:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/low-light-houseplants-snake-plant-hero-getty-1123-bb1e9fd1b2024e879a45c3e6bbd9fcfe.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1382&ssl=1 "The Best Low-Light Indoor Plants")
Houseplants are a wonderful way to breathe life into your home. But if you have limited daylight indoors, finding plant options that will thrive in your home may seem difficult. But believe it or not, there are plenty of low-light indoor plants that can survive in dim spaces, including popular houseplants like snake and spider plants. Keep in mind that low light doesn’t mean no light—these indoor plants still require some light (be it real or artificial) in order to grow. Read on to find out from horticulture experts which houseplants will work best in your low-light areas.
- Bridget Zazzara, indoor retail and seasonal plant manager for Logan’s Trading Company
- Sarah Nolimal, senior horticulturist at Chicago Botanic Garden
Snake Plant
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is known for its tall, skinny leaves and attractive foliage. “When in bloom, flowers resemble small lilies along a single stem and are very fragrant,” says Bridget Zazzara, the indoor retail and seasonal plant manager for Logan’s Trading Company. This plant is drought-tolerant, which means it is perfect for beginner plant parents.
- Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright light; well-drained soil
ZZ Plant
The ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), is another drought- and low-light-tolerant option. This slow-growing variety comes with solid green foliage that grows from upright stems. There are a handful of ZZ plant varieties, but the cultivar “Raven” has unique leaves that emerge light green and then fade to near black, says Zazzara.
- Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil
Peace Lily
Known for its beautiful, large white blooms and dark green leaves, peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.), is a moisture-loving plant that can get by with slightly less light than other tropical plants. It’s normal for the spathe (the white petal-like structure protecting the actual flowers) to die, but you can encourage it to bloom again with good soil, moisture, and a little light.
- Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright light; well-drained soil
Pothos
If you’re looking for a plant that thrives in low light, you can’t go wrong with pothos (Epipremnum sp.). These long vining plants can reach lengths of up to 20 feet or more and spill beautifully over hanging baskets. “Foliage can range from dark green to chartreuse to variegated white-and-green and more,” says Zazzara. These plants are also easy to propagate by placing cuttings in water.
- Size: Up to 20 feet long x 3 to 6 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-drained soil
Parlor Palm
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a slow-growing palm that can reach several feet in height. It likes to be slightly dry, so beware of overwatering it. It’s an understory in its native habitat, making it very adaptable to indoor low-light areas other plants may not survive in.
- Size: 2 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-drained soil
Chinese Evergreen
Looking to brighten up a dark corner with some color? Try Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema sp.), which is known for its beautiful foliage. There are many color varieties to choose from, from silver to pinkish red.
- Size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-drained soil
Lady Palm
Lady palm (Rhapis Excelsa) is an extremely slow-growing palm with unique dark green foliage that is shaped like a hand. Although it’s a slow grower, lady palm can become quite tall over the course of several years.
- Size: 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-drained soil
Spider Plant
Spider plant (Chlorophytum sp.) is a popular houseplant with unique foliage—it produces baby plantlets that dangle from long stems and can be propagated to make more plants. It likes to get slightly dry between watering and will tolerate indirect light—so it’s best for a spot where at least some light hits.
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-drained houseplant soil mix
Prayer Plant
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Prayer plants (Calathea sp.) have broad, striped leaves that are red on the underside. “Each leaf is held on its own stalk pointing up from the soil surface,” says Sarah Nolimal, senior horticulturist at Chicago Botanic Garden. These plants need more water during summer months, but less during winter. “It’s a good plant for people who might be prone to overwatering,” says Nolimal.
- Size: 2 feet tall x 2 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; free-draining soil rich in organic matter
Cast Iron Plant
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A very hardy plant that is tolerant of a range of growing conditions, cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) has tall, broad leaves that are available in a variety of variegation patterns. You’ll find this plant with stripes, dots, or a mix of both on its leaves, says Nolimal.
- Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-draining soil
Silver Pothos
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Silver pothos (Scindapsus pictus) is a type of pothos plant that has small, vining leaves with silvery speckles. It also goes by the names satin pothos or silver vine. “To create a fuller-looking pot, you can wrap the vines around the surface a bit, as they will send out roots from the nodes and continue growing,” says Nolimal.
- Size: 3 feet long x 2 feet wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil
Inch Plant
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While inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) is tolerant of low light, it needs a bit more light than the other indoor plants on this list in order to keep its purple-and-silver leaves bright. Too much sun, however, and you risk washing the colors out, says Nolimal. Be sure to let the plant dry down between waterings, as it can be susceptible to root rot.
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 1 foot wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil
Asparagus Fern
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Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus) has long fronds with small, hair-like leaves sticking out in all directions. The leaves have a very fine texture and bright green color, says Nolimal. The plant does well in humid conditions, like the bathroom, and will flower when well cared for.
- Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 18 to 36 inches wide
- Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil
