We all have dark, shady spots in our homes, lacking direct sunlight or natural light sources to brighten them. These are classic low-light locations.
You might think these spaces are no-go areas for plants, but that's actually not entirely true. A good number of plants will survive and still do reasonably well in them.
Given the choice, few houseplants, if any, would opt for low-light spots. Yet, a select few will never complain. They'll quietly perform their best, continuing to look beautiful and light up that dull spot like a beacon.
Many houseplants are suitable for low light spots in your home, including these 12
There are some important things to take into account when growing plants in low light. You can review them now, or continue reading after you've explored my list below.
In the meantime, here are 12 easy plants I personally grow in low-light conditions and have done so for several years without problems or major issues.
Hi, I'm Tom!
If you're like me and enjoy the challenge of growing houseplants and getting them to thrive, then Ourhouseplants can help. This website shares my knowledge and years of growing plants and provides (hopefully) helpful advice on properly caring for your indoor plant friends.
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Chinese Evergreens or Aglaonema are the traditional low light houseplant. Those with decorative stripes resemble tropical plants and retain their color well, even in deep shade. Unlike many plants that merely tolerate low light, some Aglaonema varieties will not just survive but actually thrive, producing at least a few new leaves each year.
Many Aglaonema varieties will thrive and bring a bit of joy to a dreary corner.
Ideally, these plants would opt for Medium Light levels to perform at their best, but can go as low as just one step away from almost total darkness. No matter the light level, they remain low maintenance and are a popular houseplant for most homes.
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Possibly the most famous hardy houseplant of all time. The Aspidistra with its large green leaves, will cope with anything: wild temperature changes, dusty leaves, cold drafts, and even fumes from coal fires (those Victorians truly expected a lot from these plants!).
Despite challenging conditions, they'll endure and somehow still look perfectly elegant and composed. Its only vulnerabilities are direct sunlight and frequent repotting, both of which can lead to its rapid decline.
Capable of dealing with poor light, the Cast Iron Plant also handles poor air quality and variable temperatures
Despite all this plant cruelty, they handle it all and somehow still look perfectly elegant and pulled together. Its only weakness is sunlight and frequent repotting, both of which can finish it off quite quickly.
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Asplenium nidus or the Bird Nest Fern, if using it's common name, is really understated and frequently overlooked for their more vibrant cousins.
With their wavy, permanently glossy leaves (which don't shed everywhere, yes Boston Fern, we're looking at you) they add some serious grace and style to all corners of your home.
Adapting to a variety of light conditions, they find low light no exception, coping with it admirably and without fuss.
As well as low light they also don't mind being grown in small pots.
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It might shed it's leaves regularly but the Boston Fern (Nephrolepis) doesn't do this because of being put in a dimly lit location. Like all the plants listed here, it's perfectly content growing in such spots. The leaf loss is actually caused by an inconsistent watering routine! Tip: They prefer consistently moist soil!
Grow the Boston Fern if you appreciate its graceful, drooping fronds and tranquil, calming effect. It offers aesthetic appeal and remarkable resilience. It remains one of my favorites.
Boston Fern in a blue bucket by bfishadow
Although adaptable to low light, it should ideally be grown in a medium-low light (or brighter), rather than low-low light.
The leaf loss, hinted at above, can be quite common and if the light levels are low then new growth to replace what's been lost will be slow or non-existent. You need a brighter spot in order for new leaves to grow. Trust me when I say there is nothing more sorry looking than a bald Boston Fern!
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Got cool locations? Check. A dim spot? Check. A nice pot? Check. English Ivy could be your perfect match. It can tolerate numerous conditions and still happily slither and clamber over almost anything. In many ways, it's the ideal indoor climber.
It might not be the best plant for you if you like your home on the very warm side or you live in a modern building. They prefer cool rather than warm locations and warmth will just encourage their arch-enemy the Spider Mite to set up home and completely strip your plant.
It's also easy for them to be overwatered so take care with how much you give and ensure your Ivy is growing in well drained soil.
The English Ivy prefers semi-bright locations, but will put up with dim light - photo by Cristina Sanvito
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Most Palms need quite a bit of light to do well in our homes. The Parlour (or Parlor) Palm bucks this trend and can put up with some fairly dim places. This is a strong room enhancing plant and should be a serious contender if you want a palm but can't provide the usual bright light they normally need.
The Parlour Palm - beautiful, attractive and delicate looking. Don't be fooled though this houseplant will put up with a lot
My Palm grows on a shelf near the ceiling in a North Facing Room. It's one of the darkest places in the entire house but it never makes any kind of fuss and will even produce a few new fronds each year with the green foliage giving a textured look.
Just remember that it's a slow grower even in light shade. But it'll grow faster and you'll allow the aesthetic shape, colour, and form of these plants to properly shine if you move it to a place with better light levels.
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Of all the houseplants in this article, the Peace Lily is undeniably the most renowned "low light" indoor plant. Its reputation is well-deserved; they can genuinely tolerate almost total darkness and should be your primary choice if you seek a low-maintenance plant capable of thriving in near-darkness.
Peace Lily - Potentially the most famous houseplant in the world to grow in low light conditions. Photo By Judy A.
The Peace Lily in the photo above basks in bright indirect light, but two of mine are cultivated in the most extremely low-light locations I have. One resides in a small, windowless bathroom, lit solely by a bedroom window. The other grows atop a cupboard on a windowless landing. Although both plants have performed adequately in these spots, they have not produced any new leaves (or at least none I can recall).
Both perfectly fulfill the definition of a surviving rather than thriving plant. Indeed, I acknowledge my botanical transgressions; my rationale is simply the desire for greenery in these areas, and they are literally the only plants that will tolerate such dim conditions.
Both are perfectly fulfilling the definition of a surviving rather than thriving plant. Yes, you don't need to tell me, I'm happy to admit my botanical transgressions; my rationale is simply the desire for greenery in these areas, and they're literally the only plants that will tolerate these dim conditions.
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The popular Pothos is again very similar to the Aglaonema in that low light places will mean any variegated types will retain their attractive markings fairly well and not fade or change colour to a great extent.
They also accept cooler temperatures so will make great trailing houseplants for less hospitable areas in your home but where you still want a bit of nature to brighten things up, such as hallways.
Poor lighting isn't a problem for Pothos
Until you're used to your Pothos quirks and needs, be extra careful with the watering. Too much or too little over a long period can cause yellowing of the leaves which will eventually fall off, making the trailing vines look bare which isn't an attractive look for these plants.
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Our Grans loved Sansevieria plants and everyone seemed to have one. They subsequently experienced a rapid decline in popularity, falling out of fashion quicker than flared trousers or Ugg boots.
However, they have now made a triumphant return, re-emerging as one of the most trendy indoor plants. #SansevieriaSunday anyone? (Tag us if you do - @our_houseplants)
Whether you have (or want) just one or maybe six, they make superb adaptable houseplants, whether you have sunny windowsill or a dark corner they'll take what they can get and still be totally happy about it.
All you have to watch out for is the watering. The golden rule around this, states: less is more. Too much water combined with low light is not a good mix. Trust me. Don't do it unless you want a soggy rotten mess on your conscience.
Snake Plants with their fleshy leaves, look striking anywhere in the home, including those darker corners
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The happy go lucky Spider Plant is a real cutie of a houseplant. Perfect for beginners and all the varieties on offer today mean they're still attractive enough to appeal to old hands. They'll deal with a lot, including poor illumination, nor do they grow to a very large size, making them perfect spot plants.
Spider Plants are perfect for the beginner, almost nothing phases them.
When the parent is being grown in poor lighting, Spider-Babies are much less numerous and less commonly seen. So if you want some Spider-Babies, give the parent plant a long holiday vacation for a few months somewhere they can bathe in bright (but not direct) sunlight.
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In good indirect light, Syngonium, otherwise known as an Arrowhead Plant can grow and trail with remarkable speed and ease. Unless you're training the vines it will get out of control before long and look pretty messy.
These plants arguably look their best when they're compact and everything is tight, with the little twists and waves of the leaf edges they have an amazing "pop" about them.
A benefit of growing it in low light conditions will be the slow and stunted growth which almost freezes the plant in time. Mine (photo of it below which was moved temporarily somewhere brighter for the photo!) has been grown constantly in low light for about a year or so now and it's hardly changed since the day it was brought home.
The Goose Foot Plant in all it's glory, even a gloomy spot won't spoil it
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The ZZ Plant or Zamioculcas zamiifolia has become one of interior designers go-to plants. They have a modern look about them, are robust and easy-going with a high tolerance of different light intensities, including low light.
Growth is normally sporadic at the best of times, with everything being quiet for months before a huge new shoot (or two) will rapidly burst into life over a matter of weeks. In low light conditions, growth is much less or even non-existent. Conditions like these aren't good for plants you want to grow and fill out a little bit, but otherwise, you can tuck it away in a dimly lit corner and it'll do you proud.
The ZZ Plant and it's glossy green leaves - don't worry, low light won't dull this beauty
Here are some pointers to think about when trying to balance your plants' care needs against these sometimes challenging environmental growing conditions.
You may be wondering what classifies as a "low light", or even how it's different to "bright light" or "medium light". In general these are broad terms. Sometimes people will measure light levels, but for the average plant owner, this isn't realistic.
A more comprehensive explanation on the topic can be found in our Light Guide. For a brief overview instead, check out the drawing below.
Drawing by LÉON & GEORGE showing examples of the different light levels you can find in a home
(Click the picture for a bigger version)
So how were our suggestions?
Do you have many of them in your own homes already? Or maybe you could recommend a low light plant (we're happy to add more to our list!) Let us know in the comments below.
Over the last 20 years, Tom has successfully owned hundreds of houseplants and is always happy to share knowledge and lend his horticulture skills to those in need. He is the leading content writer for the Ourhouseplants Team.
