Every gardener struggles with finding indoor plants for low-light rooms.
We all have areas of our home or office that we want to brighten with plants.
Most of us spend our day indoors, surrounded by technology.
Regardless of whether it is at an office, school, or home, adding nature and plants into our everyday lives can be challenging, as most plants require medium to high levels of light to thrive.
However, there are indoor plants that tolerate low light to fill that void.
They are perfect for those areas of a home or workplace that only receive limited artificial light or low levels of natural light.
However, as a horticulturist, I must say that the more light these plants get, the more they will grow and fuller they will look.
Plants in low light are not photosynthesizing much so avoid overwatering as this will create an environment conducive for root rot and fungus gnats.
Plants that aren’t growing rapidly won’t need to be fertilized as much either.
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Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Dracaena spp.)
(This plant was previously part of the genus Sansevieria)
Top Qualities:
- Thick leaves enable a snake plant to go long periods between watering. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering as overwatering is really the only way to harm these!
- Has a modern, vertical architectural shape
- Striking, yellow, and white variegated leaves for unique visual interest
- Very pest and disease resistant
- An ideal succulent plant for the beginner
- Click here to learn more about caring for snake plants
Parlor Palm (Chamaedora elegans)
Parlor Palm or Neanthe bella (Chamaedorea elegans)
Top Qualities:
- Used extensively to decorate parlors during the Victorian age, hence the name
- Graceful, arching fronds add a tropical feel to any room
- Low maintenance- better to underwater than overwater as they prefer to be slightly dry rather than in soggy soil
- We have more detailed information about neanthe bella care here.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Top Qualities:
- A vine, making it ideal for hanging baskets and bookshelves
- Pothos with variegated foliage bring contrast and visual interest into a room
- Low maintenance- allow top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between watering
- An ideal plant for the beginner indoor gardener
- Very pest and disease resistant, but prone to fungus gnats if overwatered
- An easy plant to make cuttings to create new plants
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)
Top Qualities:
- Graceful, arching, variegated leaves
- Easy to propagate “babies” that resemble spiders form off of the mother plant
- Low maintenance- allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry between watering
- Can be grown in a pot or hanging basket
- Ideal for a bathroom as they love humidity
- Few pest or disease issues
- Click here for more spider plant care information
Arrowhead Vine or Nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum)
Top Qualities:
- Unique arrow-shaped leaves
- Leaf shapes can change as the plant matures- begin to resemble fingers on a hand
- Variegated varieties provide visual interest
- Low maintenance- allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering
- Plants can be pruned to keep compact instead of becoming a vine
Bromeliads
Top Qualities:
- Unique strap-like leaves give it an exotic shape and texture
- The leaves grow in a rosette pattern that creates a center “cup” that catches water in the wild. This is where the plant is watered. Remove and change the water weekly.
- The flower is long-lived and stays on the plant for weeks
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Top Qualities:
- Has root structures (rhizomes) that allow it to store water, so only needs to be watered when the soil is dry
- Unique pattern to leaves for a modern, visual interest
- Naturally shiny, dark green leaves
- Ideal for gardeners with limited time to care for indoor plants
- Watch the video below and click here to read more about the ZZ plant!
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Top Qualities:
- Stems like to be submerged in water, so most are grown in decorative stones and water
- Low maintenance- change the water once per week
- Small, compact habit makes it great for desks and offices
- The stems can be braided into unique patterns
- Considered to bring good luck if given as a gift
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Top Qualities:
- Ideal for the beginner indoor gardener
- Low maintenance- water every 7-10 days when the top inch of soil is dry
- Peace lilies can wilt, but still, bounce back
- Dark green, lush tropical looking
- Ideal in a bathroom as they thrive on humidity
- Blooms are long-lasting
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra)
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra)
Top Qualities:
- An extremely tough plant (hence the name!), ideal for the beginner indoor gardener
- Lush, dark green leaves are beautiful in any room of the home.
- Leaves look great in a vase with flowers
- Used extensively as a houseplant in Victorian times as it thrived in the low-light conditions of homes prior to electricity
- Low maintenance- water the cast iron plant approximately once a week. Do not allow the soil to dry out.
- Very disease and pest resistant
Heart-Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
- Extremely easy-to-grow
- Low maintenance- allow the top inch or two of soil to dry before watering
- Trailing habit is perfect for displaying on a shelf or in a hanging basket
- Responds well to light pruning to keep compact
- Few pest or disease problems, but prone to fungus gnats if overwatered
- Easy to propagate by rooting cuttings in water
Hi! I’ve had 2 peace lily’s for more than 10 years and they have never had a flower. I would really appreciate any ideas, tips, instructions on what I could be doing wrong. Thank you!
Hi Jerrie, Peace Lilies need a lot of bright indirect light in order to bloom. Most of the ones you see in stores are grown in Florida (but under shade cloth because it’s so sunny!). Adding a grow light and allowing the plant to fill the pot will help as they need to get some size in order to bloom too! Best wishes! -Shannon
I have a houseplant that was given to me some years ago and I don’t know the name of it. If love to send you a picture. I think it might be in the cactus family.
Hi Diana, sure feel free to email a photo to me. I saw you joined our newsletter, you can just reply to one of those emails or send it to hello@trilliumlivingllc.com Best wishes! -Shannon
I have a plant that was given to me. It’s a very dark green kinda rubbery feel to it. I would love to know the name of it so that I can find instructions on how to care for it. I wish I could enclose a pic if you can email me that would be awesome. Thanks Kim
Hi Kim! Check your email! Thanks, Shannon
Should a Jade plant be kept indoors or outdoors? Low or max light? How often does it need to be watered?
Hi Michele, Jade plants can be outside in temps above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, they will incur damage. I keep mine outside in late spring through the early fall and then bring it back inside for the winter. It can tolerate low light, but it grows more compact and full in higher light levels. Jade plants are succulents, so they don’t need a lot of water. In the winter I water only once a month. Now I am watering every 7-10 days because it is quite hot. I have an article all about Jade plants here https://trilliumlivingllc.com/jade-plant-care-guide/ Happy Gardening!
Your plant suggestions are great since I love plants, but have a tendency to kill them. I’ve downloaded your e-book and will use it as my plant Bible 🙂
Hi Ellen, Thanks! I send out regular tips and always feel free to reply with questions. I am happy to guide you with your plant care! -Shannon