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 spp.
African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Air Plants
Tillandsia spp.
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
Areca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia nicolai
Bird's Nest Fern
Asplenium nidus
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Burro's Tail
Sedum morganianum
Calathea
Calathea spp.
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema spp.
Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera spp.
Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Dracaena
Dracaena spp.
Echeveria
Echeveria spp.
Elephant Ear
Alocasia spp.
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Haworthia
Haworthia spp.
Hoya
Hoya spp.
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Kentia Palm
Howea forsteriana
Money Tree
Pachira aquatica
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa
Nerve Plant
Fittonia albivenis
Parlor Palm
Chamaedorea elegans
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
Peperomia
Peperomia spp.
Philodendron
Philodendron spp.
Polka Dot Plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Ponytail Palm
Beaucarnea recurvata
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura
Purple Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis
Rattlesnake Plant
Calathea lancifolia
Rex Begonia
Begonia rex-cultorum
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Snake Plant
Sansevieria trifasciata
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium spp.
String of Hearts
Ceropegia woodii
String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus
Stromanthe Triostar
Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar'
Tradescantia
Tradescantia spp.
Umbrella Tree
Schefflera spp.
Watermelon Peperomia
Peperomia argyreia
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.