Indoor Plants That Thrive in Low Light
If you want to add some green to your home but don’t have a bright, sun-drenched space, don’t despair. There are plenty of beautiful houseplants that will grow even in low-light indoor areas. From my experience as an avid gardener, many people are pleasantly surprised by how well certain plants can survive with just a couple hours of indirect sunlight each day. In this article, I’ll discuss some top options for low-light plant parenthood along with care tips from a gardening expert.
Spider Plant
- Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are practically legendary for their easygoing nature. With oval green leaves sprouting from cascading stems, they have a graceful look. Spider plants not only tolerate low light handsomely but can even thrive in quite dim conditions near a north-facing window or across the room from an east or west window.
- I’ve found from experience that spider plants are very forgiving if you forget to water them for a few days. They’ll let you know when they’re thirsty by drooping their leaves. Just give them a thorough drink and they’ll perk right back up. Propagating spider plant babies from plantlets on their leaves is also fun and ensures you’ll always have extras.
Chinese Evergreen
Sometimes called zebra plant for its bold green and white stripes, Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) is stunning foliage perfect for low-light areas like inside hallways. I’ve had a Chinese evergreen thriving for years near a shaded exterior door without any issues. They prefer slightly drier soil than other houseplants, but still need humidity, so I mist the leaves occasionally in low-humidity climates. Chinese evergreen leaves come in different patterns beyond just green and white too, like bright red undersides.
Pothos or Devil’s Ivy
It’s hard to find an urban home or apartment that doesn’t have at least one pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as devil’s ivy, gracing its interior. Pothos brings a lush look thanks to its heart-shaped dark green leaves held above long trailing vines. Here’s a tip from experience – pothos is definitely one of the most forgiving low-light plants out there. It will survive and keep growing smoothly in very dull conditions, maybe getting just an hour of indirect sunshine a day. Despite being simple to care for, pothos has an attractive appearance that “kind of” makes it seem high maintenance!
Peace Lily
With its pure white flower spikes and attractive dark green leaves, peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) brighten up any indoor space. They like humidity so I mist mine regularly, especially in drier climates. Peace lilies will tell you when they need water by drooping their leaves – at which point, give them a good soak till the soil is moist. They perk right back up after. I’ve found peace lilies to thrive with just morning sun on my eastern patio or indirect light inside near a north-facing window. They basically do well in low to medium light.
Snake Plant
Snake plants or mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) have a sculptural quality with their stiff, upright leaves striped in yellow, white or green. They’re infamous as one of the truly nearly “bulletproof” houseplants for low light. You could basically forget to water a snake plant for weeks and it may not die! I keep several in a hallway with just dappled light filtering through from other rooms and they’re doing splendidly. Snake plants also purify indoor air, removing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde.
Chinese Money Plant
Also called the pilea peperomioides, the Chinese money plant has coin-shaped leaves that resemble clusters of cash – pretty unique, right?! These make a nice conversation piece. I find money plants adapt well to low light, maybe near a north-facing window where they’ll receive indirect sunshine. They prefer evenly moist soil and need infrequent watering. Pileas tend to grow in clumps and can occasionally be separated and repotted to multiply. Their delicate foliage adds charm to any interior.
Cast Iron Plant
With its dark green strappy leaves that seem to last forever, the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) really lives up to its name. Legend has it some specimens are over 100 years old! Cast iron plants handle very low light like few others. You can keep one growing healthily in extremely dim indoor areas with just an hour of light each day or even none at all with artificial lighting. They’re great for bedroom corners, stairwells, laundry rooms – anywhere light is limited. Water only when the top inch of soil dries out.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one tough customer that can survive long periods with hardly any light or water. Its wide waxy green leaves with subtle markings make it an appealing yet low-maintenance choice. ZZ plants, in my experience, don’t mind if they’re left to dry out for extended periods before watering. I keep one in my home office that gets minimal indirect sunshine and it’s doing fabulously even with my sporadic care routine for it. Their resilience makes ZZ plants ideal for placement pretty much anywhere indoors.
Janet Craig Dracaena
With thick yellow-edged leaves in slender upright canes, Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’) brings an elegant look to interiors. This variety handles low light very well – even just a couple hours a day of indirect sun or none at all with artificial illumination. Dracaenas like yours truly enjoy referring to it as the “plant that can do no wrong” since it adapts to varied conditions easily. They need average moisture so water when the topsoil starts drying out. Janet Craig dracaenas stay compact making them suitable for small spaces too.
So in summary, those were some top options from experience for adding green life to your home even in low-light indoor spots. With some TLC, many houseplants can thrive with just a few hours of indirect sun daily. Experiment to see which variety suits your space best. With that diversity of hardy yet attractive plants, no home need feel dreary or bare just because windows don’t receive much sunshine. There are solutions to brighten up interiors in any light exposure. Keep trying new varietals till you find ones your inner plant whisperer can nurture successfully!
Indoor Houseplants for Low Light Conditions
| Plant | Light Needs | Care Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Water when top inch of soil is dry. Thrives with neglect. |
| Philodendron | Low-Medium | Water weekly. Likes humidity but tolerates dry air. Non-toxic. |
| Chinese Evergreen | Low-Medium | Water when top inch is dry. Flora green leaves all year. Toxin to pets. |
| Snake Plant | Very Low | Water every few weeks. Succulent-like leaves withstand neglect. Air purifier. |
| ZZ Plant | Very Low | Water every 1-2 weeks. Tolerates low light and infrequent water. Easy care. |
FAQ
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What kind of trees and plants do well in low light indoor spots?
Spider plants, pothos, and snake plants can basically survive in low light conditions. They need very little sunshine. Peace lilies and Chinese evergreens also don’t mind weaker light.
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How much sunlight do indoor trees need?
Most indoor trees like to get some sunshine every day. Maybe a south-facing window that gets a few hours of direct light each morning would work well. However, peace lilies and tropical plants may manage with only indirect light throughout the day. Check the kind of plant and follow instructions on how much sunshine it prefers.
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Won’t plants die without enough sunshine?
Indeed, insufficient light can weaken and possibly kill indoor trees over time. The leaves may become pale or yellow. Nevertheless, some plants have adapted to survive on low levels of artificial light. Always research the light requirements before buying a tree for a low light spot. On the other hand, putting plants near the brightest window can work wonders.
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What can I do if my plant isn’t getting enough sunshine?
If your indoor tree seems to be struggling with weak light, attempt moving it to a sunnier area in your home – perhaps by a south or west facing window. You might also consider using a grow light lamp for a few hours daily. Some gardeners have success by using a fiber optic growing lamp designed for indoor plants. Another option would be changing the plant to one with lower light needs, like a snake plant or pothos.
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Won’t grow lights be expensive to use?
Grow lights don’t have to break the bank. Inexpensive options from the hardware store can sort of get the job done. But is it worth it to spare no expense for your plant’s health? Perhaps some homedecorators use grow lights just for plants in low lit rooms – only running them part-time. According to experts, price shouldn’t discourage using grow lights if your tree demands more sunshine. Does that make sense?
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Any other tips for growing trees with low light?
Aside from selecting light-tolerant species, make sure pots drain well to prevent root rot in dark corners. You might also consider grouping plants together – they can possibly help each other by blocking less light. And don’t forget to occasionally rotate pots to change which sides face the window. It gives all sections of a tree a chance to absorb rays. In the end, some plants just won’t thrive without sufficient normal or artificial sunlight.