21 Indoor Plants for Low Light

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

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.

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 14 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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Two-Foot Peace Lily

Premium Peace Lily

Glass Watering Globe

Ivy

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

English Ivy Houseplant in 4" Pot

Groot Flower Pot

Giant Venus Fly Trap

ZZ Plant

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

ZZ Plant in 4" Pot

Japanese Grdn Knife

Butterfly Palm Tree

Snake Plant

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Snake Plant in 6" Pot

Robusta Snake Plant

Rattlesnake 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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Staghorn Fern on Walnut Plaque

Air Plant Variety Pack

Air Plant Fertilizer

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Golden Pothos in 6" Pot

Golden Devil's Ivy

House Plant Collect'n

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Maindenhair Fern in Nantucket Basket

Live Boston Fern

3-Pack Plant Hanger

Dieffenbachia

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Dieffenbachia Camille in 6" Pot

Plant Food Spike 2-pk

House Plant Collect'n

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Brazil Philodendron 6" Hanging Basket

Upside-Down Pig Pot

House Plant Collect'n

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Calthea Rose Painted Prayer Plant in 6" Pot

LED Grow Light

Anthurium

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

12" to 14" Anthurium in White Ceramic Planter

Groot Flower Pot

Bug-Eating Pitcher Plant

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Upside-Down Pig Pot

LED Grow Light

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Lucky Bamboo Tabletop Plant

Heart 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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Chinese Evergreen (Silver Queen)

Butterfly Palm Tree

Japanese Grdn Knife

Peace Lily

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Two-Foot Peace Lily

Premium Peace Lily

Exotica Dumb Cane

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Red Prayer Plant

Plants for Terrarium

2 "Folded" Yellow Pots

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Spider Plant in Ceramic Pot

House Plant Collect'n

Monstera in a Pot

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Monstera in Hanging Basket

4 Air-Cleaning Plants

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Syngonium podophyllum

Also known as the 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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Syngonium podophyllum 'Pixie'

4 Air-Cleaning Plants

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.

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Bird's Nest 'Leslie' Fern

Live Boston Fern

Cast Iron Plant

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

SHOPPING INSPIRATION

Cast Iron Plant, 10"