8 Houseplants That Thrive in Low Light

Ferns have a reputation for being tough to grow, but as long as they’re kept moist, Steinkopf says they make great houseplants. Put them on pebble trays for added humidity, and be sure to water before the soil feels bone dry.

8 Low-Light Houseplants That Can Survive Shady Rooms

For all the plant lovers out there with north-facing windows.

Ashley Abramson has written for online and print publications for ten years, with a focus on lifestyle and home content. She’s written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Allure, InStyle, and more. Previously, she worked as editor for local print and online publications.

Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. She has worked as an editor, fact checker, and copywriter for various digital and print publications. Her most recent position was in academic publishing as a publicity and marketing assistant for the University of Wisconsin Press

All houseplants need a few key components to thrive, sunlight among the most important. Through sun exposure, plants absorb energy so they can grow, sprout, and bloom. But what if your home isn’t exactly drenched in sunlight?

Not to worry: Every houseplant has different needs, and some can grow (and even thrive!) in low-light conditions—or spaces with virtually no natural light at all. Below, find eight houseplants to grow in shady rooms, according to experts.

What is considered low light for plants?

It’s important to note that all plants need some form of light—and a pitch-dark basement is very different from, say, a shady living room. In low-light conditions, a plant is at least a few feet away from a window that doesn’t get direct sunlight during the day, or perhaps there’s no natural light at all in the room. While some plants tolerate and even grow under low-light conditions, keep in mind they’ll probably grow slower than if exposed to more light.

Fernwood Mikado

A smaller version of the popular snake plant, the fernwood mikado is part of the dracaena genus, which is known to thrive on neglect, says Puneet Sabharwal, CEO and cofounder of the houseplant subscription service Horti and author of Happy Plant: A Beginner’s Guide to Cultivating Healthy Plant Care Habits.

While these plants can grow quickly in brighter conditions, they can easily adapt to low-light conditions (just like the snake plant). Keep your fernwood mikado on the dry side, as it has large root balls that store water for drought conditions, says Sabharwal.

Peperomia Green

Peperomia obtusifolia, or the baby rubber plant, is a versatile plant from the pepper family. These cuties enjoy bright, indirect light, but Sabharwal says they can also live in a space with low, indirect light. (Either way, steer clear from direct sunlight, which will quickly parch a peperomia.)

Another bonus? “These plants have semi-succulent properties, which means that they are able to store moisture in their fleshy stems or leaves to fall back on when needed,” says Sabharwal.

Silver Philodendron

Don’t let the luxurious-looking, velvety leaves fool you. The silver philodendron—also known as a satin pothos—is fairly low maintenance, says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, author of Houseplants: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Growing, and Caring for Indoor Plants. These vining beauties can survive in shady rooms without direct light, and they can wait for water until their topsoil is totally dry.

Arrowhead Vine

The arrowhead vine, which grows long stems as it ages, loves partial shade conditions. “If you can find the green variety, it can take a low light and will do well in a north window or in the interior of a room, near a window,” says Steinkopf.

Because it has thinner leaves, the arrowhead needs to be kept evenly moist, and it doesn’t like dry conditions. Try setting yours on a pebble tray for natural humidity.

Bird’s Nest Fern

Ferns, in general, can tolerate low light situations. “Mine are all in an east window or back a few feet from one,” Steinkopf says. Bird’s nest ferns are a good choice for shady spots, as well as any of the footed ferns, such as rabbit’s foot fern.

Ferns have a reputation for being tough to grow, but as long as they’re kept moist, Steinkopf says they make great houseplants. Put them on pebble trays for added humidity, and be sure to water before the soil feels bone dry.

Neon Pothos

Unlike other pothos varieties, the neon pothos won’t tolerate any direct sunlight, says Breanna Sherlock, the in-house plant expert for the Planta App. “They add a pop of color to any plant display, and their neon green leaves often show spots of dark green variegation. Plus, they won’t grow too large or too fast.”

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as the neon pothos is especially prone to root rot (especially if it’s not getting loads of sunlight).

Grape Ivy

Named for its resemblance to a grapevine, the grape ivy (also called oak leaf ivy) is an easy-to-grow houseplant that can tolerate low-light conditions.

Ivy plants don’t like to dry out, so Steinkopf recommends keeping yours evenly moist at all times. If it’s watered frequently enough, your grape ivy can grow quickly. Try training one on a trellis or obelisk to make a vertical statement in your home.

Calathea

Calatheas can tolerate low-light conditions, Steinkopf says, and their beautiful foliage is an added bonus. The catch? These patterned plants can be a bit finicky.

They prefer to be watered with something other than fluoridated tap water, so Steinkopf suggests using bottled water instead to prevent brown tips, edges, and spots. Calathea like to be kept moist, and they also prefer an elevated humidity level, so they’re perfect for a shady kitchen or bathroom. “The extra care is worth it as these are beautiful plants,” says Steinkopf.

8 Houseplants That Thrive in Low Light

No bright light? No problem. These varieties will survive in your dimmer rooms.

Lauren is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

If you have limited access to daylight indoors—or you’re looking to dress up a room where sunlight is harder to come by, like a bathroom or bedroom—then you’ll want to check this list of low-light-loving houseplants. According to Bridget Zazzara, the indoor retail and seasonal plant manager for Logan’s Trading Company in Raleigh, N.C., these houseplants can withstand the darker corners of your home.

Snake Plant

Also known as Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria), this plant is known for its tall, skinny leaves and attractive foliage. “Varieties can be anywhere from 3 to 4 inches tall to 3 to 4 feet tall,” says Zazzara. “When in bloom, flowers resemble small lilies along a single stem and are very fragrant.” This plant is drought tolerant, which means it is perfect for more negligent plant parents.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is another drought- and low-light-tolerant option. This slow-growing variety comes with solid green foliage that reaches between 1 to 3 feet in height. “The cultivar ‘Raven’ has unique leaves that emerge light green and then fade to near black,” notes Zazzara.

Peace Lily

Known for its beautiful large white blooms and dark green leaves, the Spathiphyllum sp., or Peace Lily, 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.

Devil’s Ivy/Pothos

If you’re looking for a plant that thrives in low light, you can’t go wrong with Devil’s Ivy. Also known as pothos, these long vining plants can reach lengths of 15 feet or more. “Foliage can range from dark green to chartreuse to variegated white-and-green and more,” says Zazzara. These plants are also easy to propagate—just placing cuttings in water.

Neanthe Bella Palm or Parlor Palm

Chamaedorea elegans, which also goes by the common names of Neanthe Bella Palm or Parlor Palm, is a slow-growing palm that can reach several feet in height. It likes to be slightly dry, so beware of over-watering it.

Chinese Evergreen

Looking to brighten up a dark corner with some color? Try Aglaonema sp., or Chinese Evergreen, which is known for its multicolored green or red-and-pink foliage. The colorful plant can tolerate moist to slightly dry soil in between watering. Some varieties can reach 2 to 3 feet tall.

Lady Palm

The Rhapis Excelsa, or Lady Palm, is an extremely slow-growing palm with unique dark green foliage that is shaped like a hand. The Lady Palm can grow to be 15 feet tall and wide over the course of several years. These palms will tolerate some soil dryness, and will also fare well with a bit of bright but indirect light.

Spider Plant

If you’re looking for a hanging plant, the Chlorophytum sp., or Spider Plant, is the perfect choice. It likes to get slightly dry between watering and will tolerate indirect light (so it’s best for a spot where some light hits). If you want to propagate some for yourself or a friend, you can do so by taking one of the “baby” plants and setting it in a dish of water until new roots sprout.