Don’t worry if your home or office lacks bright sunlight – many low-maintenance houseplants thrive in low-light conditions. While it’s not possible to find plants that require zero sunlight, there are plenty of options that can tolerate dappled or diffused light. In nature, some plants grow in the shade of larger ones, and similarly, indoor plants can adapt to their environment.

Keep in mind that houseplants are a science experiment in progress – many factors influence their growth, such as watering schedules, temperatures, and humidity levels. Low-light houseplants often prioritize leaf size over flower production, allowing them to absorb more light (their primary source of nutrition). If you consider yourself a serial houseplant killer, don’t despair! With the right care and attention, your plants can flourish.

I’m excited to share 10+ easy-to-care-for houseplants that can thrive in low-light conditions, giving you the opportunity to redeem yourself as a green thumb.

10 Low-Light Plants

When it comes to low-maintenance and stylish options for indoor plants, there are many great choices.

Some popular picks include Lucky Bamboo, a versatile plant that can thrive in a variety of conditions, Spider Plant, which is known for its delicate white flowers and ability to grow long stems, ZZ Plant, a tough and adaptable species that can handle neglect, Golden Pothos, a fast-growing vine with beautiful yellow foliage, Kangaroo Fern, a unique and eye-catching option with feathery fronds, Red Prayer Plant, a striking choice with vibrant red leaves, Areca Palm, a slender and elegant palm tree, Peace Lily, a fragrant and elegant flower that also helps purify the air, Peperomia, a compact and easy-to-care-for succulent, and Snake Plant, a hardy and stylish option that can grow quite tall.

Who are low-light houseplants good for?

For individuals with busy lifestyles, limited natural light, or frequent travel, low-maintenance plants are a lifesaver. They thrive in conditions where most other plants would struggle, making them an ideal choice for apartment dwellers, shift workers, and anyone seeking stress-free plant parenting. In this era of constant connectivity, it’s more important than ever to have a sense of calm and serenity at home – and what better way to achieve that than with a beautiful, low-light houseplant?

The following 10 varieties are sure to bring joy and tranquility to any room.

The Benefits of Low-Light Plants

Low-light houseplants offer a perfect combination of style and practicality. With their low-maintenance requirements, they’re an ideal choice for busy apartment dwellers who may not always be around to tend to their plants. Additionally, these plants thrive in environments with diffuse or limited lighting, making them suitable for homes that receive less natural light.

Not only do low-light houseplants add a touch of greenery to any room, but they also provide numerous benefits, including air purification, pollutant removal, and even mental health boosts through increased focus.

Common Mistakes When Caring for a Low-Light Plant

When it comes to low-maintenance houseplants, it’s easy to assume they require minimal effort. However, even these plants still need proper care to thrive. To keep your low-light houseplants healthy, it’s essential to strike a balance between water and fertilization. One key aspect is ensuring the soil isn’t too dry or too wet – overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause stress.

In terms of fertilization, low-light plants typically benefit from regular feeding during their growing seasons. However, it’s crucial not to overdo it, as excessive fertilizer can damage the roots and ultimately kill the plant. By finding a middle ground and avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the beauty and benefits of your low-light houseplants.

How do you keep indoor plants alive without sunlight?

If you’re dealing with limited natural light or a small number of windows in your home, there are still plenty of houseplants that can thrive. These plants are capable of surviving – and even excelling – under the right conditions. For instance, some species can tolerate low-light environments, while others might do just as well with ambient illumination. If you’re not looking to invest in a specialized plant light, consider repurposing an existing lamp by installing a GE Plant Light Bulb.

Just be mindful of your plant’s positioning, keeping the light source within 6-9 inches to prevent it from stretching and becoming leggy. This phenomenon occurs when a plant’s stem grows excessively long without supporting leaves, resulting in an unsightly appearance.

10 Houseplants That Need (Almost) Zero Sunlight (Easy Low-Light Houseplants)

For those who aren’t naturally inclined towards gardening, selecting plants that won’t meet their demise can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are houseplants that require minimal care and can thrive in low-light environments or with the aid of a plant light. If you’re new to the world of indoor plants, understanding your home’s natural lighting conditions is crucial for choosing the right plants. My article on different types of natural lights for plants may be helpful in this regard.

When it comes to low-light rooms, the plants that will fare best are likely to grow slowly and focus on developing large green leaves that can absorb as much light (their primary source of nutrition) as possible, rather than producing flowers.

These 10 houseplants are beautiful, easy to care for, and will do well in low-light conditions and homes.

1) Lucky Bamboo

While Lucky Bamboo may resemble a bamboo plant in appearance, it’s actually a type of Dracaena. This unique plant thrives in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for homes with limited natural light. However, it still requires some indirect sunlight to photosynthesize and grow well. A grow light can be used to supplement its lighting needs during the winter months when natural light is scarce.

When cultivating your Lucky Bamboo in soil, maintain a consistently moist environment by keeping the soil slightly damp. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. On the other hand, you can also grow it in water, which requires minimal maintenance. When using this method, ensure the roots remain submerged and refresh the water every seven to ten days for optimal health. It’s essential to note that Lucky Bamboo is toxic to pets, so keep them away from snacking on your plant.

With proper care, your Lucky Bamboo can bring a touch of serenity to any space.

2) Spider Plant

The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is an impressive specimen that excels in low-light conditions. The solid-green variety can flourish in such environments, whereas its variegated counterparts require medium to bright lighting. This adaptable houseplant also thrives under fluorescent lighting. Notably, it’s a reliable indoor air purifier, grows rapidly, and showcases its beauty in hanging planters – think Etsy’s unique designs!

A major plus is that these plants are incredibly resilient and can survive with minimal maintenance. You won’t need to worry about overwatering or forgetting to feed them, as they’re naturally self-sufficient. Moreover, their low-maintenance nature makes them an excellent gift option, allowing you to share the joy with others. As a testament to its hardiness, it’s unlikely to succumb to neglect. The Spider Plant is indeed a remarkable addition to any indoor space.

3) ZZ Plant

The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) stands out as a top choice for those seeking low-maintenance greenery that’s virtually indestructible. This versatile houseplant thrives in a range of light conditions, from dimly lit corners to brighter spaces. While it’s true that the ZZ Plant prefers low light, its adaptability allows it to flourish in indirect sunlight, making it an excellent option for rooms with north- or east-facing windows.

In fact, my own photography studio is home to a snake plant that receives indirect but bright morning light, while another, larger specimen enjoys very little direct sunlight in my family room. Additionally, the ZZ Plant can survive and even thrive under artificial lighting conditions, which explains its frequent appearance in indoor public spaces like malls, banks, and department stores.

4) Golden Pothos

Golden pothos is renowned for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions, making it an ideal choice for homes with limited natural light. Its adaptability allows it to flourish without requiring frequent watering or fertilization, and its tolerance of a wide range of temperatures means it’s perfect for those who want a beautiful yet low-maintenance plant.

In my own home, I’ve placed my golden pothos plants in planters on an east-facing wall that receives filtered light from our south-facing bay window, using a plant light to supplement the limited sunlight during the winter and fall months. While it’s possible to grow devil’s ivy (another name for golden pothos) in direct sunlight, it prefers a bright spot without extreme heat or draughts.

Keep in mind that paler-leafed plants require more light than those with darker leaves; aim for moderate soil moisture and avoid waterlogged conditions if possible.

5) Kangaroo Fern

With its frilly leaves providing a delicate texture to any houseplant collection, the Kangaroo Fern (Microsorum diversifolium) is an attractive addition to any indoor space. Hailing from Australia, this species is characterized by its unique leaf forms, with some leaves appearing full and others displaying deep indentations. For those interested in learning more, Gardening Know How offers a wealth of information on the Kangaroo Fern.

As a low-maintenance plant that thrives in high humidity, it’s particularly well-suited to bathrooms or other areas where moisture levels are naturally elevated.

6) Red Prayer Plant

The Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) stands out due to its remarkable behavior at night, where its leaves fold inwards, much like hands clasped in prayer. This intriguing characteristic is further enhanced by the beautiful pink hue that appears on the underside of its leaves. As a result, the Red Prayer Plant can add a pop of color and interest when displayed in hanging baskets.

Notably, this plant is relatively tolerant of low-light environments, although it may require more light for optimal leaf unfolding. Native to Brazil’s rainforests, our own Red Prayer Plants thrive in conditions that allow them to receive filtered sunlight, such as the spot we have ours in our entryway several feet away from a south-facing window on the lower shelf of our table.

7) Areca Palm

Indoor spaces can greatly benefit from the unique properties of Areca Palms (Dypsis lutescens). Not only do these palms excel at purifying the air, but they also serve as natural humidifiers. As a result, they can significantly improve the indoor climate. Beyond their practical benefits, Areca Palms can instantly add a touch of tropical flair to any room. They are surprisingly easy to care for and can thrive in indoor conditions.

When mature, these palms produce small, delicate yellow flowers that bring an extra layer of beauty to your space.

8) Peace Lily

While not truly a lily, the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) boasts stunning white blooms that adorn its tall stem year-round, originating from tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. To thrive, this elegant plant requires at least some natural light, which encourages its stems to grow up to 40 inches tall. As it reaches new heights, its flowers will emerge more frequently, making it an ideal choice for a floor planter.

One of its most impressive features is its ability to subtly signal when it needs attention – its leaves will begin to droop if the soil lacks sufficient moisture. Moreover, the Peace Lily is surprisingly resilient and can recover from occasional forgetfulness. With proper care, this beautiful plant will become a treasured addition to any home.

In fact, I firmly believe that every household should have at least one Peace Lily, making it an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts alike.

9) Peperomia

When it comes to light, Peperomias are surprisingly adaptable. They can thrive under a range of conditions, from bright indirect light to low-light environments. This is because their natural habitats often involve growing beneath the canopy of dense forests. As members of the Piperaceae family, which includes peppercorns, Peperomias have evolved to excel in these shaded settings. Not only are they easy to care for, but they also possess a unique talent – they’re natural air purifiers!

In fact, their love of humidity makes them ideal additions to bathrooms, where they can help keep the air clean and fresh.

10) Snake Plant

The versatile Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, boasts a reputation for being extremely hard to kill. Its ability to thrive in minimal watering conditions makes it an ideal choice for busy homeowners or those new to plant care. In fact, I often recommend this low-maintenance house plant to my photography studio clients and even have two thriving specimens at home.

The Snake Plant’s striking green leaves with variegated patterns are a sight to behold, while its sharp point has earned it the nickname ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’.

FAQS for Low-Light Houseplants

If you’re looking to expand your indoor gardening repertoire beyond the Swiss Cheese Plant, Jade Plants, and Philodendron Hope, there are many other easy-to-care-for plants that can thrive in medium to high indirect light. For instance, Aloe Vera Plants and Jade Plants are great options for spaces with limited sunlight.

When it comes to small desk plants that don’t require a lot of sunlight, consider Lucky Bamboo, Spider Plant, ZZ Plant, Golden Pothos, Kangaroo Fern, Red Prayer Plant, Areca Palm, Peace Lilly, Peperomia, or Snake Plant. These low-maintenance options are perfect for busy people or those new to houseplant parenthood. If you’re looking to get your hands on some of these plants, I’ve got a list of my favorite low-light plants that you can check out.