Low light plants do not equate to no light plants.
But luckily, they are very tolerant. No more relying on artificial plants as a source of lush, green nature in those bare corners of your home, office, dorm, and everywhere else you dwell.
When most people think of houseplants, they think of the bright sunlight to go with it. That, however, is not the case for all plants. A select group can flourish in lower light conditions where the sun cannot scorch their leaves. But remember, these tolerant plants still require a light source to photosynthesize and grow. Place these in areas like dark corners of the house, north-facing windows, and spaces with obstructed light. Here’s a general rule: if you have enough sunlight streaming in to read by, you have enough sunlight for a low-light plant to live in. When you have too little to no natural light, you can opt for electrical lighting such as fluorescent or LED bulbs. Grow lights offer fuel for houseplants that cannot see the sun.
Another benefit to these low-light lovers is the low maintenance they require. The decreased sunlight means reduced water. A majority of these houseplants are tropicals that have grown accustomed to thriving under shaded tree canopies on the forest floor where sunlight is filtered. A less than ideal situation for those other sun-loving and thirsty plants. Never fully neglect a plant, but these can handle less attention. If you start to see signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves, leggy and/or lopsided growth habits, or stunted growth, transfer to a brighter location with indirect sunlight.
A lack of full sun does not always mean fewer plants in your home. Keep your collection growing with low light plants. Explore a couple of those options below:
ZZ Plant
[Zamioculcas zamiifolia] plant.
ZZ plants are tropical, aroid palms that are a popular houseplant because of its tolerant personality and easy-to-care-for nature. Read more about ZZ plant care by clicking here.
LIGHT | Low – bright, indirect sunlight: These plants are able to live in low light conditions even though they may prefer bright, indirect sunlight to truly flourish. Less light will not cause harm to the plant, but growth will be slower. The addition of electrical grow lights can be beneficial to prevent leggy growth.
WATER | Dry soil: The rhizomes of the ZZ plant effectively retain water so keep watering minimal. Water roughly every 2-3 weeks and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Snake Plant
[Dracaena trifasciata] plant.
A tropical succulent with thick leaves and an upright growth pattern that requires little maintenance.
LIGHT | Low – bright, indirect sunlight: Brighter sun will promote more growth in this plant, but they will also do well in lower light conditions. Place this plant near a window or diffused sunlight to establish good growth habits.
WATER | Dry soil: Snake plants are succulents meaning they are able to store water in their thick, fleshy leaves. The soil should be well-draining and thoroughly dry before watering.
Spider Plant
[Chlorophytum comosum] plant.
One of the most well-known and popular houseplants that is easy to care for.
LIGHT | Low – bright, indirect sunlight: Place near a window with filtered sunlight for the best growth. However, variegated spider plants do not perform as well in low light as opposed to the all-green varieties.
WATER | Moist soil: Watering about once per week should be sufficient. These plants like consistent moisture, but be careful to not overwater and risk causing rot. Water once the top surface layer of the soil is dry.
Dracaena
[Dracaena fragrans] plant.
A tropical houseplant that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
LIGHT | Medium – bright, indirect sunlight: You can place these plants in low light, but they do prefer brighter to medium sunlight. Careful to not place in direct sunlight because that could potentially scorch the leaves.
WATER | Dry soil: Plant in well-draining soil and water around once per week. This plant is easily susceptible to root rot so be careful to not overwater and allow soil to become soggy.