8 Best Low Light Indoor Plants to Spruce Up Your Home
Low-light houseplants require very little to no natural light and can even tolerate artificial light without any adverse effects. Most of the low-light indoor plants on this list are relatively low maintenance and add a gorgeous, exotic aesthetic to any space. Keep reading for care tips and a brief description of the best low-light indoor plants for your home.
Care Tips for Low-light Houseplants
Caring for low-light plants isn't dissimilar from caring for other houseplants. It's important to know all care guidelines, including preferred environment temperature, humidity level, watering cadence, type of soil, etc.
Regarding placement, low-light plants do well in an east or west-facing room with at least one window, even if the incoming light isn't direct. If you don't have a room with a window or only a north-facing window, you can use UV lights for a few hours daily to help your shade-tolerant plant thrive.
1. Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, or Dracaena trifasciata, is one of the easiest low-sunlight plants to grow and maintain. Their sword-like foliage grows up and out and is variegated with a deep green base, yellow or gold striped edge, and gray-green strips reaching up to eight feet long.
This low-light plant, known as mother-in-law's tongue, prefers partial shade but can tolerate bright and dim light. The best medium for growth is well-draining potting soil. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Light Requirement: Partial shade
Water Requirement: Moderate moisture
2. Pothos
The Pothos, also called devil's ivy, is one of the most low-maintenance low-light houseplants you can own. There are various types of Pothos, but all feature vibrant green or variegated heart-shaped leaves that trail down long veins that can reach 20 to 40 feet long.
This fast-growing climber thrives in well-draining soil and prefers water when the top two inches of its soil is dry. Adaptable to a range of light and watering conditions, it does prefer bright, indirect light with moderate temperatures and high humidity.
Light Requirement: Partial to full shade
Water Requirement: Water when dry
3. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema commutatum, is a great houseplant for low light. This compact plant has glossy green and silver variegated leaves, growing from the stalks of shallow roots at a central base. It can reach 14 to 20 inches with a spread of 16-22 inches.
The slow-growing Chinese Evergreen thrives in nutrient-rich moist soil in a temperate environment with some humidity. This plant prefers to be kept out of direct sunlight since its foliage can burn. Certain variegated varieties do need bright, indirect light to produce the most vibrant color.
Light Requirement: Partial to full shade
Water Requirement: Moderate moisture
4. Birds Nest Fern
Bird's Nest Fern or Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic plant and typically grows from other plants in their native habitats. Their long, spoon-shaped green fronds come from a central rosette, growing up to 2 feet indoors.
One of the easiest plants that grow in dim light, they prefer to be kept out of direct sunlight. It prefers to be kept moist but not waterlogged, so water when the top inch of soil is dry. A temperate environment with high humidity is best for this plant.
Light Requirement: Partial to full shade
Water Requirement: Moderate moisture
5. Philodendron
Like the Pothos, the Philodendron adds a tropical vibe to any space with its bright green, heart-shaped leaves on long green vines. This fast-growing plant's foliage can grow up to 10 to 20 feet tall and spread 3 to 6 feet wide.
Though Philodendrons can tolerate a low-light environment, they can cause leggy stem growth with sparse leaves. They prefer bright, indirect light, ample humidity, and even moisture.
Light Requirement: Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate moisture
6. Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm or Chamaedorea elegans is a tropical plant that has deep green feathery leaves cascading over clustered slender stems. This plant is about 4 feet tall with a spread of 2-3 feet.
Though this plant does well in low light, it prefers bright, filtered light with moderate temperatures and some humidity. Parlor Palms are sensitive to overwatering, so it's better to keep them too dry rather than over-saturated. Water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
Light Requirement: Partial to full shade
Water Requirement: Water when dry
7. ZZ Plant
One of the easiest low-light plants is the ZZ Plant or Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It’s a tough plant with unique light and dark leathery elliptical leaves fanning out from thick stems, typically reaching 2 to 3 feet tall, even 5 feet in an optimal environment.
The ZZ Plant is drought-tolerant but prefers a good drink once its soil has completely dried. It’s one of the best plants for indirect sunlight; even tolerating artificial light, it does prefer bright indirect light with moderate temperatures and average humidity.
Light Requirement: Partial to full shade
Water Requirement: Water when dry
8. Dracaena
The Dracaena is a genus of tropical plants characterized by spear or grass-like leaves that shoot out from thick, cane-like stems. As houseplants need little light, Dracaena can grow between 2-10 feet tall and spread 1-2 feet wide.
Though these houseplants require little light, they also thrive with bright, indirect light. Dracaena likes to be consistently moist during the growing season, so water at least once a week. A temperate environment with high humidity is best for this plant.
Light Requirement: Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate moisture
Get Your Own Low-light Easyplant Today!
Having a house that doesn't get much natural sunlight doesn't mean you have to sacrifice being a plant owner. Plenty of beautiful plants, like the ones on this list, can thrive in low-light conditions.
Learning how to care for them is easy with our guides and easyplant pot to handle your plant's watering needs. Choose from a range of sizes and colors to go with your new plant, both available on easyplant.
