The 10 Best Indoor Trees for Low and Indirect Sunlight Conditions

Top Indoor Tree Options for Areas with Indirect Sunlight

Whether you have a spot in your home that only receives diffuse sunlight from a nearby window or your outdoor patio gets dappled light through a tree canopy, finding the right indoor tree can add greenery and visual appeal. In this article, I’ll cover some of the best varieties that thrive with indirect exposure to natural light.

Snake Plants

1. Sansevieria trifasciata, commonly called snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is notorious for being one of the hardiest and lowest-maintenance houseplants you can get. From my experience, they can basically survive anywhere – even under really shady conditions.
2. Their stiff, vertical leaves come in various colors like solid green, yellow-striped or white-edged. The taller Snake Plant cultivars can reach 3-4 feet indoors and add vertical visual interest without taking up much floor space.
3. They are very forgiving of neglect and can go a month between waterings. In lower-light spots, check the soil more like every 2-3 weeks when it’s mostly dried out. Overall, a great no-fuss option!

Chinese Evergreen

Also known as Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreen comes in a variety of leaf shapes and colors like deep green with red veins or variegated cream and pink. From my experience, it’s one of those kinds of stunning indoor plants. It prefers medium to low light and high humidity, growing up to 3 feet tall. While it won’t tolerate super low-light, it will put on growth more slowly in indirect northern light. I’ve found that giving these guys a humidity tray of pebbles really helps them thrive.

Pothos

Everyone’s favorite low-effort vining plant will do just fine in lower light spots. The various cultivars like ‘Marble Queen’, ‘Neon’ and ‘Golden’ trail beautifully over objects below them. Pothos is kind of the cockroach of houseplants – nearly impossible to kill! My advice is to water when the top inch or two of soil dries and prune or propagate cuttings to keep it bushy. It can grow over 6 feet long if given support but stays compact in pots.

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior lives up to its tough reputation. Native to shaded conditions in southern China and Japan, it will flourish in very low light indoors too. Its wide, thick leaves emerge in an attractive spiral form. It grows slowly to 1-2 feet and is quite drought tolerant once established. From my experience, cast iron plants are almost indestructible – a great choice if you tend to forget to water!

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides, also called UFO plant or aluminum plant, features coin-shaped leaves in nested rosettes that resemble a pile of money. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate water – not too wet or dry. These guys sort of exploded in popularity last year, becoming an internet sensation. Their unusual leaf structure and ability to tolerate low light make them a fun conversation piece. In my practice, I’ve gifted these to clients for a pop of greenery that requires very little care.

Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum is known for its long, arching grassy leaves and baby plantlets that form onside itsleaf axils. These miniature plant clones can be removed and potted to multiply your spider plant. In lower light, it may grow more upright than trailing. It tolerates poor light well and soil that dries slightly between waterings. From experience, I’ve found spider plants are easy to please and deliver that fresh, air-purifying effect we all want from our indoor plants.

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum, also called white butterfly flower, is prized for its large white blooms and ability to signal when it needs a drink. Its leaves will droop when thirsty and perk right back up after watering. It prefers humid indoor conditions and medium to low light. In my practice, peace lilies make nice desk or bedside plants that don’t demand too much attention. They can reach 2-3 feet tall but stay compact if restricted by a pot.

Philodendron

There are loads of Philodendron species and cultivars suitable for low-light areas. Heartleaf Philodendron and Brazilian Philodendron tolerate quite low light and grow as climbing vines or bushy plants depending on training. In my experience, Philodendrons are very easy to care for – just water when the soil is dry and they’ll be happy. Their intriguing split, lobed or heart-shaped leaves in shades of green make them a great textural choice.

I hope these indoor tree ideas help shed some light – no pun intended – on great options for growing greenhouse in areas with indirect sunlight. In my practice, I’ve found these plants to be very forgiving of under-lit conditions while lending appealing contrasting greens to spaces. Kindly let me know if you need any additional tree suggestions!

Top Indoor Trees for Indirect Sunlight

Tree	Light Needs	Size	Care Tips
Devil’s Ivy	Low, indirect light	Variable	Tolerates neglect, water when soil is dry
Snake Plant	Low, indirect light	Tall, thin leaves	Very forgiving, water infrequently
Lipstick Plant	Low, indirect light	Tall vines	Tolerates low light, water when dry
Chinese Evergreen	Low, indirect light	Bushy, decorative leaves	Keep soil moist, prune to encourage branching
Ponytail Palm	Low, indirect light	Short, clustered trunk	Water weekly, tolerates dry air

FAQ

1. What types of trees grow well in indirect sunlight?

   Some trees that basically do okay in low-light conditions are snake plant, pothos, Chinese evergreen, and ZZ plant. They are sort of resilient and can handle quite a bit of shade. Peace lilies also sort of work well, though they may lose vibrant colors without much direct sun.

2. Will trees survive with only a few hours of sunlight each day?

   It depends on how much sunlight they get. A tree might survive with a couple hours of direct rays, but it likely won’t thrive. They still need at least partial sun for most of the day to basically grow properly. At the same time, it appears tree varieties adapted for shade can cope with less light.

3. What features should I look for in trees suited to low light?

   Look for trees with dark, glossy leaves. Strong leaves help trees survive in shade by capturing whatever light is available. You might also check for trees labeled as “shade tolerant.” Size is an important factor too – smaller trees need less energy for survival than their bigger cousins.

   

4. How can I help trees along in a shady spot?

   Despite limited sun, you can assist trees with good drainage, organic compost or fertilizer. Proper watering is key too – trees in shade often need a deep soak less often than those in full light. Staking may also help slimmer trees stand strong. Nevertheless, very low-light could defeat even shade tolerant varieties.

5. Are any dwarf or slow growing trees a good match for shade?

   Dwarf hinoki cypress, Japanese maple or flowering crabapple could possibly work depending on how deep the shade is. They stay relatively small and have leaves adapted for low light. However, growth will likely be quite slow without much direct sun. You might end up with an awfully puny tree over time.

6. What if my yard only gets sunlight in the morning?

   In that case, trees preferring morning sun may succeed. Think redbud, serviceberry or some oak varieties. Their shiny leaves can take advantage of the available rays. You might also look to smaller trees if partial morning light is all your space offers. But is it worth it if the tree struggles much of the day? Maybe consider rearranging plants for more balanced light.