strappy leaves and are tolerant of lower light levels. They also prefer slightly moist soil so check them every few days or so.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo, which is actually a type of dracaena, may grow in water or soil, and it may be braided or twined into interesting forms. It's generally not super-picky about light levels. If submerged in water, change it every week. If in soil, keep it slightly moist.
Peace Lily
The strappy, shiny leaves of peace lily make it a nice addition to rooms with lower light levels. It will need bright indirect light, however, if you're hoping for the unusual white spoon-shaped flowers. It tends to prefer staying slightly moist.
Peperomia
The cute puckered heart-shaped leaves will handle low light levels, though it prefers moderate light. Different varieties may have smooth, green or wrinkly striped foliage. Make extra-sure to let it dry out between waterings.
Prayer Plant
Prayer plants have beautiful, bold markings on their foliage. Their leaves fold up at night, as if in prayer. It's also easy to take cuttings to root in water to make more plants!
Trandescantia
With eye-catching green or bright purple striped leaves, this trailing plant will handle low light levels. Trandescantia plants look smashing in a hanging basket or draped over the edges of a shelf.
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