All houseplants need air, light and water to survive, but this is not always possible if the plant is in the shade of trees or away from a window.
Lack of sunlight is one of the most common problems for houseplants. “Do you have indoor plants for low light?” is the first question we get from our clients, the second is “Do you have air purifying plants?” – more on that later.
The good news is that there are many indoor plants that can thrive in low light. But that doesn’t mean they prefer it or thrive in those conditions.
“A low-light plant is not a plant that grows best in low light,” explains Jacky Zeng, owner of Zhangzhou Changsheng Horticulture Co., Ltd, “It’s just a plant adapted enough to tolerate low light.”
What are the best low-maintenance houseplants? Why are my houseplants losing their leaves? Can plants really purify the air? Which plants are safe for children and pets? Morning, afternoon or evening? When to water indoor plants?
With that in mind, we selected 10 houseplants that can survive low-light conditions:
The popular Sansevieria orchid, like the snake orchid and mother-in-law’s tongue orchid, is an erect plant with sword-shaped leaves with marbled yellow edges. It is easy to grow, requires little water and grows well as a tropical plant in a warm room.
Cassie Fu of Sunny Flower Plants Nursery in China says, “While most sansevierias do well in bright or even direct sunlight, they can also tolerate moderate to low light conditions.”
What’s the key to helping plants thrive in low light? Reduce the frequency and amount of water you give them. “When plants are in low light conditions, they use fewer resources, so they don’t use as much water as plants that get a lot of light,” Cassie said. “In cooler, darker areas, water evaporates much more slowly, so reducing the amount of water is absolutely key.”
This sculptural plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and is especially impressive when paired with shorter plants. If you want to add some drama to your home, you can light them up.
Cassie recommends some interesting new varieties: Cylindrica, Moonshine, Starpower, Mason’s Congo and Kirkii.
If you’re intimidated by houseplants, Zamioculcas zamiifolia (commonly known as the ZZ plant) is a tall, sculptural tropical plant that can survive almost anywhere.
This succulent is native to drought-prone East Africa. It has shiny green leaves and can grow to a height and width of about 2 feet. It can survive out of water for up to four months, so if you are a new plant parent and like to be watered, this is not the plant for you.
ZZ is a slow growing plant that does well in moderate to low indirect light and can tolerate bright indirect light. It can be propagated by separating potato-like rhizomes, the roots of which retain moisture, or by cuttings.
A sexy new black variety called Raven ZZ or Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Dowon’ looks set to be the next hot houseplant. (It was named Best New Foliage Plant at the 2018 Tropical Plant Show.)
If your tastes lean more towards bohemian modern than traditional, curved palm leaves in the living room or fortune palm will add a relaxing tropical vibe to your interior.
Miniature palms grow slowly, growing to about 3 feet in height and up to 6 feet when replanted several times.
Like most tropical plants, C. elegans does well in warm, humid areas, so misting it with water or placing it on a tray filled with damp pebbles can help.
Chinese evergreen is often recommended for beginners because it is vigorous, easy to grow, drought tolerant, and can tolerate almost any indoor lighting condition.
There are many different species of the genus Aglaonema, known for their long, patterned leaves with grey, cream and pink spots. Chinese evergreens have waxy green oval leaves with silvery spots.
The Chinese evergreen is ideal for countertops and bathrooms. Variegation is common in Aglaonema. Kramm recommends the varieties “Maria”, “Silver Bay” and “Emerald Beauty”.
The lesser-known satiny pothos (not to be confused with philodendron) has distinctive blue-green heart-shaped leaves and silvery variegation that pairs well with modern interiors.
Because it loves a humid environment, this “overflow” is a great choice for bathrooms with long vines cascading down from a hanging basket. If the leaves turn brown, it may mean the air is too dry. Place it near other plants or on a saucer filled with damp pebbles to add moisture. You can train it to grow upright using stakes and string, or hang it on a mantel or bookshelf.
Tropical calathea medallion is named for its distinctive oval, medal-shaped leaves that are variegated pink and white above and dark purple below.
Calatheas, often called prayer plants, are the common name for calatheas, arrowroots and other plants in the arrowroot family because their leaves open during the day and close at night, a phenomenon known as “night plants.”
Despite its beauty, calathea can be a star and require constant watering, pruning and feeding. High air humidity is also important; the leaves should be sprayed daily. Since this plant prefers lime-free water, which we told you was amazing, take it outside when it rains.
Known for its heart-shaped green leaves and climbing vines, the Philodendron is one of the most common houseplants and one of the easiest to grow. The plant can survive in a variety of light conditions and can be grown as a climbing or trailing specimen. Pinch it and it becomes thicker.
Large indoor plants can transform and warm up a space. Dracaena Lisa Reed has palm-shaped green leaves with curved leaves and can grow 7 to 8 feet tall with little sunlight. It works well in a hallway or hallway away from windows. Regular dusting or spraying is recommended; this is called a dust collector.
Spotted blunt vine, commonly known as spotted blunt vine, is a popular species characterized by narrow green leaves and jagged white markings.
Native to Central and South America, they are most comfortable in warm, humid environments. If your interior is dry, place it on a tray of damp pebbles to maintain humidity, or place it with similar moisture-loving plants to create a moisture-proof pocket.
The plant’s name “blunt cane” comes from the milky sap of Dieffenbachia, which is poisonous and can cause oral irritation. Always wash your hands after removing leaves or cuttings.
This creeping plant, endemic to tropical forests, has green leaves with delicate white, silver and red veins.
Phytonias can be finicky: they don’t like direct sunlight, which can damage their leaves, and need careful watering or the leaves will dry out, become brittle at the edges, or turn brown. Keep the soil almost moist at all times and regularly mist it with water or place it on a tray of damp pebbles.
Because the low-growing Phytonia prefers warm, humid conditions, it is an excellent choice for bottle gardens, terrariums and bathrooms. For a more compact look, pinch out growing points to encourage branching.