Best Plants for Low Light Spots in Your Home
If you’re like me and don’t get a ton of natural light coming through your windows, finding plants that will thrive can be tough. But never fear, there are definitely some options for us low light dwellers. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the top plants that do well with minimal sunlight.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The snake plant, which some folks call mother-in-law’s tongue, is basically the king of low light plants. These guys can survive on very little sunlight and are practically impossible to kill. You can forget to water them for weeks at a time and they’ll still be kicking. From my experience, snake plants are awesome for living rooms, bathrooms, or any other spot in your home that doesn’t get great light. Their upright sword-like leaves add an exotic touch without requiring much effort. Just give them sun if you’ve got it but they’ll be fine in very dim conditions too.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Another great choice is pothos, often recommended as a beginner plant. These vining beauts are super chill about light – they’ll grow in very low light but also do well in brighter spots. I’ve got one growing up a bookshelf in my kitchen that gets mostly artificial light and it’s thriving! Pothos come in several fun leaf coloration varieties like neon, marble queen, and golden so you can pick one to match your décor. They’re practically indestructible as long as you water them occasionally. Their trailing vines look lovely hanging on a bookshelf, hanging planter or trailing out of a pot.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
The Chinese evergreen is a personal favorite of mine because I love its broad, glossy leaves that come in shades of green, cream, and red. It grows well in low to medium light and adds a lush tropical vibe. I’ve found these guys do best when given bright, indirect sunlight if possible but definitely don’t demand a lot of light. They’re content sitting on a table by a north-facing window. Chinese evergreens clean the air too by absorbing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, so they’re great to have indoors. Give them some fertilizer in the growing season and occasional water and they’ll reward you with their gorgeous foliage.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Another awesome low light champ is the ZZ plant. I affectionately call them the dinosaur plant because their broad, lush leaves vaguely resemble scales. These guys can survive in very dim conditions with only artificial light. You can easily forget to water them for weeks – they store water in their thick rhizomes. ZZ plants make for flexible indoor greenery that can brighten up any nook or cranny, from rooms with north-facing windows to living spaces lit primarily by floor or table lamps. They don’t mind low humidity either. ZZ plants are virtually impossible to kill so they make a great option if you struggle with keeping other plants alive!
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
While peace lilies do prefer some direct light, they’ll also grow well in very low light spots like under tables or behind furniture as long as light is bright, indirect. The dense spikes of white blooms on peace lilies are stunning, kinda like having flowers inside all the time. As a bonus, peace lilies also help clean indoor air of toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene! They can handle lower light compared to pothos or snake plants but do appreciate some brightness if possible. When the flowers start to fade, give them a bit of fertilizer to perk them up. Water when the soil is dry. Peace lilies add lush greenery and cheery blooms to any interior space.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Looking for a plant that can survive deep shade? The cast iron plant may be the ultimate champion. These guys get their name because they seem indestructible – you can basically forget about them and they’ll be fine, sort of like that cast iron skillet your grandma has had for 50 years. Cast iron plants grow well in very low light, like under heavy tree canopies or in shaded entryways. I’ve got one thriving in a corner behind some furniture that never sees direct light. They have an elegant arching habit and shiny deep green leaves. Just water occasionally and they’ll be happy as a clam without much other care. If you have spots that no other plant seems to want to live in, a cast iron plant will liven things up just fine.
So in summary, those are some top options for plants that can handle minimal light conditions inside your home. When choosing, consider the environment like direction of the windows, distance from light sources, and how much maintenance you want. Hopefully some of those suggestions give you some ideas to brighten up even the dimmest spots! Let me know if you have any other plant questions.
Minimal Sunlight Plants for Indoor Areas
| Plant | Light Needs | Watering | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low, indirect light | Allow soil to dry between waterings | Up to 6 feet |
| ZZ Plant | Low, bright indirect light | Water when top inch of soil is dry | 1-3 feet |
| Snake Plant | Very low, any light will do | Let soil dry completely between waterings | 1-4 feet |
| Spider Plant | Medium, indirect light | Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings | 1-3 feet |
| Philodendron | Low to medium, indirect light | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Up to 10 feet, can be kept trimmed smaller |
FAQ
-
What types of plants need minimal sunlight?
Plants like pothos, snake plant, peace lily, and spider plant can live with basically very dim lighting. They’re sometimes called “low light” plants.
-
How much sun do low light plants need?
Low light plants thrive in spaces that get around 2 hours or less of direct sunlight every day. They do OK in areas that are kind of shady or don’t get much natural light at all. At the same time, they still need some sunlight to survive.
-
What happens if low light plants get too much sun?
If plants made to live in low light conditions suddenly get a lot more sun than usual, it can actually harm them or cause their leaves to burn. They’ll need to adjust to brighter light slowly over a longer period. Nevertheless, too much shade is still better than too much sun for these types of plants.
-
Can indoor plants live with just artificial light?
Yes, it’s possible for some plants to survive on only light from lamps and no natural sunlight. Some botanists have done tests living totally indoors. On the other hand, natural light typically makes plants healthier. So a little sunshine, even if just a few hours a week, along with indoor lights could be best.
-
What are some other factors besides light for low light plants?
In addition to light levels, watering amounts and temperature are important. Low light plants need less water since they aren’t as active. They also prefer average indoor temperatures between 60-80°F. Humidity levels matter too – some varieties want higher or lower humidity. Proper care of all the elements a plant needs will help it thrive, even with minimal light.
-
Why would someone choose a low light plant?
Folks may pick plants suited to dim lighting for lots of reasons. Maybe they have a home or work area without much natural sunshine. Possibly they’re away frequently or too busy to give plants daily care. Low light varieties are amazing since they’re pretty hardy and forgiving of imperfect conditions. They’re a great option for people who still want some green life even with not so great lighting.
-
Should low light plants still be near a window?
It’s true low light plants can tolerate very dim indoor conditions. However, placing them near a east, west or south facing window, even if just for a few hours daily, appears to be healthier for the plants. The windows allow them to get some actual solar rays rather than just artificial room light. Plus being near a pane of glass offers them the bonus of filtered daylight. So a windowsill spot is still usually best, even for types that need minimal sun.
-
Do you have any low light plant recommendations?
Some top choices are Snake plant, Pothos, Chinese Evergreen, ZZ plant, Peace Lily and Boston Fern. Spider plant is awesome too since it even thrives in brownout conditions during storms. Anyone want to share their favorite minimal light variety? What’s been your experience with low maintenance indoor plants?