12 Indoor Trees That Thrive Without Direct Sunlight

Having indoor trees can bring life and greenery into any space, but not all indoor trees thrive without ample sunlight. Thankfully there are plenty of varieties that can survive and even flourish with minimal direct sun exposure. By choosing the right low-light indoor tree varieties and providing the proper care, you can successfully incorporate trees throughout your home even in dark corners or rooms with limited windows.

Why Low Light Trees Are Ideal for Homes

Indoor trees with low light needs are perfect for homes for a few key reasons

• Suit Low Light Rooms: Not every room in your home receives bright daylight. Low light trees allow you to add greenery to darker spaces like hallways, basements and north-facing rooms.

• Provide Flexibility When you don’t have to worry about light needs, it gives you more flexibility on where you place indoor trees in your home. You’re not limited to bright south-facing windows.

• Lower Maintenance: Trees adapted to low light are generally lower maintenance overall. You don’t have to stress over providing ample sunlight or rotating the tree frequently.

• Prevent Sunburn: Indoor trees not accustomed to direct light are prone to sunburn if placed in bright windows. Low light trees eliminate this risk.

When it comes to houseplants, even low light is better than no light at all. But there are plenty of attractive indoor tree varieties that need only minimal illumination to thrive.

12 Best Low Light Indoor Trees

If you want to inject some lush, verdant indoor trees around your home without worrying about sunlight, consider these top 12 picks:

1. Corn Plant

The corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is a classic houseplant, identified by its long, strap-shaped foliage that emulates corn stalks. While it grows faster and fuller with bright light, it tolerates low light beautifully. Its thick foliage even tolerates some neglect. Keep soil consistently moist and provide average room humidity.

2. Ficus Alii

The willowy leaves of the Ficus Alii give it a graceful, flowing appearance. The slender leaves easily tolerate low light levels. However, growth will be slower in darker spaces. Provide regular watering and average humidity. Avoid placing in drafty areas.

3. Cast Iron Plant

As its name suggests, the Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is nearly indestructible. With shiny deep green leaves, it survives in extreme low light. In fact, it will tolerate nearly full darkness. Well-draining soil is a must to prevent root rot.

4. Snake Plant

The Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), also dubbed Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, features upright, sword-shaped leaves often banded or mottled. A succulent, it withstands low light levels with minimal watering required. Just don’t overwater. Well-draining soil is ideal.

5. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) boasts oval-shaped leaves in shades of green, silver, pink and red. Native to tropical forests, it readily adapts to low light areas of the home. Moderate watering is needed. Increase humidity for best results.

6. Rubber Plant

The glossy leaves of the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) come in hues ranging from olive green to dark burgundy. Quickly growing when happy, this tree needs bright light but survives lower light spots. Allow soil to partially dry between watering and provide adequate humidity.

7. Dracaena

Dracaena encompasses a wide range of trees with strappy or round foliage. The most popular is the Dracaena marginata, or Dragon Tree. Its pointed leaves tolerate all lighting. Keep away from direct sun to prevent scorching. Water when soil partially dries out.

8. Fiddle Leaf Fig

Prized for its large, vibrant leaves, the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) would rather have abundant light but tolerates low light. Provide as much indirect sunlight as possible for best growth. Water when the top inch of soil dries out to prevent leaf drop.

9. Norfolk Island Pine

The Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) has an open, airy appearance with horizontal tiers of branches bearing soft needles. It prefers bright, indirect light but manages in low light. Avoid direct sun exposure, which can scorch the needles.

10. ZZ Plant

The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has glossy oval leaves that emerge directly from the stem. A tough, resilient houseplant, it survives low light easily but growth slows. Allow soil to dry between waterings and provide average humidity.

11. Peace Lily

A favorite thanks to its easy care, the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) has dark green leaves accompanied by showy white blooms. While it flourishes in indirect sunlight, it tolerates low light. Avoid overwatering. Average humidity levels work best.

12. Ponytail Palm

Despite its name, the Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is actually a succulent. Its curly, bulbous trunk stores water so minimal watering and light is needed. Provide as much bright, indirect light as possible for fastest growth.

Caring for Low Light Indoor Trees

To keep your low light indoor trees looking their best, provide proper care including:

• Watering: Water whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Be sure the pot drains well to prevent soggy soil.

• Humidity: Many tropical trees appreciate added humidity from misting, pebble trays or humidifiers.

• Soil: Use a quality potting mix, amending it as needed to improve drainage.

• Fertilizer: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer occasionally during spring through fall.

• Pruning: Prune dead or damaged growth as needed to maintain the plant’s appearance and health.

• Rotation: Periodically turn the plant to ensure even, upright growth towards the light source.

Pay close attention to your tree’s specific needs and make adjustments to your care routine as needed. Proper watering and soil drainage are especially important to prevent root rot.

Ideal Placement of Low Light Trees

When situating low light indoor trees, consider the following placement tips:

• Place trees several feet away from bright windows to avoid sunburn.

• Choose corners of rooms and spaces out of direct sunlight.

• Highlight dark hallways and entryways with low light greenery.

• Incorporate into low light bathrooms and bedrooms.

• Cluster multiple low light trees together to create an artificial grove.

• Angle trees towards nearby light sources, even if indirect.

• Keep trees away from drafty areas, heat vents and cold windows.

• Move trees outdoors seasonally for an extra light boost if possible.

Get creative with where you situate low light trees in your home to get the most impact. Observe how the tree responds after a few weeks and adjust the placement as needed.

With the right tree varieties and proper placement, you can infuse any space in your home with lush greenery, even those without abundant sunshine. Try incorporating a few low light indoor tree specimens and watch them flourish.