30 Best Low-Light Indoor Plants That Add Life to Any Space
They'll brighten even the dimmest corners!
Contrary to what you might think, a lack of sunlight in your home doesn't have to equate to a lack of houseplants! Even if you don't have big, picture windows with endless streams of sunlight, you can still successfully grow indoor plants. In fact, many houseplant varieties are resilient to low light conditions and can even thrive in the shade! That includes rooms with only north-facing windows, areas illuminated by fluorescent lights, spots distant from windows, or rooms shaded by trees or buildings.
However, it's important to realize that low light doesn't mean no light; most houseplants and indoor trees—think the ZZ plant, monstera, and pothos—need some light to thrive and look their best. You can provide supplemental light with grow lights during the darkest days of winter or in very dark rooms. Many of them will even do just fine with occasional light from a table lamp.
Another thing to remember is that plants in low light typically will not need to be watered as often as those in high light settings. Always stick your finger in the soil first to check the moisture level; if soil sticks, wait a few more days before watering for plants that tend to like it on the dry side (which is many low light plants). You also should add fertilizer at half-strength only during the active growing season from spring to fall.Ahead, learn more about your new favorite low-light indoor plants that offer a splash of green for every room.
For more helpful houseplant ideas:
Silver Nerve Plant
A captivating indoor plant renowned for its intricate silver-veined leaves, this tropical beauty thrives in low light conditions, preferring consistent moisture and indirect sunlight. Its compact size and unique foliage make it an excellent choice for tabletops, terrariums, or as a decorative addition to shelves.
Light: Indirect light
Water: Sensitive to drought, water when soil feels dry
Size: 3 to 8 inches tall
Spaghetti Cactus
This minimal care plant flaunts slim, spaghetti-like stems, making it an appealing option for busy individuals or anyone seeking a striking touch to their home decor. While it thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, it's adaptable enough to survive in low-light conditions, too. Just be aware, its sap is mildly toxic, so handle it with care and place it out of reach from pets and children.
Light: Indirect light
Water: Water sparingly, every 2 to 3 weeks
Size: Up to 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Madagascar Dragon Tree
The Dracaena Marginata is a stunning, low-maintenance indoor plant with slender, arching green leaves edged with red or dark purple. It's a hardy plant that thrives in indirect sunlight and tolerates neglect, making it ideal for busy plant owners. In addition to its striking appearance, it's also known for its air-purifying properties.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry out before watering
Size: 6 feet tall
Oyster Plant
Also known as Moses-in-the-Cradle, this robust option can tolerate a range of lighting conditions, including dim spaces. It's just right for anyone wanting a splash of color for their interior and fits beautifully in small pots, hanging planters, or as a ground cover.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Water every 1 to 2 weeks
Size: 6 inches to 1 foot tall
Corn Plant
Minimal watering, an ability to thrive in dim environments, and its resistance to occasional neglect, makes the corn plant a perfect choice for beginner plant owners. Its lush, strap-like green leaves will even bring a tropical feel to your room as its air-purifying qualities help to create a healthier indoor atmosphere.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Water when top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch
Size: 4 to 6 feet tall
Calathea Rattlesnake
Thriving in low to medium light, this tropical gem prefers consistent humidity and regular watering. Its bold, attention-grabbing leaves actually move in response to light cycles, making it a dynamic addition to your shaded home.
Light: Low to medium indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: Up to 1 to 2 feet tall
Begonia
The beautiful begonia comes in a variety of shades, including burgundy, silver, green, pink, red, and orange! With its bright leaves and ability to thrive in low light conditions, begonia will light up any dim room it's placed in.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 6 inches tall and wide to 3 feet tall, depending on variety
Parlor Palm
Many palms, like the parlor palm above, are great options for the shadier spots in your space. Known for its bright, feathery fronds, this low maintenance plant does well even with very little light.
Light: Low to medium indirect light
Water: Water when top inch of soil feels dry
Size: 2 to 6 feet tall
Staghorn Fern
The dark green, antler-shaped leaves of this fern will add so much interest to your space! In nature, staghorn ferns grow on other plants rather than soil, and in your home can be mounted on wooden boards, doubling as an art piece.
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Frequent and consistent watering
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Spineless Yucca
This spiky plant is native to the desert but can still tolerate low light conditions (although it may grow slower and less lush). It'll do perfectly fine in the shady corners of your home, but will need very little water.
Light: Indirect light
Water: Drought-tolerant, should be watered sparingly
Size: 5 feet tall
Arrowhead Vine
Like the many shades this plant comes in (bronze, green, and variegated), the light conditions arrowhead vine thrives in can vary too! This plant does well in low to medium indirect light and begins to vine or trail over time, so it's perfect for hanging baskets.
Light: Low to medium indirect light
Water: When top half of soil dries
Size: Up to 3 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
Anthurium
If their red, heart-shaped leaves aren't enough to get you on the anthurium train, the plant's ability to tolerate a variety of light conditions sure will! While this tropical blooming houseplant prefers bright, indirect light, anthurium will do fine in lower light conditions.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Water when top inch of soil is dry
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide
Polka Dot Plant
With their bright green leaves and pink or white spots, adding the polka dot plant to your collection will instantly inject color and life into your home. This spotted plant prefers shade as hot, direct sunlight can cause its leaves to fade.
Light: Indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Bird's Nest Fern
Known for its bright green, rippled leaves, this fern does not fare well with sunlight. In fact, it prefers indirect light and can even tolerate low light (although you'll have to reduce watering levels accordingly). In the rainforest environments where it's naturally found, bird's nest ferns grow on the surface of other plants.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Keep soil consistently moist
Size: 2 feet tall
Bromeliads
This plant is tropical, but don't let that fool you! Bromeliads actually thrive in low light and can even grow under fluorescent light. Bromeliads love humid conditions, like the bathroom.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Water once a week or two by soaking the "tank" (the leaf cup) at the base of the plant
Size: 1 inch to over 35 feet tall, depending on species
Ponytail Palm
As its name suggests, the long, thin fronds of this palm resemble strands of hair in a ponytail. This easy-to-maintain plant tolerates a variety of light conditions, including low light. It's also a great choice for travelers as it stores excess water in its thick trunk, so it can go a couple of weeks without being watered.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Water sparingly, typically every 2 to 4 weeks
Size: Up to 5 to 8 feet tall
ZZ Plant
Unlike most tropical plants that prefer bright, indirect light, ZZ plant is quite forgiving and will push new growth even if it’s only getting the light from your desk lamp. Its glossy leaves and upright form make it a great plant for an office or poorly-lit bedroom.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Drought-tolerant, generally every 2 to 3 weeks
Size: Up to 2 to 4 feet tall and wide
Snake Plant
Snake plants have a dramatic, upright architectural shape, and they'll survive in even the darkest rooms. New types also have interesting spear-like shaped foliage instead of the more common flat leaves.
Light: Low to medium indirect light
Water: Sparingly, when soil is completely dry
Size: Up to 6 feet tall or more
Aglaonema
This plant not only tolerates low light levels, it also tolerates neglect! Aglaonema has pretty spotted leaves with silver or pink markings. It tolerates low light much better than many other houseplants.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Sensitive to overwatering, water when top inch or two of soil is dry
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, and it's surprisingly tolerant of low light levels. The one thing it won't like is staying wet, so water sparingly.
Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: When soil is dry to the touch, typically every 1 to 2 weeks
Size: Up to 6 to 10 feet in length with leaves ranging from 4 to 8 inches
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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