Your choice of indoor low light plants can completely transform areas that don't get much sunlight in your home, without needing bright windows to support them. While many believe only bright windows provide sufficient lighting, hardy varieties do thrive with indirect or minimal illumination - ideal for apartments, offices and bedrooms where natural sunlight may not reach all areas.
By following this guide, you will discover which low light plants are the most reliable options, how best to care for them, and strategies for keeping your indoor plants alive and vibrant.
Why Select Low Light Plants?
Low light plants are perfect for:
Rooms featuring small or north-facing windows may benefit from having windows with narrow or northerly views.
Locations that benefit from indirect sunlight should have spaces with filters or indirect illumination in their plans.
Homeowners with busy lifestyles who need low maintenance greenery.
Apartments and offices lacking natural light.
Selecting suitable indoor low light plants ensures that your space remains vibrant, green and welcoming even during darker times of day.
Top Ten Indoor Low Light Plants of 2016
Here's a selection of hardy indoor plants with minimal sunlight requirements that require little attention:
1 Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata).
Extremely resistant to low light conditions
Can tolerate periods of neglect
Ideal for tight spaces. Growing upright.
Snake plants have quickly become one of the top low light houseplants, both inside the home and at office spaces alike.
2 ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).
Glossy dark green foliage provides excellent drought tolerance; thrives in indirect light or shaded conditions.
The ZZ Plant is ideal for low-light corners and adds an contemporary style.
Three Pothos Plants (Epipremnum aureum).
Rapidly Growing Trailing Plant
Easy to propagate and adapts well in both low and moderate light settings
Pothos plants make an excellent accent to shelves, hanging baskets and desks.
4 Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum).
Elegant white blooms in low light.
Soil conditioner and air purifier. Can tolerate shade while also purifying air quality.
As they need water, plants show when this needs is necessary by showing signs of dehydration such as drooping leaves.
Peace lilies are among the most beautiful indoor low light plants.
5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior).
Extremely durable. Can tolerate low light conditions and neglect.
Slow to grow but long-lasting
This plant is perfect for shading corners with low traffic levels and providing shade from sunlight.
Philodendron with heart-shaped leaves that trail or climb.
Easy Care with Low Light Conditions Capability.
Philodendrons make great choices for use as decorative accents on shelves, tables, or plant stands.
7 Chinese Evergreen Trees (Aglaonema)
Beautiful foliage of colorful green and silver leaves
Very tolerant with low light.
Perfect for beginner plant owners
8 Dracaena plants boast upright stems with long, green leaves for display.
Staying alive under low light levels and indoor conditions
Low maintenance requirements and stylish looks combined.
9 Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans).
Compact tropical palms thrive in shade environments and add an aesthetic element to small apartments, providing some much needed greenery for small living spaces.
Ten Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum).
Produces baby plantlets which can then be propagated further.
Plants tolerant to low light conditions and irregular watering requirements
Air Purifying Properties and Caring Tips of Indoor Low Light Plants.
Even though these plants are hardy, establishing proper care routines will keep them flourishing:
1 Water properly; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Choose containers equipped with drainage holes
2. Provide Indirect Light
To provide indirect lighting, place plants near windows where there is indirect sunlight. This provides them with enough indirect illumination.
Be sure to rotate regularly in order to achieve even growth.
Maintain Humidity Indoors Most low light plants thrive with normal indoor humidity conditions.
Tropical varieties such as peace lily thrive with periodic misting.
4. Brush Leaves Cleanly
Dust can block light absorption by the leaves.
Regularly wipe away leaves gently.
5. Fertilize Sparingly Apply fertilizers when necessary during the growing seasons (spring and summer).
Use balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted down to half strength for best results.
Benefits of Indoor Low Light Plants
Enhance indoor aesthetics
Require minimal care or upkeep Suitable for apartments and offices.
Clean the air naturally for beginners indoor gardeners
Final Thoughts on Best Indoor Low Light Plants
Selecting indoor low light plants allows you to bring greenery into any part of your home regardless of available sunlight. Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos and peace lily plants not only survive but flourish even in shaded spaces.
These indoor plants will remain beautiful additions for years when provided with proper watering, periodic cleanings and lighting consideration.
