14 Indoor Plants for Low Light

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

By: Debbie and Mark Wolfe
Related To:
Houseplants Plants

Photo By: Costa Farms

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Photo by Lisa Steinkopf

Photo By: iStockphoto.com/FeelPic

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Photo by Felder Rushing

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Image courtesy of Felder Rushing

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

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 fourteen 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 twelve 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

ZZ Plant

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

Snake Plant

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

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.

Ivy

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

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.

Ferns

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.

Dieffenbachia

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

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 habit.

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.

Anthurium

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

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.

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.

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.

Peace Lily

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

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