One of the biggest challenges that indoor plant lovers face is the low light conditions in their home. I’m right there with you friends! So that’s why I put together this list of houseplants that will do the best in the darkest areas of any room.
Wouldn’t it be great if every room in your house had huge south-facing windows for ALL of the plants? …Dreamy! But, back in the real world, nobody has that much sunlight in their home, which can make it difficult to find houseplants.
If this sounds familiar, my list below will give you tons of ideas for wonderful plants that will thrive indoors with very little sunlight.
Low Light Indoor Plant List
1. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Named for the fact that it’s extremely tough, cast iron plants are one of the best houseplants for very low light conditions, and will happily live in just about any area of your home.
Stick it in a corner and keep the soil on the dry side, and this one will live for years with very little light.
2. Philodendron
There are tons of different varieties of philodendrons out there, and they are some of the best low light houseplants out there.
Keep it out of the direct sun, and it will be happy. Learn how to grow a heart leaf philodendron here.
3. Lucky bamboo
Commonly sold in vases of water, lucky bamboo are perfect indoor plants for rooms with little light.
Keep the water fresh, and your lucky bamboo will thrive for many years to come.
4. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
This is a unique plant that prefers low light conditions indoors, they are also super fun to have in your collection.
Their leaves are open during the day, and then close up at night like little prayer hands, which is where they get their name.
5. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
I’ve had one in the corner of my kitchen next to a north-facing window for years, and it thrives there.
Not only are they good indoor plants, they are also a beautiful way to brighten up any dark corner of your home. Learn exactly how to care for your corn plant here.
6. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This is a classic low light indoor plant that will be happy in just about any area of your house, and they don’t need to be next to a window.
Keep it out of direct sun, and this one will happily live for years to come. Learn how to care for snake plants here.
7. Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)
Things I love the most about dragon trees are all the colors (though the most colorful ones do better with bright light), and the fact that they are awesome houseplants.
They look dramatic in a pot by themselves, but also make a wonderful addition to a mixed planter. Learn all about how to care for Dracaena marginata here.
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Another one of my favorites, Chinese evergreens are great for any room, and they don’t need very much light.
I keep mine in a dark corner in my basement that’s on the opposite side of the room from a sunny window, and it does great there. Read my complete Chinese evergreen care guide here.
9. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
These are one of the most popular low light indoor plants out there, and that’s because parlor palms are gorgeous.
Keep the soil evenly moist, and it will happily thrive in a shady spot. Read my comprehensive indoor palm plant care guide for more information.
10. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, aka devil’s ivy)
This is one of the first houseplants I’ve ever owned, and it will always have a coveted spot in my collection. The leaves will burn in the direct sun, so keep them in the shade.
They are perfect for planting in hanging baskets, or just allowing the vines to cascade over a coffee table or bookshelf. Learn all about how to care for a pothos plant here.
11. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ plants are another one of my top picks for indoor plants that do well in low light conditions.
Care for your ZZ plant just like you would treat succulents, but keep it out of direct sunlight, and it will look amazing. Learn exactly how to grow zz plants here.
12. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of the most classic of all, spider plants love the dark too. There are a few different varieties to choose from, and all of them look gorgeous in hanging baskets or set atop a pedestal.
The variegated ones are my favorites, especially the curly leaf variety called “Bonnie”. Learn all about how to grow spider plants here.
13. Dumb cane houseplant (Dieffenbachia)
Dumb canes are pretty tolerant of any home environment, and they’re very beautiful too.
Just keep your dieffenbachia out of direct sun, but give it indirect bright light to prevent legginess. Learn how to care for dumb cane plants here.
14. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
This is by far one of the most popular low light indoor plants, and they’re a staple in any collection.
Mine loves the spot it’s in, which is in our basement near a west-facing window where it gets indirect afternoon sun. Read my in-depth peace lily plant care guide for more details.
15. Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
Arrowhead vines are indoor plants that do great in areas that don’t get very much light. They look great in mixed containers, or in a pot by themselves.
The leaves will burn in direct sun, but they’ll get leggy if it’s too dark. So give them bright, indirect light for the best success.
16. Bromeliads
If you’re looking for plants to add some bright pops of color to your home, then these are perfect for you.
They perform their best in shady conditions, plus they are unique and beautiful. Read my complete bromeliad plant care guide to learn more.
17. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Another one of the best low light plants there is, ivies are fantastic for almost any indoor environment.
Put them in hanging baskets, on top of bookshelves or cabinets, or you could train the vines vertically on a mini obelisk, climbing plant stake, or moss pole.
18. Ferns
Another classic, ferns are such gorgeous indoor plants. Requiring little light, they are perfect to keep in just about any room of your house.
As long as they get the right amount of water, and are kept out of direct sun, they will live for many years.
19. Peperomia
There are tons of different types of peperomias, and they all make wonderful houseplants.
They look great in a hanging basket, or in mixed containers, and they are simple to care for too. Water them regularly, but don’t overdo it, and keep it out of direct sunlight. Learn all about peperomia plant care here.
20. Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)
Also called “wandering dude”, this is a popular choice for indoors. While they don’t like to be in a sunny window, they will get leggy if it’s too dark.
So give them bright light or filtered sun, and they will do great. Read my complete wandering jew plant care guide to learn more.
I hope this list has given you lots of ideas for some of the best indoor plants that prefer low light. Now you can spruce up that boring dark room, and give your home some life and greenery.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
More Houseplant Lists
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- 15 Easy Indoor Plants That Anyone Can Grow
- 17 Beautiful Purple Houseplants
- 15 Pet Friendly Indoor Houseplants
- How To Care For Tropical Plants Indoors
What plants would you add to this list? Share your favorites in the comments section below.
Cheryl says
Hi Amy! Thanks so much for sharing this information! I’m going to work on moving some of my plants to different areas because the majority of them are definitely getting too much light.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, good luck!
Carolyn says
Love all the great information on low light house plants. Thank you
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed the list! 🙂
Carly Hansen says
My parents have an Arrowhead vine that kind of struggling at the moment. It’s leaves are starting to turn pretty pale and I think there are about three healthier leaves. They didn’t know that it’s a low light plant and decided to put it outside where it’s definitely starting to get more pale. I’ve brought it inside and hid it in my darker room in the basement. Will it be okay? 🙁 Is there anything that I could give it to help it or save it? Thank you for your help! I loved reading your blog about all the low light plants and how to take care of them.
Amy Andrychowicz says
It definitely sounds like the plant is getting too much light. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves of low light plants, so that’s probably what has happened to yours. It will take time to recover, and the burned leaves won’t go back to normal. They will likely just die and drop from the plant. All you can do at this point is keep the plant growing in low light, and leave it alone to recover. Good luck!
Beverly says
Spider mites, out of nowhere, killed my palm. Ill plan accordingly, next time.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, sorry to hear about the spider mites!! Here’s a post about spider mites, and how to get rid of them for future reference… How To Get Rid Of Spider Mites On Houseplants