What are Some Good House Plants for Low Light?

Did you know that some house plants can thrive in low-light environments? Learning this might surprise you since you assume that every plant needs direct sunlight to grow and survive. If you are thinking of picking up a house plant to put in your apartment that doesn’t receive a lot of natural light, you should consider this list below!

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Low Light Houseplant #1: Chinese Evergreen

As the name “evergreen” suggests, the Chinese Evergreen is a common houseplant that can survive in low to medium light conditions. Given its broad, substantial leaves and the amount of visual space it can fill, many people turn to Chinese evergreen plants for simple decor. One caveat, however, is that Chinese evergreens tend to need plenty of warmth and high humidity.

Low Light Houseplant #2: Pothos or Devil’s Ivy

Generally speaking, you’ll want to keep Pothos around high light conditions, at least relative to the indoors. While you don’t need to give it direct sunlight, it will thrive in areas of plenty of light, such as near windows pointing toward the sun’s direction, without needing constant direct sunlight like some other plants may require.

If you want a low-maintenance plant with green leaves, you might consider giving Pothos a try. Because it likes its soil to dry between waterings, it’s a good plant for frequent travelers or erratic waterers who don’t always need to be on a consistent schedule when it comes to houseplant care.

Low Light Houseplant #3: Philodendron

Philodendron’s green leaves and its size make it perfect for hanging baskets. It can use medium light well, which means that you can place it in a bright area with indirect sunlight and still expect it to thrive. For example, if you live in the southern hemisphere, a north-facing window will do, and vice-versa. However, many people have luck just keeping the Philodendron in the middle of a room that gets plenty of natural light.

Low Light Houseplant #4: (Some) Succulents

No, we haven’t gone crazy. We’re cheating a bit with this one. True, succulents need plenty of sunlight, which is fitting considering where you can find them in the wild. But if you have a window with plenty of sun exposure, you’ll find that a succulent can thrive in an otherwise “low light” setting like an apartment or an apartment balcony.

Look for naturally green succulents like Haworthia and Gasteria. These are more “low light” succulents compared to some of their sun-drinking cousins, which will give you some flexibility if you must have succulents. We include them on this list as a reminder that not all succulents are the same.

Low Light Houseplant #5: Calathea (Prayer Plant)

Like any other houseplant, Calathea does need a bit of light to grow. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will thrive the more light you give it. The appropriate amount of light for Calathea is strong but indirect light. Think of a dark corner rather than the kind of sunlight you might provide a plant from the Amazon.

Low Light Houseplant #6: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Maybe better known by their common name, ZZ plants, this plant, initially from Africa, tolerates all sorts of adverse conditions, low light among them. You’ll especially like the waxy look of the leaves, which can have people wondering if you’ve grown a plant naturally—after all, it can be strange seeing a plant looking that good indoors.

People also like ZZ because it can help purify the air, which will help you if you’re looking for a natural way to remedy the stale air in your rooms. Of all the best low light indoor plants, you wouldn’t expect one from a more tropical climate to thrive, but the ZZ plants can be robust even in lower light environments.

More Low Light Houseplants

Want more low-light houseplants? Let’s take a brief look through some of the most popular kinds:

Chlorophytum Comosum (Spider Plants): The long leaves tend to be better for shaded parts of your outdoors, but since we’re talking about the indoors, these can also fill up a lot of visual space if you have big rooms.
English Ivy: Given the name, you might not be surprised to learn that these can throw in low to medium light conditions.
Bird’s Nest Fern: An easy plant to pot indoors and put wherever you like, including countertops and tables. The bright green leaves help distract from low light conditions.
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue: Maybe the go-to “new plant” for housewarming gifts, mother-in-law’s tongue is a cheeky name for one of the most visually exciting plants for interior decorating.
Rex Begonia: Provides plenty of colors, which can be unusual for indoor plants, which usually have a range of dark green leaves.
Ponytail Palm: Provides a nice, wispy look that can be unique and cover more visual space than the plant requires.

Conclusion

In summary, low-light environments don’t have to be a kiss of death for your green thumb adventures. There are plenty of plants that can do just fine with low light. Use this list of house plants above as a starting point to figure what could work best at your place!

What are Good House Plants for Low Light?