The best low-light plants
Ideally, we’d all live in houses flooded with sunlight, but, especially for city-dwellers, that may not always be possible. That doesn’t preclude you from having a thriving plant collection though, as there are many indoor plants that are content to live in low-light conditions. Low-light doesn’t mean no light — after all, light is still necessary for plant synthesis — but rather refers to indirect light, such as a location by a north-facing window that doesn’t get direct sun either in the morning or evening.
If you have a desk or corner of your house that isn’t super bright but could use some greenery, here are 12 low-light plant options to try.
For some vertical appeal, opt for a Snake plant, which has stiff, upright, sharp-looking leaves. It’s an easygoing plant since it doesn’t need a lot of water and is adaptable to a variety of conditions, including indirect sunlight and low light. It’s also been shown to help remove toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
Pothos is also called Devil’s Ivy due to its near-impossible-to-kill nature, even for those with brown thumbs, and it does well in indirect and low-light conditions. The plant has bright green leaves and it grows vines, so you can put it on a shelf or in a hanging planter for extra decor.
Lucky bamboo, like its name implies, is said to bring good fortune to its owner, making it a great addition to your home, workspace, and life. Bamboo can deal with indirect and low light, and even some shade (direct sunlight can burn the leaves).
Prayer plants get their name because in the day, their striking leaves lay flat, while at night, they fold up. They can have neon or red accents, and prefer humidity and temperatures between 65-85 degrees. Direct sunlight can actually scorch their leaves, so they thrive with bright, indirect light. Prayer plants are also pet-friendly as they’re non-toxic.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance housemate, try a ZZ plant. Its shiny green leaves will brighten up any room despite the fact it doesn’t need a lot of water, light, or humidity. In fact, it does better without direct sun, making it a great option for low-light spaces.
Add a bit of the tropics to your home year-round with a Parlor Palm, which likes bright, indirect light and tolerates low light as well. It only needs watering every 1-2 weeks and can grow to over six feet tall (but it’s a slow grower, so you don’t have to worry about the leafy fronds outgrowing their pot for years), and is non-toxic for pets.
Monsteras are often the darlings of many Instagram feeds, with their giant heart-shaped leaves with natural holes, which also give them the moniker, the Swiss Cheese plant. Because it is a tropical plant, they like humid conditions but can deal with normal humidity, and will grow more dramatically in bright to medium indirect light but can also tolerate low light.
A cast iron plant can handle a little neglect, accidental or not, and will grow in low-light conditions, including in the shade. Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent their dark glossy leaves from burning, and this hardy plant can get up to three feet tall.
You’d think that with their tall, bright white flowers and tropical nature, Peace Lily plants would take a lot of work, but they’re relatively care-free as far as indoor plants go. They’re tolerant of low light and need consistently moist soil and warm conditions (65-80 degrees).
Philodendrons make attractive, beginner-friendly houseplants that will happily live in your house without much fuss while also helping to purify your air. They have heart-shaped leaves and can grow quickly, with vines extending up to 10 feet. Philodendrons grow best with indirect sunlight but are totally fine with low-light conditions.
This is the only type of spider you want in your home, and it’s also pet-friendly and non-toxic. Spider plants have long leaves that are messy chic and can produce small white flowers. They’re also very adaptable and can tolerate low-light conditions, but will grow better in bright, indirect light.
Money trees are associated with fortune and good feng shui, and who doesn’t need more of both? They have star-shaped leaves and often have braided trunks (made from a few plants when they’re young) that will rival your best hairdo. Money trees thrive in medium to bright indirect light and can adapt to low and fluorescent lights.