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 high levels of light to thrive.
However, there are indoor plants for low light that can fill that void.
They are perfect for those areas of a home or workplace that only receive artificial light or low levels of natural light.
Whether you are a beginner gardener or a seasoned professional, I hope you will look for ways to bring more living plants into your everyday life.
The list below is a great place to start!
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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
- Can thrive without fertilization
- An ideal succulent plant for the beginner
Prayer Plant (Maranta spp.)
Top Qualities:
- Leaves open during the day and close at night, hence the name
- Prayer plants are low maintenance- water approximately once a week. Do not allow the soil to dry out or to be soggy.
- Great for a bathroom as they thrive on humidity
- Unique patterns and colored leaves for visual interest
- Very pest and disease resistant
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Top Qualities:
- Visually interesting- variegated, corn-like leaves sprout from a cane
- Few pest or disease problems
- Great for a bathroom as they thrive on humidity
- Low maintenance- water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Do not allow the soil to dry out or to be soggy.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Top Qualities:
- Visually attractive- multi-colored leaves emerge from canes
- Low maintenance, water when the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry.
- An ideal plant for the beginner indoor gardener
- Few disease problems
- Few pests, but monitor for mealybugs on new growth
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Top Qualities:
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- Large, lush, variegated leaves with interesting patterns
- Extremely easy to grow
- Can develop white flowers then red berries when in higher light levels
- Low maintenance- water approximately every 7-10 days
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
- 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
Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
Top Qualities:
- Lush, variegated leaves for a striking appearance
- Ideal for a bathroom as it thrives on humidity
- Low maintenance- allow the top 1-2 inches of the soil to dry out between watering
*Note that Dumbcane is highly poisonous, so it should not be around pets or curious children!
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
Peperomia(Peperomia spp.)
Top Qualities:
- A large category of plants with many different leaf shapes, colors, textures
- Slow-growing so ideal for small spaces
- Low maintenance- allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering
- Ideal for the beginner indoor gardener
- Ideal for a bathroom as they thrive in humidity
Tradescantia
Tradescantia
Top Qualities:
- A trailing plant with striking variegated purple leaves
- Extremely easy to grow
- Low maintenance- allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering
- Grows well in a hanging basket or pot
- Responds well to light pruning to keep compact
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
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus)
Top Qualities:
- Extremely easy to grow
- Many different varieties with unique leaf colors, textures, and shapes
- Low maintenance- allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering
- Trailing habit allows it to grow well in a hanging basket or pot
- Responds well to light pruning to keep compact
- Few pest and disease problems
Heart-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
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
Care Tips for Indoor Plants:
- When watering, use distilled water or allow water to sit overnight in an open container to allow the chlorine to evaporate. The chemicals in treated water can cause brown tips on leaves.
- Turn the plant weekly so that it receives light equally on all sides. This prevents leaning or growing in one direction.
- The main cause of houseplant death is overwatering. When in doubt, always underwater rather than overwater.
- Fertilize sparingly and only in spring and summer. Most plants don’t grow much in the winter months- even indoors
- Place in the shower as needed to remove dust from leaves. This improves its aesthetics and allows it to “breathe” better.
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 [email protected] 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