House Plants That Like Shade: A Guide To Low-Light Loving Indoor Greenery

Having house plants can liven up any indoor space, but many worry that their home simply doesn’t get enough sunlight Thankfully, there are plenty of house plants that actually thrive in low-light conditions With the right choices, even the darkest corners of your home can flourish with vibrant greenery.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore 25 of the best house plants for low-light situations along with tips for caring for them.

What Does “Low Light” Mean For House Plants?

When shopping for plants, you’ll often see labels designating “low-light” or “shade” as appropriate conditions. This refers to areas of your home that don’t get much direct sun exposure throughout the day. Some examples include:

• North-facing rooms and windows
• Rooms with small windows or far from windows
• Spaces with obstructed light due to buildings, trees, or overhangs
• Interior rooms and hallways without windows

As a general rule, if you can comfortably read a book without extra lighting, there is enough ambient light for a low-light plant. These spaces typically get less than 2 hours of direct sun per day.

Keep in mind that low light doesn’t mean no light. Even the most shade-loving plants need some exposure to keep growing. If a space has absolutely no natural light, providing adequate artificial light will be crucial.

25 Best House Plants For Low Light Conditions

Here are 25 vibrant, easy-to-grow house plants that actually thrive in low-light environments:

1. ZZ Plant

With waxy oval leaves on thick stems, the ZZ plant tolerates very low light. It also handles drought well, only needing water every couple weeks.

2. Pothos

Known for its heart-shaped leaves and trailing stems, pothos comes in golden and green varieties. It filters airborne toxins and can survive low light situations.

3. Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese evergreen has patterned, colorful leaves that brighten up shady corners. It needs little water and tolerates fluorescent light.

4. Peace Lily

A popular indoor plant, peace lilies produce pretty white blooms. Their dark green leaves contrast beautifully in bright or low-light conditions.

5. Cast Iron Plant

As its name suggests, the cast iron plant has hardy olive-green leaves and is very tolerant of neglect and shade.

6. Ponytail Palm

With a thick trunk and arching green leaves, the ponytail palm stores water in its base. It does well in bright or low light with minimal watering.

7. Dracaena

Dracaena features thick stems with green sword-shaped foliage. Varieties like the corn plant grow well in medium to low light indoors.

8. Calathea

Known for its colorful patterned leaves, calathea prefers bright indirect light but can thrive in shadier corners as well.

9. Ferns

Whether Boston, Kimberly Queen, or Bird’s Nest ferns, many fern varieties do well in low to medium indirect light inside the home.

10. Spider Plant

Spider plants produce long arched foliage that makes them perfect for hanging baskets. They tolerate low light but grow faster with more sun.

11. Philodendron

Vining philodendrons like Brasil and Heartleaf do well in low light and are easy to care for. Give them a moss pole or let stems trail.

12. Lucky Bamboo

A type of dracaena, lucky bamboo requires just low light and water. Its slender green stems can be shaped into spirals or designs.

13. Parlor Palm

The parlor palm has glossy, arched fronds on straight stems. Despite its tropical look, it actually does well in low light inside.

14. Snake Plant

Snake plants purify air while tolerating very low light. Let soil dry between waterings and dust leaves occasionally.

15. Peperomia

Available in many leaf shapes and colors, peperomia stays compact in low to medium light. Water when soil is partly dry.

16. Prayer Plant

The prayer plant has stunning patterned leaves that seem to rise at night. It thrives in low or indirect light.

17. Rex Begonia

Grown for its exotic leaves, rex begonia needs shaded light to maintain its colorful patterns.

18. Aglaonema

Also known as Chinese evergreen, aglaonema has striking leaves and does well in low light. Prune old foliage as needed.

19. Bromeliads

With colorful foliage arranged in rosettes, bromeliads are low maintenance and shade-tolerant.

20. Orchids

While direct sun can burn their foliage and flowers, many orchids do well in low, indirect light.

21. Ficus

Varieties like fiddle leaf fig and rubber plant need bright light, but weeping figs tolerate much lower light conditions indoors.

22. Dracaena Marginata

With its spiky and colorful foliage, red-edged dracaena handles shade well while providing height.

23. Anthurium

Anthurium produces exotic flowers and broad leaves. Keep soil slightly moist for this tropical plant.

24. Arrowhead Vine

The arrowhead vine climbs or trails in hanging baskets in medium to low light. Regular trimming keeps it full.

25. English Ivy

A popular trailing plant, English ivy clings well and filters indoor air. It tolerates very low light once established.

Caring For Low-Light House Plants

While the plants above thrive in shade, providing the best care will keep them happiest and healthiest. Here are some top tips:

• Water less frequently, allowing soil to partially dry out between waterings. Without much light, plants grow slower and require less moisture.

• Use well-draining potting mixes and containers with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

• Dust broad-leafed plants regularly to prevent buildup that blocks light.

• Turn plants occasionally so all sides get even light exposure. Rotate between brighter and shadier areas.

• Prune overgrown plants to stimulate new growth and maintain a manageable size.

• Add organic compost or low-strength fertilizer a couple times per year.

• Increase surrounding humidity with pebble trays or a humidifier to prevent brown tips.

• Give more light seasonally through grow lights or summer outdoor time if possible.

Focus on proper watering, occasional cleaning, and relocating plants to their ideal spot, and your low-light greenery will stay lush and healthy year-round. With the right choices, even dark rooms can become indoor oases brimming with beautiful plants.