Low Light Plants

Low Light Plants

Not every home is blessed with abundant natural light. Fortunately, these resilient plants can thrive in low light conditions, bringing life to darker corners and spaces away from windows.

About Low Light Plants

Low light plants have adapted to survive in the understory of forests or other shaded environments. These plants have developed specialized features that allow them to photosynthesize efficiently even with minimal light exposure.

It's important to note that "low light" doesn't mean "no light" - all plants need some light to survive. Low light typically refers to:

  • North-facing windows
  • Several feet away from east or west-facing windows
  • Spaces with filtered light through curtains or blinds
  • Interior spaces with some ambient light but no direct sun

These adaptable plants are perfect for offices, apartments with limited windows, or rooms that don't receive much natural light.

Low Light Plants Collection

Aeonium

Aeonium

Aeonium spp.

African Violet

African Violet

Saintpaulia ionantha

Air Plants

Air Plants

Tillandsia spp.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis miller

Areca Palm

Areca Palm

Dypsis lutescens

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia nicolai

Bird's Nest Fern

Bird's Nest Fern

Asplenium nidus

Boston Fern

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Burro's Tail

Burro's Tail

Sedum morganianum

Calathea

Calathea

Calathea spp.

Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen

Aglaonema spp.

Chinese Money Plant

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera spp.

Croton

Croton

Codiaeum variegatum

Dracaena

Dracaena

Dracaena spp.

Echeveria

Echeveria

Echeveria spp.

Elephant Ear

Elephant Ear

Alocasia spp.

English Ivy

English Ivy

Hedera helix

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus lyrata

Haworthia

Haworthia

Haworthia spp.

Hoya

Hoya

Hoya spp.

Jade Plant

Jade Plant

Crassula ovata

Kentia Palm

Kentia Palm

Howea forsteriana

Money Tree

Money Tree

Pachira aquatica

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa

Nerve Plant

Nerve Plant

Fittonia albivenis

Parlor Palm

Parlor Palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Peace Lily

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

Peperomia

Peperomia

Peperomia spp.

Philodendron

Philodendron

Philodendron spp.

Polka Dot Plant

Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Ponytail Palm

Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea recurvata

Pothos

Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Prayer Plant

Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura

Purple Shamrock

Purple Shamrock

Oxalis triangularis

Rattlesnake Plant

Rattlesnake Plant

Calathea lancifolia

Rex Begonia

Rex Begonia

Begonia rex-cultorum

Rubber Plant

Rubber Plant

Ficus elastica

Snake Plant

Snake Plant

Sansevieria trifasciata

Spider Plant

Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum

Staghorn Fern

Staghorn Fern

Platycerium spp.

String of Hearts

String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii

String of Pearls

String of Pearls

Senecio rowleyanus

Stromanthe Triostar

Stromanthe Triostar

Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar'

Tradescantia

Tradescantia

Tradescantia spp.

Umbrella Tree

Umbrella Tree

Schefflera spp.

Watermelon Peperomia

Watermelon Peperomia

Peperomia argyreia

ZZ Plant

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Low Light Plant Care Tips

Watering Considerations

Plants in low light conditions typically grow more slowly and use less water than those in brighter locations:

  • Water less frequently than you would for the same plant in brighter light
  • Always check soil moisture before watering - the top 1-2 inches should be dry
  • Be especially careful not to overwater in winter when growth slows even more
  • Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot, which can be more common in low light situations

Maximizing Available Light

Help your low light plants thrive by optimizing the light they do receive:

  • Clean plant leaves regularly to remove dust that can block light absorption
  • Rotate plants periodically so all sides receive equal light exposure
  • Consider using light-colored or reflective surfaces near plants to bounce more light
  • Keep windows clean to maximize light transmission
  • Trim any outdoor foliage that may be blocking window light

Signs Your Plant Needs More Light

Even low light plants have minimum light requirements. Watch for these signs that your plant might need more light:

  • Leggy, stretched growth reaching toward light sources
  • Smaller new leaves compared to older ones
  • Slower growth or no new growth for extended periods
  • Loss of variegation in variegated plants
  • Yellowing leaves (though this can also indicate other issues)

If you notice these signs, try moving your plant to a slightly brighter location or consider supplementing with grow lights designed for houseplants.