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Though the days are slowly starting to get longer and the weather has warmed up a bit, we’re not fully out of the woods when it comes to the winter blues just yet. The trees are still bare and only cold-loving flowers are in bloom—however, our low-light houseplants are thriving. As we inch closer to spring and you find yourself in need of some greenery to liven things up, we suggest taking advantage of the lack of sunlight and low humidity levels of this cold season and investing in a few low-light indoor plants.
Many low-light indoor plants are tropical varieties native to rainforests or forest floors, where they naturally receive filtered light. These types thrive near north-facing windows or in consistently shaded areas where other indoor plants wont. While low-light requirements dont automatically imply that a plant is also low maintenance, choosing low-light indoor plants that require minimal care can be particularly beneficial for new plant parents or those who live in basement apartments or darker spaces. We suggest starting with an easy-care plant like a spider plant or pothos to gain confidence before expanding your indoor garden.
Read on to learn more about the 35 best low-light indoor plants that will thrive pretty much anywhere.
Having bright natural light streaming into your home is ideal for many houseplants, but some spaces lack sufficient sunlight exposure. Lucky for indoor gardeners, numerous plants can thrive with minimal or no direct sun. By choosing the right varieties, you can cultivate lush greenery even in low-light conditions.
Why Some Plants Don’t Require Sunlight
Certain houseplants are well-adapted to shady conditions through evolution. Many originate from dense tropical forests where sunlight is blocked by the tall forest canopy. Others grow along floors of jungles and rainforests where little light penetrates. These low-light plants have developed biological mechanisms to maximize photosynthesis even with minimal sun exposure.
Best Low-Light Plant Varieties
If your home lacks bright light, don’t despair. You can still enjoy lively interior greenery by selecting plants that require little to no direct sunlight. Here are some excellent options:
Snake Plant
With its upright, sword-like leaves the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)is one of the most popular and resilient low-light plants. It tolerates neglect and adapts to varied conditions including shady spots.
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) gets its name from its ability to withstand challenging growing conditions With its broad, lance-shaped leaves, this plant thrives in low to medium light
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreens come in various striking varieties with beautifully patterned leaves in shades of silver, pink, and red. They flourish in medium to low light levels.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies produce lush dark green leaves and elegant white blooms. They flourish in medium to low light conditions, making them excellent for dimly lit rooms.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) features glossy leaves that emerge in a captivating spiral pattern. It tolerates low light levels, making it a perfect choice for shady spots.
Pothos
With its cascading vine-like growth, pothos displays gorgeous heart-shaped leaves that come in golden or white variegated forms. It adapts well to low to medium light environments.
Philodendrons
Including climbing and non-climbing varieties, philodendrons are prized for their distinctly shaped, glossy green heart-shaped leaves. They thrive in low to medium brightness.
Ferns
Ferns naturally flourish in shaded forests and woodlands. Varieties like the Boston fern and rabbit foot fern make excellent houseplants for low-light conditions.
Dracaena
Dracaena plants like the corn plant and dragon tree tolerate low light while adding vertical interest with their slender trunks and arching strap-like foliage.
Calathea
Calatheas are tropical beauties valued for their brightly patterned, vividly colored leaves. They flourish with indirect sunlight and shaded conditions.
Lucky Bamboo
Despite its name, lucky bamboo is not a true bamboo but a dracaena species. It grows well in water or soil and tolerates low indirect light beautifully.
Caring For Low-Light Plants
To keep plants healthy in low-light environments:
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Place them near brightly lit windows where they can get some indirect sun. North or east-facing windows are ideal.
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Use sheer curtains to filter intense afternoon sun from south or west windows.
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Provide supplemental lighting with grow lights or full spectrum bulbs.
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Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Most low-light plants are sensitive to overwatering.
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Mist leaves periodically to maintain humidity and nourish plants.
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Turn plants periodically so all sides get light exposure.
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Dust leaves regularly to maximize light absorption.
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Avoid drafty areas which can cause leaf scorching.
Enjoy Lush Greenery Anywhere
With the right plant selections, you can cultivate gorgeous indoor plants anywhere in your home regardless of light levels. Low-light plants allow you to decorate darker areas that would otherwise remain bare and lackluster. A bit of care and strategic placement lets these unsung shade-loving heroes thrive!
Snake Plant ‘Black Coral’
- Needs water only once a month or so
- Drought-tolerant
- Toxic to pets
Water: Every two to three weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings
House Beautiful associate editor Jessica Cherner got a snake plant back in July 2020, and its still thriving. “I got a plant because I wanted to add a little bit of color and life to my apartment, but I didn’t want to spend more than a few minutes here and there taking care of it,” she says. “I literally water it every six to eight weeks, and that’s more than enough.”
If you have pets, you may want to keep them away from your snake plant because, although its not fatally poisonous, your cats and dogs can get sick if they ingest even a few bites.
- Safe for pets
- Great for plant beginners
- Direct light will burn the leaves
Water: Once a week
With fronds that resemble the shape of a rabbit’s foot (a well-known good-luck charm), the rabbit foot fern thrives in indirect light with plenty of humidity. If you have a window in your bathroom, that’s the ideal spot for this low-light indoor plant. But be sure to keep it off the windowsill since direct sun will scald its leaves.
- Pet-friendly
- Improves air quality
- Easy to overwater
Water: Every two weeks
Available in a variety of sizes, the prayer plant is named for its leaves that open and close as the sun rises and sets. While the changing leaves may seem finicky, this resilient plant is surprisingly easy to care for. Plus, it acts as a natural air purifier. Water it when the top quarter of the soil is dry.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
- Low-maintenance watering schedule
- Resilient
- Pet-friendly
- Needs lots of humidity
Water: Every one to two weeks
This low-light indoor plant, also known as the Victorian parlor palm, is famously resilient. Plus, who wouldn’t love those pretty, feathery leaves that liven up any bland corner of your home? It does well in medium light but can survive in lower light areas as well. Though this palm likes humidity and extra moisture, you can water it sparingly. At least every two weeks is more than enough. It’s also nontoxic for your cats and dogs.
- Purifies air and adds humidity
- Thrives in light shade and indirect sunlight
- Toxic to pets
Water: Once a week, enough to cover the roots
Said to bring good luck and fortune, the lucky bamboo plant craves some light but can fully thrive in shady areas. Its best feature, however, is its ability to remove benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air while also acting as a natural humidifier. Just know that this low-light indoor plant is toxic to cats and dogs.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Braided Benjamina Ficus Tree
- Arrives up to three feet tall
- Thrives in bright, indirect light
- Toxic to pets
Water: Two to three times a week
This quick-growing tree adds life to any room in the house. Just make sure you’re giving it enough water. Place it in a deep planter filled with well-draining soil, and give it a big drink when the top several inches of soil are dry. It does well in indirect light, so instead of placing it by a window opt for a corner that gets plenty of diffuse light. The ficus tree is toxic to cats and dogs.
10 Plants that Grow Without Sunlight | Best Indoor Plants | Houseplants
FAQ
Are there plants that can grow without sunlight?
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Plants that tolerate low light:
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): These are incredibly resilient and can thrive in low-light conditions, making them a popular choice for dimly lit areas.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Another tough plant that can tolerate very low light and neglect, making it easy to care for.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): While they prefer brighter, indirect light, peace lilies can tolerate low light conditions and are known for their air-purifying properties.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): As the name suggests, these plants are incredibly hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including low light and infrequent watering.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): These trailing plants can tolerate low light and are relatively easy to care for.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): These are incredibly resilient and can thrive in low-light conditions, making them a popular choice for dimly lit areas.
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Plants that can survive for short periods without light, but need sunlight to thrive:
- All plants can survive for short periods without light, but they need sunlight for photosynthesis, which is the process by which they create their own food.
- If a plant is deprived of sunlight for an extended period, it may exhibit signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.
- Some plants may even adapt to low-light conditions by elongating their stems and leaves in an attempt to reach a light source, a phenomenon called etiolation.
- All plants can survive for short periods without light, but they need sunlight for photosynthesis, which is the process by which they create their own food.
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Plants that are not suitable for low-light conditions:
- Plants that require direct sunlight, such as succulents and cacti, will not thrive in low-light conditions.
- If you are trying to grow plants in a low-light area, it is important to choose plants that are known for their ability to tolerate low light.
- Plants that require direct sunlight, such as succulents and cacti, will not thrive in low-light conditions.
Which plants avoid sunlight?
#6: Pothos — Best Indoor Plants for Dark Rooms
The pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is very tough and among the best indoor plants for dark rooms. One of the plants that don’t need sun to grow, the pothos can also purify the air of carbon monoxide.
What plants can grow in 100% shade?
Ferns and hostas are the most popular, easy-to-grow shade plants. Both provide excellent ground cover, beautiful foliage, and are easy to care for. These are excellent options for beginner and expert gardeners alike!
What flower needs the least amount of sun?
- Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) …
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) …
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) …
- Dracaena (Dracaena) …
- Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) …
- English Ivy (Hedera helix) …
- Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) …
- Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Which indoor plants can grow without sunlight?
In fact, many low-light plants prefer shade and dim conditions rather than direct sunlight. Some of the best ten indoor plants that grow without sunlight are: Bromeliads —These indoor plants can grow with only artificial lighting. Snake plants —Excellent houseplants for rooms with little natural light.
What plants do not need sunlight?
Some of the best plants that don’t need sunlight include hardy species like snake plants, ZZ plants, and ferns. These plants can tolerate minimal light while still adding a touch of greenery to your space. Many of them are also excellent air purifiers, improving indoor air quality while requiring little maintenance.
Can plants grow without sunlight?
They can’t grow or develop properly without the proper amount of light. Luckily there are Plants that Grow Without Sunlight and can thrive in low-light indoor conditions. When you are looking for such plants, choose ones that are known for their ability to grow in indirect light. 1. Dracaena 2. Bromeliads 3. Maidenhair Fern 4. Snake Plant 5.
Which plants can flourish without direct sunlight?
From tropical ferns to resilient succulents, these plants will bring life to even the darkest corners of your home. Keep reading to discover which plants can flourish without direct sunlight and how to keep them healthy indoors. The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is a well-known houseplant believed to bring prosperity and good luck.
What plants can grow in low light?
Bromeliads —These indoor plants can grow with only artificial lighting. Snake plants —Excellent houseplants for rooms with little natural light. Calathea plants —Occasional sunlight can help keep foliage colorful and exciting. Peace lilies —Direct sunlight isn’t good for their leaf color, but they still produce flowers in low-light.
Do Plants need a lot of sunlight?
Finding plants that don’t need sunlight can be a game-changer for indoor gardening, especially in homes with limited natural light. Whether you have a dimly lit apartment, an office with no windows, or simply want to decorate shaded areas, many plants can thrive in low-light conditions.