25 Best Low-Light Houseplants: Beautify Your Home with Shade-Tolerant Greenery
Looking to add some greenery to your home but don’t get much natural light? Don’t fret! There are plenty of beautiful plants that can thrive in low-light conditions. In this article, we’ll explore the 25 best low-light indoor plants and how to help them flourish in areas of your home with less light. Read on to learn which plants are ideal for low light situations.
Why Are Low-Light Indoor Plants Important?
Before diving into the specific low-light plants, let’s first explore why these special indoor plants are so valuable for homes:
- Add greenery and life. Low-light houseplants instantly add greenery, freshness, and life to any space, even in rooms with minimal natural light.
- Purify indoor air. Many houseplants are excellent natural air purifiers that remove toxins and increase oxygen.
- Reduce stress. Caring for houseplants has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Decorate on a budget. Houseplants are an affordable way to decorate and add pops of color without breaking the bank.
- Brighten up dark spaces. Low-light plants can brighten up gloomy corners or spaces without many windows.
- Easy to care for. Most low-light houseplants are quite hardy and easy to care for even for beginner plant parents.
Now let’s look at the top low-light plants you should get for your home!
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the most popular and hardy low-light plants. Its thick, waxy dark green leaves can tolerate very low light conditions. Snake plants need only occasional watering and can thrive in a variety of indoor settings. An added benefit – snake plants are excellent at filtering out airborne toxins!
2. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra)
As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is nearly indestructible and can tolerate very low light. It features dark green lance-shaped leaves that can reach 2-3 feet in height. Cast iron plants are slow growers and only need watering every couple weeks. These plants will thrive for years with minimal care.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)
The ZZ plant boasts shiny oval leaves that emerge from thick underground rhizomes. It tolerates a wide range of light, doing well in bright indirect light to very low light. ZZ plants only need watering once the soil has thoroughly dried out, making them very drought tolerant.
4. Philodendrons
Philodendrons are popular tropical plants perfect for lower light situations. Their heart-shaped leaves come in a variety of colors like green, red, orange, or yellow. Philodendrons are climbers, so provide a moss stick for the vining stems to cling to. Water when the top inch of soil has dried.
5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreens are known for their spectacular speckled and variegated leaves that can range from silver to dark green. They thrive in medium to low indirect light. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free.
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The peace lily is an elegant flowering plant with lush dark green leaves and stunning white blooms. Peace lilies thrive in various light conditions from low to bright indirect light. Let the soil dry out some between waterings. When the leaves droop, it’s asking for a drink!
7. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
With their vining growth habit and golden variegated leaves, pothos plants are a popular houseplant choice. Pothos can withstand a wide range of light levels. Allow soil to dry before watering again. Trim back trailing stems to encourage bushier growth.
8. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The prayer plant gets its name from the way its leaves fold up at night like praying hands. It has pretty green leaves with white light green veining. Prayer plants need consistent moisture and do best in low to medium indirect light. Provide humidity by misting occasionally.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are easy to grow and nearly indestructible. They adapt well to low light indoor conditions. Spider plants produce runners with baby spiderettes that can be cut and replanted. Water when soil is dry to the touch. Keep away from direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.
10. Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
With its gorgeous mosaic-like leaves, it’s easy to see why nerve plants are so popular! Their leaves can range from light to dark pink with accents of white, red, or silver. Nerve plants love low, indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil has dried and mist occasionally to boost humidity.
11. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The dragon tree has slender upright stems with spear-shaped green leaves edged in red. It does well in bright or low light situations. Allow soil to dry somewhat between waterings but don’t let it dry out completely. Wipe leaves down every few weeks to prevent dust buildup.
12. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant features large, glossy leaves that can grow quite large when cared for properly. It adapts well to various indoor light conditions. Water thoroughly only when the soil has started to dry. Rubber plants benefit from regular pruning of leggy stems.
13. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor palms have feathery green fronds on slender stems. They thrive in medium to low light making them an excellent accent plant for indoors. Parlor palms like moist soil, so water frequently to keep the soil consistently damp but not soggy. Mist leaves often for added humidity.
14. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
With their delicate fan-shaped fronds, maidenhair ferns make a lovely addition to low-light rooms. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mist the leaves regularly to imitate the moist habitat of their native forests. Place out of direct sunlight, which can scorch the foliage.
15. Janet Craig Dracaena
The Janet Craig is a compact, slow-growing dracaena variety perfect for low-light spots. It features curving green leaves with yellow edges originating from a central stem. Allow the soil to dry out some between waterings. Wipe dust off leaves periodically with a damp cloth.
16. Peperomia
Peperomia houseplants come in many stunning varieties like the ripple peperomia and watermelon peperomia. Their thick, fleshy leaves tolerate low light conditions. Allow the soil to dry before watering. Peperomias benefit from occasional pruning to keep them full and bushy.
17. Rex Begonia (Begonia rex)
Rex begonias are prized for their spectacular multicolored, swirling leaves. They need constant moisture and do best out of direct sunlight. Water frequently to keep their soil moist. Increase humidity around the plant by misting the leaves regularly with a spray bottle.
18. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Despite its name, lucky bamboo isn’t actually bamboo but a type of dracaena. Its thin twisted stems grow well in water or soil. Lucky bamboo tolerates low indirect light or even artificial light. Replace water weekly or allow soil to dry before rewatering.
19. Calathea (Calathea)
Calatheas are part of the prayer plant family from Brazil known for their bold patterned leaves. There are many stunning calathea varieties to choose from. They thrive in low to medium indirect light and consistently moist soil. Water thoroughly and mist leaves occasionally.
20. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium)
Bird’s nest ferns have arching bright green fronds that emerge from a central rosette, resembling a bird’s nest. They prefer shady spots and thrive in low to medium indirect light. Keep their soil consistently moist and provide frequent humidity by misting the leaves.
21. Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
The heart leaf philodendron has dark green, glossy leaves in a classic heart shape. It’s extremely hardy and can tolerate low light conditions. Allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth periodically to remove dust.
22. Florist’s Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
With clusters of brightly colored blooms, it’s easy to see why florist’s kalanchoe is so popular! The succulent leaves can tolerate lower light. Water thoroughly only once the soil has dried. Remove faded blooms to encourage more flowers.
23. Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)
The majesty palm has elegant fan-shaped fronds on long stems. It adapts well to indoor low light conditions. Allow soil to dry before watering thoroughly again. Mist leaves occasionally and place plant out of direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves.
24. Umbrella Plant (Schefflera actinophylla)
The umbrella plant also known as octopus tree, has glossy green hand-shaped leaves. It thrives in bright indirect light but also tolerates lower light. Water when the soil has dried somewhat but not completely. Rotate the plant periodically so all sides get equal light exposure.
25. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
The corn plant features slender arched leaves banded with yellow and green that emerge from a central woody stem. It can tolerate lower light conditions making it an ideal low-maintenance houseplant. Allow soil to dry before rewatering. Remove dead leaves and stems as needed.
Help Your Low-Light Plants Thrive
Caring for houseplants in low-light conditions takes some special care. Here are tips to help your low-light plants thrive:
- Place plants near windows where they can get as much natural light as possible, but avoid placing them in direct sunlight.
- Rotate plants periodically so all sides get indirect light exposure.
- Clean leaves regularly with a damp cloth to maximize light absorption.
- Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot in low light.
- Consider using a grow light to supplement natural lighting if needed.
- Repot plants in fresh potting mix annually to provide new nutrients.
- Propagate overgrown plants to create new compact plants.
With proper care and the right plant selections, anyone can become successful at growing vibrant plants even in low-light indoor conditions! Try some of these excellent low-light plants to add life and greenery to any space.
Common Questions
Q: What are the best low-light houseplants?
A: Some of the best low-light houseplants include the swiss cheese plant, wax plant, and peace lily.
Q: Which plants thrive in low-light conditions?
A: Many plants thrive in low-light conditions, such as the snake plant, pothos, and ZZ plant.
Q: Can the swiss cheese plant be grown indoors?
A: Yes, the swiss cheese plant is a popular indoor plant that can be easily grown in low-light conditions.
Q: What are the best houseplants for low light?
A: Some of the best houseplants for low light include the spider plant, cast iron plant, and dracaena.
Q: Can indoor plants grow well in low-light environments?
A: Yes, many indoor plants can thrive in low-light environments as long as they receive indirect or filtered light.
Q: Which houseplants have leaves that grow well in low light?
A: The snake plant, ZZ plant, and peace lily are examples of houseplants with leaves that grow well in low light.
Q: Are there any low-light indoor plants with white flowers?
A: Yes, some low-light indoor plants with white flowers include the peace lily, anthurium, and spider plant.
Q: What are some indoor plants that can grow in medium light conditions?
A: Some indoor plants that can grow in medium light conditions include the pothos, golden pothos, and philodendron.
Q: Can low-light indoor plants tolerate bright light?
A: Low-light indoor plants are adapted to thrive in low-light conditions and may struggle to tolerate bright light for extended periods.
Q: Are there any indoor plants that are said to bring good luck?
A: Yes, the snake plant, also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, is said to bring good luck and is a low-light houseplant.
