21 Indoor Plants for Low Light

These houseplants are perfect for homes and offices with little or no natural sunlight.

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By: Debbie and Mark Wolfe

Related To:

Plants That Love the Shade

Have you been afraid to try growing houseplants in your home, or a particular room, because you think you don't have enough light? Fear not! These 21 plants thrive in low-light conditions and are also easy to grow. If you are not sure what kind of light you have, consider this: A south-facing room with lots of windows has high light. Medium light would be in an east- or west-facing room. North-facing rooms or rooms with no windows are considered low-light rooms. If your room has no windows, you should leave lights on 12 hours a day, or rotate low-light plants into the room for a few weeks at a time before moving them back to a naturally lit room.

From: Lynn Coulter

Ivy

English and Algerian ivies do well in low to moderate light. They should dry out between waterings.

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English Ivy

ZZ Plant

ZZ plant grows well in a dry environment and pushes the low-light limit to its extreme.

Learn More: How to Care for a ZZ Plant

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ZZ Plant

Snake Plant

Snake plant performs well in dry spells and handles moderate to low light with ease.

Learn More: How to Care for a Snake Plant

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Snake Plant

Staghorn Fern

Staghorn fern performs well in high humidity locations, like bathrooms. In nature, it grows in trees, and requires no soil and little moisture around its roots. It requires moderate light.

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Staghorn Fern

Pothos

Pothos is a low light lover that makes a good entry point into growing houseplants. It handles a wide range of conditions and still performs well. Ideally, it should have low to moderate light and should dry out between waterings.

Learn More: Pothos Plant: Care and Growing Tips

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Philodendron Green

Maidenhair Fern

Many ferns, including button, Autumn, rabbit's foot, maidenhair and more, are good options for low-light situations. Give them consistently moist soil and low to medium light.

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Maidenhair Fern

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia prefers a medium- to low-light area. Allow it to dry between waterings.

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Dieffenbachia

Philodendron

Philodendron is a medium- to low-light houseplant that prefers to be kept dry between waterings. Some forms trail, or can easily be trained to a post or "totem." Others have larger leaves and a bushy habitat.

Learn More: Philodendron Care

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Brazil Philodendron

Calathea

Calathea, including the beloved prayer plant, grow well in medium to low light. They require consistent moisture for best performance. As a rule, the lower the light, the less frequently they will flower.

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Calathea Ornata

Anthurium

Anthurium bloom in red, white or pink and rebloom well in medium to low light. Keep soil consistently moist.

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12" to 14" Anthurium

Rex Begonia

Rex begonias are grown for their colorful foliage. Keep them in medium to low light and allow them to get dry between waterings.

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Rex Begonia

Lucky Bamboo

This popular housewarming gift is often received growing in water only. It can remain that way, only change the water weekly. If you prefer, plant it in soil and keep it evenly moist. Low to medium light works well.

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Lucky Bamboo

Chinese Evergreen

Aglaonema, or Chinese evergreen, is an easy-to-grow foliage plant that performs well in low to medium light. Let it dry between waterings.

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Chinese Evergreen

Peace Lily

Peace lily prefers moderate to low light and consistently moist soil. It reblooms several times a year, even with low-light conditions.

Learn More: How to Grow and Care for Peace Lily Plants

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15" Peace Lily

Prayer Plant

This lovely plant tolerates low light but will thrive in bright, indirect light. The prayer plant prefers well-drained soil and requires high humidity.

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Red Prayer Plant

Spider Plant

Spider plants are adaptable and one of the easiest-to-grow houseplants. They grow in a variety of conditions, making them perfect for any home. Give them well-drained soil and indirect light to flourish.

Learn More: Spider Plant Indoor Care

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Spider Plant

Monstera

Monstera, as know as the Swiss cheese plant, is a show stopper. This plant is perfect for adding a big, bold, tropical feel to your home. It tolerates all types of lighting conditions and helps purify the air.

Learn More: How to Care for Monstera, the Swiss Cheese Plant

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Split Leaf Philodendron

Arrowhead Plant

The Syngonium podophyllum is an easy-to-grow plant with minimal needs. To help keep it looking nice, it will need regular pruning to keep its unruly nature in check.

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Arrowhead Hanging Plant

Bird's Nest Fern

The crooks of tropical trees are the bird's nest fern's natural habitat. They love filtered light to light shade and humidity to thrive.

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Bird's Nest Fern

Cast Iron Plant

This tough-as-nails plant grows in full shade and is not picky about regular water either.

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