Indoor plants have risen in popularity as more people appreciate the natural beauty and health benefits they provide in the home or office. However, every home has different lighting conditions—some may be blessed with abundant bright sunshine streaming through the windows, while others struggle to find the right plants to thrive in shady, dimly lit spaces.
If you find it challenging to keep indoor plants happy and healthy due to a lack of natural light, this comprehensive guide is for you.
We'll cover some of the best indoor plants for low light, how to care for them, their amazing benefits, and creative ways to decorate with these resilient botanical wonders. Say goodbye to struggling plants and hello to a lush, thriving indoor oasis tailored to your home's unique lighting needs!
While the terms are relatively self-explanatory, it's essential to understand what qualifies as "low light." Most horticulturists consider low light conditions to be any area that receives little to no direct sunlight. This could include spaces with solely north-facing windows, interior rooms, offices without ample natural light, and bathrooms.
Top Low Light Plant Varieties
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) The peace lily is an incredibly popular low-light houseplant known for its lush green leaves and charming white spaths (flowers). Besides tolerating shady conditions, it also helps purify indoor air.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) The snake plant's striking, upright, variegated sword-like leaves add sculptural beauty to any room. It's admired for its ability to thrive in low light and brighter areas while practically indestructible.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) The ZZ plant's thick, glossy green stems resist low moisture and low light environments that would kill most plants. It stores water in its bulbous rhizomes, only requiring infrequent watering.
Pothos Pothos is a classic, loved for its resilience and trendy trailing vines. It excels as a hanging basket and tabletop plant in dim corners and spaces away from direct light.
Philodendron From the regal split-leaf philodendron to the neon heartleaf variety, these climbing aroids tolerate low light remarkably well while adding lush tropical flair to your home.
Spider Plant The spider plant's iconic spilling leaves and delicate flowers belie its hardy, low-maintenance nature. It can live and produce offsets in extremely low-light areas.
Caring for Low-Light Plants
Watering
Low-light plants have adapted to thrive in shady areas, but improper watering can cause distress. The key is allowing the soil to partially dry between waterings. Check moisture levels with your finger and water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry.
Soil
Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for indoor plants to prevent issues like fungus, mould, and root rot caused by oversaturated soil. Quality mixes will contain perlite, vermiculite, or bark to improve aeration and drainage.
Fertiliser
Since low-light plants grow slower than those in brighter areas, they have lower nutrient needs. Use a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength every 2-3 months during the spring and summer growth period.
Light Exposure
While able to survive in the shade, most low-light houseplants will experience stunted growth and lose their vibrance in absolute darkness. Aim to place them within 10-15 feet of an indirect light source like a north or east-facing window.
Benefits of Low-Light Indoor Plants
Air Purification
Research by NASA identified several common low-light plants as excellent natural air purifiers. They absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, and other airborne toxins while producing fresh oxygen.
Living Air Purifiers: Snake plant, pothos, peace lily, philodendron
Improved Mental Health
Studies show that having plants in living spaces and workspaces reduces stress, boosts moods, increases productivity and creativity, and filters out background noise, promoting overall well-being.
Best Low Light Office Plants: ZZ plant, snake plant, philodendrons
Humidity
Houseplants act as natural humidifiers by releasing moisture vapour from their leaves. This added humidity provides health benefits, such as fewer dry skin, coughs, sore throats, and respiratory issues.
Decorative Uses for Low-Light Plants
Bathrooms: Bathrooms are a prime spot for incorporating low-light-loving plant life. Humidity-craving varieties like mossy terrariums and adorning vines thrive here.
Top Plants: Philodendron, pothos, Boston fern, orchids
Bedroom: Enliven your sleeping sanctuary! Smaller tabletop plants provide fresh air and tranquillity. Those with trailing vines add a touch of romantic charm when draping from hanging baskets or shelves.
Suggested Plants: Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, English ivy
Living Walls & Plant Shelves: Install a vertical garden or clustering of staggered shelves as an eye-catching botany display in low-light hallways, corners, or open wall spaces.
Office Decor: Compact leaf or vining varieties instantly brighten up any dingy office nook or dimly lit dorm room!
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants can grow in no sunlight? While all plants require some light to survive long-term, some remarkably resilient species can persist for extended periods in near-complete darkness. The best choices include:
ZZ Plant
Cast Iron Plant
Lucky Bamboo
Snake Plant
Dracaena
Be aware that these plants will eventually decline without any light exposure. Supplement with artificial grow lights or move them into indirect sunlight occasionally.
How do I keep low-light plants healthy? To keep your plants thriving, follow these guidelines:
Allow soil to partially dry before watering again.
Use a well-draining potting mix.
Provide humidity with regular misting or pebble trays.
Rotate plants every few months to prevent lopsided growth.
Dust leaves occasionally to allow maximum light absorption.
What are the best low-light plants for beginners? Easy, hardy varieties perfect for brown thumbs include:
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Pothos
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
What are some low-maintenance indoor plants? Low light conditions and minimal care needs often go hand-in-hand! The plants on this list are notoriously resilient:
Snake Plant
ZZ Plant
Pothos
Philodendron
Peace Lily
Chinese Evergreen
Spider Plant
General care is simple: avoid overwatering, provide indirect light, and feed occasionally. Perfect for new plant parents!
Enter the Lush Low-Light Life
Don't let a lack of bright sunlight deter you from bringing the outdoors inside. You can cultivate a lively, thriving indoor jungle with the right low-light plant selections and care! Enjoy the natural splendour and air-purifying benefits year-round.
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