How to Care for Plants That Thrive Without Sunlight – No Sun Plants

The Best Plants to Grow Without Direct Sunlight

If you don’t get plenty of natural sunlight in your home or outdoor space, you may wonder what types of plants you can grow successfully. While full sun is ideal for many flowers and vegetables, there are also lots of great options for low-light conditions. In this article, I’ll cover several top plant picks for locations with little or no direct sun and provide care tips to help them thrive.

Spider Plants

1. Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are one of the most popular houseplants for low-light areas. Their arching foliage boasts long, narrow green leaves with white stripes. From my experience, spider plants are practically indestructible — they’re very forgiving of mistakes and thrive in varied conditions. I’ve kept some for over 15 years!
2. You’ll rarely go wrong with a spider plant. They can survive on as little as 2-4 hours of indirect light daily. Just water when the soil is slightly dry and give a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer monthly in the growing season. Propagation is also a breeze as spider plants produce plantlets in small pots along their leaf stems.

Pothos

Similar to spider plants, golden pothos or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) adapt well to low-light interiors. Their heart-shaped green leaves with bright yellow variegation make them a decorative choice. Pothos can go longer between waterings than spider plants. They’re happiest when the soil dries out somewhat in between thorough waterings. Pruning leggy vines encourages compact, full growth. Like spider plants, cutting stem cuttings yields new plants with ease. Pothos are kind of amazing for their resilience.

Snake Plants

Also called mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) punctuate minimalist indoor spaces with their upright, sword-like succulent leaves. These plants can survive weeks without water in very low light. The thick, waxy leaves allow snake plants to conserve water while tolerating low light levels. Their unique vertical form provides an architectural element to rooms.

I’ve found snake plants to be very low maintenance, requiring water only every few weeks. Their toxin-emitting leaves also repel pets from using them as a litter box! A bonus use is their ability to help purify indoor air by removing toxins like formaldehyde. Snake plants basically need neglect to thrive, making them ideal for busy homeowners.

Peace Lilies

Adding lush white blooms in shadier spots, peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) deserve a spot on any low-light plant list. Their flat oval leaves emerge in a rosette shape from the soil. In the spring and summer, petite white flowers rise above on slender stalks. Peace lilies can tolerate very little sunlight if given sufficient humidity. I keep a pebble tray filled with water beneath mine to bump up moisture levels.

While prone to dropping leaves if watered infrequently, peace lilies sort of thrive on neglect as long as the soil stays evenly moist. They flourish in bathrooms where humidity is high. So if you need a plant to liven up your low-light powder room, consider a peace lily! It will reward you with a dramatic bloom display.

Chinese Evergreens

Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) lend colorful tropical flair to interiors with little fuss. Their glossy oval-shaped leaves come in various combinations of bright shades like red, pink, and cream. As a result, they’re one of the showiest low-light houseplants. I keep a variety named ‘Maria’ with deep maroon leaves speckled in silver.

These plants can handle very low light as long as you water just enough to keep soil slightly moist but not soggy. Fertilize only during spring and summer growth periods. Propagation happens through stem tip cuttings. So they’re easy to share with plant-loving friends! With stunning foliage and minimal care needs, Chinese evergreens brighten low-light corners amazingly.

Cast Iron Plant

As its nickname suggests, the aptly named cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) flourishes with intense neglect. Its dark shiny leaves boast a line of small white speckles. This old-fashioned Victorian favorite tolerates shade exceptionally well along with poor drainage and infrequent watering. Its waxy leaf coating and tough roots allow the cast iron plant to go several weeks between waterings.

I have one cast iron plant that’s over 50 years old! While not showy, it consistently chugs along whether ignored in a dark corner or cared for. It poses no special needs. Just let the soil dry before saturating it with water again. Low light situations stress this plant out way less than for tropical beauties. For individuals who literally forget to water, a cast iron plant fits the bill perfectly.

Zonal Geraniums

Adding a splash of multiple colors throughout spring and summer, zonal geraniums (Pelargonium zonale) are ideal for partial sun porches, patios and outdoor planters. I always plant a few hanging pots with these shade-loving annuals. Their rounded leaves provide shelter to short sprays of small flowers in bright hues ranging from solids to bicolors. Zone 8 and under may bring zonal geraniums indoors before first frost.

These low-maintenance bloomers thrive in afternoon shade. Just water whenever surface soil dries and fertilize monthly. Deadheading spent flowers prolongs bloom time. Plus geraniums serve as larval host plants to several pollinator species. So they provide twofold beauty and benefits in shady yards and porches! Zonal geraniums basically brighten low-light outdoor areas significantly.

With these top picks from my experience, you can absolutely grow plants successfully without full sun. Spider plants, pothos and snake plants give very low maintenance options for indoor spots where lighting falls short. Meanwhile peace lilies, Chinese evergreens and cast iron plants provide striking foliage. Lastly, zonal geraniums lend beautiful color to shady patios and gardens. Just match your plant selections to light levels and care needs. Consistent moisture is more crucial for tropicals versus succulents adapted to sunnier climates. Hopefully this guide helps ignite your green thumb for minimal light landscapes!

No Sunlight Plants

FAQ

1. What types of plants don’t need sunlight?
   Some common plants that can grow without a lot of natural light are english ivy, snake plant, aloe vera, peace lily, pothos, spider plant, philodendron and Chinese evergreen. Basically, any plant labeled as “low light” will do just fine in darker places.
2. Why would someone grow plants without sunlight?
   A lot of people keep plants in areas with little sunlight like inside the home or office. It adds some green to places that might not get much natural light. Perhaps you want greenery indoors but don’t have a super sunny spot. Growing low light plants allows you to still have that small piece of nature anywhere.
3. Do these plants need artificial light instead?
   While they can survive without bright sunlight, no-sun plants will still need some light to thrive. They may need supplemental lighting from grow lights, desk lamps, or light from a north-facing window. Sort of like how we need Vitamin D from sunlight or supplements. Without any light at all, a plant will lose its color and eventually perish. So light is still important whether natural or artificial.
4. How long can they go without sunlight?
   It depends on the individual plant variety but as a basic rule, most can handle around 4-8 weeks with very little light. Obviously the longer they go without any light, the weaker they will become. Amazingly some plants have been known to bounce back after months in the dark as long as they get light eventually. But is it worth risking a cherished plant’s health just to skip brightening its corner for a bit? Probably not.
5. Won’t they get “leggy” without enough sunlight?
   You’re right, a lack of adequate light can cause plants to become tall and lanky in search of brighter areas, commonly called getting “leggy.” The internodes, or spaces between leaves, will lengthen. This is the plant’s natural reaction to try getting its foliage higher for more sun exposure. Providing at least some indirect light can help prevent legginess. A west or east window may work better than north for keeping plants compact.
6. What’s the best no-sunlight houseplant?
   When it comes to growing plants with minimal light, the snake plant and pothos may take the prize. They are two of the toughest varieties out there. Snake plants can endure quite literally no direct light for months, and pothos is famous for thriving in desk drawer dens. Wonder why they call it the “don’t die plant” sometimes? These two just might last forever with barely a photon.
7. Any other tips for growing no-sun plants?
   Be sure not to overwater low-light plants, as their growth is slower and they dry out less quickly. Feel the soil before watering. Also check for pests like spider mites or mealybugs, which can cause harm in dim areas we may not often inspect. Lastly, consider rotating plant positions every few weeks so they elongate evenly while searching for brighter areas. Despite the difficulties, it’s rewarding keeping a little green life indoors with just a sliver of light.

In Summary…

While they need less sun than other plants, no-sunlight varieties still require some artificial lighting to stay lush and colorful over the long-term. Otherwise, their internodes may lengthen excessively as they shoot for brighter spaces. On the other hand, resilient species like snake plants or pothos can handle quite a few weeks sans sun before showing signs of distress. Nevertheless, a little TLC goes far in maintaining a stalwart indoor plant colony even in deep shade.