Living in a basement apartment or working in a windowless office can make finding houseplants for low light seem like an impossible task. Many plants might survive in dark corners, but there’s a significant difference between basic survival and watching them thrive in low-light conditions.
Most indoor houseplants for low light come from tropical varieties that naturally grow on rainforest floors, which makes them well-suited to filtered light. We’ve found 15 best houseplants that excel in low-light conditions. The travel-friendly ZZ plant tolerates dark corners beautifully, and the graceful peace lily showcases pure white flowers even in dim spaces. These easy-care plants can thrive under fluorescent lights, which makes them ideal choices for new plant parents and experienced gardeners who face challenging spaces.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake Plants stand out as remarkable air-purifiers among our favorite low-light houseplants. NASA’s research shows they can remove several toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from indoor spaces.
Image Source: Lively Root
Snake Plant Light Requirements
Snake Plants adapt well to lighting conditions of all types. These tough plants need at least 5 hours of sunlight each day. They can photosynthesize even in dim light and turn CO2 into oxygen at night, which makes them ideal for bedrooms.
Snake Plant Care Tips
Snake Plants are incredibly forgiving based on our experience. These beautiful plants store water in their leaves and need little watering. They actually like to be crowded in their pots, and you’ll only need to repot them once every three to five years.
Snake Plant Varieties for Dark Corners
These striking varieties work well in dark spaces:
- Whale Fin (Dracaena masoniana): Shows off dramatic single leaves
- African Spear (Dracaena angolensis): Has tubular leaves
- Bantel’s Sensation: Features white vertical stripes
Snake Plants adapt easily to challenging spaces. They help reduce dry air and can lower the number of airborne viruses, which makes them perfect for any room in your home.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant from Eastern Africa is one of the most resilient indoor plants you can grow in low light conditions.
ZZ Plant Growing Conditions
These plants flourish in medium to bright indirect light but handle lower light conditions exceptionally well. Most indoor spaces work perfectly for ZZ Plants since they thrive in temperatures between 65°F-85°F. Unlike other tropical plants that just need specific moisture levels, ZZ Plants adapt well to regular home humidity.
ZZ Plant Maintenance Guide
ZZ Plants store water in their thick, bulbous stalks and rhizomes, which makes them incredibly forgiving. You’ll only need to water them every 2-3 weeks, though this depends on the amount of light they receive. A well-draining potting mix with perlite or lava rocks works best for healthy growth.
ZZ Plant Problem Solving
Here are the most common problems and their solutions:
- Wilting plant with dry soil: Your plant isn’t getting enough water
- Yellowing leaves becoming mushy: Root rot or overwatering is the cause
- Wrinkled leaves: The plant signals it’s thirsty
ZZ Plants remain one of the best choices for low light rooms. Their glossy, emerald-green leaves stay beautiful even under fluorescent lighting, despite their slow growth. This makes them perfect for offices and darker spots in your home.
Pothos
Image Source: Reddit
Pothos stands out as one of the most versatile houseplants that thrive in low light conditions. Our years with indoor plants show that Pothos adapts to different lighting situations and makes an excellent choice for challenging spaces.
Pothos Light Needs
Pothos grows best in bright, indirect light. You should place it near an east or west-facing window. The plant needs protection from direct sunlight, so keep it 8-10 feet away from windows to prevent leaf burn.
Pothos Watering Schedule
Pothos needs water every 1-2 weeks. Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil becomes dry. Winter months require less frequent watering, about every 9-14 days.
Best Pothos Varieties for Low Light
These Pothos varieties work best in low light:
- Jade Pothos: Displays vibrant solid green leaves, ideal for lower light conditions
- Neon Pothos: Features chartreuse foliage that brightens dark corners
- Golden Pothos: Shows adaptability in all types of light conditions
Your variegated Pothos might lose its patterns due to insufficient light. Low light conditions can make the leaves appear smaller, but the plant still grows steadily. Fluorescent lighting works well for optimal growth in offices or darker spaces.
Chinese Evergreen
Image Source: Nouveau Raw
Chinese Evergreen stands out in our indoor plant collection with its stunning array of colors that range from deep greens to silvery patterns. These tropical perennials adapt well to conditions that challenge other houseplants in low light rooms.
Chinese Evergreen Light Requirements
Darker green varieties can grow in near-shade conditions, making them perfect to use in challenging spaces. Variegated varieties with lighter-colored leaves need slightly brighter indirect light to keep their distinctive patterns.
Chinese Evergreen Care Instructions
A well-draining, slightly acidic potting soil helps these plants grow best. They thrive in temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. We let the top inch of soil dry before watering. The plant’s humidity needs are met perfectly in kitchens or bathrooms.
Chinese Evergreen Variety Selection
Our experience shows these varieties excel:
- Silver Bay: Features silver tinges in predominantly green leaves
- Emerald Bay: Pairs dark green with silvery gray-green, ideal for low light
- Red Zircon: Displays green leaves with pink blotchy sections
- Maria: Shows dark green leaves with silvery stripes, highly shade-tolerant
Chinese Evergreen ranks among our most reliable indoor houseplants for low light conditions. Its lush appearance stays intact even under artificial lighting. This makes it a perfect choice for offices or homes that have limited natural light.
Peace Lily
Image Source: Jaelan Mincey
Peace Lily stands out as one of the few flowering houseplants that thrive in low light conditions. This elegant plant can produce its signature white blooms even when placed in darker spaces.
Peace Lily Light Conditions
Peace Lilies grow best in bright indirect light but adapt well to lower light settings. You can place them near north or east-facing windows. These adaptable plants perform well under fluorescent lighting, which makes them perfect for offices with minimal natural light.
Peace Lily Growth Tips
The ideal temperature range for Peace Lilies is between 68-85°F. These plants need minimal care – a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at quarter strength every six to eight weeks during spring and summer works well. The soil should stay moist but never waterlogged to ensure healthy growth.
Peace Lily Troubleshooting
Our experience shows several common problems:
- Yellowing leaves: Often indicates overwatering or excessive light exposure
- Brown leaf edges: Results from overfertilization or extreme drying
- Drooping leaves: Signals underwatering
- Lack of flowers: Usually occurs in insufficient light or in plants less than a year old
Peace Lilies actually prefer tight spaces and grow better when slightly pot-bound. These resilient plants bounce back quickly from stress once proper care resumes, making them some of the most forgiving houseplants for low-light environments.
Philodendron
Image Source: The Spruce
Philodendrons rank among the best choices for indoor spaces because of their remarkable adaptability. These tropical beauties have established themselves as reliable houseplants that thrive in low light conditions through decades of indoor cultivation.
Philodendron Light Needs
Philodendrons flourish in bright indirect light and adapt well to lower light situations. The solid green varieties show better tolerance to dim conditions. The best growth happens near windows, though they need protection from direct sunlight.
Philodendron Care Guide
These easy-to-grow plants thrive at temperatures between 65-80°F in low light rooms. The soil moisture needs regular checking, and watering should happen only when the top inch feels dry. These plants appreciate regular misting or placement near a humidifier to maintain their best appearance in low light conditions.
Best Philodendron Types for Dark Spaces
Our research shows these varieties perform exceptionally well in low light:
- Heartleaf Philodendron: Displays glossy, heart-shaped leaves with a lush appearance
- Philodendron Brasil: Shows lime green variegation that adds brightness to dark corners
- Rojo Congo: Has dark foliage that suits low-light bathrooms perfectly
Monthly fertilization during spring and summer helps achieve optimal growth in darker spaces. These plants grow slower in dim conditions but maintain their attractive appearance with minimal care.
Cast Iron Plant
The Cast Iron Plant lives up to its name as a nearly indestructible indoor houseplant in low light conditions. This resilient plant runs on minimal care and performs best in temperatures between 60-75°F.
Cast Iron Plant Light Requirements
Our tests show these plants excel in shaded areas with minimal light. They adapt remarkably well to conditions from low light to filtered sunshine. Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can bleach and damage the leaves.
Cast Iron Plant Maintenance
The Cast Iron Plant’s growth depends on well-draining soil rich in organic matter. The soil needs to dry completely between waterings. These exceptional houseplants for low light conditions need minimal care and require fertilization only once annually during spring or summer.
Cast Iron Plant Varieties
Our low-light spaces have become home to several stunning varieties:
- Milky Way: Features cream-colored speckles on dark green leaves
- Asahi: Displays distinctive white-tipped foliage
- Okame: Shows elegant white striping patterns
Dark corners become perfect growing spaces when proper drainage exists and moderate humidity levels stay between 40-50%. The Cast Iron Plant’s ability to compete with tree roots makes it an ideal choice for challenging indoor spaces over the last several years of growing easy houseplants.
Spider Plant
Image Source: Lively Root
Spider Plants are amazing indoor houseplants that know how to multiply themselves naturally. These adaptable plants caught our attention because they produce cute baby plants, which lets us grow our collection without spending extra money.
Spider Plant Light Needs
We keep our Spider Plants in bright-to-moderate indirect light. These easy-going plants adapt well to different light conditions in low-light rooms when we adjust how much water they get.
Spider Plant Care Instructions
The ideal temperature range stays between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. We check the top 2 inches of soil and water only when it feels dry. These plants don’t like fluoride and chlorine, so distilled or rainwater works best.
Spider Plant Propagation
We’ve become skilled at two reliable ways to grow new plants:
- Water Propagation:
- Cut pups with emerging roots
- Place in distilled water
- Transplant after roots reach 1-2 inches
- Soil Propagation:
- Select mature plantlets
- Plant directly in well-draining soil
- Keep soil consistently moist until established
Spider Plants rank among the best houseplants for low-light spots and grow quickly with proper care. A single plant can produce several babies within weeks. The pot needs regular rotation to help plants grow evenly in darker spaces.
Dracaena
Image Source: The Spruce
The ever-changing world of indoor plants features Dracaena as one of the most diverse houseplants that thrive in low light, with over 120 species accessible to more people. Looking beyond a single variety, there are many more options that flourish in challenging light conditions.
Dracaena Light Requirements
Tests found that there was excellent adaptation to bright indirect light in most Dracaena varieties. Direct afternoon sun can burn their leaves, so keeping them away is essential. Dracaena warneckii or Janet Craig Compacta show exceptional tolerance to low light conditions, making them perfect choices for darker spaces.
Dracaena Care Guide
These plants grow best in temperatures between 60-80°F. Average household humidity provides an ideal environment. The top portion of soil should feel dry before watering. These plants’ sensitivity to fluoride and chlorine makes distilled water the best choice.
Popular Dracaena Varieties
Several varieties have proven their worth:
- Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans): Reaches up to 6 feet indoors
- Janet Craig: Tolerates both shade and bright light conditions
- Lucky Bamboo: Grows well in either soil or water
- Song of India: Features striking yellow-gold and green leaves
These plants excel at purifying air by removing harmful toxins like xylene and formaldehyde. Regular rotation ensures even growth under artificial lighting in offices or homes.
Prayer Plant
Image Source: HomeLight
Prayer Plants are among the most captivating houseplants that thrive in low light rooms. The sort of thing I love about them is how their leaves fold up like praying hands at night. These tropical beauties perform this daily ritual by moving their leaves from a horizontal position during daylight to vertical at night.
Prayer Plant Light Conditions
We place our Prayer Plants in medium to bright indirect light, though they adapt well to low-light conditions. Our observations show they grow better in lower light settings since intense direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves.
Prayer Plant Care Tips
These plants grow best at temperatures between 68-85°F. They need above-average humidity to thrive in low light conditions. Our experience shows these care practices work best:
- Water when 25% of soil volume is dry
- Use filtered or distilled water to prevent leaf browning
- Feed monthly during spring and summer
Prayer Plant Varieties
Several varieties make excellent indoor houseplants in low light:
- Red Prayer Plant: Features bold red veins
- Rabbit’s Tracks: Displays dark splotches on green leaves
- Black Maranta: Shows silvery blotches with white veins
Everything in these easy-care plants needs consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. A pebble tray or humidifier helps boost humidity in drier environments.
English Ivy
English Ivy stands out as a versatile climber among indoor houseplants that thrive in low light, adding classic charm to any space. Over the last several years of cultivation, experts have found these plants adapt beautifully to indoor environments when given the right care.
English Ivy Light Needs
English Ivy adapts to light conditions of all types, but performs best in bright, indirect light. Variegated varieties like ‘Ingrid Liz’, ‘Little Hermann’, and ‘Nena’ work great in darker spaces and show excellent adaptation to lower light levels.
English Ivy Maintenance
These low-light houseplants flourish at temperatures between 50-70°F. The soil needs water only when the top inch feels dry. The plant’s growth depends on these key elements:
- Gold Dust: Features cream-variegated leaves
- Baltica: Shows deep green foliage
- Glacier: Displays gray-green leaves with cream variation
English Ivy Training Tips
Regular pruning creates bushier growth and helps maintain shape. The ivy looks stunning when trained on trellises or wire frames to create topiary displays. Good drainage and regular pot rotation ensure even growth in containers.
The plant needs humidity levels between 40-60% consistently. These easy-care plants respond well to monthly feeding during spring and summer months.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns rank among the most rewarding houseplants in spaces that need high humidity and low light. These tropical beauties flourish with the right amount of moisture and filtered light.
Boston Fern Light Requirements
Our Boston ferns thrive near windows with filtered or dappled sunlight. These excellent low-light plants just need a few hours of bright, indirect light each day. Experience shows that morning sun works best since afternoon rays can harm the delicate fronds.
Boston Fern Care Guide
The ideal temperature range stays between 68°F-78°F. These plants grow best in consistently moist soil without becoming waterlogged. A twice-yearly fertilizer application during growing season and repotting every two years keeps them healthy.
Boston Fern Humidity Needs
Your Boston fern just needs humidity levels between 60-80%. Here’s the quickest way to keep moisture levels right:
- Mist fronds 2-3 times daily
- Place pots on water-filled pebble trays
- Keep plants away from air vents
- Use room humidifiers for steady moisture
Bathrooms or kitchens naturally provide higher humidity levels. Yellow tips on the fronds signal that your plant needs more moisture, so you’ll need extra misting sessions.
Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm stands out in our collection of indoor houseplants that just need low light. This classic houseplant brings tropical elegance and we found that there was remarkable adaptability to indoor conditions.
Parlor Palm Light Conditions
We place our Parlor Palms in bright, filtered light, but they adapt well to lower light areas. These best houseplants for low light conditions also thrive under regular fluorescent lighting, which makes them perfect for offices.
Parlor Palm Growth Guide
The optimal growth happens at temperatures between 65-80°F. The plant needs water only when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry. These easy houseplants that grow in low light rooms benefit from regular misting 3-4 times weekly.
Parlor Palm Problems
Our experience has shown these common issues:
- Yellow leaves: Usually means too much water
- Brown leaf tips: Shows dry air or temperature changes
- Spider mites: Happens when humidity is too low
New plants should stay isolated for 2-3 weeks to avoid pest problems. The plant grows best in darker spaces with proper drainage and consistent moisture levels that don’t waterlog the soil.
Maidenhair Fern
Maidenhair ferns test our gardening skills with their specific care requirements as indoor houseplants for low light. These delicate beauties can thrive in challenging conditions once you become skilled at their care.
Maidenhair Fern Light Needs
Our Maidenhair ferns grow best with filtered light and a clear view of the sky. These excellent houseplants for low light thrive in bright, indirect light and perform well near east-facing windows. You can also grow them successfully under fluorescent lights in office spaces.
Maidenhair Fern Care Instructions
These plants thrive in temperatures between 60-75°F. Your indoor houseplants just need consistently moist soil without becoming waterlogged. Daily moisture checks help determine watering needs – add water when the top inch feels dry.
Maidenhair Fern Troubleshooting
Our experience has revealed these common problems:
- Yellowing leaves: Your plant lacks sufficient light or nutrients
- Crispy brown fronds: The humidity has dropped below 50%
- Mushy roots: The soil is too wet
- Curling leaves: The air lacks moisture
These easy houseplants for low light rooms benefit from nearby humidifiers or bathroom placement where steam naturally increases moisture levels. A balanced houseplant feed works best at quarter strength monthly from March through September.
Calathea
Calathea stands out in our collection of indoor houseplants for low light with its striking foliage patterns and leaf movements that never cease to amaze. Our experience with these tropical beauties has helped us become skilled at their care in challenging light conditions.
Calathea Light Requirements
We found that there was a sweet spot for Calatheas in medium to bright indirect light, yet they adapt well to lower light conditions. The darker-leaved varieties show better tolerance to shade. These plants need protection from direct sunlight to prevent bleaching of their distinctive patterns.
Calathea Care Guide
Our observations show these plants thrive in temperatures between 65-85°F. The best houseplants for low light conditions need humidity levels of 50% or higher. The ideal soil mix consists of:
- 50% potting soil
- 20% orchid bark
- 20% charcoal
- 10% perlite
Best Calathea Varieties
These low-maintenance varieties work great as houseplants for low light rooms:
- Calathea lancifolia (Rattlesnake plant)
- Calathea roseopicta (Medallion)
- Calathea cocinna (Freddie) – specifically bred for low light
- Calathea ornata (Beauty star)
These indoor plants need watering every 1-2 weeks. The soil should dry halfway between waterings. Proper care ensures that Calatheas reward their owners with stunning foliage throughout the year.
Comparison Table
| Plant Name | Light Requirements | Temperature Range | Key Care Requirements | Notable Features/Benefits | Recommended Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Min. 5 hours daily | Not mentioned | Infrequent watering; repot every 3-5 years | Purifies air; converts CO2 to oxygen at night | Whale Fin, African Spear, Bantel’s Sensation |
| ZZ Plant | Medium to bright indirect, handles low light | 65-85°F | Water every 2-3 weeks; well-draining mix | Stores water in stalks and rhizomes; tough plant | Not mentioned |
| Pothos | Bright indirect, 8-10 ft from direct sun | Not mentioned | Water every 1-2 weeks; less in winter | Adapts to many environments | Jade Pothos, Neon Pothos, Golden Pothos |
| Chinese Evergreen | Near-shade to indirect light | 65-80°F | Well-draining, slightly acidic soil; wait until top inch dry | Grows under artificial lights | Silver Bay, Emerald Bay, Red Zircon, Maria |
| Peace Lily | Bright to low indirect light | 68-85°F | Quarter-strength fertilizer every 6-8 weeks | Blooms in low light | Not mentioned |
| Philodendron | Bright indirect, adapts to low light | 65-80°F | Water when top inch dry; regular misting | Adapts easily | Heartleaf, Brasil, Rojo Congo |
| Cast Iron Plant | Shaded to filtered light | 60-75°F | Well-draining soil; dry between waterings | Extremely hardy | Milky Way, Asahi, Okame |
| Spider Plant | Bright to moderate indirect | 65-75°F | Sensitive to fluoride/chlorine; use distilled water | Makes new plants through plantlets | Not mentioned |
| Dracaena | Bright indirect, adapts to low light | 60-80°F | Sensitive to fluoride/chlorine; average humidity | Purifies air | Corn Plant, Janet Craig, Lucky Bamboo, Song of India |
| Prayer Plant | Medium to bright indirect | 68-85°F | Needs high humidity; filtered water | Leaves fold at night | Red Prayer Plant, Rabbit’s Tracks, Black Maranta |
| English Ivy | Adapts to different light levels | 50-70°F | Wait until top inch dry; 40-60% humidity | Classic climbing vine | Gold Dust, Baltica, Glacier |
| Boston Fern | Filtered or dappled light | 68-78°F | 60-80% humidity; consistent moisture | Tolerates high humidity | Not mentioned |
| Parlor Palm | Bright filtered, adapts to low light | 65-80°F | Mist 3-4 times weekly | Grows under office lights | Not mentioned |
| Maidenhair Fern | Bright indirect, filtered light | 60-75°F | Consistently moist soil; high humidity | Looks delicate and airy | Not mentioned |
| Calathea | Medium to bright indirect | 65-85°F | 50%+ humidity; specific soil mix | Moves leaves; shows patterns | Rattlesnake, Medallion, Freddie, Beauty Star |
Conclusion
Our testing of these 15 low-light houseplants shows that darker spaces won’t limit your indoor gardening success. You can skip the struggle with light-hungry varieties. These proven performers are great options for any indoor space.
Snake Plants and ZZ Plants are all but one of these indestructible choices for beginners. Prayer Plants and Calatheas give experienced gardeners a reward with their leaf movements and striking patterns. Chinese Evergreens and Peace Lilies add beauty to office spaces. They thrive under fluorescent lighting and purify indoor air.
Of course, each plant needs specific care. Most plants just need well-draining soil, proper watering schedules, and moderate humidity levels. You will find success by matching your plant choice to the available conditions in your dim apartment corner or windowless bathroom.
Start with one or two easy varieties like Pothos or Spider Plants to build confidence before trying demanding options. These resilient plants adapt well to indoor environments and teach valuable care lessons.
