Best Indoor Trees That Thrive With Minimal Lighting – Low Light Houseplant Options

The Top Indoor Trees That Thrive with Minimal Light

If you love the look of greenery indoors but don’t get much natural sunlight, fear not – there are plenty of wonderful tree options that can handle low-light conditions. From my experience living in apartments with limited windows, I’ve found a few champions of indoor trees that barely seem to notice the lack of light. In this article, I’ll cover some top picks that have worked for me over the years, along with tips to boost their growing environment.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

1. One of the toughest plants around, snake plants can survive for months with only artificial light. Their stiff, sword-like leaves store water efficiently so they never seem to get thirsty. I’ve sort of abused mine by forgetting to water for weeks, yet it just shrugs it off. You’ll be hard-pressed to kill one of these.
2. Grow snake plants in bright, indirect sunlight for best appearance. In very low-light areas, they may start to lose their vibrant green or yellow variegation. But the plant will live on, growing slow and steady.
3. These make great indoor trees since they reach 2-3 feet tall but have a narrow form. Snake plants don’t mind cramped quarters or looking downward from high shelves. I keep one right above my kitchen sink – it’s kind of like a little glimpse of green while doing dishes.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

Much like snake plants, Chinese evergreens are legends of low light tolerance. I’ve seen these thrive in offices where the windows are covered all day – basically no natural illumination at all! Their stiff, broad leaves come in various shades of green, giving them more visual appeal than a basic snake plant.

Some key things to know about Chinese evergreens:

1. Like moderate moisture but don’t like soggy soil. I water mine about once every 7-10 days. Any less and the leaves start to droop sadly until they perk back up after watering.
2. They appreciate some fertilizer in the growing season to boost leaf size and color. I give mine a quarter-strength liquid houseplant feed every few months.
3. Chinese evergreens make excellent desk or tabletop trees, reaching 1-2 feet tall on average. Their compact shape fits well in small spaces.

From my experience, they’re very forgiving of imperfect care. I’ve left mine for weeks during vacations with just a watering before departing, and it always bounces back fine. These could survive a nuclear apocalypse, I swear!

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

If you want something with big, dramatic leaves for low light, peace lilies totally deliver. Their broad, glossy leaves reach 10 inches long on mature plants. Peace lilies also bloom small white flowers that emerge from their leaf stems.

Here’s the scoop on growing peace lilies well:

1. Water when the top inch of soil dries out. They’re indicator plants – the leaves will droop when thirsty until watered, then perk right back up. This helps prevent overwatering.
2. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer for best foliage. I use a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer.
3. Peace lilies can reach 2-3 feet tall, making a nice focal plant. They look stunning clustered in a group for maximum impact.

Peace lilies tolerate low light like a champ. I keep one right by a north-facing window at work that gets no direct rays, and it’s as healthy as can be. Their lush leaves give serious tropical vibes without much effort on your part. These are top-tier indoor greenery in my book!

Here are a few more low-light loving tree options to consider:

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

With its tall, cylindrical trunk and fountain of thin, wispy leaves at the top, ponytail palms have a totally unique and cool look. They do well in medium to low light and aren’t too finicky with watering. These palm trees max out around 6 feet tall indoors, so go big or go home!

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

If you want that classic indoor tree vibe, look no further than rubber plants. Their thick, shiny leaves come in various shades of green and variegated forms. Rubber plants thrive in bright indirect light but can handle lower brightness too. Be warned – they get pretty gigantic if treated well!

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Some say these are the cockroaches of the plant world since they virtually refuse to die. Cast iron plants can subsist in near darkness with just occasional watering. While their leaves aren’t the prettiest, they earn bonus points for ultra-hardy dependability through any conditions. Your low-light indoor jungle awaits!

So in summary, those are some top-tier indoor trees that barely notice dim lighting. A little boost with grow lights isn’t a bad idea if you want them lush rather than laggardly. Remember – inconsistent watering is the killer of houseplants, not light levels, so aim to keep soil evenly moist. With a bit of TLC, these plants will reward you with greenery for years to come!

Indoor Trees for Low Light Conditions

FAQ

1. What types of trees grow well in low light?

   trees such as snake plant, pothos, chinese evergreen, and spider plant can survive pretty low light. They don’t need too much sun to look healthy and green. Peace lilies and Chinese evergreen are also pretty tough plants that don’t demand super bright light.

2. Should I put my indoor tree near a window?

   While it’s not completely necessary, putting your indoor tree near a window is generally a good idea. It will get the most light there. However, avoid direct sunlight especially for more delicate varieties. Too much sun could damage the leaves. On the other hand, a west or east facing window provides nice indirect light.

3. How often should I water a low light houseplant?

   The exact watering schedule depends on the type of tree and conditions. But in general, low light trees need water a little less than those in very bright spaces. Go by the soil – water when the top inch becomes dry. During winter when daylight is shortest, cut back water to maybe once every couple weeks. Overwatering is almost always worse than underwatering for these kinds of trees.

4. Is a ficus tree good for low light?

   Despite their reputation as difficult trees, some ficus species actually do very well in low light. Look for ficus benjamina, ficus elastica (‘rubber tree’), or ficus lyrata (‘fiddle leaf fig’). They’re pretty tolerant of lower light. Where they suffer is lack of humidity, which dropping a pebble tray under the plant can help with. So ficus can work, but monitor the leaf condition close.

   

5. How can I get the most out of my indoor tree’s limited light?

   There are a few tricks. Putting your tree near a south or west window is best, since the light is more indirect in the afternoon. You may want to move it around weekly so all sides get sun. A plant light or lamp could also give it an added boost. Or try a diffused skylight for a glow instead of harsh rays. Lastly, choose very low maintenance trees suited to the lighting you’ve got.

6. Should I fertilize a tree in low light?

   It probably isn’t super necessary to feed a low light tree but an occasional dose won’t hurt it either. The plant isn’t growing rapidly in the limited light, so it doesn’t need huge nutrition. Light fertilizing in the spring and summer, or just use a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer every few months is sufficient. Too much fertilizer may actually overwhelm the roots. Your best bet is observe the tree – if leaves look pale or stunted, a little food may perk it up.